The Holidays Start Now in Cincinnati

The holidays start NOW in Cincinnati. November is full of local markets, holiday lights, and ways to give back to the community ahead of Thanksgiving and the holidays.

Here's what's on the calendar this month.

Local Markets and Makers

Germania Society Christkindlmarkt

Friday, November 6, 5–10pm | Saturday, November 7, 11am–10pm | Sunday, November 8, noon–5pm | 3529 W. Kemper Rd.

A German Christmas market, mostly under a covered pavilion and heated tents, with raclette, wursts, roasted almonds, German beer, and Glühwein. Shop imported steins, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, and glass-blown ornaments alongside local artisans. There are carriage rides, a petting zoo, a visit from Krampus, a lantern parade Saturday at 7pm, and Family Day on Sunday. Germania's own booths are cashless.

More info: germaniasociety.com/christkindlmarkt

Sharonville Holiday Market

November 6–8 | Sharonville Convention Center

Hundreds of vendors selling apparel, decor, jewelry, and gifts, and Santa will be there to greet kids. It's new this year, a second market from the team behind the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market. There's also a VIP Shopper Morning for early entry.

More info: sharonvilleholidaymarket.com

Northside Record Fair

Saturday, November 7, 11am–4pm (early bird entry at 10am) | Heart in Balance Event Center, 4222 Hamilton Ave.

Northside's twice-a-year record fair, with 60+ tables across two floors. If there's a music person on your list, start here. Park in the lots behind the church off Hobart, then make a day of it: the fair recommends Shake-It Records nearby and coffee at Sidewinder or Collective Espresso.

More info: northsiderecordfair.com/location

Art on Vine Holiday Markets

Saturday, November 14 (Holiday Kick Off) and Sunday, November 22 (Pre-Thanksgiving Blitz), noon–6pm | Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St.

Local artists and makers at Rhinegeist, twice before Thanksgiving. They're also at Fountain Square on Black Friday (see below).

More info: artonvinecincy.com

ArtisanFest 513 Holiday Market

Saturday, November 14, 11am–3pm | Washington Park

ArtisanFest's holiday market in Washington Park, with local artisans, vintage, streetwear, handmade goods, food, and art. It's a good one to pair with Art on Vine at Rhinegeist the same afternoon.

More info: washingtonpark.org/series/artisanfest-513

ArtLocal Art Show

Friday, November 20, 7–10pm and Saturday, November 21, 10am–2pm | The Grove Event Center, 9158 Winton Rd., Building B

Friday night is a silent disco: three DJs, you pick your channel on the headphones and shop the art, with a dessert bar and signature cocktails. Artist awards are handed out at 9pm. Saturday is the quieter day for browsing and buying, with a “100 Years From Here” gifting celebration from noon to 1pm.

More info: theartsconnect.us/165/ArtLocal-Art-Show

Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market

November 20–22 | First Financial Center

Hundreds of vendors selling apparel, decor, jewelry, and more, and Santa will be there to greet kids. It's back downtown at the renovated First Financial Center (the former Duke Energy Convention Center) after two years in Sharonville. There's a VIP Shopper Morning for early entry too.

More info: cincinnatiholidaymarket.com

Holiday Market at the Cincinnati Art Museum

Saturday, November 21, 10am–5pm and Sunday, November 22, 11am–4pm | Main lobby

The museum's seasonal gift market brings local artists and artisans together in the main lobby. It's an easy one to pair with the museum's new Charley Harper exhibition.

More info: cincinnatiartmuseum.org/events-programs/events-list

Holiday Bazaar at Queen City Clay

November 21–22 | Queen City Clay, 2760 Highland Ave., Norwood

Nearly 100 artists from Cincinnati's clay community selling functional pottery, jewelry, and home decor. Yield Coffee and the Sea Cuisine food truck will be there, and the sale uses overflow parking, so check their parking map before you go.

More info: queencityclay.com/annual-sales

The OFF Holiday Market

Saturday, November 21, 10am–4pm | Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Rd., Blue Ash

The OFF Market's holiday edition at Summit Park, focused on everything you need for the holidays. Their markets usually bring 120+ local and regional vendors plus food trucks.

More info: theoffmarket.org

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

Art on Vine Black Friday: Holiday Village Market

Friday, November 27, 5–9pm | Fountain Square

Art on Vine moves to Fountain Square the same night as Light Up the Square. It's their only Fountain Square market this month; the others are at Rhinegeist.

More info: artonvinecincy.com

Crafty Supermarket Holiday Show

Saturday, November 28, 11am–5pm | Music Hall Ballroom

Crafty Supermarket's holiday edition, with a mix of returning favorites and new makers, and great music while you shop. Founded in 2009, it's Cincinnati's longest-running indie craft show.

More info: craftysupermarket.com

WestSide Holiday Market

Saturday, November 28, noon–5pm | Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave.

The WestSide Market's holiday edition lands on Small Business Saturday every year. Their monthly markets bring 100+ local businesses, mobile boutiques, artists, and vintage sellers.

