Top 10 Cincinnati events this weekend: Nov. 17-19

Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read

1. PNC Festival of Lights

Visit early to see the animals, then stay for the beauty of 4 million lights as the zoo transforms into a wild wonderland for the 41st annual PNC Festival of Lights. You'll have fun tracking down the five Fiona fairies in Fairyland, watching a blacklight puppet show, and new this year is a free app that lets you become part of the show by syncing your phone's flashlight to the zoo's Wild Lights show.

Details: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Festival of Lights activities begin daily at 4 p.m. Runs Nov. 17-Jan. 7. Cincinnatizoo.org.

The Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio, is open Nov. 17 to Dec. 23
The Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio, is open Nov. 17 to Dec. 23

2. The Christmas Ranch

Walk through lighted displays synchronized to holiday music, visit six Christmas shops, enjoy train and wagon rides, Santa's bakery and cafe, bonfires, pictures with Santa and more at this family-owned-and-operated holiday destination, which fundraises for Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Neediest Kids of All and Little Miami Food Pantry.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow. Runs Nov. 17-Dec. 23. Closed Thanksgiving Day. $37 per carload, $47 per oversized van (10+ passengers). No buses or RVs. Free parking. Save $5 when making reservations online. thechristmasranch.com.

3. North Pole Express

Experience the magic of a real train ride with carriages decorated for the holiday. The 75-minute journey includes a visit from Santa and his elves, and all kids receive a souvenir bell and holiday cookie. Coach class features traditional bench-style seating reminiscent of 1930s-era commuter travel. Deluxe class features a climate-controlled interior with individualized seating and additional legroom.

Details: varying times, Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, Lebanon. Runs Nov. 17-Dec. 23, Friday-Sunday in November, with additional days in December. Tickets start at $30 for coach, $40 for deluxe. $5 for infants on lap. lebanonrr.com.

4. Pyramid Hill Lights

Over the past 25 years, this light show has become a family tradition. You'll find new and nostalgic favorites throughout the show, which highlights the unique art and a decorated landscape featuring over a million lights, scenic displays and installations by local artists, experienced from the comfort of your car. There's even a fun, interactive game to keep the kiddos engaged.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 6-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton. Closed Mondays. Runs Nov. 17-Dec. 31. $25 per carload. Pyramidhill.org.

The Purple People Bridge is festively-lit this holiday season.
The Purple People Bridge is festively-lit this holiday season.

5. Winter Nights & River Lights

Walk from Newport to Cincinnati and back under a canopy of twinkling lights and decorations lighting up the Purple People Bridge. The annual holiday light show features over 100,000 lights.

Details: 6-11:45 p.m. nightly Nov. 17-Jan. 7, Purple People Bridge, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Free. facebook.com.

6. Light Up the Levee

The 2018 Light Up the Levee celebration.
The 2018 Light Up the Levee celebration.

Celebrate the magic of the season with live music, fireworks and a visit from Santa Claus as the 50-foot tree is lit for the season. There'll be a holiday magic show and activity station with games and crafts from 3-5 p.m. inside The Gallery, a holiday-themed bounce house, music from Dat Band followed by the tree-lighting ceremony and Rozzi's Famous Fireworks show afterward.

Details: 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Free. newportonthelevee.com.

Christmas at the Junction opens Saturday at EnterTrainment Junction.
Christmas at the Junction opens Saturday at EnterTrainment Junction.

7. Christmas at the Junction

See the magic of Christmas at the home of the world's largest indoor train display. Families can take a journey to the North Pole, where kids can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, EnterTrainment Junction, 7379 Squire Court, West Chester. Runs Nov. 18-Jan. 2. There are special extended hours on certain days, beginning Dec. 8. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Closes at 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. $ entertainmentjunction.com.

Jason June is one of the headlining authors at this year's Books by the Banks.
Jason June is one of the headlining authors at this year's Books by the Banks.

8. Books by the Banks

Meet more than 100 national, regional and local authors, enjoy author panels discussing reading, writing and publishing, a kids' corner with story times and arts and crafts, an area dedicated to teen and young adult readers, a writing contest for adults and teens, and more. Headliners include Jason June, Will Hillenbrand, Elle Cosimano, Michael Harriot, Sarah Penner, P. Djeli Clark, Thao Thai, JaNay Brown-Wood and Richard Cowdrey.

Details: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown. Free admission. Booksbythebanks.org.

9. Hokioi Me Te Vwohali: From Spirit Eagles Land

This collaborative project between Exhale Dance Tribe and the Okareka Dance Company of New Zealand has been six years in the making. This project brings together two peoples, two nations, two countries and two dance companies to celebrate the lives and sacred connection between the Hokioi (Haast Eagle-Maori) of New Zealand and the Vwohali (Golden Eagle, Cherokee) of the U.S.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 650 Walnut St., Downtown. $35-up. Cincinnatiarts.org.

10. Winter Wonderland Ice Rink

This ice rink in Lawrenceburg features a protective roof over the rink, fire pit, indoor restrooms and skate distribution. Admission includes 90 minutes of skating, plus skate rental.

Details: 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Todd Creech Park, 305 W. Tate St., Lawrenceburg. $8 ages 13-up, $6 ages 5-12, free ages 4-under. Season passes $40 single, $75 family of four. Runs Nov. 18-Jan. 14. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. 812-537-0731; downtownlawrenceburg.com.

Find unique gifts for family and friends this weekend.
Find unique gifts for family and friends this weekend.

Honorable mention: Holiday shopping

  • Holiday Shopping Expo: Shop crafters, artisans, specialty stores, boutiques, home decor, upcycled and repurposed items and more. There's also wine tastings and live entertainment.

    • Details: 2-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Lawrenceburg Event Center, 91 Walnut St., Lawrenceburg. Runs Nov. 17-19. $7 admission, free ages 12-under. facebook.com.

  • Over the Moon Vintage Holiday Market: Indoor market full of repurposed, vintage, refurbished items and decor.

    • Details: 4-9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dearborn County Fairgrounds, 351 E. Eads Parkway, Lawrenceburg. Free admission and parking. facebook.com.

  • Holiday Market: Shop local artists and artisans at the museum's seasonal gift market, plus enjoy discounts on art-inspired gifts at the museum gift shop.

    • Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free admission. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

  • Body, Mind Spirit Expo: Explore hundreds of vendors, readers and healers, and enjoy live learning sessions, food and entertainment at this metaphysical expo.

    • Details: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville. $15-up. Bmse.net.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Top 10 things to do in Cincinnati this weekend: Nov. 17-19