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Greater Cincinnati, Ohio • November 2026 Local Hotspots • Holiday Lights, Markets and Events
The Short Answer
Things to do in Greater Cincinnati in November 2026 include the PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo (opens November 19), the Duke Energy Holiday Trains at Union Terminal (opens November 13), the Thanksgiving Day Race on November 26, and a run of tree lightings in Fairfield, Hamilton, Liberty Township and Milford.
This is my monthly list of verified events across Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Clermont counties. Every date below was checked against the official city, township, park district or organizer page between October 18 and October 19, 2026.
If you missed last month, my October 2026 Local Hotspots post is still online.
What are the biggest things to do in Greater Cincinnati in November 2026?
The regional holiday season starts in mid-November this year. These are the larger events with 2026 dates posted by their organizers.
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains
November 13, 2026 – January 4, 2027, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily • Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal (Hamilton County)
The annual model-train holiday display at Union Terminal. Entry is included with museum admission or membership.
PNC Festival of Lights
November 19, 2026 – January 3, 2027, festival activities from 4 p.m. • Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (Hamilton County)
The zoo’s holiday light festival is included with zoo admission. The zoo lists closures on November 26, December 24 and December 25, and a member preview night on November 18.
Pyramid Hill Lights
November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027 • Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton (Butler County)
A drive-through route of about two miles through the sculpture park, in its 25th year. Check Pyramid Hill’s site for operating nights and times.
“A Spider’s Gift” at Krohn Conservatory
October 31, 2026 – January 3, 2027, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily • Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park (Hamilton County)
The conservatory’s holiday plant display, built around the Ukrainian folk tale of the Christmas spider, with poinsettias and decorated trees.
Winterhaus at Fountain Square
Opened October 31, 2026; open November through March • Fountain Square, Downtown Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
A heated, glass-enclosed tent on the square with daily programming. Hours are posted on the Fountain Square website.
Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day Race
Thursday, November 26, 2026 • Kids Run 8:30 a.m., 10K 9:00 a.m., 5K 9:15 a.m. • Starts at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati (Hamilton County)
Thanksgiving morning 10K, 5K and quarter-mile kids’ race. Packet pickup runs November 24–26.
WinterFest at Kings Island
Select nights, November 27 – December 31, 2026 • Kings Island, Mason (Warren County)
The park’s seasonal holiday event opens the day after Thanksgiving. Kings Island lists the specific operating nights on its calendar.
Yuletide Village
November 27 – December 19, 2026, Fridays 5–9 p.m. and Saturdays 3–9 p.m. • Renaissance Park, Waynesville (Warren County)
A weekend holiday village held on the Ohio Renaissance Festival grounds.
Heritage Village Museum Period Dinner: Homestead Harvest
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 6 p.m. • Heritage Village Museum, Sharon Woods, Sharonville (Hamilton County)
A 19th-century-style harvest dinner, part of the museum’s 2026 Period Dinner Series. Reservations go through the museum.
What is happening in Mason, West Chester and Liberty Township this November?
New Resident Coffee (Mason)
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 10:30–11:30 a.m. • Mason Community Center (Warren County)
A quarterly City of Mason and MADE Chamber program covering city services, with a building tour and a free day pass.
Lakota East Holiday Arts & Craft Show (Liberty Township)
Saturday, November 14 (early entry 9–11 a.m., general 11 a.m.–4 p.m.) and Sunday, November 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. • Lakota East High School (Butler County)
The annual holiday arts and craft show. Admission is $6 for early entry and $3 for general admission; under 18 free.
Lights Up at Liberty Center (Liberty Township)
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 3–7 p.m. • Liberty Center (Butler County)
A holiday kickoff with a parade of local organizations and holiday characters ending at The Park.
West Chester Township’s indoor winter market runs Saturday mornings from mid-November. The township and the county visitors bureau listed different locations for 2026, so check the township’s market page before you go.
What is happening in Fairfield and Hamilton this November?
Fairfield Parade of Lights and Festival of Trees
Saturday, November 21, 2026 • Parade 6 p.m. from Waterworks Park to Village Green Park • Fairfield (Butler County)
Lighted floats travel through downtown Fairfield, followed by the tree lighting and fireworks; food trucks and reindeer run 5–7 p.m. The Festival of Trees opens the same evening at the Fairfield Community Arts Center and stays up through December 9.
