2021 Christmas Light Guide for Ohio

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
…well its getting closer anyway! One of the best ways to enjoy the season is to take in some of the wonderful light displays that are hosted throughout the holidays. If you’re wondering where some of these winter wonderlands can be located, check out these upcoming tree illuminations in some of our local communities as well as some grand displays that are open throughout the season. Happy Holidays!

LOCAL TREE LIGHTINGS
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MAYOR PATTERSON’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Where: Lincoln Park Civic Commons, 675 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering
When: Friday, Dec 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This will be the last year Mayor Patterson lights the holiday tree at Lincoln Park. Guests can join Kettering Mayor Don Patterson as he lights the city’s holiday tree at Lincoln Park Civic Commons. Event also includes appearances by the Kettering City Choir, hot chocolate, cookies, and horse-drawn carriage rides. During The Santa Paws event guests are encouraged to bring their pups to the Mayor’s Tree Lighting to take photos with special props and backgrounds.

HOMETOWN HOLIDAY FESTIVAL, PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING IN FAIRBORN
Where: Central Ave., in front of the Fairborn Chamber of Commerce building, Fairborn
When: Friday, Dec 3 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place on Central Ave. in downtown Fairborn after the Fairborn Hometown Holiday Parade. Santa Claus will be available for visits after the tree lighting. The Fairborn Civic Band will provide holiday music during the parade, festival, and tree lighting ceremony.

MIAMISBURG TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Where: Riverfront Park, 3 N. Miami Ave., Miamisburg
When: Saturday, Dec 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The tree lighting will take place after the city’s holiday parade lit by Miamisburg’s mayor Michelle Collins . Guests to the tree lighting ceremony can also enjoy caroling, strolling entertainment available. Prior to this, there is a holiday parade. Cap off the night with a stop by the Elves Workshop where visitors can see Santa and Mrs. Claus or watch the Holiday Showcase at The Baum Opera House and Market Square.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT AND TREE LIGHTING IN HUBER HEIGHTS
Where: Eichelberger Amphitheater, 8625 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights
When: Saturday, Dec 04 at 5 p.m.

Join the city of Huber Heights for the Christmas tree lighting at the Eichelberger Amphitheater. Event will also feature a Candy Cane Glow Hunt, wagon rides, free hot chocolate and cookies, and A Story with Santa.

VANDALIA TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Where: Vandalia Recreation Center, 1111 Stonequarry Rd., Vandalia
When: Sunday, Dec 5 at 6 p.m.

Following a festive Holiday Market running from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, the city of Vandalia will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Vandalia Sports Complex at 6 p.m.  Guests will also be able to enjoy refreshments, music, and visits with Santa Claus. The Holiday Market will also be up and running from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. inside of the Vandalia Recreation Center Gymnasium.

LIGHTING UP OAKWOOD
Where: Shafor Park, located on Shafor Boulevard and Patterson Road, Oakwood
When: Sunday, Dec 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Beginning at 6 p.m., lit luminaries will line the boulevards on Far Hills Avenue, Shafor Boulevard, and other prominent buildings in Oakwood. At 6:30 p.m., the illumination of the city’s holiday tree will take place at Shafor Park, along with live entertainment, refreshments, visits with Santa Claus and horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides.

HOLIDAY IN THE CITY
Where: Downtown Springfield
When: Friday, Nov 26 at 5 p.m.

This multi night event will kick off on November 26 with the Grand Illumination of downtown Springfield. This year the event will feature expanded light and sound to include the North Fountain shops corridor and an outdoor skating rink around City Hall Plaza.

SEASONAL LIGHT DISPLAYS
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JOURNEY BOREALIS HOLIDAY DRIVE-THRU LIGHT SHOW
Where: 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton
When: Nov 19 – Jan 2 | Mon-Thursday, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Friday- Sunday, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Journey BOREALIS is Pyramid Hill’s annual holiday light show! The 2.5 mile drive-through light show includes over 1 million lights as you immerse yourself in a journey to the North Pole. To enjoy the new, festive soundtrack by Butler Philharmonic Orchestra with vocals by the Cincinnati Boychoir, visitors are encouraged to download the OTOCAST App before arrival.

