Marketplace Events (MPE), the largest producer of consumer shows in North America (which holds more than 100 shows in more than 50 markets), currently operates three annual events in the Greater Cincinnati area: the wildly popular Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market in November, the Cincinnati Travel Sports & Boat Show in January and the iconic Cincinnati Home + Garden Show in February-March.
As the national consumer show leader prepared to open its doors for the 25th annual Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market held in its interim location at the Sharonville Convention Center, Mark White, Marketplace Events' CEO, recently announced that Marketplace Events will not only be moving the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market back downtown to the newly renovated Duke Energy Convention Center in 2026, but will also debut a brand new show next year – a new Sharonville Holiday Market – held at the Sharonville Convention Center. This means the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky communities will have the opportunity to enjoy two large-scale holiday markets in two locations in 2026.
The decision to expand the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market to two shows in two locations in 2026 aims to serve the entirety of the Greater Cincinnati geographic region and is in response to the increasing popularity and demand for the show from both exhibitors and attendees.
"We're committed to delivering high-quality, well-attended events at both venues, with continued investment in promotions, ticketing options and unique experiences at the shows to generate excitement and continued growth," said White. "Our data shows increasing demand and vast potential in our geographic reach, so the economic impact of this expansion will have a positive ripple effect throughout Downtown Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and the Queen City's northern communities as well."
The Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market has been held at the Sharonville Convention Center in 2024 and 2025 due to renovations and closure of the Duke Energy Convention Center. While the venue was smaller, the show has achieved incredible success and will maintain this momentum by hosting a permanent show at this location in 2026 and beyond.
The 2026 Holiday Market location and dates are:
More than 230 local businesses participated in this year's Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market. With the addition of a second event next year, participation is expected to exceed 500 and upwards of 600 exhibitors, driving significant economic growth and positive impact regionally.
"We are so grateful to the wonderful team at the Sharonville Convention Center for being such gracious hosts to us these past two years and look forward to continuing our partnership with them with the debut of our new Sharonville Holiday Market next year," White added. "And we look forward to returning to our tradition of hosting the Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market at the Duke Energy Center Convention Center downtown. We hope the Queen City community is as excited as we are about the increased accessibility to our Holiday Market experience through the expansion of our Cincinnati consumer event lineup in 2026 and beyond."
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