Every Holiday Event Worth Doing in Cincinnati From Now Until the End of the Year

Events: Mount Adams Reindog Parade

Dress your pets in holiday gear for the 29th-annual Mount Adams Reindog Parade. The parade features multiple costume categories including those for small dogs, large dogs and dog/owner look alike. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative, festive and unique costumes. Registration begins at noon. Donations go to support the SPCA. 12:30 p.m. registration Dec. 8; parade begins at 2 p.m. There is a suggested donation to the SPCA to register.
1055 Saint Paul Place, Mount Adams, spcacincinnati.org.
Photo via Facebook.com/MtAdamsReindogParade

Events: Ice Rink at Fountain Square

Whether you’re a professional skater or someone who can barely stand on skates, this slice of winter wonderland on Fountain Square is open to everyone. Skate rental is available and concessions include snacks, hot chocolate and alcohol. Santa skates select weekends in December.
Through Feb. 18. $6 admission; $4 skate rental. Fountain Square, Fifth and Vine streets, Downtown, myfountainsquare.com.
Photo via Facebook.com/FountainSquare

Events: Gremlins at the Esquire Theatre

Gizmo and his gremlin friends take over the big screen at the Esquire for this wacky holiday classic.
10 p.m. Dec. 14. $10.25; $7.25 senior/child. Esquire Theatre, 320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, esquiretheatre.com.
Photo: Emerson Swogger

Events: Miracle the Overlook Lodge Pop-Up Bar

The Overlook Lodge gets a festive makeover with lights, decorations and curated holiday-themed cocktail menu.
Overlook Lodge, 6083 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, facebook.com/overlooklodge.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Events: Drag Brunch: Sugar Plum Fairies

The queens get festive this holiday brunch. Naughty and nice sugar plum fairies will be stomping it out in this seasonally inspired drag show and brunch featuring family-style dining and emcees Amaya Sexton and Jessica Dimon.
11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 16. $35 per person; includes brunch, show and a welcome mimosa. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com.
Photo via 21cmuseumhotels.com

Events: The Pedal Wagon Polar Bear Express

While the weather outside is frightful, pedaling on the Polar Bear Express is a cheerful way to warm up your body temp. The 15-passenger kind-of pedal-powered wagon stops at local bars in downtown and OTR for drink specials.
Through February 2019. $20-$25 per person public; $245-$295 private full wagon. Pedal Wagon, 1114 Bunker Alley, Over-the-Rhine, pedalwagon.com.
Photo via pedalwagon.com

Events: A Christmas Nightmare at Dent Schoolhouse

The spirits of Dent Schoolhouse get in the holiday spirit with the first Christmas Nightmare event at the haunted house. Charlie the Janitor is Santa Charlie in a scary attraction full of garlands, lights and twisted holiday monsters.
6 p.m.-midnight Dec. 7 and 8. $25-$55. The Dent Schoolhouse, 5963 Harrison Ave., Dent, frightsite.com.
Photo: Provided by Dent Schoolhouse

Events: Santa’s Workshop at Washington Park

Each Saturday, elves from Happen Inc. will be at the gazebo at Washington Park with a letter-writing station and fun activities while kids wait for their free photo with Santa Claus. Photos are free, but you must bring your own camera. Each week there’s a different theme, like ornament making or holiday-card making.
Through Dec. 22. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org.
Photo via washingtonpark.org

Events: The North Pole Express

HO-HO-HOld onto your hats. Presented by LM&M Railroad, this hour-long train to the North Pole features cookies, hot chocolate and an appearance from Santa and his elves.
Through Dec. 29. $24 adults; $19 kids. LM&M Railroad, 127 S. Mechanic Road, Lebanon, lebanonrr.com.
Photo via lebanonrr.com

Events: Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise

Grab the family and take a trip down the Ohio River on Christmas Eve.
5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 24. $55 adults; $38 children; $27 adults sightseeing only; $18 children sightseeing only. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., bbriverboats.com.
Photo via bbriverboats.com

