Dazzling holiday light displays in the Cincy Region

Ready to make memories? 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

Nov. 29, 5 - 10 p.m.

Duke Energy's Light Up the Square returns to Fountain Square on Friday, November 28th. This annual tradition features live music, dance performances, a traditional tree lighting ceremony, fireworks display, even a visit from Santa! Note: new to this year, the UC Health Ice Skating Rink will be moving just down the street to Elm Street Plaza, and visitors can experience Winterhaus, a large structure on the square that will feature holiday programming all season long. For more 2025 updates, check out this blog.

Light Up The Levee

Nov 22, 3 - 9 p.m.

Every year Newport on the Levee celebrates the magic of the holiday season with Light Up the Levee. Enjoy photos with Santa, crafts, games, live music, tree lighting, holiday shopping, fireworks display, and cap off the evening with a silent disco.

Light Up the Fair

2025 Dates TBD

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 and River Lights

Nov. 14 - Jan. 4

Winter Nights and River Lights is a free, outdoor walk spans across the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge in Newport. The display features 10,000+ twinkling lights, projections, and holiday tunes to put you in the spirit of the season. This unique walk includes beautiful views of the Ohio River, as well as the Northern Kentucky and downtown Cincinnati skylines. 

Pyramid Hill Lights

Nov. 14 - Jan. 4

Experience Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park illuminated by over a million lights at Pyramid Hill 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.

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience

Dec. 11 - Jan. 4

Step into a world where magic comes alive! Warner Bros., Discovery Global Experiences and Fever present Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience. Venture deep into the mysterious Forbidden Forest and encounter mystical creatures like Hippogriffs, unicorns and Pygmy Puffs. During the holiday season soak in special light displays, festive photo-ops and decor. 

PNC Festival of Lights

Nov. 20 - Jan. 4

The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo is a Cincy tradition, now in its 43rd year. Marvel at the zoo adorned with 5 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!

Kings Island Winterfest

Nov. 28 - 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! Bonus: there's a tree lighting and parade every night. 

Christmas at the Ark Encounter

Nov. 28 - Jan. 3, 5 - 8:30 p.m.

See the Ark Encounter bathed in rainbow-colored lights at Christmas at the Ark Encounter. 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 at the Creation Museum

Nov. 28 - Jan. 3, 5:30 - 8 p.m.

During Christmas at the Creation Museum the 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

Dec. 5 - 28

Light in the Forest features is a 1-mile walking tour at the Cincinnati Nature Center featuring 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. 

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.