Hamilton Welcomes the Holidays Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 5–8 p.m. • Marcum Park, Hamilton (Butler County)
The city’s annual tree lighting, with music, live reindeer and carriage rides.
Thinking about moving closer to the fun? Search homes for sale across Greater Cincinnati.
What is happening in Blue Ash and Montgomery this November?
34th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony & Luncheon
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 10:30 a.m. • Blue Ash Recreation Center (Hamilton County)
A ceremony with the Ohio Military Band, a wreath-laying and the 2026 Veteran of the Year, followed by a $7 luncheon.
Summit Park Ice Rink
November 14, 2026 – January 10, 2027 • Summit Park, Blue Ash (Hamilton County)
The seasonal outdoor rink returns to Summit Park. Daily skate hours are posted by Blue Ash Parks & Recreation.
Holiday O.F.F. Market
Saturday, November 21, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. • Summit Park, Blue Ash (Hamilton County)
The holiday edition of the local makers market.
Montgomery had not posted its 2026 Holiday in the Village date when I checked on October 19. I will include it once the city lists it.
What is happening in Loveland, Milford and Clermont County this November?
Bingo, Bags & Bubbly (Loveland)
Saturday, November 14, 2026, doors 2 p.m., bingo 3 p.m. • American Legion, Loveland (Clermont County)
Designer purse bingo and raffles benefiting youth mental health programs.
Handmakers Holly & Hearth Market
Sunday, November 15, 2026, noon–7 p.m. • Pattison Park Lodge, Clermont County Park District
A holiday market with local artisan vendors, food trucks and raffle baskets.
Milford Holiday Tree Lighting and Hometown for the Holidays
Tree lighting Friday, November 27, 7 p.m., Five Points Landing Park • Shopping weekend November 27–28 • Milford (Clermont County)
Milford lights its tree the night after Thanksgiving, and the downtown business district holds its holiday shopping weekend the same two days.
Turkey Trace Holiday Hike
Friday, November 27, 2026, 10 a.m.–noon • Clingman Park, Clermont County Park District
A naturalist-led walk on the Turkey Trace trail through beech forest and fields and along a creek.
Small Business Saturday in Loveland
Saturday, November 28, 2026 • Loveland (Clermont County)
The City of Loveland is promoting the Discover Loveland Card at participating local retailers.
Which holiday events are already posted for early December?
- Mason Tree Lighting Ceremony — Friday, December 4, 2026, 6–8 p.m., Downtown Plaza, Mason.
- Loveland Christmas Tree Lighting Festival — Saturday, December 5, 2026, Historic Downtown Loveland. Times not yet posted.
These will be in full detail in the December Local Hotspots post on December 1.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the PNC Festival of Lights open in 2026?
The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden opens to the public on November 19, 2026 and runs through January 3, 2027, with festival activities starting at 4 p.m. The zoo is closed on November 26, December 24 and December 25.
When is the 2026 Thanksgiving Day Race in Cincinnati?
The Western & Southern Thanksgiving Day Race is Thursday, November 26, 2026. The Kids Run starts at 8:30 a.m., the 10K at 9:00 a.m. and the 5K at 9:15 a.m., in front of TQL Stadium.
Which suburbs hold tree lightings in November 2026?
Fairfield (with its Parade of Lights), Hamilton and Liberty Center in Liberty Township all hold holiday kickoffs on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Milford lights its tree on Friday, November 27. Mason follows on December 4 and Loveland on December 5.
When does WinterFest at Kings Island start in 2026?
WinterFest at Kings Island in Mason runs on select nights from November 27 through December 31, 2026. The park posts its specific operating nights on its own calendar.
Where can you ice skate north of Cincinnati in November?
The Summit Park Ice Rink in Blue Ash opens November 14, 2026 and runs through January 10, 2027. Blue Ash Parks & Recreation posts the daily skate hours.
Planning a move before the new year?
I help buyers and sellers across Butler, Warren, Hamilton and Clermont counties with recent comparable sales, a clear plan and steady communication from first conversation to closing. If a move is on your list for this winter or spring, let’s talk through your timing.
Kristine Green • Realtor, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury • Greater Cincinnati
