The Christmas Lights Road Trip Through Ohio That Will Take You To 9 Magical Displays
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 holiday light displays to create the most magical Christmas lights road trip in Ohio for you and your family to enjoy this holiday season. (For even more of the best 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.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
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 a popular destination for families during the holiday season. Beginning circa mid-November and typically lasting until just after the new year, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a magical winter wonderland. Holiday lights and decorations add a festive flair to the already energetic and family-friendly campus. Keep an eye on the zoo's event page for this year's dates!
For nearly two decades, visitors have flocked to this fantastical holiday display. This drive-thru holiday light show also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies and gift shops. It is open from circa mid-November until around the New Year. Sunday through Thursday, the event operates from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays 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. Click here to plan for this year's dates!
3. The Christmas Ranch (Morrow)
April Dray/Only In Your State
Are you craving an old-fashioned holiday experience? 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 typically open the day after Thanksgiving until circa the day before Christmas Eve, sometimes operating through New Year's Eve. The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH 45152. This is an event you won't want to miss! Click here for this year's hours.
Over the top and enchanting, this annual tradition is one folks in Cincy cherish. Open nightly from mid-November until around 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). Click here for more information!
5. PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo (Cincinnati)
The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a WILD winter wonderland! It typically runs from the middle of November to on or around New Year's Day. It's open on Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 pm. (The lights won't be open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) Click here for ticket information!
Two miles of gorgeous wintertime splendor? Count me in! Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park transforms into a winter wonderland from late November to early January each year. View the lights on Monday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is located at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH 45013. Click here to plan your trip!
Things are feeling extra jolly in Middletown! Light Up Middletown is typically open from Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve or so, and it features a drive-thru light display. (Donations are encouraged.) View the lights every night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., regardless of weather (including holidays.) It is located at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH 45042.
Want to feel extra cozy despite the nippiness of the winter season? 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, usually operating from the day after Thanksgiving until December 23. Buy your tickets here.
Last but not least is one of the most spectacular holiday events in the entire state. The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly (weather permitting) starting around the day after Thanksgiving until circa 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. You can find more information here.
What do you think of this Christmas Lights Road Trip in Ohio? Would you take it? Share your thoughts with us!
Address: 3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
Address: 3205 S Waynesville Rd, Morrow, OH 45152, USA
Address: 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241, USA
Address: 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
Address: 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
Address: 500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
Address: Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, OH, USA
Address: 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Christmas Lights Road Trip In Ohio
October 17, 2019
Nikki Rhoades
What city has the best Christmas lights in Ohio?
If you are in search of the best light display in Ohio, you’ll surely be disappointed. Why? Because, as this road trip demonstrates, there are so many in the state that narrowing down the search to just one over-the-top display is solely a matter of preference. However, everyone knows that bigger is better when it comes to holiday displays. The biggest light display in Ohio is likely the Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill, which features over 4 million dazzling lights each and every holiday season. It’s no wonder this has become a cherished annual tradition!
What is the one best light display in Ohio?
While there are many things to do at Christmas in Ohio, one of the more enchanting displays can be found at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens. This gorgeous destination in Akron is one of many winter wonderlands in Ohio, but it’s understandably striking all year round. As you approach residential areas with tightly knit communities, as you will see in areas like Greater Cleveland, you’ll also find a number of stunning residential and community light displays.
What else can I do around the holidays in Ohio?
Aside from a trip to the best light displays in Ohio, you will be pleasantly surprised to find that The Buckeye State has much to offer each holiday season. Community events including guest appearances by Santa are absolutely the norm in our splendid state, so oftentimes the best thing to do is to ask your friends and neighbors for holiday event suggestions! However, if there’s one special attraction you simply must check out, it’s Castle Noel. Though this Christmas movie museum operates year-round, it is endlessly magical in the holiday season and attracts visitors from all over the nation.
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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