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Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Christmas Event

Bring the family for an unforgettable evening of festive lights, live music/shows, holiday dining, gift shopping, and more at the life-size Noah’s Ark during this free Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Christmas event!

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ChristmasTime 2023

5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on November 24–December 30, Tuesday through Saturday (See the green days on the calendar.)

Join us in the evening at the Ark Encounter for our free ChristmasTime event for only the cost of parking!

On the dates of the ChristmasTime evening events, the amazing exhibits inside the life-size Ark are also available for paid-admission guests during the published daytime hours until 6:00 p.m. The Ark gift shop (accessible without Ark exhibit admission) will remain open until 8:30 p.m. on ChristmasTime event evenings.

Experience	Pricing
Brilliant Lights Display	FREE
Live Christmas Concerts	FREE
A Family Christmas	FREE
Ararat Ridge Zoo	FREE
Animal Programs (at Animal Actors Stage)	FREE
Discounted Christmas Parking	$10 per vehicle after 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Meal (Available until 7:00 pm)	See Seasonal Food
Camel Rides (Available until 7:30 pm)	$10 per guest
Virtual Reality Experience	$9.99–$14.99 per guest
Carousel Rides	FREE
Exhibits in the Ark (available until 6:00 pm)	See Ticketing Page

Prices do not include City of Williamstown ticket fee or Kentucky sales tax.

A Family Christmas

Let Us Be . . . JOY to the World
5:50–6:30 p.m.

Join us in the Answers Center Auditorium for this experience, which begins with Encounter the Wonder, our incredible animated show. Next, enjoy live music performed by our resident vocal group TrueSong and a powerful video drama presentation by the students of Answers Academy.

Schedule subject to change.

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Animal Shows

Character of the Creator at 5:15 p.m.
Biblical Beasts at 7:15 p.m.

Don’t miss live animal shows located at the Animal Actors Stage in Ararat Ridge Zoo.

Schedule subject to change.

Brilliant Lights Display

See Noah’s Ark and the gardens illuminated in a remarkable sea of rainbow-colored lights! This holiday season, bring the whole family out for an unforgettable evening.

Ark Encounter Restaurant with Christmas lights

Seasonal Food and Festive Treats

Enjoy a hearty, family-affordable holiday buffet meal inside Emzara’s Kitchen or grab a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and fresh kettle corn at one of our outdoor vendors and specialty snack stands.

Emzara’s Kitchen:
Closes at 7:00 p.m.

Zofar’s:
Closes at 8:30 p.m.

Virtual Reality Experience

Come inside our Virtual Reality Experience and travel back to the time of Noah in our Truth Traveler VR show!

Carousel: Journey of the Animals

Experience our one-of-a-kind carousel and take a ride on a T. rex, Quetzalcoatlus, elephant, or another custom-made representative of a biblical kind!

Soar Through the Night Sky

Fly on the Screaming Eagle Zip Lines for an aerial view of the Ark and the decorative lights! Learn more and book today. Zip line tickets are also available upon arrival.

Ticket purchase required. Limited availability.

Goat During ChristmasTime at the Ark Encounter

Meet Animals

Explore our newly expanded Ararat Ridge Zoo, kangaroo walkabout, and Children’s Zoo. Children 17 and under can even ride on a camel (weather permitting). Come meet some incredible creatures from around the world up close and learn about God’s design in the animal kingdom!

Ticket purchase required for camel ride.

Unique Christmas Gifts

Looking for that perfect, one-of-a-kind gift? Stop by our extensive fair trade market and the Ark Encounter gift shop for a selection of handmade gifts from all over the world, as well as apparel, stuffed animals, books, DVDs, toys, and much more!

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Christmas Living History

December 1–2

Engage with Bible reenactors and learn more about life in first-century Israel at the time of Christ’s birth.

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Behold the King

December 8, 6:30 p.m.

Through drama and song, Behold the King is told through the eyes of a lost, misguided servant of Herod’s court, Jorim. Kingdoms and rulers will come and go, but the kingdom of God will last forever. Behold the King is presented by Answers Academy.

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Fulfilled

December 9, 5:30 p.m.

Written by Michael DeStefano, the Christmas program Fulfilled highlights the joy of God’s promises made visible. Presented by God's Bible School & College.

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