The holidays are all about joy, togetherness, and making memories—without breaking the bank. Families in Southwest Ohio have tons of festive options this season that cost nothing to attend. From glowing tree lightings and downtown parades to beloved traditions like Lebanon’s Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade, these free events make it easy to celebrate the season in style.
Below you’ll find 14 of our favorite free holiday festivals around the region (listed roughly in date order). Be sure to check official event websites for updated times and parking info!
1. Duke Energy’s Light Up the Square (Downtown Cincinnati)
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Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
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Time: 6–10 p.m.
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Location: Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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Why it’s fun: Cincinnati’s signature holiday kickoff event! Watch the 50-foot tree light up downtown as fireworks burst overhead. Enjoy live music, ice skating, food trucks, and a visit from Santa—all free to attend.
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Tip: Arrive early to snag a good viewing spot near the rink, and bring gloves if you plan to skate under the lights after the tree ceremony.
2. Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival (Lebanon)
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Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
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Times: Daylight Parade at 1 p.m. & 7 p.m. Candlelight Parade
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Location: Downtown Lebanon, OH
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Why it’s fun: One of the Midwest’s most charming holiday traditions! Dozens of beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriages fill the streets, accompanied by costumed drivers, carolers, and a full-day Christmas festival. Free to attend and perfect for all ages.
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Tip: Arrive early—tens of thousands of visitors attend each year. Between parades, explore the Christmas village, shops, and food booths downtown.
3. Loveland Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
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Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
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Time: 4–8 p.m.
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Location: Historic Downtown Loveland, OH 45140
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Why it’s fun: A cozy small-town celebration where the community gathers for the annual tree lighting, live music, and family-friendly activities. Enjoy a gingerbread house contest, local vendors, and visits with Santa — all free to attend! The charm of downtown Loveland makes this a picture-perfect evening.
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Tip: Bundle up and plan to stroll through the shops and restaurants nearby before the countdown to the tree lighting begins.
4. The Grand Illumination Tree Lighting and Parade (Dayton – Downtown)
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Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
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Time: Evening — festivities begin at 6 p.m.
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Location: Courthouse Square, Downtown Dayton, OH
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Why it’s fun: Dayton’s most festive holiday kickoff returns with a night full of cheer! Enjoy the lighting of the city’s grand Christmas tree, a sparkling light parade, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa. Families can warm up with hot cocoa while taking in holiday displays and free activities downtown.
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Tip: Arrive early to find parking and grab a good viewing spot for the parade — the lights and music make this one a can’t-miss tradition.
5. Winterfest 2025 (Kennedy Heights, Cincinnati)
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Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
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Time: 6–9 p.m.
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Location: Kennedy Heights Arts Center & Lindner Annex, 6546 & 6620 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45213
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Why it’s fun: A free, family-friendly neighborhood celebration filled with festive lights, live music, holiday art activities, a holiday art market, and a warm community vibe.
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Tip: Free parking available at both locations – arrive early to enjoy art-making stations and choose handmade gifts before the lights turn on.
6. Light Up College Hill (College Hill, Cincinnati)
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Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
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Time: 6–9 p.m.
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Location: Patrick’s Park, Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45224 (College Hill neighborhood)
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Why it’s fun: A festive neighborhood holiday celebration with free admission. Features include a tree-lighting ceremony in Patrick’s Park, live music, train rides, Santa visits, a life-size snow globe, reindeer sighting, and holiday scavenger hunt.
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Tip: Dress warmly and plan to arrive slightly early to enjoy strolling the avenue’s decorated shops and holiday lights before the main countdown.
7. Holiday in the City – The Grand Illumination (Downtown Springfield)
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Date: Friday, November 28, 2025
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Time: 5–8 p.m.
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Location: Downtown Springfield, OH
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Why it’s fun: Springfield’s biggest holiday celebration transforms downtown into a glowing winter wonderland! The evening features free ice skating, a Ferris wheel, live entertainment, food trucks, Santa’s arrival parade, a spectacular tree lighting, and fireworks to top it all off.
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Tip: Arrive early for Santa’s parade and grab a spot near the square for the best view of the fireworks and drone show that follow the illumination.
