Here Are The 12 Best Christmas Light Displays In Ohio. They’re Incredible.
The holidays are a magical time in Ohio, with or without snow. (And no, Ohio usually doesn’t get a white Christmas, but that doesn’t mean Ohioans lose hope!) All throughout the state there are captivating Christmas light displays that make you feel as if you’re experiencing a real life winter wonderland. The following are what we consider to be some of the very best Christmas lights in Ohio. They’re incredible — and guaranteed to get you in the spirit for the season!
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly once the holiday season starts, until early January. Make sure to visit their website for all up to date information about visiting these amazing lights!
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 just after Thanksgiving to early January. For hours and operations, and to learn more about this old-fashioned Christmas experience, check out their website.
3205 S Waynesville Rd, Morrow, OH 45152, USA
3. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights (Columbus)
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights is also a popular destination for families during the holiday season. From late November through early January, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a magical winter wonderland. The zoo's calendar of events will keep you updated!
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA
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 town's website will let you know the dates and times of this awesome event!
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation and Riverside Train, 12505 County Rd 99, Findlay, OH 45840, USA
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 until early January each year. The best Christmas lights in Ohio are a wonderful treat, year after year!
Light Up Middletown is open through New Year's Eve and features a drive-thru light display. Admission is by donation. This is one of the best drive-thru lights displays in Ohio!
This half-mile wonderland of lights, displays and festival activities in Countryside Park is a popular holiday family fun attraction. It is open for limited hours though the holiday season until New Year’s Eve. Stay up-to- date on their dates and hours when you visit their website.
895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township, OH 45459, USA
The PNC festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden runs from late November to early January. In addition to an abundance of lights, they also debut a themed gingerbread village! Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is the perfect play to spend a holiday evening.
The free light display at Playhouse Square in Cleveland will dazzle you and your family. Take the whole Downtown Holiday Lights Tour if you’re in the area!
Playhouse Square, 1501 Euclid Ave #200, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA
Open nightly until early January, this family favorite drive-through light display in the Cincinnati area features more than a mile of dazzling lights. This drive-thru light display is guaranteed to dazzle! Buy your tickets on their website.
Every evening in December from 6. p.m. to 12 a.m., you can park your car at the Ghostly Manor Thrill Center and tune your car radio to 99.7FM to experience the center's free Christmas light show. (Shows play every 30 minutes.) Visit their website where you can find more information every holiday season about this free light show.
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, 3319 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
This drive-thru holiday light show also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate, and cookies and gift shops. Visit their website for up to date hours of operation, and information about this fun holiday tradition!
3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
Do you think these are the best Christmas light displays in Ohio? Are we missing any fantastic Ohio Christmas lights? Let us know!
How many of these light displays have you seen? Where is your favorite place in Ohio to view Christmas lights? Share your photos and experiences with us in the comments below!
If you’re on the hunt for more Christmas spirit, be sure to check out the top 13 Christmas Towns In Ohio. We can’t believe how all out these towns go to make the holidays the best time of the year!
Address: 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA
Address: 3205 S Waynesville Rd, Morrow, OH 45152, USA
Address: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA
Address: Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
Address: 500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
Address: 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township, OH 45459, USA
Address: Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, 3319 Milan Rd, Sandusky, OH 44870, USA
Address: 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241, USA
Address: 3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
Address: Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation and Riverside Train, 12505 County Rd 99, Findlay, OH 45840, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Light Displays In Ohio
January 26, 2021
Megan McDonald
Are there a lot of fun holiday things to do in Ohio each season?
There are so many wonderful things to do in our state, no matter where you are located. From drive-thru light displays, synced radio and light displays, and wonderful walking tours through cities, there is so much holiday cheer to be found everywhere. Make it special and start the night with some hot cocoa and festive, warm, winter clothing!
What’s the weather like in Ohio in the winter time?
The weather can be cold, so dress warmly if you’re going to be outside enjoying the holiday festivities. It’s not unusual for the temperatures to drop into the teens and twenties, and wind can definitely be a factor. Pack plenty of layers, and warm boots, gloves, and hats. You’ll want to be comfortable and cozy while exploring everything there is to do outside during an Ohio winter! Although it’s quite cold in winter time, “White Christmases” are usually out of the question — but that doesn’t mean Ohioans don’t hold out hope!
What are some under-the-radar holiday events in Ohio?
Forget single events — Ohio has some entire towns that go all out during the holiday season! And Cleveland might just be the most festive. Cleveland is home to the iconic “A Christmas Story” House — you can tour or even spend the night for a double dose of nostalgia. For even more family fun, check out the festive blooms and Christmas activities at the Cleveland Botanical Garden during their holiday light display, and don’t forget to explore the holiday lights placed all throughout Downtown Cleveland for Winterfest.
Address: 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA
Address: 3205 S Waynesville Rd, Morrow, OH 45152, USA
Address: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA
Address: Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
Address: 500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
Address: 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township, OH 45459, USA
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.
