Ohio Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Each year, Ohio transforms into a winter wonderland, with vibrant Christmas light displays illuminating the state from mid-November, ushering in the holiday spirit. Families can enjoy a variety of both walk-in and drive-through displays, perfect for cozying up with a thermos of hot cocoa. Some of the most impressive light shows can be found in cities like Cleveland, Columbus, Clifton, Morrow, and Hamilton, offering dazzling spectacles that capture the magic of the season.

Cleveland Christmas Lights

In Cleveland, holiday light displays sparkle across the city, from the heart of downtown to its surrounding suburbs. Experience the festive magic at Winterfest, stroll through the illuminated Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, or take a scenic drive through the glowing Nela Park. Each location offers a unique way to embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy Cleveland’s seasonal charm. Read more about Cleveland Christmas lights here.

Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (November 22, 2024–January 5, 2025)

One of Ohio's favorite holiday traditions, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Wildlights, transforms the yuletide season into a magical experience. The park comes alive with millions of LED lights and animated musical light shows, creating a festive atmosphere perfect for families. Admission to Wildlights is included with your zoo ticket or membership, allowing visitors to enjoy live music, ice skating, and Santa's Holiday Home, along with activities like the Holiday Star Light Star Bright Seek-n-Find and Disney on Ice presents Reach for the Stars. Unique rides, including the Polar Bear Express and the charming 1914 Mangels-Illions Carousel, add to the experience. Food and drink options abound, featuring seasonal delights and holiday gifts available in the shops. Wildlights operates Sunday to Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm and Friday to Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm.

Clifton Mill Christmas Lights (November 29–December 25, 2024)

The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill is a cherished Miami Valley tradition, celebrating the Christmas season in a spectacular way for 36 years. Recognized as one of USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards contenders for 2022, this beloved light display is among the finest in the country, featuring over 4 million lights that illuminate the mill, the gorge, riverbanks, trees, and bridges. A stunning highlight is the 100-foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights, creating a breathtaking visual experience.

The magic begins with the flip of a switch, transforming the night into a fantastical winter wonderland that includes a Miniature Village, a Santa Claus Museum, and a synchronized light and music show at the historic Covered Bridge. Visitors can peek into Santa’s Workshop every night until Christmas Eve, where they can watch a live Santa at work and see him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh every 15 minutes. The light display will resume on November 29, 2024, with gates opening at 5 pm and lights shining from 6 pm to 9 pm nightly, extending to 6 pm to 8 pm on December 24 and 25.

The Christmas Ranch, Morrow (November 22–December 23, 2024)

The Christmas Ranch, located on South Waynesville Road in Morrow, Ohio, is one of the state's most popular holiday destinations, which attracts visitors from Cincinnati, Dayton, Lebanon, Columbus, and even neighboring states like Kentucky and Indiana. The ranch sparkles with over 1 million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to festive holiday music, creating a truly enchanting experience. The illuminated drive-thru route spans five acres and culminates in the magical Christmas Village, where guests can enjoy hot beverages at the barn, watch the Jingle Bell Show, and stroll through a forest of animated Christmas trees adorned with 15,000 synchronized lights. Charming displays of Santas and Snowmen dance to the sounds of Bing Crosby and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Admission is $37 per carload, or $47 for oversized vans (10+ visitors), with a $5 discount available for online reservations. Please note that the ranch is closed on Thanksgiving Day so that families can celebrate together. Visit the Christmas Ranch for a whimsical holiday experience filled with lights, shops, bonfires, and train and wagon rides, all while supporting local charities that assist less fortunate children. Don't forget to stop by for a picture with Santa—he'll have a candy cane ready for you!

Lights Before Christmas at Toledo Zoo (November 22–December 31, 2024)

Lights Before Christmas is Toledo's beloved holiday tradition, which enchants visitors with over a million sparkling lights, animated figures, an ice slide, and much more. A standout feature is the Big Tree at the Toledo Zoo, a remarkable state-of-the-art installation. Throughout the Zoo, more than 200 illuminated animal displays create a festive atmosphere perfect for an evening outing. Guests can also stop by the ProMedica Museum of Natural History for a warm cup of cocoa or a tasty treat while exploring Ohio's unique natural wonders. An interactive LED display invites visitors to move or dance on the Amphitheatre floor, illuminating their silhouettes on stage and adding an extra layer of magic to this festive experience.

Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus (November 23, 2024–January 5, 2025)

Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park in Columbus is one of the city’s most vibrant holiday attractions, running from 5 to 9 pm nightly and until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays in December. The park sparkles with whimsical displays, including the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden and the Grand Mallway. During this event, the Conservatory closes at 4 pm and reopens at 5 pm.

Tickets will be available starting October 1 at 11 am. Visitors can enjoy nostalgic 90s-themed parties, cozy igloos at the Ahlum & Arbor Arctic Terrace, and enchanting light displays inside the Conservatory. Highlights include the iconic ornament trees, the Whirly Tree, a life-size gingerbread house, and the magical Paul Busse Garden Railway. The Grand Mallway features The Pool, an interactive installation by artist Jen Lewin. Reservations are strongly recommended, and please note that the Conservatory will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo (November 21, 2024–January 5, 2025)

The annual Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights is a dazzling holiday display and a favorite among local holiday light displays. Running since the 1980s, it has over three million LED lights and several displays. This festive event transforms the zoo into a wild wonderland. Guests can admire beautiful light displays, including the spectacular Wild Lights on Swan Lake, and embark on a scavenger hunt to find the five Fiona fairies in Fairyland.

Daily activities include a blacklight puppet show, rides on the North Polar Express train and the Conservation Carousel starting at 2:30 pm, and visits to Santa’s Village, where Santa will be available until December 23. The zoo's hours during the festival are Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 9 pm and Friday to Saturday from 10 am to 10 pm. Please note that the zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Admission to the PNC Festival of Lights is included with regular zoo admission, so visit early to enjoy the animals and stay for the lights!

Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights (Holiday Drive Thru Light Show November 22, 2024–January 1, 2025)

Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park in Delaware, Ohio, is a beloved family-operated holiday tradition. This drive-thru light show features over one million LED lights across more than 130 displays, including Santa, reindeer, and other festive characters. Visitors can enjoy the dazzling lights while staying warm with hot chocolate and cookies.

The show is open nightly, with hours from 5:30 pm to 9 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Ticket prices vary by day: $20 per vehicle on weekdays and $30 on weekends. Special pricing is available for military members, veterans, and larger vehicles, with tickets available for purchase at the gate or online. Please note that Santa’s House is no longer part of the event, as the campground that hosted it has closed the attraction.

Wild Lights at Akron Zoo (November 29–December 30, 2024, on Select Dates)

Wild Wild Lights at Akron Zoo is a must-see holiday event. Over a million lights illuminate the zoo, with highlights like Santa Land (through December 23), appearances by the Grinch, and the Rockin’ Lighted Spectacular, a wall of lights synchronized to holiday music. Visitors can enjoy festive treats like s’mores and spiked hot chocolate, while local choirs perform on select nights. For a quieter experience, Zoothing Wild Lights is available on December 12. Safari Tours offers a guided golf cart tour through the dazzling displays. This festive light display runs from 5 to 9 pm on select dates, and tickets are required separately for general admission and special events.

Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron (November 29–December 30, 2024, on Select Dates)

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron, Ohio, hosts its annual Deck the Hall event. The estate shines with 1.4 million holiday lights, and the Manor House features nineteen rooms decorated with classic comic and movie hero themes, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and more. Visitors can also step inside the interactive snow globe in Gingerbread Land for a fun, wintery experience.

Molly’s Shop offers holiday shopping, while Molly’s Courtyard Café serves hot cocoa, gingerbread cookies, beer, and wine. Tickets range from $16–$24 for adults and $7–$11 for youth, depending on the day. Deck the Hall runs from 3 pm to 8 pm, with the grounds open until 9 pm.

Krampus in Columbus (December 6-15, 2024)

If you stumble upon people in matted fur costumes and masks with horns and bared teeth, you're lucky to find yourself in the middle of the Krampus celebration. While Krampus is originally from Europe, Germany and the Alps in particular, Krampus festivities in the USAstarted gaining more traction in the last decade. Normally marked by Krampuslauf parades and Krampusnacht gatherings, the holiday is also celebrated by haunted house experiences and more.