The holiday spirit is in full bloom in the NKY and Cincy Region beginning November 7 – January 7. With numerous family friendly options to choose from, including the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden and the Ark Encounter, there is a holiday light display attraction for everyone to enjoy. Here is a listing of the most popular regional holiday light displays happening in 2023.
Holiday Light Attractions in NKY
Light Up the Fair
The Boone County Fairgrounds welcome you back for their annual Light Up the Fair event beginning November 10 – January 1. Drive through the fairgrounds and experience the holiday light displays to your favorite holiday tunes! Tickets are $7 a person or $25 per car (up to 7 people). Visit their website for more information.
Light Up the Levee
Newport on the Levee hosts their annual tree lighting event, Light Up the Levee on Saturday, November 18. Spend the day at the Levee with live music, food, and a visit from Santa Claus. The tree lights up at 7pm! This event is free to attend.
Winter Nights & River Lights
Take a stroll along the Purple People Bridge connecting Cincinnati, Ohio and Newport, Kentucky for their annual Winter Nights & River Lights holiday light display that spans the entire bridge from November 23 – January 7. Free to attend.
ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum
The Creation Museum & Answer in Genesis hosts their 16th annual ChristmasTown from November 24 – December 30. Here, families can enjoy their “Garden of Lights” display, live nativity scene, live animals, and view their ‘Encounter the Wonder”, a 4D show inside their special effects theater. This event is free with the cost of parking, $15.
ChristmasTime at Ark Encounter
Head over to the Ark Encounter for their annual ChristmasTime at the Ark Encounter event November 24 – December 30. Visit their life-size Noah’s Ark, enjoy the festive lights, live music, holiday shopping and animal encounters! Please visit their website for ticket information.
Deck the Y'alls Lightfest
For the second year in a row, Deck the Y'alls Lightfest is back! Come out and visit Thomas More Stadium, November 24 – January 1 for a fantastic display of 2.5 million lights, ice skating, food, drinks, fireworks, shopping and more! General admission Sunday – Thursday is $13 for adults, kids (12-under) $9, military and seniors, $11. General admission Friday – Saturday is $16 for adults, kids (12-under) $12 and military and seniors, $14.
Holiday Light Attractions in Cincy
Golden Days of Yule
The Krohn Conservatory celebrates the holidays with their Golden Days of Yule light display beginning November 11 – January 7. See the natural foliage lit up with a warm glow and take in the Cincinnati landmarks made from locally sourced plant material by Applied Imagination. Tickets are as follows: Adults (18+) $10, Youth (5-17) $7, Children (4 & under) Free.
Coney Island’s Nights of Lights
This Cincinnati holiday classic is back! Bring the family as you drive through one of the region’s largest synchronized holiday light spectaculars, Coney Island's Nights of Lights, November 10 - December 31. Guests will experience over 2 million lights fully synchronized to a mix of traditional and rocking holiday music. Head over to their website for ticket information.
PNC Festival of Lights – Voted #1 in the U.S. Five Years in a Row
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden host their 41st annual PNC Festival of Lights on November 17 – January 7. This display has been voted the best zoo lights in the United States five years in a row by the readers of USA Today. Come and see over 4 million LED lights, a puppet show, S’mores-n-More stands, the animals and so much more! Visit their website for ticket details.
Light Up the Square, Presented by Prolink
Prolink presents this Cincinnati annual tradition on Friday, November 24th with the Light Up the Square event. Come down and enjoy ice skating ($10 admission), food, dazzling performances, and lighting of the tree at 6:30! Free to attend.
Are you looking for more holiday inspired attractions? Please be sure to visit our website’s event’s calendar all season long for a continuously updated listing of fun and family friendly things to do and see this holiday season.