Events: otrAGLOW

This storefront display competition pits OTR businesses against each other to see who can create the most magical winter wonderland in the shop’s window. From 5:30-10 p.m. nightly, shops will illuminate their displays.
Through Dec. 31. Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/otraglow.
Photo via Facebook.com/otrAGLOW

Events: The 2018 Holiday BRIGHT Ride

Light things up during this nighttime bike ride. Decorate yourself and your bike in battery powered lights, glow necklaces, reflective devices and more. The slow-pace four-mile ride is flat and easy so kids can ride too.
6 p.m. Dec. 15. Free. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/margyandmelridebikes.
Photo via Facebook.com/MargyAndMelRideBikes

Events: Luminaria Night Lights at the Cincinnati Observatory

This is the 43rd year for the Mount Lookout tradition. Neighborhood streets will light up with luminaria and the observatory will open its buildings and telescopes for exploring and viewing. There will be carolers, a “spacey” gift shop and hot drinks.
6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Free. Cincinnati Observatory, 3489 Observatory Place, Mount Lookout, cincinnati-observatory.org.
Photo: Jesse Fox

Events: OTR Rail Dog Parade

The OTR Kennel Club hosts the sixth-annual Rail Dog Parade from Queen City Radio to Second Sunday on Main. Dress your furry friends in all their holiday finery.
Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 9; parade steps off at 2 p.m. Free. Queen City Radio, 222 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/queencityradiobar.
Photo via Facebook.com/OTRRailDogParade

Events: Sweet Treats from the Greeks

Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church hosts a weekend-long pastry sale. Purchase your favorite Greek pastries and hors d’oeuvres in time for holiday entertaining.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 7; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 8; noon-3 p.m. Dec. 9. Prices vary. Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 7000 Winton Road, Finneytown. Holytrinity.oh.goarch.org.
Photo via holytrinity.oh.goarch.org/

Events: Star Wars Holiday Special at the Video Archive

The much-maligned Star Wars Holiday Special gets a small-screen screening at the bar as Chewbacca and Han Solo try to get to Kashyyyk in time for Chewie to celebrate Life Day with his father, wife and son.
5-11 p.m. Dec. 12. Free admission. The Video Archive, 965 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills, facebook.com/videoarchivecincinnati.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Events: Cincinnati SantaCon

Don’t drink and fly your sleigh; the 11th-annual SantaCon bar crawl is on its way. Dress in your best Santa costume or other holiday-themed wear and trek to various bars and pubs to spread Christmas cheer. More than 40 locations will be participating. A portion of proceeds will go to benefit pediatric cancer research and The Cure Starts Now foundation.
Noon-midnight Dec. 8. $10-$15 registration. Leaves from JACK Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Pendleton, cincinnatisantacon.com.
Photo: 3CDC

Events: December Tea Dance: Winter Wonderland

This LGBTQA afternoon dance party takes over Igby’s with a Winter Wonderland theme. Dress to impress while you listen to music by Thaddeus and Bjorg, imbibe specially priced drinks and meet new people.
For 21 and older. 4-7 p.m. Dec. 9. Free. Igby’s, 122 E. Sixth St., Downtown, facebook.com/teadancecinci.
Photo: Patty Salas

Events: Ugly Sweater & Reindeer Games Pub Crawl

Head to Covington for an ugly sweater-themed interactive pub crawl. Don your worst holiday outfit for fun and games (and prizes) at stops including The Globe, Octave, the Hannaford, Rich’s Proper Food & Drink, Olde Town Tavern and Braxton Brewing Co.
7 p.m.-midnight Dec. 15. Free admission. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, facebook.com/braxtonbrewingcompany.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Events: Santa-Bration at Carol Ann’s Carousel

Make winter-inspired crafts and snap a selfie with Santa.
11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Dec. 21-22,;11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Free admission. Carol Ann’s Carousel, 8 W. Mehring Way, Downtown, cincinnatiparks.com.
Photo: Jesse Fox