This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Xavier chapter.
Everyone’s getting ready for the holidays! Here are few places you can visit with friends and family where you can enjoy Christmas lights, Santa, shopping, etc. There’s so much to do so don’t miss out collegiettes!
1. Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo
- About: Walking outdoors around the Zoo, Christmas lights are up almost everywhere.
- Location: 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220 (about 10min from Xavier)
- Date/Time: Nov 19-Jan 1. Open Sun-Thur: 5pm-9pm, Fri & Sat: Fpm-10pm. *closed on Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve (open during the day) & Christmas (closed all day)*
- Tickets: General Admission: Adults ($16 online, $18 at gate), Child/Sr ($12 online, $13 at gate)
- Things to Do: Toyland Express Train Ride, Carousel, Polar Express 4-D Experience (need tickets (buy online or at the door)), Zoo
- Website
2. The Christmas Ranch
- About: Outdoor and indoor walking experience.
- Location: 3205 S Waynesville Rd, Morrow, OH 45152 (about 30min from Xavier)
- Date/Time: Nov 25-Dec 31. Open Sun-Thur: 5pm-9pm, Fri & Sat: 5pm-10pm. *Closed on Christmas Eve & Christmas*
- Tickets: Fri-Sun: $20 per vehicle, Mon-Thurs: $15 per vehicle, Charter buses ($4 per person, $200 minimum), 12 Person Van/Small Bus ($4 per person, $48 minimum)
- Things to Do: Train & Wagon Rides, Shop, Pictures with Santa
- Website
3. Holidays in Downtown Cincinnati
- About: Affordable things to do in Cincinnati
- Location: Cincinnati, OH (about 10min from Xavier)
- Date/Time: Various dates & times depending on the activity/event
- Tickets: Prices for activities/events varies (i.e. ice skating at Fountain Square, admission for $6 & rent skates for $4)
- Things to Do: Ice skating at Fountain Square, looking at holiday decor at The Western Cincinnati, Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, Pictures with Santa & Santa letters at Macy’s Fountain Place
- Website
4. Christmas Light Show at Coney Island
- About: 2-mile car ride through Christmas displays & lights
- Location: 6201 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230 (about 15min from Xavier)
- Date/Time: Nov 11-Jan 1. Dusk until 10pm.
- Tickets: $6 per person, children 3 & under are free
- Things to Do: 2-mile car ride looking at Christmas lights
- Website
5. Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods
- About: Over a mile long car ride through Christmas themed displays
- Location: 11450 Lebanon Road, Route 42 Sharonville, OH 45241 (about 20 min from Xavier)
- Date/Time: Nov 18-Dec 31. Sun-Thur: 6pm-9pm, Fri-Sat: 5:30pm-10pm.
- Tickets: $13 per vehicle, $45 (buses & 15 passenger vans)
- Things to Do: Car ride through Christmas displays
- Website
That’s certainly not all of them. Here are a few other places to check out.