TOP OHIO HOLIDAY WALK-THROUGH LIGHT DISPLAYS
There is just something magical about walking through holiday lights displays. Sure there are drive-thru displays, but walking along a path with lights all around you just adds to the magic.
This year put on your warm coat, grab those mittens and gloves, and plan a evening dancing among the twinkling lights.
WALK-THRU TWINKLING LIGHT DISPLAYS
FEATURED EVENT
WINTER WONDERFEST
Date: November 22- December 28, 2024
Hartville MarketPlace and Flea Market
1289 Edison Street NW, Hartville, Ohio 44632
experiencehartville.com
Hartville, Ohio’s new Winter Wonderfest brings your family’s festive dreams to life with a dazzling Christmas light display, live music, and animated holiday scenes. Nestled between Cleveland and Amish Country, the Hartville MarketPlace is transformed into a magical wonderland for this spectacular Christmas event. Marvel at over 500,000 twinkling lights as you stroll through one of the best Christmas light displays in the region.
CLICK HERE to read about our visit.
FEATURED EVENT
This light display may not have a holiday theme, but trust us, this lighting exhibit makes for a great holiday road trip.
GARDEN OF LIGHTS OHIO
Dates: Now through March 2, 2025
Location: 5563 Raiders Road, Frazeysburg, Ohio 43822
On the former Longaberger Homestead property
Experience the enchantment of Alice in Wonderland! Grab a ticket to this dazzling light display and you could win holiday lighting for the exterior of your home with S4 Lights plus installation by Nelson’s Seasonal Décor, a prize valued at $15,000! Visit their website for hours, details on the contest, and to get your tickets today!
(Featured picture courtesy of Garden of Lights.)
KINGS ISLAND WINTERFEST
Dates: Select nights November 29-December 31, 2024
Location: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH 45034
visitkingsisland.com
Experience Kings Island transformed into an enchanting holiday wonderland at Cincinnati’s premier holiday event, WinterFest! With more than seven million lights, ice skating on the Royal Fountain, dazzling entertainment, jolly good activities, festive attractions, holiday shopping and delicious seasonal treats, winter magic is spread throughout the park!
OUR FAVORITE ZOO LIGHTS
WILD WINTER LIGHTS
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Dates: November 12 – December 30, 2024*
Times: 5:30pm-9:30pm
Location: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland OH 44109
216.661.6500 | clevelandmetroparks.com
*Wild Winter Lights and the Wild Winter Lights Drive-Through experience runs from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on select dates from Tuesday, November 12 through Monday, December 30.
This year’s event highlights include a dynamic musical light show featuring an enchanting 50-foot tree, carousel rides, festive costumed characters, and model train displays. Guests can also purchase a ticket for the holiday-themed Cleveland Metroparks Railroad presented by Whistle Express Car Wash. Holiday treat offerings include Jack Frost Donuts, Kernels by Chrissie and hot chocolate.
WILDLIGHTS
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Franklin County – Central OH
Dates: November 22-January 5, 2025
SUNDAY – THURSDAY: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. | FRIDAY – SATURDAY: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: 4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH
columbuszoo.org
Experience the magic of the holiday season in Central Ohio with millions of dazzling LED zoo lights, animated musical light shows, and festive activities at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!
LIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
Lucas County – NW OH
Dates: November 22-December 31, 2024
Times: visit website
Location: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo
toledozoo.org
During Lights, zoo opens daily at 3 p.m. The Zoo is not open during the daytime and is only open for Lights.
With over one million twinkling lights, the award-winning Big Tree and 200+ illuminated animal images, the 2024 edition of the electrical spectacle is sure to be both merry and bright!
WILD LIGHTS
Akron Zoo
Summit County NE OH
Dates: Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 6 – 8, 13 – 23, 26 – 27 & 29 – 30, 2024
Location: 500 Edgewood Ave, Akron, OH 44307
akronzoo.org
This year will feature a refreshed look with more than one million lights, lighted displays and synchronized music throughout the park. Santa will be here through Dec. 23, and the Grinch will be causing a ruckus every evening.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
PNC FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS at the Cincinnati Zoo
Dates: November 21-January 5, 2025
Festival Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 10am – 9pm | Friday – Saturday – 10am – 10pm
Location: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens
3400 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45220
Purchase tickets ahead of time.
cincinnatizoo.org
The Cincinnati Zoo is shining bright for the 42nd annual PNC Festival of Lights! Come early to see more animals and stay for the lights!
