There are so many fantastic family-friendly Christmas and Holiday activities in Northern Kentucky going on in the coming weeks. There are shopping experiences, photo opportunities, music, arts, and more on this list. There are events on this list for children of all ages, from 1 to 100, because let’s face it, aren’t we all a kid at heart during the holidays? So get out your calendar and mark down some of these holiday activities in Northern Kentucky so you don’t miss them!
Family Friendly Holiday Events in Northern Kentucky {2016}
GRAND ILLUMINATION at NEWPORT ON THE LEVEE :: Tuesday, November 22nd from 6-8m. Music, Tree Lighting and MORE! Visit their website for all the details.
SHOP SMALL SATURDAY :: 11/26/16, 11am – 7pm at participating businesses Local businesses in downtown Covington will be offering discounts and promotions for Shop Small Saturday, 11/26 (11 – 7pm) to encourage the community to shop local.
Specials for Shop Small Saturday:
● Motch Jewelers will be open from 10am-5pm with cookies and coffee. With your purchase of $100 or more on this day, you get a free gift.
● Dogs-N-Style is offering 20% off from 8am-4pm
● Covington Chili is offering a Swiss Mushroom or Rodeo Burger + fries and a drink for $6.00
● The Hannaford is having a $6 Specialty Seasonal Cocktail.
● Plus, the Pop-Ups on Pike will be having it’s Grand Opening! Make Covington Pop! will host 5 shops ( LDV Vintage , Keep Your Shirt On Covington , A Squared Decor , Zip Zoo Apparel and Maverick Chocolate Co. ) starting November 26th at 11am, 33 W. Pike St along with the the Pike Street Maker’s Market in the 31 Pike Street space. The gallery will feature artwork from local art collaborative, The Independent Northern Kentucky Artists and Artisans Education Program (INKAA). Visit the Pop-ups on Shop Small Saturday and receive a FREE Shop Covington tote
bag.
2nd ANNUAL COVINGTON NIGHT BAZAAR : 12/2 & 12/3, 6pm-10pm at Roebling Point Renaissance Covington is proud to present the 2nd Annual Covington Night Bazaar, Friday December 2nd and Saturday December 3rd, 6pm – 10pm each night at Court Street and Park Avenue in Roebling Point. We are committed to providing a local, outdoor, family-friendly shopping event for local artisans to sell their products, while celebrating the season with local bites and sips. The Night Bazaar features over 40 creators and makers (ranging from hand-knit
alpaca goods to organic soaps), so it’s easy to find something for everyone. In addition to the shopping, the event will be sampling food from local restaurants: Lil’s Bagels, Piccolo Casa, AmerAsia, Smoke Justis, The Gruff and Molly Malone’s. Cozy up to our fire pits with Roebling Point Books and Coffee’s hot cocoa or coffee. Need something stronger to warm up with? We’ll be selling local beer from Braxton Brewing Co. and Eight Ball Brewing, along with local wine and spirits from New Riff Distilling, Second Sight Rum and Watershed Distillery. Crafts and Vine will also be serving up a spirited hot chocolate for the adults. Local favorite, DJ Kenneth Wright, will be spinning music both nights, while PONES dance troupe, the Sugar Pills, and Madcap Puppets will perform.
FRESH CUT CHRISTMAS TREE & WREATH SALE December 2-4 MainStrasse Village, Covington KY 41011 Boy Scout Troop 717 is coming back to MainStrasse Village to sell fresh cut Christmas trees (Frasier Firs) and wreaths. They will be available on the 6th Street Promenade. Please join us on Friday night for the lighting the tree on 6th & Main, complete with music, free hot chocolate, cookies…and Santa arriving on a Fire Truck! While you’re here, be sure to visit our shops and restaurants throughout the Village.
Tuesday, December 6th FLORENCE TREE LIGHTING – For more details see the City of Florence website or contact Florence Parks & Recreation (859) 647-5439.
Friday, December 2nd at 6pm TWILIGHT CHRISTMAS PARADE in MAYSVILLE :: Marching bands, floats, and of course Santa Claus himself! See the City of Maysville website for all the details.
Friday December 2nd – Sunday, December 4th BURLINGTON CHRISTMAS :: See Historic Burlington’s website for more details about this event, and other holiday events they have going on all weekend long, like music, a pet parade, a train show and more! There will even be special holiday hours at shops & restaurants in Burlington. Sounds like a fun weekend!
STORYTIME WITH SANTA December 4th, 2-3:30pm Kenton County Public Library Covington Branch Kick off the holidays with Santa at the Library! Join us for storytime with Santa, a special Christmas craft and a photo ops.
CHRISTMAS WALK AND HOLIDAY MARKET :: City of Independence Saturday December 3rd , 2015 6-9pm Independence, Kentucky HO.HO.HOPE to see you there!!!
