Duke Energy's Light Up the Square

Duke Energy’s Light Up the Square returns Friday, November 28th! We’re excited to announce an enhanced show this year full of dazzling performances, fireworks, and of course the lighting of our Duke Energy Holiday Tree!

This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be bigger and better with even more activities all along 5th street, stretching to Elm Street Plaza, the new home of the UC Health Ice Rink presented by Fifth Third Bank.

The Timeline:

Fountain Square

11a | Winterhaus Opens

5p | Holiday Photo-Ops on the Fifth Third Bank Center Stage

6:30p | Live 1-hour Broadcast with WLWT Channel 5 begins including Tree Lighting Ceremony and Firework Display

8p | Evening Piano at Winterhaus

Throughout the night at Fountain Square, you can also enjoy other activities like, watching CVG’s Fountain of Lights show, enjoying festive drinks inside of Winterhaus, and more.

Elm Street Plaza

11a | Ice Rink Opens for the Day

5p | DJ Set

6:30p | 1-hour Broadcast with WLWT Channel 5 will air on the Elm Street Plaza LED Board, featuring the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Firework Display + Northern Kentucky Ice Skating Performances every 15m

8p | Live Music continues

Throughout the night at Elm Street Plaza, you can also enjoy other activities like, meeting Mrs. Claus inside of the WGU Warming Tent, shopping at the local vendor market throughout the plaza, and more.

Special thank you to our Light Up the Square sponsors, Duke Energy, P&G, Alta fiber, WGU, and Shipley Energy! Thanks to WLWT Channel 5 and Q102 for making this annual celebration possible. Events at Fountain Square are brought to you by Fifth Third Bank and produced by 3cdc.

Don’t just pick one space to enjoy–Light Up your night with ALL of the Festivities on Fifth! To connect these two spaces, Fifth Street will feature with other festive touches like the Shillito’s Elves (located in Carew Tower), Holiday Carolers, and photo ops!

The UC Health Ice Rink, presented by Fifth Third Bank, will be open for skating all day and evening at Elm Street Plaza, from 11a-10pm. Rink admission is walk up only, no reservations, so arrive early to ensure you can get a spot on the ice and your skate size.