daily LISTINGS
DECEMBER events requiring advance registration begin on page 45.
sun 1 2013 KROHN HOLIDAY SHOW
Bring the whole family to check out all the new additions to the Krohn Conservatory’s annual holiday show, A Cincinnati Scenic Railway. This year’s show features new Cincinnati landmarks included within the bridges and trains display in the main exhibit room, six interactive elements, and hands-on experiences for the kids. A new display of vintage holiday decorations donated by the Schmalz Family will be available for viewing, along with the traditional poinsettia display, Christmas tree, the live Western & Southern Nativity, and special events, including Thursday Family Photo Nights, Sundays with Santa, live music and more. The holiday show will remain open through Jan. 5, 2014. Open daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., with special evening hours on Dec. 12 and 19 until 7:30 p.m. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive; $7 adults, $4 children, free ages 4 and younger; cincinnatiparks.com/krohn.
SPOTLIGHT: FREE Holiday Kickoff at the Taft Sunday, Dec. 1
K
ick off December with a fun day of free holiday activities for the whole family. Meet Santa, make an old-fashioned ornament and listen to Christmas melodies in the galleries. The house will be decorated inside and out with lights, garlands and displays of antique ornaments. The below photo is of the International Winter Wonderland from the Collection of Pam and Jim Thomas by Philip Groshong. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike Street; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call 513-241-0343 or visit taftmuseum.org.
A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
Visit beautiful Hillforest Museum, decorated in Victorian splendor for the holidays, including vintage toys. Open through Dec. 29; closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Hillforest Museum, 213 5th Street, Aurora; 1 - 5 p.m.; free with admission ($6 adults, $3 ages 7 - 13, free ages 6 and younger); 812-926-0087 or hillforest.org.
ANTIQUE CHRISTMAS
A holiday favorite returns. Get into a festive mood with this display of antique ornaments, toys and decorations, and learn about Christmas as it used to be. This year’s exhibition features new displays, including an arrangement of Noah’s Ark, an entire tree trimmed in cats and dogs, and another one all decked out with only pink ornaments. Exhibit will remain open through Jan. 5, 2014. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike Street; general admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors, students and teachers, $4 ages 12 - 17, free ages 11 and younger; 513-241-0343 or taftmuseum.org.
CHRISTMAS AT ENTERTRAINMENT JUNCTION
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at a magical indoor holiday celebration. Enjoy holiday lights and decorations, train displays, a special walk through the “Journey to the North Pole,” reindeer stables, the elves’ workshop, Santa’s house, and more. Open through Dec. 31 (closed Christmas Day). Hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Mon - Sat, and 12 - 6 p.m. on Sun. EnterTrainment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester; tickets start at $9.95; 513898-8000 or entertrainmentjunction.com.
FREE COMMUNITY MENORAH LIGHTING
Join the community to light the JCC’s menorah. Mayerson JCC, 8485 Ridge Road; 5 p.m. Dec. 1 - 4; 513-761-7500 or jointhej.org.
FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT
The Blue Ash and Montgomery Symphony presents Christmas Through the Ages with music from medieval to baroque to the pops. The Cincinnati Choral Society will join the Orchestra for this concert. Montgomery Assembly of God Church, 7950 Pfeiffer Road; 7 p.m.; 513-232-0949 or bamso.org.
HOLIDAY IN LIGHTS
Buckle up the family for a mile of fantastic seasonal lights to be enjoyed from the warmth of your own car. Featuring more than 120 moving and standing holiday-themed figures depicting everything from Santa
34 December 2013
to Godzilla, there’s something for everyone. After your tour, head inside to Santaland for more fun with hot chocolate or baked goodies, live entertainment, a train display and photos with Santa. Open through Dec. 23; 6 - 9 p.m. Sun - Thu, and 6 - 10 p.m. Fri - Sat. Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road; $13 per car, $45 for buses and 15-passenger vans; 513-769-0393 or holidayinlights.com.
HOLIDAY JUNCTION
One of Cincinnati’s favorite holiday traditions kicks off today, featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains. Holiday Junction is open through Jan. 5, 2014. Hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon - Fri, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sun, and 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dec. 24. Closed on Christmas Day. Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Avenue; admission included with All Museums Pass ($12.50 adults, $8.50 children, $11.50 seniors); 513-287-7000 or cincymuseum.org.
FREE HOLIDAY KICKOFF AT THE TAFT
Please see “Spotlight” this page for details.
HOLIDAY TRAINS
Check out more than 250 feet of tract, Lionel trains and an interactive layout in this holiday favorite, enjoyed by families across Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. Exhibit will remain open through Jan. 19, 2014. Behringer Crawford Museum, 1600 Montague
“Where Every Family Matters.”
Road, Covington; free with admission ($7 adults, $6 seniors, $4 ages 3 - 17); 859-491-4003 or bcmuseum. org.
NATURE IN WINTER HIKE
Join the naturalist for a hike to discover how nature copes with winter. Playground, Fernbank Park, Thornton Drive; 2 p.m.; a valid Hamilton County Park District Motor Vehicle Permit ($3 daily, $10 annual) is required to enter the park; 513-521-7275 or greatparks.org.
NORTH POLE EXPRESS
Take a train ride to the LM&M Junction to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and get a small gift and share your Christmas wishes. Stop at the Holiday Post Express to color pictures or write letters destined for the North Pole, and enjoy a holiday cookie and a cup of hot chocolate while watching the Elves perform. Trains depart at 10 a.m., 12:15, 2:30 and 4:45 p.m. on Dec. 1, 8, 15, 21 and 22; at 10 a.m., 12:15 and 4 p.m. on Dec. 7, and an additional 7 p.m. departure time on Dec. 14, 21 and 22. Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, 127 South Mechanic Street, Lebanon; $20.50 adults, $15.50 seniors and ages 5 - 16, $8.50 ages 2 - 4, free infants 1 year and younger; 513-933-8022 or lebanonrr.com.