With the holiday season in full swing, you’re likely feeling festive and looking for ways to embrace the most wonderful time of the year. Consider taking a weekend away with the family to see some of Ohio’s most magical, little-known Christmas destinations. We’ve designed a weekend-long trip that features five magical places where you can see Christmas lights, displays and maybe even meet Santa himself. Take a look:

Only In Your State

The total drive time is a little more than 5 hours. We recommend starting on a Friday night and ending the trip on a Sunday night. To view a Google Map of the trip in a separate tab or window, click here.

1. Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights
3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015, USA
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 November 17 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. Admission is $20 per vehicle on the weekdays and $30 per vehicle on the weekends. The Alum Creek Fantasy of Lights is located at 3311 South Old State Rd., Delaware, OH 43015.
2. Cambridge
April Dray/Only In Your State
745 Steubenville Ave, Cambridge, OH 43725, USA
April Dray/Only In Your State
Start your second day with a trip back in time while exploring the historic downtown of Cambridge, Ohio at the Dickens Victorian Village. Until the end of December, the town is transformed into old world England during the holiday season, featuring more than 90 scenes of 180 lifelike figures representing typical scenes from Victorian society and Dickens’ novels. (You'll begin your journey at the Dickens Welcome Center and Curiosity Shoppe, where you'll pick up your map. It's located at 745 Steubenville Ave., Cambridge, OH 43725.)

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3. Deck The Hall at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens/Facebook
714 N Portage Path, Akron, OH 44303, USA
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 p.m. - 8 p.m. Specifically, the evenings you can attend are November 24-26 and the following December dates: 1-3, 7-10, 14-23 and 26-30. This year, the mansion will be decked out in the theme of "Postcards from the Past." 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.
4. Castle Noel
chairduck/TripAdvisor
260 S Court St, Medina, OH 44256, USA
Porthos7/TripAdvisor
After you've spent a night in Akron, head on over to Medina, which is the proud home of America's largest indoor, year-round Christmas attraction. Here, you'll find memorabilia from "The Grinch", "Elf", "Santa Claus The Movie", "Fred Claus", "The Santa Clause 1, 2 & 3", "Jingle All The Way", "A Christmas Carol", "Deck the Halls" and many more. (Tickets are $17 per person on the weekdays and $18 per person on weekends. Children 3 and under are free.) Castle Noel is located at 260 S. Court St., Medina, OH 44256.
5. Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights
525 East Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights/Facebook
End your weekend trip with this Christmas light extravaganza, which runs from December 1 - 30. It is open on Friday - Sunday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Monday - Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per vehicle. Upper's Winter Fantasy of Lights is located at Harrison Smith Park (525 East Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351.)

So, what do you think? Would you take this trip?

For even more Christmas fun in Ohio, check out our previous article: 14 Magical Light Displays In Ohio That Will Simply Mesmerize You This Season.

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

More to Explore

Ohio Makes Christmas A Magical Time Of Year

William Suphan | October 12, 2022

What are the best Christmas towns in Ohio?

Ohio really takes the holidays to heart and some towns really put their Christmas spirit on display. Cambridge holds the Dickens Victorian Village where this historic town turns into jolly old England with multiple scenes of Charles Dickens' novels in traditional Victorian style. Steubenville's Nutcracker Village boasts more life-sized nutcrackers than any other event in the country. People gather to admire the nutcrackers as well as light displays, other arts and crafts, and caroling. Washington Township hosts a half-mile lighted holiday display at Countryside Park which starts the day after Thanksgiving.

What are unique ways that Ohio celebrates the holidays?

Ohio has various holiday traditions that are all its own. The Cleveland house where A Christmas Story was filmed is a popular location for a Christmas tour. While the peanut butter and chocolate confection known as Buckeyes are available year-round, at Christmas they are an absolute must. Ohioans love to head to Medina to Castle Noel which hosts a massive collection of Christmas displays with several tours available. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights are a perfect way to top off a day spent with the animals at this top-notch zoo.

What are the best holiday festivals in Ohio?

Ohio really comes alive during the holidays with tons of fun festivals. Perhaps the largest is Winterfest in Cleveland. With an ice-skating rink, food trucks, live music, and the annual tree lighting ceremony, it's no wonder this is an Ohio holiday favorite. The small town of Lebanon hosts the Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival where you can see beautifully decorated carriages with the sound of horses clopping by and sleigh bells tinkling. Bring your kids on the train ride to "North Pole" to visit Santa!

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