More info: westsidemarketcincy.com

Shop Small Saturday Block Party

Saturday, November 28, starting at 8am | Findlay Market

Findlay Market is a patchwork of small, family-owned businesses, and this is their day to celebrate Shop Small Saturday. Jumpstart your holiday shopping without a big box store in sight.

More info: findlaymarket.org/marketevents

Homegirl Holiday

Sunday, November 29 | Black Sunday shopping at 4pm, show at 6pm | Memorial Hall

New Legacy Ensemble Theatre's holiday stage play returns for its 7th run: a funny, heartfelt modern spin on the Nativity that explores the traditions of Kwanzaa and asks whether Santa is real. It starts at 4pm with Black Sunday, holiday shopping with Black-owned businesses, which every ticket holder gets access to.

More info: memorialhallotr.com/cincinnati-shows/new-legacy-ensemble-theatre-homegirl-holiday

Holiday Lights and Things to Do with Family in Town

A Spider's Gift

Now through January 3, 10am–8pm daily | Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park

The elves are taking the year off, so Krohn invited some friendly spiders to keep warm for the season. The show is inspired by the Ukrainian Christmas Spider folktale, which says spiders bring good fortune. There's also an indoor guided mindfulness walk through the show on Thursday, November 19, 7–8:30pm.

More info: cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks/visit-a-park/parks-events-calendar/a-spiders-gift

Ice Rink Opening Day with ArtisanFest Makers on Ice

Saturday, November 7 | Elm Street Plaza, 150 W. Fifth St.

The UC Health Ice Rink opens for the season, and local artists from ArtisanFest set up on the plaza from 11am to 3pm for some early holiday shopping. Local mascots skate from 11am to 1pm, and there's a s'mores bar and face painting. The rink has a warming tent and the Pavilion Bar for hot drinks and snacks all season.

More info: elmstreetplazacincy.com/event/opening-day-of-the-ice-rink

Acres Aglow

Opens Saturday, November 14, through February 28 | The Acres, 9941 Reading Rd., Evendale

Light art and play in the lit woods, including light-painting performances beside a glowing geodesic sphere, a zip line, and a glowing canoe. Walk the light-up path, then play mini golf at night under string lights.

More info: acrescincinnati.com/acres-aglow

Holly Jolly Days

November 14 – January 10 | Behringer-Crawford Museum, Covington

The museum's annual Holiday Toy Trains: eight Lionel trains running on 250 feet of track through villages, tunnels, and winter scenes. Kids can push buttons to ring bells, send firefighters down poles, and beam a cow into a UFO.

More info: bcmuseum.org/activities/holidays

CAM Nights & Holiday Lights

Starting November 18, select evenings, 5–9pm | Cincinnati Art Museum

A Charley Harper projection show at the art museum, closed Thanksgiving. Inside, the museum's first full-scale Charley Harper exhibition, Creatures Wild and Tame, is on view too.

More info: cincinnatiartmuseum.org/visit/cam-nights-holiday-lights

PNC Festival of Lights

Starting Thursday, November 19 | Cincinnati Zoo

The zoo's holiday lights run through January 3, and the Madcap puppet show performs nightly at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30pm. Come early to see the animals and stay for the lights. The zoo is closed Thanksgiving Day.

More info: cincinnatizoo.org/events/festival-of-lights

Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt

Opens Friday, November 20 | Thursday & Friday 5–9pm, Saturday 3–9pm, Sunday 3–7pm | Smale Riverfront Park

A Christmas market on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn at Smale Riverfront Park, with food, drinks, and gifts. There's an outdoor ice rink trail, an igloo boardwalk, holiday lights, choral and musical performances, and character visits. Closed Thanksgiving.

More info: cincinnatichristkindlmarkt.com

Pyramid Hill Lights

Starting Friday, November 20 | Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton

A drive-through light show winding through the sculpture park, with more than a million lights, favorites like Swan Lake and Candy Cane Lane, and new artist installations. Since you never leave the car, the dog can come too.

More info: pyramidhill.org/events/lights

North Pole Express

November 20–22 and 27–29 | LM&M Railroad, downtown Lebanon

A 1 hour 15 minute train ride with Santa and his elves through Warren County, and every kid gets a souvenir bell. Rides often sell out, so book ahead.

More info: lebanonrr.com

Light Up the Levee

Saturday, November 21, 3–7pm | Newport on the Levee

A 50-foot tree lighting with Rozzi fireworks at 7pm. There's a Vendor Row, roaming carolers, live music, a snowman bounce house, and Santa at The Gallery from 1 to 5pm.

More info: newportonthelevee.com/light-up-the-levee

Thanksgiving Day Race

Thursday, November 26 | TQL Stadium

Get your miles in before dinner at the 117th running, with the Western & Southern 10K, the 5K, or the Kids Fun Run. New this year is the first-ever Thanksgiving Day Race beer, made with Streetside Brewing, for runners 21 and up. If you give blood at Hoxworth by November 23, you'll get a registration discount code (details under Ways to Give Back).

