Cleveland Christmas Lights 2024
Enjoy the city lit up with millions and millions of holiday lights
Dates: mid-November–December
As soon as you see Cleveland in December, you'll be reassured that its residents love Christmas with their whole hearts. Lavish decorations all over the city and its suburbs prove the fact. You can visit Cleveland Zoo or Nela Park, or simply explore the neighborhoods, as local families are really good at holiday decorations.
Downtown Cleveland Christmas Lights (November 30, 2024)
Downtown Cleveland has several spots popular for splendid Christmas light displays. All of them are part of the widespread Winterland celebration. Head straight ahead to Euclid Ave to capture the best holiday vibes. Cleveland Public Square is a must, with its light shows running three times per hour from 4 pm to 10 pm.
When it gets too cold outside, you can drop by the nearby Arcade Cleveland and enjoy holiday lights inside of the grand 1890 mall. Other shining spots to check out include Tower City Center, East 4th Street, and more. Though Winterfest is over by Christmas, many locations, including the Public Square, will be lit up well into early January.
Cleveland Drive-Thru Christmas Lights
The suburbs of Cleveland boast equally impressive holiday illuminations. Everyone likes drive-through Christmas light displays, and the city has a wide variety of them, with Cleveland Zoo and Nela Park being among the favorites.
Cleveland Zoo Christmas Lights (November 12–December 30, 2024, selected dates)
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in the south of the city typically hosts a holiday lights event with both walking and drive-thru options. The tickets are limited and need to be booked in advance. The prices differ depending on the experience you prefer, namely $27 per person or $55 per car. The Walk-Through Display takes place from November 14 through December 30, on selected dates. The Drive-Through Display runs on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only from November 12 through December 11. November 27 will not be a Drive-Through date, but Walk-Through tickets are available.
Nela Park Cleveland Christmas Lights (December 2024, unconfirmed)
Nela Park, tucked in East Cleveland, is another hot spot for a drive-thru across Christmas lights. The park contains more than half a million LED bulbs, stretching along Noble Road for multiple blocks. Other famous highlights of the display feature a replica of the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC, and a 38-foot (12-m) gingerbread house with a selfie station. The lights continue to shine bright and lure visitors to the historic landmark to early January.
FROST: An Ice-Capped Garden Experience (mid-November 25, 2024–Junuary 5, 2025)
Holden Forests & Gardens invites you to witness the area completely transformed into a wonderland of towering ice arches and light installations. Visitors will have a chance to enjoy a tunnel of flowers, larger-than-life animals, more than 500 poinsettias, seasonal soundscapes, and much more, all contributing to the magical holiday season atmosphere. The Jingle Jungle, Solstice Stroll, Lake Effect Lodge, Icicle Alleys, Blizzard Ballroom, and FROST Portal are highlights of the display. Adult tickets are $22-$26, while child tickets are $14-$16. There is a special price for Members.