CINCINNATI, Ohio — Frigid air on your face, a cup of hot cocoa in hand and the feeling of warmth in your heart with the flick of a switch and the lighting of a tree…it’s a traditional experience that people embrace every year during their city’s light up night.

However, for neighborhoods undergoing a period of revitalization, these special nights serve an even bigger purpose.

What You Need To Know

  • Light Up College Hill has become both a tradition and a way to bring new people to visit the neighborhood

  • The College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation has attracted $91 million in investment to the neighborhood through affordable housing, economic development, small business support and community engagement events

  • This is the fourth year for the light up night

  • Organizers estimate that 2,000 people come every year

Robert Gatesi is the owner of the coffee shop ‘Luminary by La Terza’ in the College Hill neighborhood, just North of downtown Cincinnati.

“I’m a long long away from home, but home is where the heart is,” Gatesi said.

He’s originally from Uganda, but has been living in the region with his wife and children for the past 13 years.

He opened his coffee shop in a historic building in Hamilton Avenue about a year and a half ago.

“We thrive off the support of the community, people who come in here come between three to five times a week,” he said.

Part of the shop’s success, and businesses like it along Hamilton Avenue, come from the efforts of The College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (CURC).

Over the past eight years, the group has attracted $91 million in investment to the neighborhood through affordable housing, economic development, small business support and community engagement events like Light Up College Hill.

“The community engagement helps feed that investment and keep this ecosystem thriving,” said Hannah Stanchfield, College Hill CURC community relations manager.

It’s the fourth year for the event and one of the biggest.

The night usually brings about 2,000 people.

“That’s huge. It’s not only huge for College Hill as a neighborhood, but it’s huge for the city of Cincinnati. We have people from all over,” Stanchfield said.

Live reindeer, baby goats, Santa, music, and for the first time they’ll offer a Winter Market to give local artists and businesses another way to share their passion.

“We’ve seen so much growth and revitalization over the past decade," Stanchfield said. "It’s just been amazing to be part of this, and I love seeing the community come together and celebrate its pride in this neighborhood."

For Gatesi, Light Up nights are another way to bring a little warmth.

“I still miss home, but I have everyone I need right here with me, so I’m happy for it," he said. "The neighborhood has been revitalized. There’s a lot of diversity, some major developments. We just feel like we joined the community right at the perfect time."

Festivities around Light Up College Hill kick-off at 6 p.m. Dec 5.

The tree lighting will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Patrick’s Park on Hamilton Avenue.

Businesses like Luminary will have their doors open with warm treats and fun activities for kids and the whole family to enjoy.