Holiday Tree Lighting Festivals in Warren County

CARLISLE, OH 

On Tuesday, December 2 at 6 PM, the City of Carlisle will hold its annual Tree Lighting Festival where the holiday lights will be turned on the City Hall Christmas tree. Along with the lights being turned on, there will be caroling, crafts, cookies and photo opportunities with Santa. 

"We will also be accepting canned and non perishable food items at the tree lighting, which will go to local families in need," said council member Debra Kemper. 

The city is also getting ready for the 6th annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Both homes and businesses within the city limits of Carlisle can be nominated starting Nov., 28. 

DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, OH (2 different celebrations)

On Saturday November 29th 

from 5 PM to 7 PM Deerfield Towne Center will hold its annual Holiday Light Event with lighting at 5:30 PM.  In addition to lighting the holiday tree, there will be:

• A hot cocoa bar, 
• Lightspeed Gingerbread Crumble, 
• Lightspeed Ninja Show, 
• penguin hover ball, 
• Snow axe throwing, 
• Snow globe, 
• Iceless skating rink, 
• Santa sleigh photo op with reindeer, 
• Trackless train, 
• Music, games and more!

On Sunday November 30th 

from 5PM to 7PM Deerfield Township will hold Holidays in Deerfield at District at Deerfield Park located at 5249 District Park Dr, Deerfield Township, OH 45040

Activities include:

• Tree lighting ceremony
• Grand opening of the Deerfield Ice Rink
• Drone Show finale
• Hot cocoa bar
• Inflatables
• Santa's Goody Bag Band performance
• Caroling by Kings High School Theatre students

Ample parking in surface lots at District of Deerfield, parking garage, and overflow parking at Mercy Health

FRANKLIN, OH 

On Saturday November 15 starting at 4 PM Downtown Franklin will be celebrating a Very Merry Main Street! A family friendly event filled with festive fun, delicious treats, and joyful memories, photos with Santa, delicious food trucks, a cozy bonfire, and kids’ activities including crafts, face painting, and more! Take a ride on the barrel train, shop the Holiday Vendor Market, and enjoy strolling entertainment and carousel rides at 4th & Main. 

• 4:00 PM – Event Begins
  • Photos with Santa (1 Benjamin Franklin Way)
  • Food Trucks & Bonfire (20 E. 4th Street)
  • Kids Tent with crafts, face painting, and Fizzy Sips & Sweets cocoa station
  • Carriage Rides (Third Street - Next to First United Methodist)
  • Holiday Market on Main Street
  • Frozen Friends & Strolling Entertainment
  • Carousel at 4th & Main
  • Winter Wonderland Decorating Contest along Main Street by Northwest Warren County Chamber of Commerce.
• 4:45 PM - FHS Holiday Choral Performance
• 5:00 PM – FHS Holiday Band Performance 🥁
• 5:50 PM - Winter Wonderland Decorating Contest Winners Announced
• 6:00 PM – Tree Lighting Ceremony
• 7:00 PM – Event Concludes

LEBANON, OH

During Lebanon's Holiday Cheer On Friday, November 28 at 6 PM, the Holiday Illumination is scheduled to happen with Santa stopping by at  Gazebo Park (next to the Golden Lamb) from 6PM to 8PM. Also during the day from 1 PM to 8 PM free carriage rides will be available in Downtown Lebanon. 

To start the day at 10 am enjoy hiking the French Run Trail (2.8 miles) while learning winter tree ID and the history of Colonial Park. All ages are welcome. The event starts at Colonial Park South, behind the Lebanon Post Office, 425 N East Street. 

LOVELAND, OH

On Saturday December 6 from 4 PM to 8 PM,  Loveland will be holding its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. The event will feature the lighting of a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree adorned with 2,500 lights and 250 ornaments located along the Little Miami Scenic Trail near West Loveland Avenue in Historic Downtown Loveland. Along with the tree lighting there will be: 

• A holiday drone show, 
• Live entertainment, 
• A winter market, 
• Food trucks, and 
• Family activities like a gingerbread house contest. 

