Christmas is our family’s favorite holiday season of the year. There are so many opportunities to enjoy holiday cheer throughout Central Ohio, but we always look forward to adding more festive locations to our list.
Here are a few of our top Christmas displays in Ohio between Columbus and Cleveland. Check out this Google map to find the location of each.
Whether you’re already traveling towards Northeast Ohio, or you want to go on a holiday lights excursion, you’ll find lots of Christmas displays here!
Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights
Just a short drive from Columbus is a magical 3-mile, drive-through light show at Alum Creek State Park. Coming up on its 24th season, the show is family owned and in honor of “Butch” Bando, a local businessman who left a legacy of charity and community service.
There are over 300 displays and miles of lights that wind visitors through Alum Creek State Park Campground. Mrs. Claus is on hand to help youngsters send letters to the North Pole and the big man himself, Santa, is located across the street at the Cross Creek Campground.
Check out a detailed description of the event here.
Getting There
Fantasy of Lights is located at 3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015.
November 22, 2024 – January 1, 2025: Sunday – Thursday 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Friday – Saturday 5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Cost: Cost is per car. $20 Sunday-Thursday, $30 Friday-Saturday. $60 Limos, RV, motorcoaches (up to 30 persons), $100 for buses (more than 30 persons)
Military Appreciation Week is December 16-20. Free entry for active duty military and spouse. $10 Veterans.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights 2019
Wonderlights Christmas at the Hartford County Fairgrounds
Load up some family and friends and head to the Hartford County Fairgrounds for a dazzling drive through display. Over 1 million LED lights will amaze everyone in your group. Turn up the radio and roll down the windows for a one-of-a-kind drive through experience.
As you wind your way between 3 light tunnels, enjoy the view of dancing lights, floating snowflakes, giant Christmas trees, plus much more!
Check out a detailed description of the event here.
Getting There
Wonderlights is located at Hartford Fairgrounds,14028 Fairgrounds Road, Hartford, OH 43013.
November 15, 2024 – January 5, 2025: Open nightly from 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Cost: Cost is $30 per car. Group rates available: $50 for 8-15 Passengers, $75 for 16-35 passengers. No buses or RVs permitted.
Christmas at the Castle at Landoll’s Mohican Castle
One of the most unique locations for a holiday display is at a castle, right here in Ohio! Landoll’s Mohican Castle is the creation of Jim Landoll, a retired Army veteran who fell in love with the majestic castles in Europe.
Christmas at the Castle is an annual outdoor holiday display with over 150,000 lights. Visitors can stroll along the paved paths, enjoying the lights and listening to holiday music. Kids can meet Santa from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pavilion on Friday and Saturday.
The Copper Mug Grille
Visitors to the holiday display can enjoy dinner at The Copper Mug Grille, the onsite restaurant where a full menu is available nightly. Reservations are recommended.
Special holiday meals will be available in the Marta Louise Ballroom for the kickoff weekend (November 24th & 25th) and the closing weekend (December 22nd & 23rd). Reservations are required and can be made by visiting the website or calling 419-994-3427 x0.
Getting There
Landoll’s Mohican Castle is located at 561 Township Road 3352 Loudonville, Ohio 44842.
November 29 – December 23, 2024: Open nightly from Dusk until 10 p.m.
Cost: Friday – Saturday is $10 per car, Sunday – Thursday is Free.
image: Landoll’s Mohican Castle Facebook
Christmas at Kingwood at Kingwood Garden Center
Kingwood Gardens is a fabulous destination year-round. During the Christmas season, it transforms into a magical land of lights and festive cheer. A visitor center welcomes guests with a history of the gardens, a small café, and a gift shop.
Dress for the weather and follow the trail of lights through the beautifully decorated grounds. Along the way, stop and tour Kingwood Hall, the former home of Charles Kelley King who worked for Ohio Brass during the electric trolley era.
Getting There
Kingwood Garden Center is located at 50 N Trimble Road, Mansfield, Ohio 44906.
November 30 – December 30, 2024: Tuesday – Sunday, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
Cost: $10 for non-members, $5 for Non-Members (ages 7–18), Free for children 6 and under
image: Kingwood Center Gardens
Deck the Halls at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Stan Hywet Hall, the former home of F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, is the 6th largest historic home in America open to the public.
This year’s annual holiday celebration is themed Gracious Gatherings, a salute to the traditional Christmas’ of years past.
The Tour
Deck the Halls is a self-guided walking tour. The Manor House is beautifully decorated with thirty Christmas trees. The West Porch adds a bit of whimsy with animals in tuxes, a wonderland Santa, and gnomes.
Outside, the house and gardens sparkle with over 1 million lights. Taking a stroll through the Great Garden is a highlight as you watch Dazzle, a synchronized light display with holiday music. After spending 45-60 minutes in the crisp December air, a hot cocoa or warm cookie from the Gingerbread Hut is a welcome treat!
Families can enjoy a visit with Santa and Rudolph in the courtyard from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every night through December 23rd. Feel free to take photos!
Getting There
Stan Hywet is located at 714 North Portage Path, Akron Ohio 44303.
November 29, 30. December 1, 5-23, 26-30, 2024: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
Cost: Tickets are pre-sale ONLY through the website or by calling 330‐315‐3287.
- 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
Read more about visiting Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens here.
Castle Noel
Castle Noel, the private collection of creator Mark Klaus, is the largest indoor Christmas attraction in America.
The 40,000 sq ft museum houses a collection of props, original costumes, and memorabilia from some of Hollywood’s most iconic Christmas movies, such as “Elf”, “The Grinch, and many more. In short, it’s a Christmas movie buff’s paradise!
