Posted in Ohio Winter October 19, 2021 by

14 Magical Light Displays In Ohio That Will Simply Mesmerize You This Season

When the most wonderful time of the year is officially upon us, you’re probably wondering when and where to find the best Christmas lights displays in Ohio. This year, there are plenty of light displays all throughout the state to get you in the spirit. Here are some of our favorite places to go to admire Christmas lights in Ohio — bundle up, grab a mug of hot cocoa, and see how many you can visit this holiday season!

1. Holiday Lights on the Hill (Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum)
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park/Facebook
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park transforms into a winter wonderland each holiday season. This is a delightful way to experience one of Ohio's coolest hidden gems! For more information on this year's holiday lights event, be sure to hop over to the Pyramid Hill website. This magical display at Pyramid Hill is located at 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., Hamilton, OH, 45013.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
2. Deck The Hall (Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens)
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens/Facebook
Deck The Hall at Stan Hywet Hall is a holiday bucket list item you don't want to pass up. This year, you can attend Deck The Hall on select evenings over the holiday season from 5-8 p.m. This year, the mansion will be decked out in a brand-new theme you must see to believe! Ticket prices for this magical indoor and outdoor event vary according to age, date, and member status. (Children 5 and under are free.) Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens is located at 714 North Portage Path, Akron, OH, 44303, and you can visit the website for more information on this year's holiday lights event.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303, USA
3. The Christmas Ranch (Morrow)
April Dray/Only In Your State
Here at The Christmas Ranch, you can observe more than 1 million LED lights, eat at Santa's Bakery and Cafe, take a train ride, check out the Christmas shops, meet Santa himself and so much more. Admission is $20 per vehicle Friday - Saturday and $15 per vehicle Monday - Thursday and the display is open from late-November through Christmas. Hours vary by day, and can be found on the event website, linked below. The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S. Waynesville Road in Morrow, OH, 45152, and you can learn more about this year's event at The Christmas Ranch website.
Christmas Ranch, 3205 S Waynesville Rd, Morrow, OH 45152, USA
4. Wildlights (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium/Facebook
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights is also a popular destination for families during the holiday season. Beginning in mid-November and running through New Year's, this is one wild and wonderful event you won't want to miss! 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. (Please note: the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance; you can do so through the website. You'll find it at 4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH, 43065.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065, USA
5. The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill (Clifton)
Clifton Mill/Facebook
The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill are featured nightly from 5-9:30 p.m. (weather permitting) starting the day after Thanksgiving until Dec. 31. (On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve the display closes at 8 p.m.) Admission is $10 per person and children 3 and under are free. Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water St., Clifton, OH, 45316. Learn about this year's Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill event here.
Historic Clifton Mill, 75 Water St, Clifton, OH 45316, USA
6. Woodland Lights (Dayton)
Woodland Lights at Washington Township Recreation Center/Facebook
"Walk the path to holiday fun" at this magical, Dayton-area holiday attraction. It's a half-mile wooded path that features some of the state's most enchanting Christmas lights. You can visit Woodland Lights every weekend and select dates through the end of December. Woodland Lights is open nightly from 6-9 p.m., and tickets to take this enchanting walk are $9 per person. Children ages 2 and under are free. (We recommend purchasing tickets in advance to ensure your preferred time slot!) You'll find it at 895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd., Dayton, OH, 45459, and you can learn more at the website.
Washington Township Recreation Center - Rec West, 965 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Dayton, OH 45459, USA
7. The North Pole Express (Findlay)
NORTHWEST OHIO RAILROAD PRESERVATION, INC/Facebook
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 (what fun!). This magical event runs select days from the end of November through the end of December, and more information can be found at the website, here. Board the North Pole Express at 12505 County Rd. 99, Findlay, OH, 45840.
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation and Riverside Train, 12505 County Rd 99, Findlay, OH 45840, USA
8. PNC Festival of Lights (Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden)
Julie Sweeney/Flickr
One of the wildest and most acclaimed holiday lights displays in Ohio, the PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden runs from mid-November through New Year's, and is a bucket-list must for all Ohio families. This year, you'll find all sorts of fun activities in addition to the classics. You can ride the BB&T Toyland Express, search for fairies in Fairyland, or even see Santa (in addition to admiring the 4 million twinkling LED lights!). You'll find this magical display at 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH, 45220. (Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance to reserve a spot!) Learn more at the Cincinnati Zoo website.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
9. Light Up Middletown (Middletown)
Light Up Middletown/Facebook
Every year, Light Up Middletown opens the day after Thanksgiving and the lights keep twinklin' through New Year's Eve. This drive-thru light display is one of the best in the state. (There is no set admission fee but donations are encouraged.) View the lights every night from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., regardless of weather (including holidays). This delightful display is located at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH, 45042. Learn more about this superlative holiday superstar at the Light Up Middletown website.
Light Up Middletown, 500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
10. Ashtabula County Lights on the Lake (Ashtabula)
Ashtabula County Lights on the Lake/Facebook
You'll observe more than 70 displays on Lakeshore Park's 54 acres. You can visit this magical, lakefront display on select dates through the end of the year. This holiday display is located at 1700 East 1st S., Ashtabula, OH, 44004. Learn more, including hours and admission prices, at the Lights on the Lake website.
Lake Shore Park, Lakeshore Dr, Ashtabula, OH 44004, USA
11. Holiday In Lights (Sharonville)
Holiday in Lights/Facebook
Open nightly through the end of December, this family-friendly, fan-favorite drive-thru light display in the Cincinnati area features more than a mile of dazzling lights. The displays change each year, so you should make a point of checking it out each and every holiday season! Holiday In Lights is located at Sharon Woods Park, 11450 Lebanon Rd., Route 42, Sharonville, OH, 45241, and you can learn more at the official event website.
Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241, USA
12. Lights Before Christmas (Toledo Zoo)
The Toledo Zoo/Facebook
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 from mid-November through the end of December. View these spectacular lights on select dates; the schedule can be found on the event website (linked above). Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. You'll find this wondrous light display at 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH, 43609.
Toledo Zoo, Toledo, OH 43609, USA
13. Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights (Delaware)
Alum Creek Fantasy of Light's Santa House/Facebook
This drive-thru holiday light show also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies and gift shops. It is open from mid-November through New Year's. The Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights is located at 3311 South Old State Rd., Delaware, OH, 43015. Learn more at the official event website here.
3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
14. Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights (Upper Sandusky)
Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights/Facebook
Bring the whole family to enjoy this Christmas light extravaganza, which runs through the end of the year. This is one of our favorite places to see Christmas lights in Ohio -- it's a total hidden gem event! Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights is located at Harrison Smith Park, 525 East Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH, 43351.
525 E Wyandot Ave, Upper Sandusky, OH 43351, USA

