5 holiday events in Butler and Warren counties this weekend

1. Bicentennial Tree Lighting and Christmas on the Corner in Monroe

Friday, Dec. 1

Join the tree-lighting ceremony and holiday celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, at Monroe’s City Building Plaza, 233 S. Main St.

There will be a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, refreshments and live music.

The Monroe Historical Society will also be open. Stop by and see the museum filled with vintage decorations at 10 E. Elm St.

MORE: 5 Cincinnati holiday events that are worth the drive

2. Light Up Fairfield

Saturday, Dec. 2

Kick-off the holiday season at the annual Light Up Fairfield celebration. Activities take place at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, Village Green and at the Fairfield Lane Library.

Help Santa welcome the holiday season and light up the tree on the Village Green Amphitheater stage.

Highlights will include:

  • A Holiday Market and a Winter Farmers Market at the Fairfield Community Arts Center from 1 to 6 p.m.
  • Visits with Santa and the Festival of Trees from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Fairfield Community Arts Center Art Gallery
  • Yuletide Brass will perform at Village Green from 3 to 5 p.m.
  • Fairfield Starz Dance will perform at Village Green at 4:30 p.m.
  • Fairfield Choraliers and Rhythm Express will perform at Village Green at 5 p.m.
  • Santa will arrive in the park, and the tree lighting ceremony with Mayor Steve Miller will be held at 5:30 p.m.

MORE: How to enter the Journal-News Holiday Cookie Contest

3. Oxford Holiday Festival

Saturday, Dec. 2

The Oxford Holiday Festival will feature a line-up of holiday events from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., including festivities at the Oxford Community Arts Center (10 S. College Ave.) and at Uptown Parks (High Street and Main Street.)

Oxford Community Arts Center events will include a Talawanda Band Boosters Craft Market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; pictures with Santa from noon to 2 p.m. and Kids Korner (supervised activities for children) from noon to 3 p.m.

Highlights at Uptown Parks will include musical entertainment from 5 to 9 p.m.; live reindeer from 5 to 8 p.m.; an ice skating rink from 5 to 9 p.m.; carriage rides from 5 to 9 p.m.; Santa’s arrival by fire truck at 6:30 p.m. and pictures with Santa from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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4. Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival

Saturday, Dec. 2

The Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce will present the 29th annual Lebanon Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival. The event takes place in downtown Lebanon from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Christmas Festival begins at 10 a.m. and will feature food and craft vendors, as well as live entertainment throughout the day.

The highlights of the event are the 1 p.m. afternoon carriage parade and the 7 p.m. candlelit, evening parade. Each parade will feature over 100 decorated horse-drawn carriages

MORE: Enjoy Christmas past at Hamilton German Village Christmas Walk

5. Annual German Village Christmas Walk

Sunday, Dec. 3

Bells on horse-drawn carriages will ring during the 26th annual German Village Christmas Walk from noon to 5 p.m.

Tour Hamilton's historic German Village. Listen to strolling musicians in Dickens attire and take a carriage ride. Tours will include 27 stops, such as Butler County Historical Museum, Lane Hooven House, St. Julie Billiart Church and the Carriage House as well as residences, businesses and other historic buildings that will be decorated in Victorian splendor.

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