Downtown Cincinnati will offer more than 30 free holiday activities this season, including the return of the popular Macy’s Downtown Dazzle on Saturday, November 25, December 2 and 9 along with free visits and photos with Santa at Macy’s Fountain Place, beginning November 24. Visit DowntownCincinnati.com for more information.
Each Saturday during Macy’s Downtown Dazzle, Santa, Rudolph and an Elf rappel down the side of the Huntington Center, 525 Vine Street, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a spectacular Rozzi’s fireworks display that wraps up this 20-minute family-friendly program.
Macy’s Downtown Dazzle
Fountain Square
Corner of Fifth and Vine Streets, Downtown Cincinnati
Saturdays, November 25, December 2, 9; 6:30 p.m. (choirs at 5:30 p.m.)
FREE! See Santa and his friends rappelling down the side of the Huntington Bank Center to the Macy’s rooftop to kick off a spectacular fireworks display. This 20-minute family-friendly program features performances from local choirs and guest emcees starting at 5:30 p.m.
HOME for the Holidays: November 25
Join host John Morris Russell, the Cincinnati Pops conductor, for traditional holiday music from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble and the Young Professionals Choral Collective, along with special guests from the Holiday Character Crew.
MAGIC of the Holidays: December 2
Host Victoria Morgan, artistic director of Cincinnati Ballet, and the Nutcracker, celebrate the magic of the holidays with music from the Queen City Sisters and the Cincinnati Men’s Chorus.
FAMILY FUN for the Holidays: December 9
The Wicked Stepsisters, from Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati holiday production of Cinderella, host Cinderella and the Cincinnati Boychoir as they sing family favorites for this festive season.
Story time with Mrs. Claus at Macy’s Fountain Place
Macy’s Fountain Place, 505 Vine Street, Downtown Cincinnati
Saturdays, November 25, December 2, 9, 7:15 p.m.
FREE! After the fireworks, enjoy balloon-twisters and face painters while you cozy up for story time with Mrs. Claus inside Macy’s Fountain Place.
Weekend Carriage Rides at Macy’s Celebration Station
Boards at corner of Fifth and Race Streets, Downtown Cincinnati
November 24-26; December 2-3; and December 9-10, December 16-17
Noon-5 p.m. (Final boarding at 4:45 p.m., please arrive early!)
FREE! Enjoy free horse-drawn trolley carriage rides through the heart of the city.
Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s Santa at Macy’s Fountain Place!
Fridays and Saturdays, November 24-December 16, 12-8 p.m.
Sundays, November 26-December 17; 12-6 p.m.
Monday-Sunday December 18-24, 12-5 p.m.
Thursday, November 30, December 7 and 14, 4-7 p.m., visit with African American Santa.
FREE! Bring your own camera for photos with downtown’s only Santa in a festive North Pole setting.
Caroling on the Connector
Saturday, December 2, 9 and 16, 12-3 p.m.
FREE! Singers from the Young Professional Choral Collective entertain riders on the Cincinnati Bell Connector with festive holiday tunes.
ArtsWave Cincy Sings Carolers
Saturday, December 2, 9 and 16, 3-5 p.m.
FREE! Enjoy holiday tunes while you shop at locations around Fountain Square from choirs who competed in this year’s ArtsWave’s Cincy Sings competition.
Downtown Gift Card: The Perfect Holiday Gift
The Downtown Gift Card returns as a great holiday gift that can be used at more than 200 establishments in downtown, Over-the-Rhine, Findlay Market, and The Banks. Gift cards are always available on line at www.DowntownCincinnati.com, at the Downtown Cincinnati Inc. office at 35 East Seventh Street, Suite 202, and at Findlay Market and can be purchased in any denomination from $5 to $500.
