Shillito’s Elves to Return for the Season in New Location

3CDC Announces Exciting New Holiday Programming on Main Street

CINCINNATI (November 12, 2024) – Following a two-year stint brightening the windows of The Foundry with holiday cheer, The Shillito’s Elves are returning to the Queen City again this year in a new location. Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) and commercial real estate developer Al. Neyer have teamed up to continue the local tradition in Over-the-Rhine (OTR)’s Main Street District.

The decades-old collection of mechanized figures that depict various Christmas scenes will be on display at 1312 and 1324 Main Street beginning November 22 and will remain there until January 5. Dating back more than 70 years, the timeless holiday tradition has long been a favorite for children and adults alike, bringing folks from across the tri-state area to see for themselves.

“With warm holiday wishes, Al. Neyer is honored to bring the magic of the Shillito’s Elves to life on Main Street this season,” an Al. Neyer spokesperson said.

The same six elves will be on display again this year, including The Mail Sorter, Little Woodshop, Pete the Painter, Lazzie Bear and Gift Wrap, and Elves at Home, including the Piano Player Ned the Newspaper Reader, and the Bunkbed Elves. Artist Mark Trierweiler, who is known for creating installations and designing floats for previous local holiday events, stores the Elves during the offseason and keeps them in flawless, working condition. His enthusiasm for bringing the Elves back for another year is unmatched.

“I always enjoy bringing the Elves back during the holidays, but I’m especially excited to see them in their new home on Main Street,” said Trierweiler. “What a fun way to continue the tradition while bringing the magic to a new part of the urban core.”

To supplement the Elves, 3CDC will introduce new seasonal programming in the Main Street District, making it a one-stop shop for those looking for a little holiday merriment.

The Main Street Pop-Up Holiday Market will launch on Friday, Nov. 22, and will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Noon to 8 p.m. for five consecutive weekends. The market will feature up to 9 pop-up shops, which will be located at 1318-1320 Main Street. Six pop-up operators have already been confirmed – Awarewolf Apparel, Keke’s Publishing, Yummy Brother’s Cookies, Sugar Innovations, Delaney & Blu, and All Cheri’s Intriguing Crystals – and more will be added in the coming weeks.

The Elves and Holiday Pop-up Market will be supplemented by Merry Movies on Main, a series of holiday-themed movies that will be shown in the recently expanded portion of Ziegler Park, just off Main Street. Visitors can warm up with specialty drinks from SMV Cereal Bar including handcrafted Hot Spiced Cider and Hot Chocolate with a variety of customizable toppings. The following movies will be shown on Saturdays at 5 p.m.:
• November 23: Elf
• November 30: Polar Express
• December 7: Home Alone
• December 14: The Grinch
• December 21: Candy Cane Lane

“The Main Street District is home to numerous restaurants and retailers, as well as Ziegler Park, making it a true Downtown destination,” Emily Stowe, Senior Event Marketing Manager at 3CDC said. “Bringing new programming and the Shillito’s Elves display to this location will not only make it a holiday destination, but a great way to support small businesses in the area.”

Though the Elves will be on display in the Main Street District 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the holiday season, they will only be animated at the following times:

• Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Friday- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

All are welcome and encouraged to come see the Elves, catch a movie on Woodward and peruse the holiday pop-up shops in the district. Learn more about the Elves and related holiday programming on Main Street at www.downtowncincinnati.com/elves.

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