# Light Up the Square & Downtown Holiday Tree Lighting > Event for families in the Cincinnati area (OH / KY / IN). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Fri, Nov 27 · 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM - Where: Fountain Square, 520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 - Ages: All ages - Price: Free public celebration; Ice skating available at standard rates - Organizer: 3CDC & City of Cincinnati - Official page: https://myfountainsquare.com/ - Last checked: Sat, Nov 7 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/light-up-the-square-and-downtown-holiday-tree-lighting--listing-9bb851120a772efd4beec472 ## About Cincinnati's official kickoff to the holiday season takes place on the Friday following Thanksgiving with Light Up the Square on Fountain Square. Thousands of families gather in the heart of the Queen City to watch the ceremonial illumination of the downtown holiday tree, a towering 65-foot Norway spruce adorned with more than 50,000 sparkling LED lights. The festive evening features live choral singing by local school groups, high-energy holiday bands on the main stage, roving costumed characters, and Santa Claus making an exciting grand entrance. Following the countdown and tree lighting, a spectacular rooftop fireworks show illuminates the Cincinnati skyline over the 525 Vine building. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Level pedestrian plaza throughout Fountain Square; street crossings have curb cuts and wide crosswalks. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Indoor warmth and restrooms with changing tables accessible in the Fifth Third Bank lobby and Fountain Square concourse. • Age Suitability: All ages from babies to seniors. • Sensory Tips: Dense, festive crowds during the countdown and fireworks at 7:15 PM; noise-dampening headphones suggested for infants. ## Similar picks in Cincinnati - [Light Up the Levee & Grand Tree Lighting at Newport on the Levee](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/light-up-the-levee-and-grand-tree-lighting-at-newport-on-the-levee--listing-1af46fa683d16590c4651079) — Nov 21 – Jan 3 · 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Newport on the Levee · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Perched on the southern bank of the Ohio River with panoramic vistas of the Cincinnati skyline, Newport on the Levee hosts Light Up the Levee. The celebration centers on the… - [Covington Tree Lighting at the Kenton County Public Library](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/covington-tree-lighting-at-the-kenton-county-public-library--listing-f00d4e17300cc149c5bb28dd) — Tue, Dec 1 · 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM · Covington Branch · All ages · Free · checked Oct 28. The Covington Branch of the Kenton County Public Library hosts its first Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 1, from 7 to 8:30 pm. The Holmes High School Choir performs… - [Duke Energy's Light Up the Square Tree Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/duke-energy-s-light-up-the-square-tree-lighting--listing-61607f75035c3ba4547f6fda) — Fri, Nov 27 · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Fountain Square · Free · checked Nov 3. Fountain Square lights the Duke Energy holiday tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving, with performances and fireworks. 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It… - [Hamilton Welcomes the Holidays Tree Lighting](https://grassyknees.com/cincinnati/activities/hamilton-welcomes-the-holidays-tree-lighting--listing-0b1884c27e46d660d249581e) — Sat, Nov 21 · 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM · Marcum Park, Hamilton · All ages · Free · checked Nov 9. Hamilton's annual tree lighting opens the holiday season in Marcum Park with festive music, live reindeer, carriage rides, face painting and holiday treats. 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