December? Where has this year gone?!
2026 may be coming to a close but there’s still a lot to celebrate in Cincinnati for the month of December! From historic tours to sing along movies to outdoor markets, this curated list of things to do should keep you busy this month!
The list below is date specific for Cincinnati in December, 2026.
You might also want to check out these seasonal guides:
Drive Through Christmas Light Shows (plus walk thru too!)
Christmas Craft Shows
December 5: Head to Light Up College Hill for an evening of wintery fun! 6-9pm
December 4-6: Head to Waynesville for Christmas in the Village. Stroll in and out of retail and dining storefronts, while listening to carolers, choirs, and musicians. Santa arrives daily, 1300+ luminaries along Main Street, 40+ shops, and much more.
December 4: Happy Holidays with the Mighty Wurlitzer, an enchanting The Night Before Christmas-themed concert, returns to Music Hall for a 7pm show. Step into the magic and nostalgia of the holidays and let this musical celebration become part of your family’s annual tradition.
December 5-6: It’s time for the annual Newport’s historic East Row Victorian Christmas Tours. Residents will be opening their spectacular historic homes to the public, just in time for the Christmas season. They will have 7 distinct homes scattered around the Historic District, each with a unique character sure to delight visitors. Tour hours each day will be from 12pm to 6pm this year. Tickets required.
December 5-6: It’s Findlay Market’s annual Holiday Market Weekend! They will have dozens of local artisans alongside the normal lineup of merchants selling holiday gifts, food and decor.
December 5: Lebanon’s 37th Annual Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival returns. There will be two horse-drawn carriage parades this year: a daylight parade at 1 pm and their traditional candlelight parade at 7 pm. Enjoy a Christmas Festival (starting at 10am), visits with Santa, shopping, food, lights, and more.
December 5: Christmas Tree Lighting in Loveland
December 5: Art on Vine – The Holiday Gifts Sale at Rhinegeist Brewery. 12-6pm
December 5: Santa’s Workshop is taking place at Elm Street Plaza (downtown), 11am – 1pm. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be ready for photos in an igloo. Photos are free (bring your own camera).
December 5: Downtown Dazzle will be at Elm Street Plaza (downtown), 6-8pm. See Santa rappel from a Cincinnati skyrise followed by a fabulous fireworks show.
December 6: Liberty Center will host a Sensory Santa event from 10:30-11:30am. Sensory Santa is a sensory-friendly opportunity for children with special needs and their families to enjoy a private photo session and visit with Santa Claus in a calming environment before the mall opens to the public.
December 12: The Reindog Parade will be brightening up the streets of Mt. Adams starting at 2pm. Santa will lead the parade of dogs in their holiday best accompanied by their two legged friends.
December 12: The jolliest bunch of Santas will be singing some tunes as SantaCon takes on Downtown Cincinnati (The Banks, OTR, CBD), Covington, and Mt. Adams. The Cure Starts Now is their official charity and they will be supporting them again.
December 12: Head to Hocking Hills for Christmas in Ash Cave, 5-7pm. This holiday program begins with an unguided lantern walk along the paved trail to Ash Cave. Once in the cave, families can visit with Santa, sit around the campfire, listen to carolers or music, sip hot chocolate, and munch on cookies.
December 12: Be swept back in time while visiting Old Historic Loveland during Christmas in Loveland. Everything from Jolly Ole’ St. Nick and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole, to a live Nativity scene, to a Winter Wonderland! 2-6pm.
You might also like: Drive Through Christmas Light Shows in Cincinnati
December 12: Head to Sharonville for Christmas on the Loop, 11am-3pm. Fun for all ages with horse-drawn carriage rides, their downtown business open house with annual Sharonville ornament, music, food trucks, iceless ice rink, and more!
December 12: Santa’s Workshop is taking place at Elm Street Plaza (downtown), 11am – 1pm. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be ready for photos in an igloo. Photos are free (bring your own camera).
December 12: Downtown Dazzle will be at Elm Street Plaza (downtown), 6-8pm. See Santa rappel from a Cincinnati skyrise followed by a fabulous fireworks show.
December 19 is National Wreaths Across America Day at Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 3,400 locations across the United States, at sea, and abroad. The wreaths are placed on the headstones of fallen soldiers. You can volunteer to lay wreaths at Spring Grove Cemetery that day.
December 19: Art on Vine – The Holiday Gift Sale at Rhinegeist. 12-6pm
December 19: Santa’s Workshop is taking place at Elm Street Plaza (downtown), 11am – 1pm. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus who will be ready for photos in an igloo. Photos are free (bring your own camera).
December 19: Downtown Dazzle will be at Elm Street Plaza (downtown), 6-8pm. See Santa rappel from a Cincinnati skyrise followed by a fabulous fireworks show.
Check out our long list of New Year’s Eve Events here
All events were accurate at the time of this posting but things do happen and events do occasionally get canceled or postponed. You should always double check with the event source before you head out the door. Links for each event are provided so that you can be sure the date is still accurate before you head out.