Have you been to see any of these holiday lights in Ohio before? Where’s your favorite place to look at Christmas lights in the Buckeye State? Share your thoughts, recommendations and experiences with us!

For more seasonal fun in Ohio, check out our previous article: The North Pole Train Ride In Ohio That Will Take You On An Unforgettable Adventure.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Christmas lights in Ohio

October 24, 2021
Sarah

What's the best Christmas lights display in Ohio?

We don't want to pick favorites, but The Legendary Lights at Clifton Mill is an award-winning display that's a must for any fans of the festive and fun! During the holidays, the quaint little town of Clifton lights up the night with more than 4 million Christmas lights at Clifton Mill. During this annual event, The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill features millions of award-winning, nationally renowned Christmas lights in the small town of Clifton. With more than 4 million twinkling lights, there's something new to see at every turn. You've never experienced Christmas lights quite like this before -- we promise!

What are some fun things to do during the holidays in Ohio?

The holidays in Ohio really are the most wonderful time of the year! All throughout the Buckeye State, there are captivating Christmas light displays and city-wide festivals that will make you feel as if you’re in a real-life winter wonderland. But if you’re looking to take your family holiday activities to the next level, considering boarding a real-life Polar Express this Christmas. Each year the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad features holiday themed train rides, and they’re downright magical. Trains, a beloved childhood story, hot chocolate, cookies, elves, and Santa -- what could be better? Who knows -- you may even spot a reindeer or two in the Ohio countryside!

Are there any Christmas towns in Ohio?

There are! The Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio, features one of the most enchanting light displays you’ll ever see. It’s a walk-through village unlike any other holiday attraction in the state. This magical (and massive!) Christmas Village in Ohio is a world unto itself, complete with a million LED lights, impressive decorations and displays, a Santa-themed cafe, Christmas train, holiday shops, and even the Man in Red himself! Have you been to this incredible Christmas village in Ohio before?