MAINEVILLE, OH (HAMILTON TOWNSHIP)

On Saturday, December 6, from 4PM to 6PM Hamilton Township and the Village of Maineville join together for their 7th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Hamilton Township Fire Station 76. 

Enjoy:

• Pictures with Santa, 
• Holiday performances by local students, 
• Santa’s Goody Bag Band, 
• Travelin' Toms Coffee Truck, 
• Games, 
• Free cookies, hot chocolate, s’mores and popcorn, and 
• Ornament decorating. 

The night will end with a drone show and fireworks finale! Parking is only available at the old Hamilton-Maineville Elementary with a FREE continuous loop shuttle. 

MASON, OH

Friday December 5th from 6PM to 8PM at Downtown Mason Plaza, The City of Mason is hosting the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This free family event features:  

• Photos with Santa, 
• Kids’ attractions, 
• Crafts, 
• Food vendors & adult beverages, 
• Holiday music, 
• Iceless skating rink, 
• Inflatable snow globe, and 
• New for 2025, a Grinch bounce house and slide!

MIDDLETOWN, OH

City of Middletown kicks off its 4-week holiday celebration on Saturday November 29th when the Santa Parade begins at 5:00pm ending at the tree lighting. Along with the parade, the city offers: 

• Light Up Middletown A Drive - Through Fantasy Light Display - Open Every Night Thanksgiving Through New Year's Eve from 6:00 PM - 10: 00 PM - Open in all weather & Holidays Admission by cash donation - you set the price!
• Reimagine Middletown Ice Rink November 10th - January 11th - Enjoy Ice Skating right in the center of Downtown Middletown.
  • Daily Admission: $12 unlimited skating
  • Groups (10+): $8 per person
  • Skate Aids: $10 for 30 minutes

• Horse Drawn Carriage Rides - Enjoy a carriage ride through downtown Middletown. Perfect for date nights, family outings, and capturing holiday memories. Schedule:
  • Saturday, December 13 & 20, 2025 | 5-8 PM
  • Saturday, December 27, 2025 | 3-6 PM
• Departure Location: Governor's Square (Central Avenue and South Broad Street)
• Cost: Free and family-friendly
• Pet Policy: Pets are not permitted in the carriages

For the complete lineup of events A Very Merry Middletown, visit reimagine-middletown.com. 

MONROE, OH

Monroe's Christmas Tree Lighting is on Saturday December 6th, at the City Building plaza, 233 South Main Street, at 6:00 PM. The annual Christmas on the Plaza event includes:

• Tree lighting at 6 PM, 
• Free pizza and hot chocolate, 
• Pony rides, 
• Inflatables, and other family-friendly festivities.

SPRINGBORO, OH 

On Friday November 21 at 6 PM in Rotary Park, Springboro will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting. This is part of the larger Christmas in Historic Springboro festival, which runs from November 21st through November 23rd, 2025.  This free family friendly event offers:

• 76+ Craft Vendors
• 29+ Food Vendors
• Children’s Tent (with Santa!)
• Entertainment Tent
• Warped Wing Beer Tent
• Family Fun Activities
• Shops & Businesses in Historic Springboro
• 5K Run/Walk on 11/22 at 9 a.m.
• Parade on 11/22 at Noon

WAYNESVILLE, OH

Waynesville Christmas in the Village is: 

• Friday, Dec. 5th 6:00pm – 9:00pm
• Saturday, Dec. 6th 12:00pm – 8:00pm
• Sunday, Dec. 7th 11:00am – 4:00pm

On Friday and Saturday watch as 1300 luminaries light up Main Street and Santa's arrival. Santa Hours: Arrival by fire truck Friday 6pm and Saturday 1pm

• Friday 6-9pm, 
• Saturday 1-4pm and 5-8pm 

 This seasonal event is billed as a traditional Dickens holiday complete with Victorian street strollers, horse-drawn carriages, carolers, and live nativity scenes.

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