The whole family will enjoy celebrating the magic of the holidays with these spectacular light displays around Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. 

Light Up The Square

Kids enjoying the Fountain Square tree during the holidays
Fountain Square Tree

Nov. 29, 5-10pm

Duke Energy's Light Up the Square returns to Fountain Square on Friday, November 29th. This annual tradition will delight with live music, dance performances, tree lighting ceremony, fireworks display, even a visit from Santa!

Light Up The Levee

newport levee christmas
Newport on the Levee

Nov 23, 3-9

Newport on the Levee celebrates the magic of the holiday season. Enjoy photos with Santa, crafts, games, live music, an ice sculpture demonstration, tree lighting, holiday shopping, fireworks display, and cap off the evening with a silent disco.

Light Up the Fair

A birds eye view of the lights surrounding a driving path.
Light Up The Fair

Nov. 15 - Dec 28th

Bring your hot cocoa and enjoy this 2 mile drive though experience at the Boone County Fairgrounds filled with millions of dazzling lights, festive displays, and holiday fun. This synchronized light show comes to life to the rhythm of holiday song favorites.

Winter Nights, River Lights

Winter Nights, River Lights at Purple People Bridge (photo: @newportonthelevee)
Winter Nights, River Lights

Nov. 22 - Jan. 05

This free, outdoor walk spans across the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge in Newport. The display features 1000+ lights, projections, and holiday tunes to put you in the spirit of the season.

Pyramid Hill Lights

Holiday lights show at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum (photo: Pyramid Hill)
Pyramid Hill Lights

Nov. 15 - Jan. 05

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is illuminated by over a million lights! Featuring light projection, fiber arts, woodworking, sculpture, and other installations by local artists, this drive through display also highlights the natural beauty of the sculpture park.

Festival of Lights

Image is of a lit up lizard decoration at night.
Festival of Lights

Nov. 21 - Jan. 05

The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo is a Cincy tradition, now in its 42nd year. Marvel at the zoo adorned with 4 million LED lights, find all the Fiona fairies, enjoy a blacklight puppet show, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy seasonal treats, ride the North Polar Express train through the zoo and much more!

Winterfest

Winterfest at Kings Island
Kings Island Winterfest

Nov. 29 - Dec. 31

See Kings Island transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland at Winterfest. Enjoy more than 7 million lights, ice skating, live entertainment, holiday shopping, seasonal treats and more! Tree lighting and parade every night. 

ChristmasTime

Exterior of the Ark Encounter lit up for ChristmasTime at the Ark holiday event
ChristmasTime at Ark Encounter (photo: Answers in Genesis)

Nov. 29 - Jan. 04

See the Ark Encounter bathed in rainbow-colored lights at ChristmasTime. Visit the Ararat Ridge Zoo, enjoy live entertainment, holiday shopping, ride the zip line for an aerial view of the Ark and lights, plus much more. 

ChristmasTown

Exterior of Creation Museum lit up with holiday lights for ChristmasTown event. (photo: Answers in Genesis)
ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum (photo: Answers in Genesis)

Nov. 29 - Jan. 04

During ChristmasTown the museum's botanical gardens are illuminated with multi-colored displays, including lighted, life-sized dinosaurs. See live entertainment, the zoo and a living nativity, enjoy holiday shopping and seasonal & festive treats.

Light In The Forest

Light display at Light in the Forest (photo: Cincinnati Nature Center)
Light In The Forest

Dec. 5 - 29

This 1 mile walking tour at the Cincinnati Nature Center features seasonal lights that reflect the themes of peace, nature, and the magic of the winter season and installations by regional light artists, including 5 BLINK artists. Enjoy live music, bonfire, food trucks, holiday shopping, children's activities and more. 

Deck the Y'alls Lightfest

Deck the Y'alls
Deck The Y'alls Lightfest

Nov. 22 - Jan. 1

Thomas More Stadium is brought to life with Deck The Y'alls Lightfest. This interactive, walk through light show that features over 2.5 million lights, plenty of themed areas, and photo opportunities. Enjoy s'mores over the fire and take a spin on the ice skating rink.

Let It Glow!

Cincinnati Art Museum, Let It Glow
Let It Glow!

Nov. 23 - Jan. 5

Enjoy an immersive, light-filled experience at the Cincinnati Art Museum's Let It Glow! Several art-filled features like the Fractal Walk and Infinity Mirror & Chain surround the main feature, a 30-foot interactive snow globe with light, perspective, and automation features. Enjoy seasonal treats from the Terrace Café, explore museum exhibits, and shop for unique gifts to round out your visit. 

 

If you are looking for more holiday and winter fun in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, we can help! Check out our events calendar for more exciting happenings. Ready to plan your winter getaway? Here's our hotels page to help you get started.