Reported by: Selena Reder
It is the last weekend before Christmas and Downtown Cincinnati is offering visitors a fun-filled list of events to get them in the holiday spirit.
Santa will make his final accent from a Downtown rooftop Saturday night, before heading north to prepare for his busy week.
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, the big man will rappel down the side of the 525 Vine Building to the Macy's rooftop to set off a special holiday fireworks display.
Saturday is the last day of the annual Downtown event, which is free and open to the public. But, Santa will return next year to put his safety harness on and do it all over again.
As Fountain Square prepares for the evening's excitement, there are several other daytime holiday events happening Downtown this weekend -- and many of them are free!
The Dazzle Days Kids Workshop runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday. The workshop features free crafts and games at Tower Place Mall.
Also, the nearby Hilton Netherland Plaza is hosting a gingerbread display that features replicas of iconic Downtown Cincinnati buildings. This display, which is also free and open to the public, is located in the hotel lobby.
It will be easy to get around to all these Downtown events, thanks to the Holly Jolly Trolley. The free trolley rides makes stops at major holiday attractions along Fourth and Fifth streets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
In addition, visitors can enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides through the heart of the city. The carriages board at Macy's Celebration Station at the corner of Fifth and Race streets and run from Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Finally, the US Bank ice rink will even be open on Christmas day. You can make ice skating a Christmas tradition by visiting Fountain Square from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. December 25.
