Things to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Cincinnati, Ohio

Looking for something to do in Cincinnati for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? We’ve compiled a list of ideas for you.

And new for this year: we’ve compiled a list of all the Cincinnati area restaurants that will be open for Christmas Eve and/or Christmas Day. Pro tip here: make your reservations!

All Cincinnati Christmas Eve and Christmas Day events listed are for 2023.

Things to Do on Christmas Eve, 2023:

Coney Island’s Nights of Lights is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, dusk til 10pm. Find our list to tips and more info on the show here.

Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt will be open on Christmas Eve, 12-7pm. Enjoy the magic of downtown and the riverfront at Christmas time with this outdoor holiday themed event on the lawn next to the Moerlein Lager House. Enjoy food around the big fire pit, carolers, the (new this year) ice slide, igloos, entertainment, and more.

Deck the Y’alls Lightfest will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 5:30-9pm.

Pyramid Hill Lights is this year’s light display at Pyramid Sculpture Park and it’s open on Christmas Eve, 6-10pm.

The Fountain Square Ice Rink will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 10am-10pm. Is this the year to make bumper cars on ice a new tradition?

Krohn Conservatory is open on Christmas Eve 10am – 8pm (be sure to check with their calendar for times before heading out the door). Enjoy this year’s Holiday Show, “Golden Days of Yule”. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Be sure to leave some time to visit the Crib of the Nativity, a live nativity scene in the Krohn’s front lawn too!

EnterTRAINment Junction is open on Christmas Eve.

The Newport Aquarium is open on Christmas Eve. In addition to the aquarium, be sure to see Scuba Santa swim underwater with a tank full of sharks and tell him what you want for Christmas. Meet cheerful elves straight from the North Pole and join in the fun as Scuba Santa fills the Theater with bubbles.

Things to Do on Christmas Day:

Coney Island Nights of Lights is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, dusk til 10pm. Find our list to tips and more info on the show here.

Krohn Conservatory is open on Christmas Day 10am – 8pm (they have that time listed now but I’m going to guess that will change – be sure to double check times before you go). Enjoy this year’s Holiday Show, “Golden Days of Yule”. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Be sure to leave some time to visit the Crib of the Nativity, a live nativity scene in the Krohn’s front lawn too!

Deck the Y’alls Lightfest will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 5:30-10pm.

The Fountain Square Ice Rink will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. No reservations needed.

Cincinnati Restaurants open on Christmas Eve, 2023:

Moerlein Lager House will be open on Christmas Eve, 10am-9pm. Be sure to leave some time to also visit the adjacent Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt (open 12-7pm). Find it all at 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, downtown.

Hilton Netherland Plaza offers a “Dickens Brunch” on Sundays in December (2023), including Christmas Eve. Enjoy assorted local cheeses and charcuterie displays, salads and soups, carving stations, traditional English style entrees and sides, and a seafood display featuring jumbo Shrimp, oysters, and more. Reservations required – book early!

Ivory House will be open (looks like 10am-8:30pm) on December 24, 2023. Nestled in the historic Westwood Town Hall District, Ivory House sets a new standard for the modern steakhouse experience. Find them at 2998 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45211.

The Pacific Kitchen will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2023, 11am to 9:30pm. They’re located at 8300 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, Ohio 45242.

The Cheesecakery will be open on Christmas Eve, 9am-2pm. Find them at 4825 Whetsel Ave., 45227.

Shires Rooftop will be open on for holiday lunch on Christmas Eve, 10am-2pm. Book your indoor table via OpenTable. They also have igloos which need to be reserved here.

Tela Bar and Kitchen is open for Christmas Eve Brunch, 10am-3pm. Find them at 1212 Springfield Pike in Wyoming, Ohio.

Wandering Monsters Brew and BBQ, a new-ish spot in the Anderson area, will be open on Christmas Eve, 10am-5pm. They’re located at 8251 Beechmont Ave., 45255.

Streetside Brewery is open on Christmas Eve, 10am-6pm. They’re located at 4003 Eastern Ave., 45226. Craft Burger Bros., a food truck that’s behind Streetside Brewery, will be open on Christmas Eve, 11am-5pm.

Knockback Nat’s Neighborhood Bar will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve hours are 11am-10pm. They open at 6pm on Christmas Day. They’re located at 10 7th Street W, downtown.

BrewRiver Creole Kitchen will have a Christmas Eve Brunch with a visit from Santa, 10am-2pm. Make your reservations at 513-861-2484. Find them at 4632 Eastern Ave., 45226.

MRBL is open on Christmas Eve, 4:40-8:30pm. They’re located at 119 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky 41073.

MVP Sports Bar and Grille will be open on Christmas Eve, 12-8pm. They’re located at 6923 Plainfield Rd., 45236.

Christine’s will be open on both Christmas Eve (11am-10pm) and Christmas Day (11am-10pm). Find them at 3360 Westbourne Drive, 45248.

Chart House will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve hours at 3-9pm and Christmas Day hours are 12-9pm. Make reservations here. Find them at 405 Riverboat Row in Newport, Ky.

The Loon: Wine Bar and Shop will be open on both Christmas Eve (3pm-midnight) and Christmas Day (8pm-2am). They’re located at 4124 Hamilton Ave., 45223.

Everything Bagels will be open on Christmas Eve, 7am-1pm. Find them at 792 Eastgate South Drive, 45245.

Kanji OTR will be open on Christmas Eve, 11am-10pm (kitchen closes at 9:35pm). Find them at 1739 Elm St., downtown.

Honey Hole Bar and Grill will be open on Christmas Eve (11am-4:30pm) and Christmas Day (4-9pm). They’re located at 7501 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, Ky.

State Line Restaurant will be open on Christmas Eve, 6am-12pm. Find them at 55 US Hwy 50 in Greendale, IN.

TBD for 2023: Leyla Mediterranean, a spot that’s combining a love of fine dining and Kurdish food, will be open until 10pm on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call for reservations or carry out. They’re located in the Anderson Towne Center, 7418 Beechmont Ave, Suite 106, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255.

Cincinnati Restaurants open on Christmas Day, 2023:

Knockback Nat’s Neighborhood Bar will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve hours are 11am-10pm. They open at 6pm on Christmas Day. They’re located at 10 7th Street W, downtown.

Rosedale OTR will be open on Christmas Day from 8pm to 2am.

Chart House will be open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Eve hours at 3-9pm and Christmas Day hours are 12-9pm. Make reservations here. Find them at 405 Riverboat Row in Newport, Ky.

The Loon: Wine Bar and Shop will be open on both Christmas Eve (3pm-midnight) and Christmas Day (8pm-2am). They’re located at 4124 Hamilton Ave., 45223.

Honey Hole Bar and Grill will be open on Christmas Eve (11am-4:30pm) and Christmas Day (4-9pm). They’re located at 7501 Alexandria Pike, Alexandria, Ky.

Christine’s will be open on both Christmas Eve (11am-10pm) and Christmas Day (11am-10pm). Find them at 3360 Westbourne Drive, 45248.

The Pacific Kitchen will be open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2023, 11am to 10pm. They’re located at 8300 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, Ohio 45242.

TBD for 2023: Leyla Mediterranean, a spot that’s combining a love of fine dining and Kurdish food, will be open until 10pm on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call for reservations or carry out. They’re located in the Anderson Towne Center, 7418 Beechmont Ave, Suite 106, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255.