Christmas in July is an unofficial holiday celebrated by those jolly people in your life who just can't wait for December to bust out the candy canes and Santa suits. It is like a second Christmas in the summer. Many people celebrate Christmas in July by partaking in festive meals, watching Christmas movies and shopping.
The sorta-kinda holiday is observed worldwide, including several places in Ohio and Greater Cincinnati. Here's a look at where to get in on the party this month.
Union (Big Bone Lick State Historic Site)
3380 Beaver Road, Union; parks.ky.gov.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is home to a bison herd, a campground, a diorama pit, a gift shop, a museum, miniature golf, hiking trails, picnic grounds, salt springs along the Big Bone Creek trail, tennis courts and two playgrounds.
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The 525-acre park will celebrate Christmas in July from Friday, July 19, to Sunday, July 21. Big Bone Lick’s campground will host holiday-themed activities and crafts all weekend. Friday’s activities will include a Candy Cane Relay at 1 p.m., Santacone Ornaments at 3 p.m., and Santa’s S’mores at 5 p.m. Saturday’s activities will include DIY Ugly Christmas T-Shirt at 10 a.m., Christmas Pickle Hunt at 1 p.m., Christmas Ceramic Ornaments at 3 p.m., Blizten’s Bingo at 5 p.m., and Campsite Decorating Contest at 6 p.m. Sunday’s activities will include Merry and Bright Tie-Dye T-Shirt at 10 a.m. Consult the website for details about the activities and their costs.
Blanchester (Bright Acres Learning Academy)
8276 State Route 132, Blanchester; allevents.in.
The Christmas in July Craft Show will happen on July 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event will feature a petting zoo, face painting, food trucks, raffle baskets and vendors offering handmade crafts and home decor. Admission will be $2 per person and free for children ages 12 and under.
Cincinnati (multiple venues)
More information available at eventbrite.com.
On Saturday, July 20, the Official Christmas in July Bar Crawl will happen. Participating venues will feature holiday decorations, festive costumes, specialty holiday-themed cocktails and lively entertainment. Bar crawlers need to purchase tickets for the event online. Each ticket provides access to at least four venues, a free after-party, a pub crawl wristband, a detailed custom digital pub crawl map, drink specials, food specials and live music. All attendees must be 21 years old and up. The pub crawlers must pay for their drinks and food at each venue. Check-in time is from 5 to 7 p.m.
Mason, Dayton (Painting with a Twist)
Two locations: 6196 Tylersville Road, Mason; and 8010 McEwen Road, Dayton; paintingwithatwist.com.
Painting with a Twist is a party venue that provides a professional artist to instruct guests step-by-step through the painting of their choice. These locations allow guests to bring snacks, and they are BYOW (bring your own wine) for adults ages 21 and up. Painting with a Twist provides wine glasses and corkscrews.
The Mason location will host Christmas in July on Wednesday, July 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. The cost is $42 for a 10-by-30 canvas and $50 for a 10-by-30 wood plank board. Guests can also create soy candles using 24 scents if they arrive 30 minutes before class.
The Dayton location will host Christmas in July on Thursday, July 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. The cost is $39 per person and is open to ages 13 and up. This event is titled “Customize Your Ornaments” because the guests will paint pictures of ornaments.
Middletown (Land of Illusion Adventure Park)
8762 Thomas Road, Middletown; landofillusion.com.
Land of Illusion Adventure Park is the Aqua Adventures Waterpark in the summer, Haunted Scream Park for two months in the fall, and Christmas Glow around the holidays. Aqua Adventures Waterpark has six attractions: Game Works, Paddle Bay, Sandy Cove & Aqua Lounge, Toddler Splash Zone, Water Slide Thrills and Wibit Adventure Zone. Land of Illusion will celebrate Christmas in July from July 20 to 22.
New Carlisle
Downtown New Carlisle; allevents.in.
On Saturday, July 20, downtown New Carlisle will host a Christmas in July celebration from 4 to 9 p.m. The event will feature baked goods, crafts, food trucks, games, market vendors and produce.
Strongsville (Ehrnfelt Event Center)
18100 Royalton Road, Strongsville; eventbrite.com.
The 10th Annual Christmas in July Craft & Vendor Show will occur at the Ehrnfelt Event Center on July 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors will offer apparel, bath and body products, embroidered items, handmade cards, handmade crafts, home decor, knitted items, sweet treats and more. Admission is free.
West Chester (EnterTrainment Junction)
7379 Squire Court, West Chester; entertrainmentjunction.com.
EnterTrainment Junction is a train-themed entertainment venue that has two zones, Train Journey and A-Maze-N Funhouse.
EnterTRAINment Junction will celebrate Christmas in July from June 29 to July 31. The event will feature A Journey to the North Pole, a walk-through experience featuring a snowy winter wonderland, elves’ workshop, Mrs. Claus’ old-fashioned kitchen, reindeer stables and Santa Claus, who will provide gifts to children ages 12 and under. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Admission starts at $9.95.
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