Get ready for a festive adventure in Covington with our detailed guide. Whether you're deeply rooted in Covington soil or just planting holiday seeds, our guide helps you bloom.
One of the highlights this holiday season is the PNC Festival of Lights, where the Cincinnati Zoo transforms into a dazzling spectacle of light displays and holiday cheer. Kings Island’s WinterFest also offers a unique experience with its enchanting seasonal attractions, including immersive shows and themed areas. And the Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing wonderful animated displays alongside the chance to see the animals. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Covington Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Covington
- Winterfest at Kings Island (Mason)
- Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati)
- Kings Island’s WinterFest (Mason)
- PNC Festival of Lights (Cincinnati)
- Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker (Cincinnati)
- Pyramid Hill Lights (Hamilton)
- Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market (Sharonville)
- Findlay Market Holiday Market Weekend 1 (Cincinnati)
- Chriskindlmarkt at Germania (Cincinnati)
- Bluegrass Christmas Market (Lexington)
See these and even more events listed below!
Covington Holiday Light Displays
PNC Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized lights and animal exhibits.
Description:
The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden features 4 million LED lights, 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, a blacklight puppet show, and the Wild Lights Show on Swan Lake. Visitors can also meet ambassador animals, enjoy seasonal concessions, and visit Santa in Santa’s Village.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: PNC Festival of Lights
Pyramid Hill Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light show with local artist installations.
Description:
Pyramid Hill Lights features a 2-mile drive-through route lit by over one million lights and installations by local artists, inviting the whole family to a unique holiday experience.
Where: Hamilton | More Info: Pyramid Hill Lights
Light Up the Square
What to Expect:
Dazzling fireworks and live music performances.
Description:
Light Up the Square is a festive holiday event featuring live music, dance performances, Santa Claus, and a dazzling fireworks display. The UC Health Ice Rink will be open for skating, and the 2nd Wind Band will perform live music.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Light Up the Square
Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo
What to Expect:
Dazzling LED light display with interactive exhibits.
Description:
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden transforms into a dazzling display of 4 million LED lights, featuring 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, a blacklight puppet show, and the spectacular Wild Lights on Swan Lake. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal concessions and meet Santa in Santa's Village.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo
Covington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Chriskindlmarkt at Germania
What to Expect:
Traditional German Christmas market with unique gifts and festive food.
Description:
Christkindlmarkt at Germania is Cincinnati's oldest and most authentic German Christmas market, featuring traditional German items, local crafters, and festive food. Visitors can enjoy cold German bier, hot mulled wine, and unique gifts while listening to holiday music. The event includes Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Christkind, St. Nicholaus, carriage rides, pony rides, a lantern parade, and a petting zoo.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Chriskindlmarkt at Germania
Loveland Athletic Boosters Arts and Crafts Show
What to Expect:
Unique handcrafted items by over 200 local artists and crafters.
Description:
The Loveland Athletic Boosters Arts and Crafts Show features over 200 talented artists and crafters showcasing unique handcrafted items, including jewelry, baby items, woodcrafts, candles, dips, seasonings, purses, hats, and pottery. The event offers free admission for adults and includes a raffle with donations benefiting the LIFE Food Pantry.
Where: Loveland | More Info: Loveland Athletic Boosters Arts and Crafts Show
Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local vendors and special event sessions.
Description:
The Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market is a premier shopping event featuring local vendors selling holiday decor, apparel, toys, and more. Attendees can enjoy VIP Shopper Morning, Early Bird Admission, and Girls Night Out sessions. Santa will be present, and all attendees have a chance to win Merry Money.
Where: Sharonville | More Info: Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market
Art on Vine
What to Expect:
Monthly platform for local artists to sell their work and build bonds with art lovers.
Description:
Art on Vine is a monthly local fine art and handmade goods market featuring over 80 artists and makers from the Ohio region. It offers a unique shopping experience where attendees can meet and greet with the artists, discuss their passion for their artwork, and support local talent.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Art on Vine
Winter at the Mustard Seed Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local vendors and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Mustard Seed Market is a curated vendor market featuring over 100 local businesses, live music, and a variety of food trucks. Enjoy holiday-themed goods, cozy firepits, and activities for the whole family.
Where: Owensville | More Info: Winter at the Mustard Seed Market
Westside Market – Holiday Edition
What to Expect:
Outdoor holiday market with local vendors.
Description:
Westside Market – Holiday Edition is an outdoor event featuring 100 local vendors offering a variety of handmade goods and unique items.
Where: Cheviot | More Info: Westside Market – Holiday Edition
Findlay Market Holiday Market Weekend 1
What to Expect:
Unique local artisans and diverse market offerings.
Description:
Findlay Market Holiday Market Weekend 1 features dozens of unique local artisans alongside regular Market Merchants, Farmers, and Outdoor Vendors, offering a diverse array of gifts and seasonal items.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Findlay Market Holiday Market Weekend 1
Elizabethtown Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Local shopping event with a focus on handmade goods and community support.
Description:
The Elizabethtown Holiday Market is a 7-hour event hosted by the Elizabethtown Junior Women's Club, featuring local handmade goods, delicious treats, and direct sales brands. The market attracts hundreds of people each year, supporting the local community by donating all proceeds to community causes.
Where: Elizabethtown | More Info: Elizabethtown Holiday Market
Bluegrass Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and handmade crafts from over 25 vendors.
Description:
The 4th Annual Kentucky Mercantile Christmas Market offers a wide variety of unique gifts, handmade crafts, delicious eats, and festive cocktails. Over 25 vendors participate, ensuring there's something for everyone on your list. The event features sweet treats, culinary pleasures, holiday music, boutiques, artisans, and small businesses.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Bluegrass Christmas Market
Covington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Sycamore / SBOB Art and Craft Show
What to Expect:
Live student performances and diverse vendor offerings.
Description:
The SBOB Art and Craft Show at Sycamore High School features live student performances, a variety of vendors, snacks, drinks, hot dogs, pizza, and a popular bake sale. Admission is $3 for adults, with children under 12 and Sycamore Schools staff free.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Sycamore / SBOB Art and Craft Show
Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic featuring Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, with Tchaikovsky's beloved score performed live by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker
Kings Island’s WinterFest
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and live entertainment.
Description:
Kings Island’s WinterFest features over seven million lights, ice skating on the Royal Fountain, and a variety of rides including Mystic Timbers and Kings Mills Antique Autos. The event includes live shows, a Winter Wonderland Parade, and festive attractions.
Where: Mason | More Info: Kings Island’s WinterFest
Winterfest at Kings Island
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with extensive light displays and live entertainment.
Description:
Kings Island WinterFest transforms the park into a holiday spectacle with over seven million lights, ice skating on the Royal Fountain, and a dazzling WinterFest Wonderland Parade. Enjoy live entertainment, festive attractions, and holiday shopping amidst a backdrop of breathtaking decorations.
Where: Mason | More Info: Winterfest at Kings Island
Covington Other Holiday Activities
Kindervelt Krafts at Seton High School
What to Expect:
Community-driven event showcasing local artisans and family activities.
Description:
Kindervelt Krafts at Seton High School is a community event featuring handmade crafts, local vendors, and family activities. It provides an opportunity for attendees to support local artisans and enjoy a variety of goods and services.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Kindervelt Krafts at Seton High School
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Cincinnati (3 miles)
- Florence (9 miles)
- Independence (10 miles)
- Fairfield (18 miles)
- Mason (22 miles)
- Hamilton (22 miles)
- Lebanon (29 miles)
- Middletown (30 miles)
- Oxford (32 miles)
- Miamisburg (40 miles)
- Centerville (42 miles)