A CARILLON CHRISTMAS
Where: 1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton
When: Nov 23 – Dec 30 | 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Carillon’s Historical Park 65-acre campus is transformed into a massive winter wonderland. This new holiday tradition features thousands of Christmas lights, traditional holiday fare, Santa Claus, live music, historical craft demonstrations, and so much more.

LAND OF ILLUSION CHRISTMAS GLOW
Where: 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown
When: Nov 24 through Dec 30 | 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Celebrate the season at the Christmas Glow, with over 3.8 million lights at the 2 mile long Christmas Around the World drive-through experience. A petting zoo, gift shop, Santa’s Workshop and Christmas Village will also be available for visits.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT LOST CREEK RESERVE
Where: 2385 E. State Route 41, Troy
When: Open on weekends (with four bonus weekdays) from Nov 26 through Dec 26 | Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m |  Sundays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bonus days are Dec 20-23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Located on a 456-acre reserve, this scenic mile-long drive-through tour features 60 light displays that enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings. The tour ends with a special glimpse of the historic homestead and barns decorated for the season. The destination has over 60 light displays, many of which are animated. The 1.25-mile driving tour winds through the woods, down charming farm lanes and past the historic Knoop Homestead, aglow with lights. 

WHISPERING CHRISTMAS
Where: Fort Saint Clair Park, 135 Camden Road, Eaton
When: Nightly from Nov 26 – Dec | 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

The Whispering Christmas lights display is a holiday favorite in the city of Eaton. The display features over 2 million lights, casting a jolly glow over Fort St. Clair State Park. This year, Whispering Christmas will be drive-through-only. The cost is $5 per vehicle. Visitors can enter at the main entrance, off Camden Road, then turn left upon entering and follow that path until the end of the lights display. Along the way, there will be signage to direct visitors and encourage them to always remain in their cars.

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Where: Cincinnati Zoo 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati
When: Nov 19- Jan 9

One of Cincinnati’s most popular holiday traditions, the Festival of Lights, is back in 2021. Four million LED lights will adorn the zoo grounds. In addition to marveling at the lights, visitors can also ride the North Polar Express train ride, admire the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, or snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands.?

HOLIDAY JUNCTION, UNION TERMINAL
Where: 1301 Western Avenue, Cincinnati
When: Now open through January 6 | Museum Hours: Thursday-Monday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Holiday Junction, a beloved holiday tradition, will return to the Cincinnati Museum Center this year for its 75th season. The Duke Energy Holiday Trains feature more than 300 rail cars and 60 locomotives chugging through a mini-metropolis. Intricate details of the display show anxious passengers waiting to board, cars up to their hubcaps in snow and a visitor from the North Pole circling the chimney tops. Tickets cost $10 each. For children 2 years old and under, admittance is free.

WINTERFEST, KINGS ISLAND
Where: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason
When: Nov 26 – Dec 21 | Friday (5 p.m. -10 p.m.), Saturday & Sunday (4 p.m. – 10 p.m.)

Winterfest is returning to Kings Island this year, bringing more than 5 million lights, nighttime rides and blue hot chocolate to the amusement park. New this year, the annual Winterfest celebration will now include a brand new parade featuring more than 150 festive performers and eight floats with classic themes such as toy boxes, gingerbread houses and even a float for the big man himself: Santa Claus.

CLIFTON MILL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Where: 75 Water Street, Clifton
When: Friday, November 26, 2021 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

This attraction has been consistently voted one of the best in the nation. The unique attraction boasts nearly 4 million lights and has been illuminating the holiday season for more than 30 years.

The holiday installation includes an illuminated mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees, bridges and a 100-foot “waterfall” — a cascade of lights falling from the mill into the river below. One of the big crowd-pleasers is the covered bridge’s synchronized light and music show, which occurs hourly each night.