It’s about that time of year again and so many of the neighborhoods and towns around Cincinnati will begin to transform into winter wonderlands. Fight it if you want, but the magic of the holiday season will hopefully win you over eventually and if you’re still feeling like a relative of the Grinch, then head to Ohio’s Clifton Mill, a wonderful Christmas town in Ohio. This historic Clifton Mill and charming destination north of the Queen City may just be the best Christmas town near Cincinnati. With millions of lights and abundant enchantment, Clifton, Ohio is simply a must-visit spot this season.

The historic Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio is a wonderful day trip destination from Cincinnati all year long.
Facebook/Clifton Mill
At only 90 minutes north of downtown, it really isn't a bad drive to visit this legendary and visually stunning mill and its property. And at Christmastime, this town illuminates like no other place in our region.
It takes six hard workers three months to hang the lights and decorate the property.
Facebook/Clifton Mill
When they are finished, more than four million lights can be found on the buildings, along the pathways, landscape, and even over a covered bridge.
The light display officially begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs daily through Christmas Day.
Facebook/Clifton Mill
The gates open at 5 p.m. and the lights come on for the night at 6 p.m. Most nights the event closes at 9 p.m., but on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it is over at 8 p.m.

Related Stories

Enjoy Thousands Of Twinkling Lights On The Holiday Wagon Ride At The Christmas Ranch Near Cincinnati

Enjoy Thousands Of Twinkling Lights On The Holiday Wagon Ride At The Christmas Ranch Near Cincinnati

 Experience Over 3 Million Lights With A Drive-Thru Display And Christmas Village At Christmas Glow Near Cincinnati

Experience Over 3 Million Lights With A Drive-Thru Display And Christmas Village At Christmas Glow Near Cincinnati

 8 Enchanting Spots Surrounded By Frozen Beauty To Experience In Cincinnati This Winter

8 Enchanting Spots Surrounded By Frozen Beauty To Experience In Cincinnati This Winter
As you may imagine, this festive town and display draw large crowds, eager to take in the magic.
Facebook/Clifton Mill
If you'd like to try and avoid the largest crowds, visit Monday through Thursday. Saturdays are the most crowded, but at least you'll be surrounded by others who are looking for festive fun and holiday cheer.
The illuminated covered bridge is one of many spots to explore during your visit and there are plenty of other things to do as well.
Facebook/Clifton Mill
You'll find that Santa enjoys the Mill as much as the visitors and he is there every night through December 23rd, making toys for good boys and girls. While there are no pictures with Santa, you can watch the jolly elf make toys and prepare for his big day.
During this Christmas event, Clifton Mill offers select food and beverages, including hot dogs, BBQ pork sandwiches, soup, cornbread, hot chocolate, cookies, pie, popcorn, and soft drinks.
Facebook/Clifton Mill
Parking for the event is free and admission is $10/person for everyone 4 and older. You may want to bring cash to make the line go faster and to avoid the convenience fee for using a Visa or Master Card.
If you can't make it up to Clifton's Clifton Mill after sunset, the property is still stunning during the day.
Facebook/Clifton Mill
Visit for a hot breakfast and stroll around, taking in the sites. Especially after a fresh snowfall, this is truly the best Christmas town near Cincinnati.

Take a closer look at this gorgeous light display:

With a long-running tradition of incredible lights and decorations, Clifton’s Clifton Mill is easily in the running as the best Christmas town near Cincinnati. Have you braved the crowds and spent time at the legendary Christmas Lights at Clifton Mill? Share your experience with us in the comments!

For more information and even more details, visit the Clifton Mill Christmas Lights website.

For more of the best Christmas light displays around Cincinnati, check out this festive road trip of Christmas lights in Ohio.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Holiday Festivities in Cincinnati

Will Suphan | November 11, 2023

What are the best free holiday events in Cincinnati?

The best free holiday events in Cincinnati include:

  • Village Horse Parade in South Lebanon
  • Antique Christmas at the Taft Museum of Art
  • Holiday discounts at Mt. Healthy

Cincinnati hosts a good number of free holiday events that are fun for the whole family. South Lebanon holds an annual Village Horse Parade with horses decked out like reindeer and adorned with holiday wreaths and other decorations. On Sundays, the Taft Museum of Art brings you back through time with their Antique Christmas event where you can see how trees and homes were decorated with Christmas cheer in decades past. Mt. Healthy really livens up the holidays with a day of discounted chopping, craft-making, delicious foods and brews, and much more.

Learn more about the best holiday events in Cincinnati. 

What are the best holiday attractions in Cincinnati?

The best holiday attractions in Cincinnati include:

  • The Nutcracker at The Cincinnati Ballet
  • Holiday Junction at The Cincinnati Museum Center

Cincinnati has no shortage of bucket list holiday happenings available. The Cincinnati Ballet hosts an annual production of The Nutcracker. The ballet dancers perform this Tchaikovsky classic in such a talented, magical style, and is a true delight. The Cincinnati Museum Center holds an event called Holiday Junction where toy electric trains meander through an intricate and massive collection of Lego settings known as Brickopolis. Scenes from Disney, Marvel, DC, Harry Potter, and more are recreated in painstaking detail. This has been an annual Cincinnati tradition for over 75 years! Bring the kids and watch their faces light up with smiles as they see their favorite fantasy places done up in lights.

Find out more about the best holiday attractions in Cincinnati. 

What are some unique ways that Christmas is celebrated in Cincinnati?

Unique ways that Christmas is celebrated in Cincinnati include:

  • SantaCon
  • Miracle at The Overlook Lodge

One of the most fun events in the city is SantaCon where hundreds of people dress up as Santa Claus and have an absolute riot as they pub crawl their way through downtown. Even those who don't participate get a huge smile on their face watching all the silly Santas cavorting about and having the time of their lives. The Overlook Lodge hosts an annual pop-up bar called Miracle where every inch of the place is bedecked in dazzling, sparking lights and decorations. Even the walls are covered in wrapping paper.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Historic Clifton Mill, 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA