The Christmas Lights Road Trip Through Ohio That’s Nothing Short Of Magical
Piling into the car with family to drive around and look at Christmas lights is an Ohio family pastime.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of geographically close Christmas light displays in Ohio to form a road trip that you and your family can enjoy this holiday season. (For even more Christmas light displays in Ohio, be sure to check out our previous article here.) We think this road trip is the perfect way to embrace the Christmas season in Ohio.
Only In Your State
The total trip only takes about 6 hours of drive time round-trip, so you can take the trip within 3 days and 3 nights. (We recommended staying overnight in the Columbus area one night, the Cincinnati area the next night and the Dayton area the last night.) We’ve included a link to the Google Map here.
1. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights (Columbus)
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights is also a popular destination for families during the holiday season. Beginning November 18 and lasting until January 3, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a magical winter wonderland. See the lights Sunday - Thursday from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (It is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)
This drive-thru holiday light show also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies and gift shops. It is open from November 18 until January 1 on Sunday - Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights is located at 2911 S Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015.
3. The Christmas Ranch (Morrow)
April Dray/Only In Your State
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 the day after Thanksgiving until December 31 on Sunday - Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH 45152.
Open nightly from November 18 until December 31, this family favorite drive-through light display in the Cincinnati area features more than a mile of dazzling lights. See them on Sunday - Thursday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Holiday In Lights is located at Sharon Woods Park (11450 Lebanon Rd., Route 42 Sharonville, OH 45241.)
5. PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati)
The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden runs from November 19 to January 1. It's open on Sunday - Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 pm. (The lights won't be open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.)
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park transforms into a winter wonderland from November 18 to January 1. View the lights on Monday - Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday - Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is located at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013.
Light Up Middletown is open the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve and features a drive-thru light display. (Donations are encouraged.) View the lights every night from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., regardless of weather (including holidays.) It is located at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH 45042.
This half-mile wonderland of lights, displays and festival activities in Countryside Park is a popular holiday family fun attraction. It is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 23.
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (weather permitting) starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 31. (On Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve the display closes at 8 p.m.) Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water St., Clifton, OH 45316.
What do you think of this trip? Would you take it? Share your thoughts with us!
