Covington's holiday calendar for 2026 has a clear center, and it's no longer only the Square. The Lighting of the Square on Thursday, November 19 lasts one hour, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Shopping on December 10 lasts two hours. At Legion Field on Mill Street, Lights at Legion stays lit every night from Saturday, December 5 through Sunday, January 3, 2027. That's 30 nights, and every tree on the field will be decorated by a local business, organization or family.
The events on the Square are still the big gatherings. The walk-through on Mill Street is the part of the season you can drop in on any evening, and it's built by the people who live here. The two meet on a single Saturday in December.
The Square Runs on Short, Fixed Windows
The 2026 calendar from Discover Covington shows how tightly the downtown holiday events are scheduled.
| Date | Event | Where | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Nov. 19 | Lighting of the Square | The Square | 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Annual Christmas Parade | Through the Square | 10 a.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | Lights at Legion Kickoff | Legion Field | 6 to 9 p.m. |
| Thu., Dec. 10 | Candlelight Shopping on the Square | The Square | 6 to 8 p.m. |
| Thu., Dec. 17 | Santa, Live Reindeer and Christmas Movie Shorts | The Square | 6 to 8 p.m. |
Last year's Lighting of the Square on November 20, 2025 included local choir performances, a visit from Santa and a short fireworks display. This year's window is one hour, so plan to be on the Square by 6:30 next Thursday.
The parade fills up early too. As of October 24, 2026, the City of Covington's parade page showed only a waiting list for new entries. The City and Discover Covington are carrying the parade tradition forward on Saturday, December 5 at 10 a.m. No route map for 2026 has been posted. Last year's route started on Newton Drive, turned onto Anderson Street, passed through the Square on Floyd and Clark, then looped by way of Lee Street, Washington and College, Church Street and Conyers Street before coming back along Mill Street to Newton Drive. In 2025 the parade had no theme, but every float and vehicle had to carry Christmas decorations.
Each of these events gets one date and a short window. That's why Legion Field's schedule matters.
Legion Field Gets the Month
Lights at Legion started in 2023, when The Covington News called that year's event "inaugural." It's a walk-through, not a drive-through. In the City's words:
"Then each night citizens can enjoy leisurely walking through the lit Christmas trees at Legion Field."
That line comes from the City of Covington's Lights at Legion page, which also says the event is free to attend.
The venue suits a nightly walk. The City describes Legion Field as an 8.5-acre site with an amphitheater, a three-acre sports field, paved parking for about 100 cars, a lighted paved walking track, restrooms, a banquet hall and an open-air pavilion. The address is 3173 Mill Street NE. Legion Field also hosts the city's warm-weather concerts. This year's Live at Legion lineup ran from a June show by Landslide to an October Pink Out concert.
What sets Lights at Legion apart from the Square is who decorates it. The City sells trees to anyone who wants to take part, at $80 per tree for 2026, and invites businesses, organizations and families to "line Legion Field with beautifully and creatively decorated trees." The page thanks everyone who reserved trees in 2025. So the trees you walk past in December are the work of the businesses, groups and families around you.
How a Tree Gets From Application to Chipper
If you're thinking about reserving a tree, the City's guidelines spell out the schedule and the rules.
- Decorating window: 8 a.m. Wednesday, December 2 through 6 p.m. Friday, December 4. Trees must be finished before the Saturday kickoff.
- Lights: Outdoor LED lights only. The City will unplug any non-LED strands that trip the breakers.
- Cords: Outdoor-rated extension cords only, under the same rule.
- Weatherproofing: Decorations have to hold up to wind and rain. The guidelines suggest zip ties, pipe cleaners or string to keep them in place.
- Height: Trees start at about 6 feet, so the City suggests bringing a step ladder.
- Spray paint: Bring a plastic drop cloth to protect the grass.
- Undecorating: Monday, January 4 through Wednesday, January 6, 2027. Decorations must be off by 9 p.m. on January 6. The City won't keep anything left behind.
The trees then get one more job. On Friday, January 8, 2027, they'll be chipped in partnership with Keep Newton Beautiful's Bring One for the Chipper. Bring One for the Chipper is also the first event on Covington's 2026 calendar, held on January 9.
There's one practical catch for visitors. The trees run off GFI outlets at Legion Field, and those outlets shut off when rain or water gets in. After a storm, some trees may stay dark until City staff or the lighting company can safely switch the outlets back on. If you're bringing out-of-town guests for a single night, choose a dry evening, or give it a day after heavy rain.
December 5 Is the Day the Two Sides Meet
On one Saturday this season, the Square and Legion Field share the same calendar day. Here's how it lays out:
- 10 a.m., the Covington Christmas Parade. Last year's route went straight through the Square and came back along Mill Street.
- The eight hours in between. Time for lunch around the Square.
- 6 to 9 p.m., the Lights at Legion Kickoff at Legion Field. The trees come on for the first time, joined by food trucks, a visit with Santa and the Covington Mistletoe Market.
The Mistletoe Market page describes local artisans, crafts, woodworking, bakers and more. Vendor applications for 2026 opened Wednesday, November 4, and the City says space is limited. If you make wreaths, cutting boards or holiday cookies, that page is worth checking this week.
Where to Eat Between Stops
Discover Covington's dining directory lists a tight cluster of spots around the Square. They're handy for the midday gap on December 5 or before Candlelight Shopping on the 10th.
Church Street: City Pharmacy at 1105 Church Street, The Social Goat Tavern at 1115 Church Street, Town Square Olive Oil at 1130 Church Street and Scoops at 1131 Church St.
Washington Street: Your Pie Pizza at 1115 Washington Street Southwest and Town House Cafe at 1145 Washington St SW.
A block or two out: Amici Covington at 1116 College Ave., Mystic Grill at 1116 Clark Street Southwest, Lily & Sparrow Coffee. Market. Mercantile. at 1177 Reynolds Street, and Bread and Butter Bakery at 1124 Monticello Street Southwest.
On the Legion Field side of town, the same directory lists El Charro Mexican Restaurant at 3165 Elm Street Northeast and American Deli at 3154 U.S. 278. On a weeknight walk-through that doesn't line up with a Square event, those two are the nearest options.
The Rest of the Season, in Order
After next Thursday's lighting, the season builds from week to week. Small Business Saturday follows on November 28. December 5 brings the parade and the first night of Lights at Legion. Candlelight Shopping fills the Square on Thursday, December 10. Santa, live reindeer and Christmas movie shorts close out the Square's calendar on Thursday, December 17. The Legion Field trees stay lit through January 3, come down by January 6, and go through the chipper on January 8.
Decorating a Lights at Legion tree with your family or business this year? We'd love to see it, and our team will be walking the field in December too. If you're thinking about what your Covington home might be worth before the spring market, Amy & Company | The Legacy Real Estate Group can help. Get your instant home valuation today.
