In need of a spirited holiday getaway? What about an extra shot of Christmas cheer?
Cincinnati is just under a 2-hour flight from Toronto, and when we say they know how to throw a Christmas party – we’re not kidding. Make it a holiday getaway and celebrate Christmas in Cincy for a weekend your friends will not believe.
They’ve got a city-wide bar crawl where everyone is dressed up like Santa, and the carols get harder and harder to understand. A winter block party featuring one-of-a-kind beers, a 7-course meal, and live music until the wee hours of the morning. Local pubs transform into winter wonderlands overnight – almost as if by magic.
If the Cincy Region is known for anything, it’s bourbon, beer, and good times you may or may not remember.
Here’s everything to do in Cincy for the holidays, or rather, here’s everything you should do before walking around becomes too… difficult.
SantaCon
View this post on Instagram
Picture hundreds of Santas on a city-wide bar crawl singing Christmas carols from place to place over the course of 12 hours. How fun is that? The whole event raises money for the children’s cancer charity, The Cure Starts Now. Register online, put on your Santa costume, and get your lyrics to bellow out that holiday cheer all across the city.
When: Noon until midnight on Saturday, December 9
Where: Begins at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
Cost: $10 to register
Dark Charge Winter Block Party
View this post on Instagram
Braxton Brewing Co. is a local brewery known for its annual winter block party. Every year, they feature special beer releases called Dark Charge which are aged in bourbon barrels. Check out the special, ticketed 7-course meal to try Dark Charge pairings, cocktails from New Riff Distilling, and restaurants from the famous B-Line.
When: Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2
Where: Braxton Brewing Co. Covington, Kentucky Taproom
Cost: Tickets for the dinner are $195 each and include meals, drinks, commemorative glasses, and more.
Local Bars, But Make It Christmas
When you celebrate Christmas in Cincy, you know you’ve got options. These bars are local favourites that get a special holiday makeover every year:
Pennifold’s Pub
Step into the magic of the wizarding world – but Christmas! This Harry Potter-inspired speakeasy is already pretty magical, but it’s next level around the holidays! Enjoy the decor as you try themed cocktails throughout November and December. This place is also kid-friendly until the evening.
IGLOOBAR
View this post on Instagram
Pretend you’re at Santa’s North Pole at these rooftop igloos on top of Braxton Brewing Co. These heated 8-person igloos have cozy decor, personal Bluetooth speakers, and cocktails like spiked hot cocoa in addition to all the Braxton beers and pizza from the taproom-adjacent Dewey’s pizza parlour. RSVP is required to reserve your igloo.
Miracle at Overlook Lodge
View this post on Instagram
This bar is perfect for Stephen King fans. Ordinarily themed after the iconic film The Shining, every winter, this place gets a “Miracle” makeover. Experience Overlook Lodge with retro winter decor like tinsel, lights, gaudy wrapping paper, and cheesy holiday mugs. This pop-up starts on Friday, November 17 and requires tickets.
Winter WonderYard
View this post on Instagram
This is another pop-up holiday experience in which Covington Yard, a shipping container park, becomes an immersive holiday bar with cutesy decor, food, cocktails, and mocktails. It kicks off on Thursday, November 16 and is a great time with family and friends.
Prepare your hangover cures and holiday sweaters, Christmas in Cincy is calling! Don’t worry, you probably won’t end up on Santa’s naughty list.
VISIT CINCY
Alicia Lyons
Branded Content Writer
Alicia is a storyteller who chased the sun all the way to Calgary and decided to stay. When she’s not crafting killer content, she can be found stumbling along nature trails, curling under a fuzzy blanket with a good book, or finding any excuse to eat.
Read articles