Visitors can get up close and experience the awe of peering through numerous original window displays from NYC and Toronto stores like Lord & Taylor, Sak’s Fifth Ave, and Macy’s.
Take a step back to your childhood in the “I Had It” room, and stop for a photo with Cousin Eddie’s RV from “Christmas Vacation”.
The Tour
All tours are guided and take approximately 2 hrs. Tours start in the back of the gift shop, where visitors watch a video. From there, a team of tour guides lead groups of 15-17 through the museum, section by section, sharing interesting information about the displays.
Be sure to watch all your favorite movies before visiting because there are a lot of references to the movie scenes, with video clips shown along the way.
The tour concludes on the “Mountain”, where all visitors can meet with Santa (through December 24) and take a turn riding down the slide from “A Christmas Story”.
Getting There
Castle Noel is located at 260 S. Court Street, Medina, Ohio 44256.
Open Year Round, Tuesday – Sunday: Times vary, so check the calendar on their website. (Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day).
Cost: Tours sell out daily, especially during the holiday season, so buy tickets well in advance!
Public tours are $27.95 T-TH (Seniors & Military save $1 upon arrival), $29.95 FR, SA, SU & MO (Seniors & Military save $1 upon arrival), $23.95 Children 12 and under.
Private tours (2-15 people) are available for $447.20 T-TH, $479.20 FR, SA, SU & MO
Crown Point Parkway Festival of Lights
Bring the whole family to Strongsville to enjoy this festive neighborhood lights display.
While almost every house on this cul-de-sac is decorated for the holiday season, the crowning jewel is the Hoag home. The Hoag’s have been decorating since 1988 and were featured on ABC’s Great Christmas Light Fight in 2015.
Bring the kids to visit with Santa (before Christmas, of course) every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Getting There
The event is in the Chandler Commons neighborhood at 14335 Crown Point Pkwy, Strongsville, OH 44136.
The best way to view the display is to park on a nearby street and walk along the sidewalk lined with lighted arches. There’s so much to see! The Hoag home provides better viewing on a lighted pathway around the property. Please stay on the concrete pathways.
Thanksgiving night – January 1, 2024: Nightly beginning at 5:30 p.m. 530-10 weekdays and 530-11 weekends.
Cost: FREE. Every year, donations are accepted to help local families in need. A donation mailbox is next to the driveway, near the front of the home. Be sure to take a few minutes to read about this year’s recipient(s).
A Christmas Story House
The holiday season isn’t complete with watching the movie, “A Christmas Story”, at least once. Ralphie and his family lived in the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana, but the actual house, neighborhood, and much of the filming was done in Cleveland!
This is definitely one of the most iconic Christmas Displays in Ohio – and it’s open all year!
Visitors can explore a large gift shop, take a guided tour of the house, and learn more about the making of the movie in the museum. Be sure to re-watch the movie before visiting!
The Tour
Guided tours of the house last approximately 45 min. Tours begin at 10:15am and run every 30 minutes. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the gift shop upon arrival.
Ralphie’s House
The tour begins in front of the house where the guide shares how Cleveland (and the house) was selected for the movie. Once inside, visitors learn interesting facts about the making of the movie, followed by 10-15 minutes to freely tour the first and second floors.
This is a very fun tour where visitors are encouraged to interact with the house and items on display. Take a picture with the iconic leg lamp, hold a Red Rider BB gun in front of the Christmas tree, and hide under the kitchen cupboards like Randy.
Museum
The tour continues across the street in the museum. There are plenty of movie props, memorabilia, and other interesting items on display. Visitors are offered another 10 minutes to explore freely before the tour ends.
Spend the Night
For those who want to have the full experience of these Christmas Displays in Ohio, overnight guests are welcome to reserve a room in the Christmas Story House or the Bumpass House next door.
The Rowley Inn
The Rowley Inn, featured on an episode of the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”, is the local neighborhood bar located across the street. Rowleys played a pivotal role in the location for the movie and is the perfect place to stop for lunch or a beverage.
Getting There
A Christmas Story House is located at 3159 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, OH 44109.
It is open year-round but offers extended hours during the Christmas season.
Cost: $20 adults, $16 seniors (60+), $13 children (3-12), 2 & under are FREE. Active and retired members of the military receive a 20% discount.
Festival of Trees at the Allen Theater
Visit the Allen Theater in downtown Cleveland to enjoy the gorgeous trees on display in the lobby and rotunda of the theater.
Each tree is decorated by a local artist or designer in various themes from sophisticated to whimsical. It’s a Cleveland Play House tradition that shouldn’t be missed.
Getting There
The event is in the Allen Theater Lobby, 1407 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115.
There are several parking garages near the theater and along Euclid Avenue. Click here for more information. If you are entering from Euclid Avenue, go through the Bukley Building which is just to the right of the Allen Theatre.
December tba, 2024: Tuesday – Friday, 5 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Saturday – Sunday, Noon – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Don’t want to go so far? Check out Christmas lights displays around Columbus!
Columbus Christmas lights displays, and a Google map to find them!
Looking for all of the holiday fun in Columbus? Check out these pages!
- Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list
- Free and cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Your Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in Columbus
- Over 40 Holiday Art and Craft Festivals
- Turkey Trots and Holiday Races
- Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus
- Christmas Theater and Concerts in Columbus
- Photos with Santa
- Locations of Mailboxes for Letters to Santa
- Community Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
- Holiday Train Rides in Ohio: Santa Trains and Polar Express
- Free and Cheap Activities for Winter Break in Columbus
- Columbus Happy Hours
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