HOPEFUL MARKETPLACE December 3rd 2016 9am – 3pm Hopeful Lutheran Church Florence Kentucky Crafter/vendor Fair. Come get your Christmas Shopping done.
GLORIA DEI CRAFT SHOW :: December 3, 2016 Gloria Dei Lutheran Church This event is a Youth fundraiser to fund our middle and high school youth mission trips for next summer.
FROZEN WONDERLAND & FESTIVAL OF TREES at General Butler State Park on Saturday, December 3rd 8am until noon ~ Dine with Santa Claus, hang out with characters from Frozen and visit the decorated trees in the lobby of the State Park Lodge. For all the details visit the General Butler State Park website.
CATHEDRAL CONCERT SERIES ~ Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols – December 4th St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption Madison Avenue at 12th Street, Covington, Kentucky 41011 Visit the Cathedral website for all the details.
December 5th – LAST DAY TO MAIL LETTERS TO SANTA at Kenton County Public Library branches and courthouses! Kenton County Parks & Recreation, in cooperation with the Kenton County Public Library, is excited to announce its annual Letters To Santa ~ Letters From Santa program. Every child who sends a letter to Santa will receive a return letter from Santa just in time for Christmas! PLEASE be sure to check your child’s letter to see that Santa can easily read full names and home addresses so that each child will receive his or her letter at home. When mailing your child’s letter to Santa, please remember to bring non-perishable food or personal care items (including diapers) for those less fortunate. Specially decorated barrels will be located right next to the mailboxes at each location.
AN OLD KENTUCKY CHRISTMAS December 8-11 visit the First Church of Christ in Burlington for an old fashioned holiday event.
HARRY POTTER MAGICAL HOLIDAY BALL ~ Friday, December 9th at 7pm at Barnes and Noble at Newport on the Levee. Prepare for magical activities, enchanting events, and even more Harry Potter themed fun for all ages! The Yule Ball is sure to be the most magical event of the holiday season! You won’t want to miss this! Dress like your favorite Harry Potter character, wear your holiday best or come as you are and join us for dancing, music, activities and giveaways.
WHITE CHRISTMAS PARADE in AUGUSTA. In the beautiful city of Augusta. Contests, a parade, Christmas carols and more! See the Augusta website for all the details on this fun-filled evening! Saturday, December 10th
NEWPORT ON THE LEVEE BREAKFAST WITH SANTA ~ Sat. December 17 9:30-11:30am Featuring breakfast catered by Brio Tuscan Grille, arts and crafts that you can take home, games, story time, visit with Santa, and more! Parents, make sure to bring your cameras for pictures! Tickets are just $20. Tickets are required for all children 6 months and older, as seating is limited. Get the details on the Levee website.
CAROLING ON STONEY’S FRONT PORCH December 17/4 pm-6 pm 323 West 6th Street, MainStrasse Village,Covington, KY Free Enjoy making the music of the holidays come alive. Instruments, hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.
TUBA CHRISTMAS at the LEVEE :: Saturday, December 17th from 3-4 pm. Bring your tuba or come for the carols! Get the details on the Levee Website.
Ongoing Holiday Activities in Northern Kentucky:
HOLIDAY TOY TRAINS – Behringer Crawford Museum Nov. 12 – Jan. 15, 2017. 1600 Montague Road – Devou Park, Covington, Kentucky 41011.
HOLIDAY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT THE KENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY :: The Kenton County Public Library has too many great holiday happenings going on to list in this post!!! Check out their events page on their website to find the perfect fun for your family!
CHRISTMAS TOWN at THE CREATION MUSEUM in PETERSBURG :: Come see a free Live Nativity & Garden of Lights. Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, KY 41080 For more details call: (888) 582-4253 or visit their website.
SCUBA SANTA at the NEWPORT AQUARIUM :: Go see one of the most unique holiday displays in town! Scuba Santa is sure to entertain the whole family! Visit the Newport Aquarium website for all the details! He will be there from November 25th until December 31st.
And to find out about Holiday Events and Festivals around the state of Kentucky check out the Kentucky Tourism website! Maybe you can take a day trip for some holiday fun!
SIMS FURNITURE CHRISTMAS WINDOW DISPLAY :: If you are driving around Covington with the family be sure to stop at 727 Madison Avenue to see what the elves are up to getting ready for Christmas! This charming window display is a must-see!
BB RIVERBOATS HOLIDAY CRUISES :: BB Riverboats offers several different holiday cruise options, and all of them sound like a fun time! There are cruises for every age – Visit the BB Riverboats website for more details.
Did I miss a holiday activity in Northern Kentucky? If so, please submit it here: http://bit.ly/cincyweekendcalendar
When not blogging for Family Friendly Cincinnati, you can find Katie writing at her personal blog, www.thelittlethingsjournal.com
