Visit 14 Christmas Light Displays In Ohio For A Magical Experience
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 visit the closest light show near you (and as many others as you like, of course.) The following are 14 of our favorites and they just happen to be some of the best Christmas lights in Ohio this year that are pure magic.
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This popular family fun attraction features a million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music, Christmas shops, pictures with Santa, wagon and train rides, and hot food and drinks. It is open from the third weekend of November until December 23rd. The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH, 45152. Learn more about one of the largest Christmas light displays in Ohio before you go!
2. Journey Borealis at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park (Hamilton)
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park transforms into a winter wonderland from the third weekend of November until early January. Journey Borealis will feature over one million lights and holiday art installations. It is one of the most magical places you can go during this holiday season in Ohio. It is located at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH, 45013.
3. The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill (Clifton)
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly (weather permitting) starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 30. (On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the display closes at 8 p.m.) Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water St., Clifton, OH, 45316.
Board a quarter-scale train and ride through holiday lights and decorations at this family fun destination, which also features a railroad gift shop, a decorated museum, and pictures with Santa. The display begins the day after Thanksgiving and is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Board the North Pole Express at 12505 County Rd. 99, Findlay, OH, 45840.
5. Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights (Upper Sandusky)
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Wildlights is also a popular destination for families during the holiday season. Typically running the third weekend of November until early January, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a magical winter wonderland. (It is open every day except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.)
Another amazing Ohio light display, Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo is fun for the whole family. The zoo features more than a million lights, making it a magical winter wonderland from late November until New Year's. Lights can be viewed daily except for on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
9. PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati)
The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden runs from the third weekend of November until early January. It is open daily except the lights won't be open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. This is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Ohio.
Open nightly from the third weekend of November until the end of December, this family-favorite drive-thru light display in the Cincinnati area features more than a mile of dazzling lights. See them nightly including on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Holiday In Lights is located at Sharon Woods Park (11450 Lebanon Rd., Route 42 Sharonville, OH, 45241).
Light Up Middletown is open beginning Thanksgiving night through December 31st and features a drive-thru light display. (Donations are encouraged.) View the lights every night regardless of the weather (including holidays.) It is located at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH, 45042.
12. Woodland Lights Washington Township (Dayton)
895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township, OH 45459, USA
This half-mile amazing Ohio light display and festival in Countryside Park is a popular holiday family fun attraction. Find out more about this enchanting holiday tradition, including dates and times, on the Washington Township website.
The French City's park lights up the night during the holiday season. Visit this quaint small town along the Ohio River for a memorable holiday season. You'll find the city park at 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH, 45631 and we write all about Gallipolis In Lights in this feature article!
This drive-thru light display also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate, and cookies and gift shops. It's one of the best things to do during Christmas in Ohio. This event is located at 2911 S Old State Rd., Delaware, OH, 43015.
Have you been to any of these displays before? What (and where) do you consider to be the best Christmas lights in Ohio? Share your photos, thoughts, and experiences with us!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Lights in Ohio
November 11, 2019
Andrea Limke
What is the largest Christmas lights display in Ohio?
It’s very difficult to determine the largest Christmas lights display in Ohio because it depends on how you measure the size. Many displays will share how many lights they use and often times it’s upwards of a million (or more!). Some of the displays mentioned above, such as the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo, definitely rank as one of the largest. For the largest drive-thru Christmas Lights in Ohio, the award may go to Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, which rounds out our list above.
What is there to do at Christmas in Ohio?
There is so much to do at Christmas in Ohio! A festive light display would be a great start, but you can also enjoy a breakfast with Santa, a train ride, or even consider spending time outside with a winter hike. Check out some of the best with this list of wonderful winter hiking trails in Ohio.
What are the best Christmas towns in Ohio?
So many Ohio towns go all out for the holidays. For a few suggestions of places to visit, check out this list of the most magical Christmas towns in Ohio.
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April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
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