In addition to admiring the beauty of 4 million LED lights, visitors can find the 5 Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights on Swan Lake, or snack at one of our seasonal concessions.
The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving (November 28th), Christmas Eve (December 24th), and Christmas Day (December 25th).
TWINKLING GARDEN LIGHTS
FROST: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience
Cuyahoga County NE OH
Dates: November 23 -January 5, 2025
Tuesday, Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am-9pm
Sunday: noon-6pm
Monday: Closed*
Location: Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Advance ticket purchase required
holdenfg.org
“Our indoor and outdoor gardens transform with dazzling light installations, a tunnel of flowers, larger-than-life animals, seasonal soundscapes and much more to create a completely immersive world for the holiday season. Tickets around the holiday will go quickly, make sure to reserve yours today!”
CONSERVATORY AGLOW
Franklin County – Central OH
Dates: Nov. 23–Jan. 5, 2024
Location: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, OH 43203
fpconservatory.org
View elegant displays of twinkling lights, seasonal foliage and a larger-than-life gingerbread house.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
KINGWOOD CENTER GARDENS
Richland County NE OH
Dates: Nov 30, Dec 1, 4, 5, 7-8, 11-15, 17-23, 26-30, 2024
Times: 3pm-9pm
Location: 50. N Trimble Road, Mansfield, 44906
kingwoodcenter.org
Advanced tickets required.
Take a festive stroll through the enchanting Community Tree Walk, marvel at the breathtaking holiday décor inside Kingwood Hall, and explore the glowing outdoor trail of lights. Elevate your Christmas visit with charming shopping, delightful dining, and a variety of special events to make the season even more magical!
CLICK HERE to learn more about this year’s Kingwood Center Gardens holiday celebration.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS GLOW AT THESE HISTORIC LOCATIONS
DECK THE HALL – STAN HYWET HALL & GARDENS
Summit County NE OH
Select dates: Nov 29, 30. Dec. 1, 5-23, 26-30
3-8pm. Last entry/admission at 8pm; grounds stay open until 9pm
Location: 714 North Portage Path, Akron, Ohio
330-836-5533 | website
2024 Tickets:
– Mon. – Thurs.: $20 adults 18+; $9 youth (3-17); children 2 & under, free
– Fri. – Sun.: $24 adults 18+; $11 youth (3-17); children 2 & under, free
Tour Times: 3-8pm. Last entry/admission at 8pm; grounds stay open until 9pm.
Admissions closes at 8pm. Estate is open until 9pm.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens has really “Decked the Hall” this holiday season. Over 1.4 million lights illuminate the pathways and gardens. Twenty spaces in the Manor House are decorated – including 23 trees. In the Great Garden, you can view the Dazzle lightshow featuring choreographed lights to holiday songs. The Playgarden areas has been transformed into a snow and ice wonderland. There you will find photo stations, including a large lighted picture frame. The Corbin Conservatory is filled with beautiful poinsettias (for purchase), including blue, white and purple varieties.
Allow time to visit Santa and enjoy one of Stan Hywet’s famous hot gingerbread cookies and a hot cocoa. Do a little holiday shopping in Molly’s Shop. Make sure you purchase one of their ornaments to remember your visit by.
HISTORIC CLIFTON MILL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Greene County SW OH
Dates: Lights start the day after Thanksgiving (Nov 29) and is on every night through December 30. On Christmas Eve, Christmas, we close at 8 pm, and on New Year’s Eve we are closed.
Gates Open: 5pm
7 Nights a Week: 6pm to 9pm
Dec. 24th & 25th: 6pm to 8pm
Location: 75 Water St., Clifton, OH 45316
cliftonmill.com
Admission is $15 per person for everyone age 4 and older. Children 3 and under always get in free!
Parking: FREE
“Our light display is one of the country’s finest with over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges. There is even a 100 foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights. The flip of one switch turns all the lights on at once transforming night into a fantastical winter wonderland which includes a Miniature Village, a Santa Claus Museum, a Toy Collection and a spectacular synchronized lights and music show that features the old Covered Bridge.”
Every night until the night before Christmas Eve you can peek into Santa’s Workshop to see a live Santa at work and then, every 15 minutes or so, watch him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh.
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