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:
through January 4
Festival of Ferns at Krohn Conservatory
Walk through a botanical model of Cincinnati created by Applied Imagination and experience classic trains and iconic landmarks. Surround yourself with ferns, familiar and unexpected, from towering tree to delicate maidenhairs complemented by the crimson hues of seasonal poinsettias. Open daily from 10a–8p.
Tickets will only be available for purchase at the door. Check theirevent calendar for special event tickets.
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); Tuesdays are free for City of Hamilton residents (proof of residency is required and participating zip codes are 45011, 45013, and 45015)
Winter Nights & River Lights
Purple Purple Bridge
Christmas lights and holiday decorations spread across the bridge, with events happening throughout the installation.
Free admission
Winter Wonderland
Cobblestone OTR
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo
Open Sunday–Thursday until 9p; Friday and Saturday until 10p (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas)
Come early for the animals; stay for the 43rd annual Festival of Lights festivities that start at 4p, featuring 4 million LED lights, North Polar Express Train (starting at 2:30p), statues in Fiona’s Fairyland, blacklight puppet shows, Santa and costumed character visits (starting at 4p), Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, Animal Lanterns throughout the zoo, and snacks at S’mores-n-More stands.
Included with zoo admission
Shillito’s Elves
Carew Tower (along Fifth Street)
The elves’ move is part of expanded holiday programming that will stretch throughout downtown’s Fountain District.
Free
through January 5
Holiday Junction Featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
Union Terminal
The beloved Duke Energy Holiday Trains are back for their 79th season.
Free for members or included with museum admission
through January 25
Sheida Soleimani: What a Revolutionary Must Know
Contemporary Arts Center
Visually arresting photographs, sculpture, and video that piece together the remarkable journey of her parents’ escape from Iran’s totalitarian regime.
January 9
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 10
Chili Fest Weekend
Findlay Market, 3–5p
Chili Fest tasting event, chili cook-off (accepting 20 participants), and Red Hot Rumble hot sauce competition between vendors.
January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7
Great Parks Winter Hike Series
Great Parks Locations, 10a–12:30p
January 10: Winton Woods (Harbor)
January 17: Sharon Woods (Sharon Center)
January 24: Woodland Mound (Seasongood Nature Center)
January 31: Shawnee Lookout (Eagle’s Landing)
February 7: Miami Whitewater Forest (Visitor’s Center)
Select your hike based on difficulty, group, or theme. Hikes are educational or challenging, ranging from four to 5.5 miles. All hikes conclude with soup, cookies, and camaraderie.
$10 per hike; registration required
January 13–25
Hell’s Kitchen
Aronoff Center
January 15–March 8
Illustrated Memoir Project
Contemporary Arts Center
The Illustrated Memoir Project positions immigrant and refugee youth as the authors of their own stories and provides a platform on which they can share their lived experience and unique ways of knowing the world
January 16–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 17–February 15
Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women
Playhouse in the Park
The classic novel in a playful and theatrical new adaptation.
Click here to read more about the 2025–26 season
January 19
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 7:30, continental breakfast 8–8:30, and program at 8:30; tickets
January 23–24, 30–31, February 6–7
Fire & Ice Returns
Moerlein Lager House
Ice bars, fire performers, themed dinners, igloos, and ice sculptures.
January 30–February 15
A Soldier’s Play
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Click here for the 2025–26 season schedule
Have any questions or want specific recommendations about things to do? Just ask!
