Jolly events to celebrate the season
When the weather outside gets frightful, the holiday events around West Chester and Liberty Township are delightful. This December, take a time-out from the hustle and bustle of the season to enjoy time together with your family and friends.
This is your opportunity to move to the top of the “nice” list. Start a new tradition or honor an old, treasured custom. Put on your favorite ugly holiday sweater, fill your mug with a steaming hot cocoa and point your sleigh toward the sounds of carols and jingle bells.
There’s no need to stray over the river and through the woods to celebrate the holidays. Local parks, farms and city streets transform into winter wonderlands. Here is your guide to fun, family-friendly adventures that are right here in our neighborhood and surrounding towns.
WinterFest at Kings Island
Every day’s a snow day at Kings Island’s WinterFest. This popular local attraction merges all of the joys of the holidays on one sprawling property.
Stroll down International Street to shop for unique gifts, enjoy sweet treats and take in a variety of live musical shows. Bundle up to ice skate on the Royal Fountain and wander through ten different winter scenes to see ice sculptures and lighted displays.
Warm up while you do a kid’s craft or decorate cookies. Get your group’s photo taken inside a snow globe. All of this, plus there are 19 rides open in the chilly winter air.
Enjoy something for everyone under millions of twinkling lights at Kings Island’s WinterFest, open on select nights between November 22 and December 31. Tickets and specific hours are available online. VisitKingsIsland.com, 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, 513.754.5700
*VIP Upgrade*
The VIP experience includes a luxury Igloo rental for up to eight guests, refillable souvenir hot chocolate mugs, VIP seating at select shows and priority access to many experiences. Additional fee required.
Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum
Holiday Lights on the Hill offers a departure from the cold, dark nights with a world of nighttime brightness.
Pay by the carload to drive a two-mile loop and delight in the twinkling lights adorning the rolling landscape of Pyramid Hill. The centerpieces of the driving tour are scenes that incorporate the sculptures themselves, giving an entirely different view to the dozens of pieces of artwork in the park.
It’s as if the art is throwing a holiday party, and you are invited. Drive through November 22 through January 5, 2020. Details are online. PyramidHill.org, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Road, Hamilton, 513.868.8336
*Membership Benefits*
Consider purchasing an annual family membership. Members get free admission to the park and museum during regular hours as well as discounted prices for holiday lights and art cart rentals.
EnterTRAINment Junction
Santa’s sleigh knows the way to EnterTRAINment Junction, the world’s largest indoor model railroad display. Take in the 25,000 square-foot display of trains trekking through a variety of U.S. landscapes and different eras of history. The park features an indoor A-Maze-N-Funhouse, an interactive attraction for all ages with fun mirrors, mazes and mind-boggling spaces.
Don’t miss their seasonal addition, a Christmas walk-through, including a journey to the North Pole with a peek at the elves in the toy workshop and reindeer in the stable. Grab a cookie in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen and end your visit with the jolly man in the red suit. When the kids are worn out, refuel at the café and shop for one-of-a-kind stocking stuffers at the Junction’s two gift shops.
Make a holiday stop at EnterTRAINment Junction, November 16—January 1, 2020. Hours and tickets are available online. EnterTRAINmentJunction.com, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester, 513.898.8000
Bethlehem Bazaar at Lord of Life Lutheran Church
Go back to the roots of Christmas at Lord of Life Lutheran Church’s Bethlehem Bazaar. Step back in time to explore an interactive Holy Land marketplace with booths to engage all of the senses.
This event is designed with busy families in mind. It’s the Christmas story with a twist—an instant pageant featuring all of the traditional costumes, sets and songs without the stress and hours of rehearsal.
All ages are invited, December 8, 4-7 p.m. Contact the church office with questions and to RSVP: Office@LOL-Lutheran.com. LOL-Lutheran.com, 6329 Tylersville Road, West Chester, 513.777.8449
Olde West Chester Christmas Walk
The Merchants of Olde West Chester will host a family-friendly afternoon of holiday-inspired treats and activities on December 7, 2—7 p.m. Kids can fill a holiday passport and redeem it for prizes.
Enjoy food trucks, carriage rides, music performances, pictures with Santa, ice sculpting and more. The evening will close with a community Christmas Parade, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at the West Chester Township Administration Building, where the community tree lighting will take place around 8 p.m. WestChesterOH.org Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Olde West Chester
*Now Open*
Construction on Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Olde West Chester is complete! Enjoy all new lighting, sidewalks and four newly paved lanes of road.
Merry Christmas Market at Niederman Family Farm
Gather around the cozy bonfire at Niederman Family Farm at their second annual Merry Christmas Market, December 7 and 8. Shop for homemade goods and purchase fresh tastes of the season: kettle corn, roasted nuts, doughnuts and a hot cocoa bar. Santa will arrive for afternoon visits by ticketed appointment only. Admission to the market is free. NiedermanFamilyFarm.com, 5110 LeSourdsville West Chester Road, Liberty Township, 513.779.3228