Every month Tour de Cincinnati creates a shortlist of notable events around Greater Cincinnati—large festivals, food weeks, entertainment, and ongoing series—to make sure you mark down these dates to keep in mind as you make plans in the coming weeks.
Here are several important dates for local events in January to get in your calendars now:
November–January
A Hoxworth Blood Center initiative featuring blood drives at 20 area breweries and bars throughout the holiday season. Donors can save lives while earning a t-shirt, brewery discounts, and gift cards for their next visit. The first blood drive will be on November 2 with more dates running through November, December, and January.
Click here for the complete schedule and for more about the gift from each.
through January 5
2024 Winter Nights & River Lights
Purple Purple Bridge
Christmas lights and holiday decorations spread across the bridge, with events happening throughout the installation.
Free admission
Christmas at the Junction
EnterTRAINment Junction
EnterTRAINment Junction will be closing in January, so this is your last chance to see Christmas and holiday train sisplays, as well as visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Admission included with Do-It-All ticket
Let It Glow!
Cincinnati Art Museum
The Alice Bimel Courtyard will be transformed into an immersive outdoor light-filled winter wonderland, complete with a 30-foot-tall interactive snow globe.
Free admission
PNC Festival of Lights
Cincinnati Zoo
Come early for the animals; stay for the lights as the zoo is transformed into a “Wild Wonderland” for the 42nd annual Festival of Lights, featuring 4 million LED lights, North Polar Express Train (staring at 2p), statues in Fiona’s Fairyland, nightly Madcap puppet shows, Santa and costumed character visits (starting at 4p), Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, and snacks at S’mores-n-More stands.
Included with zoo admission
Pyramid Hill Lights
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
One million lights, scenic displays, and installations by local artists—all experienced from the comfort of your car.
Admission is $25 per carload ($15 per carload for members)
Solstice Glow
Krohn Conservatory
Celebration of long nights and winter with holiday trains amidst lush tropical foliage. Open daily from 10a–8p.
Tickets
3rd Annual Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt
Moerlein Lager House
All ages German-American Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt, complete with food, beverages, merchandise, holiday lights, choral music, themed character visits, ice rink, Igloo boardwalk, and musical entertainment.
Free admission
through January 6
Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains at Union Terminal
Cincinnati Museum Center
The beloved Duke Energy Holiday Trains are back for their 78th season.
Free for members or included with museum admission
January 7–19
Les Misérables
Aronoff Center
The world’s most popular musical.
January 10
Opening Day: Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
A mother’s bravery. Her son’s legacy. “Let the world see what they did to my boy.” The heart-wrenching words spoken by Mamie Till-Mobley as she insisted upon an open casket for her 14-year-old son who was brutally murdered for whistling at a white woman in Money, Mississippi, in 1955, catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement in America. Through April 6, 2025.
Included in museum admission. Free for members and on Fifth Third Community Days
January 10
After Glow: Adults-Only Festival of Lights Encore
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Experience the Festival of Lights in a relaxed, child-free atmosphere.
Included in Zoo admission; $18 for nonmembers and $10 for students
January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8
Winter Hike Series
Great Parks
Annual series of challenging and educational hikes, ranging from four to 5.5 miles, with informative stops to explore the parks’ natural history and unique features. All hikes last about two hours and conclude with soup, cookies and camaraderie.
January 11: Winton Woods
January 18: Sharon Woods
January 25: Woodland Mound
February 1: Shawnee Lookout
February 8: Miami Whitewater Forest
$10 registration (ages 5+)
January 11–12
Chili Fest Weekend
Findlay Market
Chili Fest tasting event, chili cook-off (accepting 20 participants), and Red Hot Rumble hot sauce competition between vendors.
January 16–February 10
Terra Futura Community Response Show
Contemporary Arts Center
Participative art project by visual artist Louisa Lama- Aknin. Click here for information about Terra Futura.
Free admission
January 20
King Legacy Celebration
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 8a
A morning of music, reflection, and a call to action in celebration of the life and enduring legacy of Rev. Dr. MLK, Jr. The celebration will be live and in-person and will include a continental breakfast. A livestream option is also available.
Doors at 8, continental breakfast 8–8:30, and program at 8:30; tickets
January 21–February 28
2025 Winter Checkout Challenge
Complete new challenges at CHPL’s 41 locations or from the comfort of your home. Open to adults ages 18 and over.
January 21, February 1, 8
Fire & Ice Returns
Moerlein Lager House
Ice bars, fire performers, themed dinners, igloos, and ice sculptures.
Friday, January 24, 6–10p
Saturday, February 1, 6–10p
Saturday, February 8, 6–10p
Have any questions or want specific recommendations about things to do? Just ask!
