Get into the spirit with these holiday events around Northern Kentucky.
Bellevue: Christmas tree lighting and Christmas walk
Kick off your holiday shopping by shopping locally. Businesses will be open late for shopping, sipping, and dining, including the BED (Bellevue Entertainment District.)
Bellevue will hold its first annual tree lighting ceremony during the Christmas walk.
The Tree will be located at 331 Fairfield Ave. Free hot cocoa will be provided. Fire truck Santa will be up and down the avenue on Saturday once an hour starting at noon, picking up letters to Santa from Sage and Scout (402 Fairfield Ave.)
The Christmas walk starts at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26
The tree lighting is Saturday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m.
Burlington: Light Up the Fair
Light Up the Fair returns this year with over one million Christmas lights along a two-mile path for you to enjoy from the comforts of your vehicle. The yearly family event has become a tradition since its inception over the past five years.
Tickets are $7 per person (1-3 people) or $25 for a carload of four- eight people. Active military and first responders get in free.
The event is open Nov. 11 through Dec. 31 at the Boone County Fairgrounds 5819 Idlewild Rd., rain or snow, and holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
The hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cold Spring: Winter Fest
Winter Fest features pictures with Santa, a hot chocolate station, reindeer snack-making, games, and live music.
The event will be held at the Cold Spring Community Center at 5686 E. Alexandria Pike on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Crescent Springs: Christmas in the Park
The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, at Lou Hartfiel Memorial Park, located at 800 Buttermilk Pike.
Crestview Hills: Holiday Dinner with Santa
Santa is coming to Crestview Hills.
The annual holiday dinner will be on Friday, Dec. 2, at three different times. The event will include a catered dinner from Carrabba’s Italian Grill and dessert provided by the city.
Seating times are 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.; however, the 5:30 p.m. time is already fully booked.
There will be an opportunity for pictures with Santa, but guests must bring their own cameras.
Residents can register online here, call the city building at (859) 341-7373, or email [email protected]. Include your name, total attendees, and contact information (phone number and email). Note that reservations are limited to six guests per immediate family unless there are unique circumstances.
The city will accept food and monetary donations for Be Concerned food pantry at the event. Guests are encouraged to bring canned food or other non-perishable items.
Edgewood: Annual Christmas tree lighting
The event includes the lighting of the Christmas tree, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, and Awtnot the Elf will be performing magic tricks.
The event will be held at the Edgewood Senior Center in Freedom Park Sunday, Nov. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Erlanger: Annual tree lighting and Holiday train display
Join the city for a fun night to kick off the holiday season. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Erlanger Mayor Jessica Fette will light the city tree to start the festivities.
The Lloyd Chamber Choir and the Arnett and Howell choirs will be performing. The Cincinnati Northern Railroad Club will have its holiday train display available for viewing. The Kenton County Library will provide holiday crafts and stories, and there will be face painting and refreshments.
The tree lighting will take place at 505 Commonwealth Ave. in Erlanger on Friday, Dec. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The city will collect non-perishable items for Be Concerned food pantry at the event.
Florence: Deck the Y’alls Lightfest
Join the fun at Deck the Y’alls Lightfest with more than two million lights, holiday shopping, food, Santa, ice skating, and a carnival.
The event will be held from Nov. 25 through Jan. 1, 2023, at Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, in Florence.
Tickets are on sale now.
Fort Mitchell: Merry Business and Tree Lighting
Walk down to the Fort Mitchell Business District for activities, crafts, refreshments, and treats, and end at the Fort Mitchell City Building (2355 Dixie Highway) with a visit from Santa and the city’s Christmas Tree Lighting at 7:30 p.m.
The event will be held Sunday, Nov. 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Parking is available at Blessed Sacrament, 2409 Dixie Highway.
Fort Thomas: Holiday Walk
The Holiday Walk will be held on Dec. 4 and kick off with businesses opening their doors in the Cultural Arts District at 3 p.m. There will be cookies, hot drinks, crafts, freebies, carriage rides, photos with Santa, and entertainment.
The event will conclude in the Inverness District with the lighting of the community tree at 6:30 p.m.
Fort Wright: Tree lighting
The Christmas tree lighting will take place at the City of Fort Wright administration office, located at 409 Kyles Ln., with a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The event will be held on Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Highland Heights: Tree lighting
Bring the whole family to meet Santa and join the city in lighting the holiday tree. There will be music, hot cocoa, and goodies for the kids.
The tree lighting will be held on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 5 p.m. at the Highland Heights City Building at 176 Johns Hill Rd.
Independence: Christmas walk and tour
The City of Independence is hosting its annual Christmas walk and tour, including the Santa 5k, craft show, tree lighting, and parade.
The event will be held on Dec. 3 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the downtown Courthouse Square in Independence.
Ludlow and Bromley: Light up Ludlow and Bromley Christmas parade
The parade kicks off at 5:45 p.m., beginning at the corner of Oak and Carneal Streets, and will wind through Ludlow and Bromley, ending at the Railroad viewing station where Ludlow will hold their Christmas tree lighting.
Pictures with Santa will be available, and the Ludlow Museum and Caboose will be open for tours. There will be treats from various organizations. The central business district will be open all day for shopping, and prizes will be handed out for the best-decorated homes and businesses.
The parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 5:45 p.m.
Newport: Santa House and tree lighting
Santa House on the Levee: Noon to 3 p.m.
Santa arrives at Santa House on the Levee. Gather your loved ones and grab your cameras to capture photos.
Tree Lighting: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
A local band will perform holiday classics live on the plaza, and JonJon from Kiss 107 FM will officiate the tree lighting. The evening will conclude with a firework show.
Park Hills: Christmas in the Park and Luminary Night
The event will be held on Dec. 11 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Trolley Park, located at 1101 Amsterdam Rd. in Park Hills.
Taylor Mill: Christmas tree lighting
The event includes a musical performance by the Taylor Mill Elementary School choir, photo opportunities with Santa, crafts and games for kids, hot cocoa, and cookies.
Join the city for the Christmas tree lighting on Sunday, Nov. 27, at Pride Park between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Southgate: Christmas tree lighting
The event includes hot chocolate, cookies, and pictures with Santa to follow at the John R. Little VFW located at 6 Electric Ave.
The tree lighting event will be held on Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. in Memorial Park.
Union: Breakfast with Santa
The event will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Union Fire Station from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Villa Hills: Christmas in the Park
Christmas in the park includes:
- Santa’s workshop
- Train rides around the park
- A bonfire
- Food and refreshments
- A chance to visit Santa
Northern Kentucky school children and other locals will be performing throughout the evening.
The event will be held at the Crescent Springs Community Park, 800 Buttermilk Pike, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Walton: Christmas on Main
The event starts at 6 p.m. with a parade. After the parade, businesses along Main St. remain open and hand out goodies, snacks, and drinks. Wagon rides are available, and Santa comes and visits with the kiddos.
Christmas on Main will take place on Dec. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 40 North Main Street in Walton.
Wilder: Christmas tree lighting
The event will take place at the Wilder City Building, 520 Licking Pike, on Dec. 5 from 7:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.