Drive-thru Christmas light displays are such a wonderful way to experience the magic of the holidays, right from the warmth of your car. Cincinnati has many of these attractions and one that often times flies under the radar is Light Up Middletown. Just north of the city, this light display features some of the best Christmas lights near Cincinnati and is so worth a visit for plenty of colorful lights and holiday spirit.

Middletown is a wonderful place to visit during the holidays and is just a short drive from Cincinnati. They host many festive events throughout the season, but the most popular is Light Up Middletown.
Facebook/Light Up Middletown
This annual event is a favorite local tradition and makes for a fun little road trip from Cincinnati. It may get overshadowed by other drive-thru displays within the city limits, but this one is worth checking out.
Facebook/Light Up Middletown
Light Up Middletown is held at 100-acre Smith Park and takes many, many hours of work to set up. The intricate work is done by volunteers who enjoy bringing this event to Middletown and the surrounding area.
Facebook/Light Up Middletown

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The drive-thru light display takes place every night from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, regardless of the weather. It's open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can also visit with Santa from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Facebook/Light Up Middletown
The variety of displays, music, and the creativity behind it all make this destination really come to life. It's also such an easy way to enjoy a holiday event for all ages, no matter what the weather is like outside.
Facebook/Light Up Middletown
The drive-thru display is free to attend, although they do gratefully accept donations. After you've driven through the lights, you'll see that it's definitely a worthy cause in which to contribute. If you want to avoid the lines getting into the park, try a weeknight, as they are much less crowded.
Facebook/Light Up Middletown
Light Up Middletown is happening now and is a worthy spot to check out from Cincinnati. If you want to enjoy Christmas lights, but do so from the comfort of your car, don't forget about this festive event near Cincinnati.
Facebook/Light Up Middletown

Light Up Middletown has, hands down, the best Christmas lights near Cincinnati, and it’s a wonderful holiday event in the area that definitely should not be ignored. Is this drive-thru display one of your Christmas traditions? Do you think it’s worth the drive (and sometimes the wait)? Let us know in the comments!

Light Up Middletown is located within Smith Park at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH, 45042. Find hours and more information to plan your visit at the event website.

And for another drive-thru display that’s not far from Light Up Middletown, Land of Illusion puts on quite a seasonal show!

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best Christmas lights near Cincinnati

Sarah M. | October 18, 2022

What are some more of the best Christmas light displays near Cincinnati?

Every holiday season the state of Ohio lights up the night with dazzling Christmas lights the whole family can enjoy. Both walk-through and drive-through displays get you in the spirit -- and the quality family time is truly priceless. Grab a hot chocolate and check out these amazing holiday light displays near Cincinnati, which we compiled into one amazing Christmas road trip! Some highlights (pun intended)? include Journey Borealis, a spectacular event that takes place within the unique Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton. It's a two-mile drive-through display with countless, dazzling lights that transform this park into a magical wonderland. Over in Morrow, The Christmas Ranch is a bona fide North Pole right here in Ohio!  Millions of lights decorate this large property where you can also relax by a bonfire, take a ride on a train, visit small, festive houses, and enjoy a treat or two. For decades, Holiday in Lights has been one of the most treasured light displays in the city. This drive-thru display is best accompanied by the Christmas music playing on Warm 98, as you inch past festively themed lights and unique winter scenes. Finally, no list of the best Christmas lights in Cincinnati would be complete without the PNC Festival of Lights. Each November, Cincinnati's already-beautiful zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland that has been called the best zoo lights in the country. The millions of lights create a magical winter walk that should definitely be an annual holiday family tradition!

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