5 Ohio Holiday Light Displays This Season

The month of November brings early darkness, and soon after, holiday lights begin to brighten the longest nights of the year. Across our state, traditionally warm-weather attractions embrace the evening chill, creating illuminated spectacles that capture our imagination and help us fuel up on holiday cheer. From elaborate displays at zoos across our state to a drive-through experience at one of southwest Ohio’s signature outdoor arts destinations, these attractions will light up your season.

Wild Lights | Through Dec. 30 
More than 1 million lights draw visitors to Akron Zoo’s Wild Lights each holiday season. The attraction features a variety of themed areas, and Mrs. C’s Sweets dishes out s’mores and other treats. The event runs on select dates through Dec. 30 (check website for more information) and includes appearances by The Grinch throughout December and visits from Santa through Dec. 23. 

Lights Before Christmas | Through Dec. 31
Celebrate the holiday season at Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium through Dec. 31 (check website for more information). This perennial favorite features displays of more than 1 million twinkling lights and over 200 illuminated animal images across the zoo grounds. Attendees can sip festive drinks in the Winter Village and zoom down the ice slide as part of the fun.

Conservatory Aglow | Through Jan. 4
This annual event returns to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in our capital city nightly through Jan. 4 (except for Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Highlights include a whimsical penguin village, a glowing boxwood cottage and a walk-through Candy Land board game, as well as the 100-foot tunnel of light and a tree decorated with 1,400 ornaments. Live entertainment, which in the past has included fire jugglers and stilt walkers, is scheduled on select nights and adds to the festive atmosphere.

PNC Festival of Lights | Through Jan. 4
The PNC Festival of Lights transforms the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden with 5 million LED lights, themed displays and glowing animal lanterns. (It runs daily through Jan. 4, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.) Holiday-season visitors can ride the North Polar Express, spot the Fiona fairies in Fairyland, catch a black-light puppet show and  marvel at the dazzling display on Swan Lake. Seasonal treats like the fan-favorite Hot Hippo drink add to the festivities.

Pyramid Hill Lights | Through Jan. 4
The monumental sculptures that Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum home are enough to capture the imagination, but the holiday season brings the joy of Pyramid Hill Lights (running daily except Mondays until Jan. 4 this year). The drive-through experience takes visitors along a 2-mile route decked out for the holidays with over 1 million lights, as well as installations by local artists.

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