8. Winter Fireworks & Holiday Lights (Downtown Hudson)
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Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
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Time: 7:30 p.m.
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Location: Downtown Hudson, OH
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Why it’s fun: Kick off the holiday season in charming downtown Hudson with a free fireworks show over the village green, festive holiday lights, and cozy small-town charm. Families can stroll along Main Street, take photos by the glowing decorations, and enjoy the classic holiday ambiance.
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Tip: Bring lawn chairs or blankets for the fireworks viewing—free on-street parking is available near the downtown shopping area.
9. Christmas in the Village (Historic Downtown Canal Winchester)
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Date: Friday & Saturday, December 5–6, 2025
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Time: 6:00–9:00 p.m. both nights
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Location: Historic Downtown Canal Winchester, OH
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Why it’s fun: A charming, family-friendly, free holiday festival featuring activities across downtown streets and businesses. Highlights include a tree-lighting at Stradley Place Greenspace, Santa visits, holiday train rides, ice-less skating rink, carriage rides, live music, ice sculptures, and more.
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Tip: Dress for chilly weather, bring a camera for holiday family photos, and enjoy the stroll through the decorated downtown while sampling local eateries and seasonal treats.
10. Christmas in Mason Tree Lighting Ceremony (Mason, OH)
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Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
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Time: 6:00–8:00 p.m. (tree lighting kicks off at ~6:30 p.m.)
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Location: Mason Downtown Plaza, Downtown Mason, OH
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Why it’s fun: A free community event that launches the holiday season with festive lights, Santa’s arrival, activities for kids, photo spots, and the lighting of the central Christmas tree amidst downtown Mason’s holiday décor.
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Tip: Arrive early to find convenient parking and a good vantage point for the countdown and tree lighting; bring a camera for the free photo-ops with Santa.
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11. Light Up the Levee (Newport, KY / Greater Cincinnati Region)
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Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
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Time: 3:00–9:00 p.m.
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Location: Newport on the Levee, Newport, KY (just across the river from Cincinnati)
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Why it’s fun: This free holiday festival features live music, a visit from Santa, fireworks, and the lighting of a massive tree in the heart of the riverside entertainment district.
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Tip: Arrive early for parking near the event plaza, bundle up as much of it is outdoors, and take advantage of the views across the Ohio River to downtown Cincinnati for photo-ops.
12. Hamilton “Welcomes the Holidays” Annual Tree Lighting (Marcum Park, Hamilton, OH)
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Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
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Time: 5:00–8:00 p.m.
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Location: Marcum Park, 106 N. 2nd Street, Hamilton, OH.
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Why it’s fun: Free family-friendly tree lighting event featuring festive music, live reindeer, carriage & train rides, balloon artists and holiday treats.
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Tip: Dress warm and arrive early for parking—downtown Hamilton fills up quickly on holiday event nights.
13. Light Up Middletown (Smith Park – Middletown, OH)
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Date: November 27 through December 2025 nightly
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Time: 6:00–10:00 p.m. nightly
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Location: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH 45042.
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Why it’s fun: Free (donations accepted) drive-through holiday light display featuring tunnels of lights, themed scenes, and holiday décor—easy, cozy outing for families.
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Tip: Visit on a weeknight to avoid longer lines; bring a thermos of hot cocoa to enjoy from your car.
14. Fairfield Parade of Lights & Holiday Festival (Fairfield, OH)
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Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
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Time: Children’s crafts begin at 5:00 p.m.; parade steps off at 6:00 p.m.
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Location: Village Green Park & Fairfield Community Arts Center, 301 Wessel Drive, Fairfield, OH 45014.
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Why it’s fun: Free holiday festival featuring food trucks, holiday market, illuminated parade, live performances, tree lighting and fireworks.
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Tip: Arrive early (before 5 p.m.) for kids’ activities and to find a good spot along the parade route.
From the clip-clop of horses in Lebanon’s Carriage Parade to twinkling trees in Loveland and Mason, Southwest Ohio shines bright with free family holiday fun. Grab your scarves and cocoa—these merry community events are waiting to make your season magical.
