CINCINNATI — The transformation of downtown Cincinnati into a festive winter wonderland continues this weekend with Light Up the Square on Friday night.

The annual celebration marks the official lighting of the oversized holiday tree at Fountain Square. Festivities start at 6 p.m. with live music from 2nd Wind Band and a special appearance by Santa Claus.

An overhead look at a past Light Up the Tree celebration at Fountain Square. (Photo courtesy of 3CDC)

Plans call for the tree lighting to happen about 7:25 p.m. The night will wrap up with a booming fireworks display by Rozzi over the top of downtown buildings.

“Fountain Square is a special place any day of the year, but during the holiday season, there’s an elevated feeling of joy and wonderment,” Christy Samad, the senior vice president of event management for 3CDC, said in a statement.

3CDC handles event programming at the square.

This year’s tree is a 45-foot concolor fir from Wooster, Ohio, about three hours northeast of its current location along Fifth Street in Cincinnati’s Central Business District.

The tree features a brand new, nearly 5-foot tall, custom 14-point star designed and fabricated locally by Iron Belle Metal Design.

“It’s an absolute honor to be part of this,” said Jordan Graff, a Cincinnati native and creator of the three-dimensional Moravian star. The illuminated Advent, Christmas or Epiphany decoration is popular in Germany.

Graff said his design inspiration came from the cardinal directions as seen in the compass of a map — north, south, east and west. He added that it’s most notable from a straight-on view or a profile view.

He forged the piece using contemporary blacksmithing and welding techniques at his shop in Columbia Tusculum.

“It’s funny because I never really put it into perspective until the day I installed it just how big a deal this was,” Graff added. He was so focused on finishing the piece on time, he said, that there was “no time to think about it.”

Downtown can become a bit of a wind tunnel during winter months, Graff said, so he focused on ensuring a “random gust of 35-mph wind wouldn’t take it down.”

It wasn’t until he saw the star placed atop the tree shortly after it arrived on Nov. 5 that the magnitude of the situation set in.

Graff’s creation will be lit in public for the first time during Friday’s event. He, his wife and three kids will be there to check it out in person.

“I’m just humbled and excited to experience this with my family,” Graff added.

The lighting of the tree at Fountain Square is a tradition dating back roughly a century. The current iteration of Light up the Square has taken place every year since the renovation of Fountain Square in 2007.

Over the decades, the event has become a holiday staple for locals and visitors alike, drawing thousands of visitors each year. 

Graff, for instance, recalled the joy of watching event organizers light the tree while he was growing up on the city’s east side. Usually he watched it on TV with his family. 

But others, such as downtown resident Jill Blom, never pass up an opportunity to see it in person.

Jordan Graff, a Cincinnati native and creator of the three-dimensional Moravian star. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Graff)

As of Wednesday, there’s no snow in the forecast, but temperatures will dip to the mid-40s by the time the event begins.

For Blom, that’s the perfect temperature for hot cocoa and to enjoy the event with her young niece and nephew. She plans to bring her dog, Curly, as well.

“The tree lighting is the official start to the holiday season,” Blom said. “Downtown just has a different energy during the holidays.”

Reservations are still available for ice skating during the event at the square’s rink, accessible on the Fountain Square website. Walk-ups will also be welcome to skate during Friday’s event, and the bumper cars will be out on the ice as well, 3CDC said.

The full-service Fountain Bar will be open serving beer, wine, cocktails, soda and hot chocolate.

Beyond Friday, there are several more events taking place throughout the holiday season. Those include the weekly Downtown Dazzle celebrations taking place every Friday night from Nov. 26 through Dec. 17.

Downtown Dazzle features Santa rappelling down the side of a Cincinnati high-rise. There are also fireworks during each event.

Other events include a full season of the on-ice Winter Wonder Lights display and New Year’s Eve Blast, described as a “party on the plaza” from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. The Chabad Menorah Lighting celebration is Dec. 19.

Downtown visitors can also use the ice rink seven days a week through Feb. 20.

At nearby Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine, 3CDC is hosting a winter market on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A special kick-off market is this Friday, Dec. 25, also known as Black Friday.

Vendors will rotate from day-to-day but they’ll sell a variety of local goods, ranging from clothing and art to sweet treats.

“As the heart of downtown Cincinnati, the Square is a place where memories are made, and we’re grateful for the privilege of programming holiday events that have become family traditions for so many,” Samad added.