Best time to go to Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Christmas Lights 2024

Enjoy the city lit up with millions and millions of holiday lights

Dates: mid-November–December

Cleveland Christmas Lights
Cleveland Christmas Lights
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
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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 25–December 24, 2023)

Downtown Cleveland has several spots popular for splendid Christmas light displays. All of them are part of the widespread Winterfest 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 (mid-November–December 2023, unconfirmed)

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 $20 per person or $54 per car.

Nela Park Cleveland Christmas lights (December 2023, 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.

For the tickets and latest updates, please check with the official websites (see External Resources below.) Also, take a look at the map suggesting the best accommodations nearby.

Last updated: by Olha Savych