Christmas Tree Lighting Festival

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Join us in Historic Downtown Loveland for one of the city’s most beloved holiday traditions! The City of Loveland and the Loveland-Symmes Firefighters Association invite you to an evening filled with festive entertainment, family activities, and plenty of holiday magic. Downtown will be beautifully decorated for the season by the City’s Public Works Department and the Loveland-Symmes Firefighters Association.

Celebrate the start of the holiday season with festivities and fun in Historic Downtown Loveland!

Before the holiday lights are switched on, the publisher of Ohio Magazine will be present to congratulate the City of Loveland on being named one of Ohio Magazine’s Best Hometowns for 2026–2027.

Watch as the city’s Christmas tree comes aglow! Standing more than 60 feet tall along the Little Miami Scenic Trail near West Loveland Avenue, the tree is adorned with approximately 2,500 lights and 250 ornaments.

Event Date and Time:

6th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
December 5, 2026 from 4-8 pm

Holiday Baking Challenges Bring Community Creativity to Downtown

The City of Loveland is adding a little extra sweetness to this year’s festival with two holiday competitions celebrating creativity, baking skills, and the local businesses that make Loveland special.

Christmas Cookie Baking Contest

Community members are invited to bring their best homemade Christmas sugar cookies and show off their holiday baking skills. Whether participants have a classic family recipe or a creative new creation, all are encouraged to enter and put their own festive twist on the traditional sugar cookie.

Entries will be judged on flavor, decoration, uniqueness, presentation and just-for-fun dunkability. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their cookies, compete for prizes and spread holiday cheer throughout the community.

Cookie contest entries must be submitted to City Hall no later than Friday, December 4, at noon. Participants should set aside their 10 best-looking cookies for the judges and place the remaining cookies in a separate disposable container for community sharing. Both containers must be marked with the participant’s name on the bottom.
Winners will be announced before the Christmas tree is lit on December 5.

Loveland Gingerbread Contest

The City is also hosting a Gingerbread Contest, inviting participants to recreate a local Loveland business entirely out of gingerbread and other edible decorations. From favorite restaurants and shops to local landmarks and beloved businesses, participants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild.

Completed gingerbread creations must be submitted to City Hall by 4 p.m. Monday, November 30. Entries will be displayed for the community to enjoy and vote on, with the creation receiving the most votes crowned the winner. Prizes will be awarded to the top gingerbread creations. The challenge is an opportunity to celebrate Loveland’s local businesses while showcasing the creativity and holiday spirit of the community.

Holiday Decorating Contest Lights Up Loveland

Residents and businesses located within the City of Loveland’s corporate limits are invited to show off their holiday spirit and creativity in Loveland’s Griswold Christmas Light Contest. Participants are encouraged to decorate their homes or businesses with elaborate displays of holiday cheer.

Judging will begin the week of November 29, with winners selected in each category. Winners will be announced during the Christmas Tree Lighting Festival on December 5 and will receive prizes.

Loveland Christmas Toy Drive Supports Children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

The holiday season is also a time for giving, and the Alex Siegel Memorial Foundation is inviting the Loveland community to help make Christmas brighter for children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

During the Tree Lighting Festival, community members are encouraged to bring a toy donation to support children spending the holidays in the hospital. Donations will help spread joy, hope and healing to young patients during the holiday season.

Please note: Portions of West Loveland Avenue and surrounding streets will be closed during the event.

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

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