Cincinnati's Annual Holiday Tree to Arrive at Fountain Square This Weekend

The tree will be officially lit at the annual Light Up the Square celebration Friday, Nov. 24.

By Katherine Barrier on Wed, Nov 1, 2023 at 5:05 pm

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Photo: Vincent DiFrancesco

Fountain Square Holiday Tree

It’s going to begin to look a lot like Christmas in Cincinnati as organizers prepare for the arrival of the annual Prolink Holiday Tree at Fountain Square this weekend.

3CDC says the tree, a 55-foot Concolor-Fir from Mansfield, Ohio, is set to arrive in downtown Cincinnati around 7 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4. After it arrives, the tree will be lifted into place at the southwest corner of the square and installed. Crews will add strands of decorative lights and a 5-foot tall, locally made 14-point star throughout the day.

“We at Prolink are thrilled to help bring Cincinnati’s holiday festivities to life,” Prolink community relations manager Peter Frey said in a press release. “Prolink is about working better, together, and the tree brings the entire city together with joy and gratitude for the season. We couldn’t be prouder to be associated with such a special tradition.”

The UC Health Ice Rink will also open Saturday, with free admission from 8 a.m. to noon as the tree is installed. Visitors can also take part in the Tree Trimming Party in the WGU OHIO Warming Tent from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. where a local artist will help participants craft ornaments. And on Sunday, Nov. 5, there will be a Bengals’ Tailgate and Watch Party with live music, ice skating and a special collaboration with UC Health to honor the staff who cared for Buffalo Bills' player Damar Hamlin after he suffered cardiac arrest during a game in Cincinnati this past January.

Lace Up Your Skates For the Return of the UC Health Ice Rink at Fountain Square: Nothing quite says "holiday season" like ice skating in the heart of downtown Cincinnati.

The Prolink Holiday Tree will be officially lit at the annual Light Up the Square celebration Friday, Nov. 24 from 6-10 p.m.

Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown. More information on Light Up the Square: myfountainsquare.com.

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An Introvert's Guide to Greater Cincinnati Spots Where You Can be Alone for the Holidays

Roebling Point Books & Coffee306 Greenup St., CovingtonBooks are good for the soul – especially the soul that wants to be alone. And with multiple rooms of books, you can get lost for hours inside Roebling Point Books & Coffee, oblivious to anyone else around you. Grab a cup of their fair-trade coffee and get to browsing for your next favorite read.

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Bromwell's Hearth Room125 W. Fourth St., DowntownWith its dark walls and floors and fiery lighting, Bromwell’s recently renovated Hearth Room is a warm, welcoming place to grab a seat, drink a cocktail or craft beer, listen to some live jazz music and revel in not having to speak to anyone other than your friendly bartender.

Coney Island’s Nights of Lights6201 Kellogg Ave., CaliforniaDrive-thru holiday light displays are king because you don’t have to leave the warmth of your car and you don’t have to feel weird about being alone. At Coney Island’s dazzling Nights of Lights, see “more than 2 million lights synchronized to a mix of traditional and rocking holiday music,” per Coney Island. There is also a giant Christmas tree, illuminated snowflakes, light tunnels and other glowing thematic displays. The display runs every night until Jan. 2. You’ll have to pay the $25-$30 entrance fee by yourself, but sometimes you can’t put a price on alone time.

American Sign Museum1330 Monmouth Ave., Camp WashingtonThis one-of-a-kind museum is “dedicated to the art and history of commercial signs and sign making,” says its website. You can wander through the American Sign Museum’s collection and learn more about its collection and what goes into preserving and restoring an old sign and how they show a not-often-told story of the United States’ history. The ever-present neon glow throughout the museum is also a great way to pretend you’re inside a Christmas tree light bulb.

Ohio Bookstore726 Main St., DowntownOhio Bookstore is a book lover’s paradise: This shop features FIVE floors full of books and magazines – over 300,000 items in stock at any given time. And as a rare and used book store, you never know what literary gems you’ll discover. And if you need a book that needs repairing or a custom binding, Ohio Bookstore can do that as you explore.

The Echo3510 Edwards Road, Hyde ParkEating alone doesn’t have to feel weird, especially at The Echo. This diner has plenty of bar seating and cozy booths for those who want a quick, delicious meal while reading a book, scrolling their Facebook feed or flipping through the latest issue of CityBeat. The menu offers "Hangover Helpers" for those who imbibed too much over the holidays, like the Belgian Bird Sandwich, which comes with chicken tenders, a fried egg and cheddar on a waffle with powdered sugar and syrup. They also serve salads, sandwiches, soups and more for lunch, as well as cocktails like their Irish coffee and mimosas.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

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Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...

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