When the weather outside is frightful, Cincinnati can still be delightful.
Ice Skating On Fountain Square
Ice skating on Fountain Square is back. Go for an hour or make a day out of it. The venue features a full-service bar and concession tent with hot and cold snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You can also find a 60* warming tent and view platform with benches, tables, and chairs.
Take the kids, your significant other, or with friends downtown to Fountain Square. You can enjoy a day or night of ice skating for only $6 for admission and $4 for skate rental.
Holiday Hours (December 16 – Jan 2)
Monday – Sunday: 9:00am – 11:00pm
Post-Holiday Hours (Jan 3 – Feb 20)
Monday-Thursday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Friday-Sunday: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Winter Wonderland at Festival Of Lights
The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo is here for the 34th year. The festival of lights offers more than a light show. New this year, Santa will be at the park to visit starting at 4pm. Be prepared to enjoy the Gingerbread village, Scavenger hunt, Toyland Express Train Ride, Fairyland, visits with Mrs. Claus and more.
General admission tickets can be purchased online for $16/adults and $12/children. Tickets at the gate will be $18/Adults and $13/children.
You can choose a Holiday Adventure Ticket, which includes Festival Of lights admission, unlimited rides on Toyland Express Train & Carousel, and The Polar Express 4-D Experience. These tickets will cost you $25 online for adults, or $27 at the gate. For children, you can expect costs to be $21 online or $22 at the gate.
Parking is $10 and is purchased at the Zoo.
The PNC Festival Of Lights is Open:
Sunday-Thursday: 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm 10:00pm
Share your Festival of Lights pictures on social media using #cincyzoopic for a chance to be featured in future Zoo marketing material.
Spend Your Winter at Perfect North Slopes
Whether you be a first timer or a professional, you can’t go wrong with a day at Perfect North Slopes. If it happens to be your first time Perfect North provided this first-timers “what to bring” list.
- Hat
- Waterproof Gloves/Mittens
- Goggles/Sunglasses
- Jacket/Parka (water resistant)
- Synthetic or wool base layers for top & bottom
- Snow/Water resistant pants
- Warm, dry socks
- Sunscreen
- Lip Balm
- Snack, Fruit, Energy Bar
- ID, Wallet, Cash or major credit card.
- Extra Clothes, Shoes
If you plan on Skiing or Snowboarding you can expect to spend $52 for general admission and $39 for children. Closing/late night tickets will be slightly less expensive at $39 for general admission and $29 for children. These prices include the lift, equipment rental and access to the snow tubing slopes.
Don’t think you are ready to hit the slopes? No worries, you can enjoy a day of snow tubing instead. For a 2-hour tubing session, general admission will cost $27 and children will be $22. For 3-hour tubing session, general admission will be $32 and children at $27.
You can add an additional hour for $5 a person.
Skiing/Snowboarding Hours of Operation
Sunday-Thursday: 9:30am – 9:30pm
Friday & Saturday: 9:30am – 1:00am
Snow Tubing Hours of Operation
Monday – Thursday: 1:00pm – 9:30pm (non-holiday)
Friday & Saturday: 9:30am – 1:00am
Sunday & Holidays: 9:30am – 9:30pm
You never know what to expect weather-wise with winter in Cincinnati. However, with all of the various activities the city offers, you can always expect to create fun holiday traditions.