Christmas In These 10 Ohio Towns Looks Like Something From A Hallmark Movie
There’s no better place to be than small town Ohio during the holidays. We’re fortunate to have so many Ohio Christmas towns. Our parks light up with Christmas cheer, carolers fill the shopping centers and our Main Streets are lined with Christmas trees. The following are 10 towns in Ohio you need to visit this season. Each one offers plenty of Christmas cheer and something unique to locals and visitors alike. It’s like something straight out of a Hallmark movie—and for a moment you’ll feel like you’re in one.
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Where the sidewalks are lined with Christmas trees and the bandstands are decked out for the holidays, the city park in Gallipolis lights up the night. Gallipolis in Lights in Gallipolis, Ohio is a true winter wonderland during the holiday season. It kicks off the day before Thanksgiving and continues until the new year arrives. There is no admission fee and you can stroll this lovely park anytime after dark throughout the holiday season.
The historic village of Zoar is one of Ohio’s most enchanting towns year-round, but it truly comes alive during the Christmas season. The historic Zoar Garden lights up the night, carolers stroll the town and the annual two-day Christmas in Zoar event features a truly unique tour of the town.
Chagrin Falls has a Main Street full of Christmas cheer every December. Take a stroll through the park and check out the local shops while you're here. Even the observation deck and stairway to the town's waterfall is decked out for the holidays. Be sure to stop by for a photo or two.
The Steubenville Nutcracker Village and Advent Market features the largest display of life size nutcrackers in the U.S., Christmas lights, vendors, caroling and more at the Fort Steuben Park. More than 150 nutcrackers will be on display from November 26 - January 4. The Advent Market will take place every Friday - Sunday from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. until December 29. It features Swiss-style chalets showcasing goods from local artisans and craft vendors.
It's almost impossible to not be in the Christmas spirit while you get your holiday shopping done here. During the month of December, this popular shopping center goes all out for the holidays with a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas train rides and visits with Santa.
This town goes all out for the holiday season with a Christmas Open House, which features horse drawn wagon rides, ice sculptures, twinkle lights and more. Throughout the holiday season, the whole town is festively decorated.
Every holiday season, the town of Middletown celebrates by lighting up its city park. Smith Park sits in the heart of downtown and features 100 acres of dazzling lights. Light Up Middletown is a spectacular drive-thru light display that's open the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Eve. It's open every night from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., rain or shine.
Dickens Victorian Village in Cambridge is a must-see. Take a trip back in time and explore the historic downtown of Cambridge. Until early January, the town is transformed into old world England, featuring more than 80 scenes of 180 lifelike figures representing typical scenes from Victorian society and Dickens' novels.
Featuring 150,000 Christmas lights and more than 1,000 nativity scenes from around the world, this historic village features a unique holiday experience for families. The Historic Kirtland Nativity Exhibit opens for the season on December 1 and continues until January 6.
Every year, this popular central Ohio outdoor shopping mall is decked out in Christmas lights and decor for the season. The shopping center also features Santa visits, ice skating and carolers.
Have you been to any of these Ohio Christmas towns during the holiday season? What other towns in Ohio look straight out of a Hallmark movie during the holidays? Share your thoughts and experiences with us!
Address: 120 S 3rd St, Steubenville, OH 43952, USA
Address: 177 Market St, Westlake, OH 44145, USA
Address: Grand Rapids, OH 43522, USA
Address: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
Address: Cambridge, OH 43725, USA
Address: Kirtland, OH 44094, USA
Address: 160 New Bond St, Columbus, OH 43219, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Ohio Christmas Towns
December 13, 2019
April Dray
Where is the best Christmas town in Ohio?
It’s difficult to determine the best Christmas town in Ohio. Christmas in Ohio is magical in nearly every small town and big city. The Hallmark Channel named Portsmouth, Ohio its Hometown Christmas Town for 2019. It features a month-long Winterfest, complete with ice skating, Christmas lights, snow tubing and local vendors. Other towns that go all out for the season that aren’t listed above include Medina, Delaware, Lebanon and many more.
Where should I go to celebrate Christmas in Ohio?
Aside from indulging in small town Christmas charm in Ohio and visiting Ohio Christmas villages, there are also several holiday themed train rides you can take in the Buckeye State. The Santa Claus Express and the Polar Express at the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad are especially popular. You can even board The North Pole Express in Findlay, which is a quarter-scale train that takes you through a Christmas lights display. The Santa Train at the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is another popular option.
Where are the best Christmas lights displays in Ohio?
There are several Ohio Christmas lights displays that are worth a road trip. Some of the most popular drive-thru displays include Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights in Delaware and Light Up Middletown in Middletown. The are also several displays you can walk through, including Christmas at Kingwood in Mansfield and the Akron Zoo Wild Lights. Ohio’s major cities feature zoo lights as well. Be sure to check out the Wild Lights at the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo zoos.
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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