Glow With the Flow
We often dream of a White Christmas in the Ohio Valley. We romanticize the snow until the moment it actually hits our windshields. The forecast for Cincinnati this year has thrown us a curveball. We are looking at temperatures in the 40s and 50s for the week of Christmas. You could mourn the lack of snow. You could also seize this rare opportunity to enjoy outdoor holiday magic without losing feeling in your toes.
The usual heavy hitters like the Cincinnati Zoo and Kings Island are fantastic. They will also be packed. This year’s mild weather opens the door to expansive outdoor walking tours that usually require arctic survival gear. Here is your guide to the hidden gems of the Queen City that shine brightest when the thermometer rises.
The Urgent "Last Call": Yuletide Village
Dates: Friday, Dec 19 & Saturday, Dec 20 (CLOSED Christmas Week) Location: Renaissance Park, Waynesville
We must start with a warning. Yuletide Village closes its gates for the season on December 20. Do not drive there during Christmas week. You will find only locked gates and disappointment.
This is not a sterile LED light show. It is a rustic 16th-century immersion. You walk through a permanent timber-framed village populated by Vikings and the "Bad Boys of Yule." The mild forecast is a game changer here. The paths are gravel and dirt. You can navigate them easily without slipping on ice. Enjoy a turkey leg and a hot bourbon cider by the fire pit. Visit Krampus if you dare. Just do it this Friday or Saturday.
The Best Kept Secret: ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum
Dates: Dec 23, 26, & 27 (Closed Dec 24/25) Location: Petersburg, KY
Many locals ignore this spot because they assume it requires a museum ticket. That is incorrect. The outdoor Garden of Lights is arguably the best free light display in the tri-state area. You simply pay for parking.
The display utilizes the site's massive botanical gardens. Most visitors sprint through the main path during freezing years. This year’s warmth invites you to explore the winding trails. You can cross suspension bridges and view the waterfalls at a leisurely pace. The lit-up dinosaurs offer a prehistoric twist you won't find at the mall.
European Flavors: Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt
Dates: Daily (Closed Dec 25) Location: The Banks
Skip the long lines for roller coasters. Head to the riverfront for food. The Christkindlmarkt on the event lawn at The Banks brings Germany to Cincinnati. It features an ice slide and curling lanes.
The real draw is the open-air culinary experience. Freezing rain typically ruins the charm of an outdoor market. This week’s weather is perfect for it. Stand outside in a light jacket while savoring Raclette cheese scraped fresh from the wheel. Wash it down with a mug of Glühwein. Visit on Christmas Eve before 7:00 PM for a perfect pre-dinner appetizer.
The Wall of Light: Legendary Clifton Mill
Dates: Daily (Including Dec 24/25) Location: Yellow Springs, OH
This destination is worth the drive. Clifton Mill does not do subtle. It covers a historic grist mill and the surrounding river gorge in 4 million lights.
The location makes weather a crucial factor. You are standing on the edge of a deep river gorge. It gets damp and cold. A 50-degree night transforms this from an endurance test into a genuinely beautiful spectacle. Every hour features a synchronized music show where the lights erupt from total darkness. You can finally stand still long enough to watch the whole performance.
The Quiet Escape: Observatory After Hours
Date: Saturday, Dec 27 Location: Mt. Lookout
You might need a break from the holiday chaos by the Saturday after Christmas. The Cincinnati Observatory offers an adult-focused escape. This ticketed "After Hours" event lets you view the stars through the oldest telescope in the country.
The domes are strictly unheated to protect the optics. Science can be shivering work in December. A mild night makes this romantic and educational rather than physically painful. Book your tickets in advance.
Do not stay inside waiting for snow that isn't coming. Take advantage of the green Christmas. Walk the trails. Eat the cheese. See the lights without the frostbite. Just remember to check the calendar before you go.