More info: thanksgivingdayrace.com

Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise

Thursday, November 26 | Board at noon (sails 1–3pm) or 4:30pm (sails 5:30pm) | BB Riverboats

A two-hour cruise with a traditional holiday buffet, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.

More info: bbriverboats.com/cruise/1000249/2026-11-26

Scuba Santa's Water Wonderland

Friday, November 27 through December 24 | Newport Aquarium

The aquarium turns into a Water Wonderland with playful penguins, colorful holiday lights, and a flurry of bubbles. Santa swims in the shark tank and can actually see, hear, and talk with the kids.

More info: newportaquarium.com/things-to-do/aquarium-events/scuba-santa-s-water-wonderland

Kings Island WinterFest

Select nights starting Friday, November 27 | Kings Island

Millions of lights, family activities, new live entertainment, holiday food and drinks, and select rides. Check the park calendar for which nights it's open.

More info: sixflags.com/kingsisland/events/winterfest

Light Up the Square

Friday, November 27, 6–10pm | Fountain Square and Elm Street Plaza

Downtown's tree lighting stretches along Fifth Street from Fountain Square to Elm Street Plaza. Fountain Square has the Duke Energy Holiday Tree lighting, fireworks, and performances from Pones Dance and the Southern Gateway Chorus, while Elm Street Plaza has cookie decorating, fire dancers, and face painting. Come early for Art on Vine's Holiday Village Market on the square.

More info: elmstreetplazacincy.com/event/duke-energys-light-up-the-square-2

Ways to Give Back

St. Vincent de Paul Winter Coat Drive

Drop off at any SVDP Thrift Store | Volunteer at the coat distribution Saturday, November 7, 9am–noon, Elder High School

Clean out the coat closet: coats, hats, mittens, and scarves in sizes infant to adult can go to any SVDP Thrift Store, and adult coats are needed most. Volunteers are also needed to sort coats and help neighbors shop at distribution events. Sign up through the coat drive page or email volunteers@svdpcincinnati.org.

More info: svdpcincinnati.org/drives-events/winter-coat-drive

Give Back Cincinnati: Farm & Garden Winterization

Saturday, November 7 | Gorman Heritage Farm

A hands-on volunteer day helping get the farm and gardens ready for winter. RSVP on the event page.

More info: givebackcincinnati.org/event-details/hands-on-farm-garden-winterization

SAAP Friendsgiving

Sunday, November 8, 4pm | Mojave East

The Stray Animal Adoption Program's 4th annual Friendsgiving fundraiser: a pasta bar, raffles, auctions, and games, all to help rescue dogs and cats find homes. Can't make it in person? There's a livestream option.

More info: givebutter.com/c/friendsgiving-2026

Hoxworth Blood Center

All of November | Neighborhood Donor Centers and mobile drives

Donors this month get a light-up Cincinnati Cyclones sweater hat while supplies last, and Veterans Day shirts on November 10 and 11. Donors at Neighborhood Donor Centers also get a WKRP Turkey Drop apron. Give between November 1 and 23 and you'll get a discount code for the Thanksgiving Day Race. Schedule at hoxworth.org or 513-451-0910.

More info: hoxworth.org

Give Back Cincinnati: Food Pantry & Personal Shopper Experience

Saturday, November 14 | 1146 William L. Mallory Sr. St.

An interactive volunteer shift at a food pantry. RSVP on the event page.

More info: givebackcincinnati.org/event-details/food-pantry-personal-shopper-experience-interactive-event

Champions Keep Warm Winter Clothes Drive

Saturday, November 14, 5–8pm | Elite Sports Complex

Drop off winter gear or come to the community event.

More info: Facebook post from the host

Heartfelt Tidbits Giveback Event

Saturday, November 21 | Heartfelt Tidbits

Help put together personal care bags for clients of Mary Magdalen House. They need travel-size body wash, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and body wipes.

More info: Facebook post from the host

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Saturday, November 21, 3pm and 7:30pm | Heritage Bank Center

TSO's 30th anniversary tour, The Ghosts of Christmas Eve. At least $1 from every ticket sold goes to local charities, and in Cincinnati that includes St. Vincent de Paul. It works as a date night too.

More info: trans-siberian.com

St. Vincent de Paul Thanksgiving Food Distribution

Tuesday, November 24, starting at 9am | Neyer Outreach Center, 1125 William L. Mallory Sr. St.

SVDP hands out turkey-and-fixings meal kits to Hamilton County neighbors. Volunteers greet neighbors, help with check-in, and carry groceries to cars. Sign up through svdpcincinnati.org or email volunteers@svdpcincinnati.org.

More info: svdpcincinnati.org/seasonal-programs

Good Plates Giving Project

Wednesday, November 25, 10am

Good Plates gives away hot meals, winter goods, wellness products, and toys the day before Thanksgiving. It started in 2020 for UC students who couldn't go home for the holiday and now serves thousands of meals. Donations help fund it: Venmo @goodplateseatery.

More info: goodplateseatery.com