Winter wonderland
Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo - 2.5 million lights light up the zoo. The special holiday entertainment features carolers, children’s activities, reindeer, and train rides.
Local activities provide cool entertainment Anna zhou associate editor
Natalie Brinkman staff writer
Jack loon staff writer
Abbey baker managing editor
max torem staff writer
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fter a stressful and busy first semester, students get a refreshing two weeks to relax and prepare for looming exams and the up and coming new semester. Students do not have to go out of town to have an enjoyable break; there are many things to do here in Cincinnati with family or with friends. The Cincinnati Zoo holds the Festival of Lights, there is an ice rink in Fountain Square, The Christmas Ranch which has over 350,00 lights synchronized to music, and there is always Perfect North for a variety of outdoor fun. There are also many things to do in Cincinnati during winter break. First, there is Ice Skating at the Fountain Square, which can be done during anytime (except for holidays) during winter break. This has always been a winter break favorite for many people throughout the city.
Another great activity this year will be the laser light shows at the Drake Planetarium. On Sat. Dec. 20, the planetarium will be presenting shows on the famous band Pink Floyd. The show will be a tribute to their very wellknown albums called “The Wall” and “Dark Side of the Moon.” While this activity is a little bit south of Cincinnati, the Newport Aquarium will be having it’s Scuba Santa’s Winter Wonderland on Dec. 26. This will include holiday festivities, including viewing fish and other sea creatures, along with Santa swimming with the fish. For those that are interested in sports, they have the rare opportunity to see the Harlem Globetrotters, a basketball team that plays exhibition games with other teams much like themselves that specialize in trick shots. They will be playing at the US Bank Arena on Dec. 30. Two weeks provides students with a long time to do things that they want to do, without the stress of the school day and piles of homework. You could watch all the episodes of a favorite new T.V. show, read (although many are probably laughing at the thought of it), or try a new recipe or craft from a blog or Pinterest. It is also a good time to catch up on work and start studying for the dreaded and oh-so-soon exams, but it is better off to mix
leisure time with work. That way you do not feel swamped when it is time to return to school. Work type activities to do over break could be volunteering at a shelter or soup kitchen, trying a new hobby or project, studying and working ahead on homework. Some of these tasks are fun, while also helping others and yourself. Whether students stay home or go on vacation, winter break is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and catch up on sleep.
Santa will be on hand during the holiday season greeting visitors from an underwater tank, with plenty of aquatic friends.
Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods- A mile-long outdoor light display viewed from the comfort of your own vehicle with paid admission. Also enjoy the indoor Santaland at the end of the tour.
Cincideutsch ChristkindlmarktVendors offer a large scale of traditional holiday sweets and European baked goods, and handcrafted gifts and seasonal decorations.
Lebanon Carriage Parade- Horse-drawn antique carriages parade through the streets, pulled by miniature horses, majestic Clydesdales, and all kinds of horses.
The Beach WaterparkSnow tubing and a light show transform the Beach Waterpark. $20 per person.
At 7,000 square feet, it is about the size of the rink at New York’s Rockefeller Center. Amenities include skate rental, lockers, benches, and a heated tent with vending machines for snacks and drinks.
The Christmas RanchThis ranch features more than 350,000 lights, most of which are synchronized to music using state-ofthe-art technology. This true winter wonderland has even been featured nationally on HGTV and ABC’s “Good Morning America.”