15 Greater Cincinnati Light Shows and Displays to Help You Get in the Holiday Spirit

By CityBeat Staff on Wed, Nov 23, 2022 at 8:53 am

With the holidays fast approaching you're probably making more time to spend with friends and family and finding ways to make memories. The numerous light shows and displays across the Cincinnati area are a great way to spend quality time with your loved ones and get in the holiday spirit.

From underground caves to drive-thru displays and treks through the forest or just through your neighborhood, we've got 15 spots across the Tri-State where you can 'ooh' and 'ahh' at some pretty lights and creative displays.

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Photo: Provided by Coney Island

Coney Island's Nights of Lights

Drive through this dazzling light display and see “more than 2 million lights synchronized to a mix of traditional and rocking holiday music,” per Coney Island. There will be a giant Christmas tree, illuminated snowflakes, light tunnels and other glowing thematic displays.
Through Jan. 2. $25 Monday-Thursday and $30 Friday-Sunday for 1-8 person vehicles; $50 9-15 person vehicles; $50 16+ person vehicles. 6201 Kellogg Ave., California.

Photo: Adam Doty

PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo

Voted the No. 1 zoo light display in America by readers of USA Today, the 40th-annual PNC Festival of Lights takes over the zoo with more than 4 million LED bulbs. Wander in the “Wild Wonderland” to take in twinkling displays, watch a synchronized musical light show on Swan Lake or walk under giant glowing jellyfish. There will be wintry treats available, plus hidden Fiona fairies and a 24-foot-tall Fiona nutcracker will greet visitors.
Through Jan. 8. Included with zoo admission (prices vary by day). 3400 Vine St., Avondale.

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Photo: facebook.com/Cincinnati Nature Center

Light in the Forest at the Cincinnati Nature Center

Wander the woods in this themed light display set up along the Cincinnati Nature Center’s trails. This year’s expanded attraction includes more lights, displays by local artists, live music, a decorated historic home, a bonfire and shopping.
Dec. 1-Jan. 1. $12 non-member and $10 member adult; $7 non-member and $5 member child. 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford.

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Photo: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum

Journey Borealis at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum

The drive-through light show features over a million lights, as well as scenic holiday displays and artist installations, some of which are new this year. The park partnered with independent artists and the community to bring the show to life in new ways, including an expanded installation from the Yarn Bombers and two new displays by projection artist Doug Borntrager.
Through Jan. 1. $25 carload non-members; $15 carload members; free for Hamilton residents on Tuesdays. 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton.

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Photo: Provided by the Florence Y'alls

Deck the Y'alls Lightfest

The Florence Y’alls Thomas More Stadium will be overrun with holiday lights and interactive displays during Deck the Y’alls Lightfest. Guests are invited to walk directly onto the field and experience the magic of the season, complete with 2 million lights choreographed to music, multiple themed displays and several interactive elements. The centerpiece will be a whopping 50-foot animated tree. There will also be an ice rink, s’mores-friendly fire pits, holiday shopping and Friday fireworks displays.
Through Jan. 1. $14-$22 adults; $10-$18 ages 4-12; $12-$18 seniors/military. Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence.

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Photo: facebook.com/Clifton Mill

Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill

For the 35th year, Clifton Mill will be decked out in dazzling lights this winter — 4 million of them. The historic Yellow Springs mill, plus the surrounding trees, riverbank and covered bridge, will all be illuminated from bottom-to-top in colorful lights.
Through Dec. 30. $10 Monday-Wednesday; $15 Thursday-Sunday; free for 3 and under. 75 Water St., Yellow Springs.

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Photo: facebook.com/Parky's Farm

Holidays on the Farm at Winton Woods/Parky’s Farm

Great Parks of Hamilton County has replaced the Holiday in Lights drive-thru display at Sharon Woods with a new Holidays on the Farm event. Parky’s Farm will be decorated in festive lights, inviting guests to explore lit-up nature trails at Winton Woods. Activities include wagon rides, an illuminated beer garden, food trucks, caroling, holiday movie showings and a meet-and-greet with Santa.
Through Dec. 23. $12 advance and $15 door adults; $10 ages 2-12; free 23 months and under. Winton Woods/Parky’s Farm, 10073 Daly Road, Greenhills.

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Photo: facebook.com/Land of Illusion Adventure Park

Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion

A haunted horror town during Halloween and a family-friendly splash zone during the summer, Land of Illusion transforms into a drive-through holiday light display each winter. Christmas Glow offers more than 3.8 million lights, singing penguins and reindeer, a petting zoo, carnival rides, boozy beverages in the Elf Lounge and a Christmas village with a 45-foot-tall tree.
Through Dec. 30. $9 online. 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown.

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Photo: facebook.com/Purple People Bridge

Winter Nights & River Lights at the Purple People Bridge

The Purple People Bridge will be adorned with thousands of lights, glowing yarn art and themed holiday projections this winter, all set to seasonal tunes. A 25-foot Christmas Wish Tree will help “provide gifts for individuals in need such as troubled teens, disabled individuals, and disadvantaged seniors,” per an event description.
Through Jan. 8. Free admission. 1 Levee Way, Newport.

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Photo: facebook.com/The Christmas Ranch

The Christmas Ranch

This winter wonderland features 1 million lights synchronized to music. Drive along an animated, illuminated route or park the car to visit the Christmas village with six shops, a bakery and café, and train and wagon rides. A portion of proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Little Miami Food Pantry, Neediest Kids of All and Shriners Hospital for children.
Timed tickets required. Through Dec. 23. $22 per carload; $33 oversized vans; free parking. 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow.

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Photo: Provided by Light Up Oakley

Light Up Oakley

The entire neighborhood gets in on the action during Light Up Oakley, a holiday contest that aims to set the streets aglow. Businesses and residents can enter their light displays in categories such as Best Window, Best Themed and even the coveted Griswold Award.
Winners announced Jan. 3. Free to wander. Oakley.

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Photo: facebook.com/Light Up Middletown

Light Up Middletown

This "fantasy drive-thru light display” in Middletown’s 100-acre Smith Park not only decks the halls with tons of glowing holiday displays, it also serves as a fundraiser for Middletown City Parks.
Through Dec. 31. Cash donation. Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown.

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Photo: facebook.com/Light Up the Fair

Light Up the Fair at the Boone County Fairgrounds

This Northern Kentucky drive-through light display spans two miles with over a half-million dazzling lights, synchronized to music through each visitor’s car radio.
Through Dec. 31. $7 per person or $25 per carload (4-8 people); free for children under 4, active military and first responders. Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington.

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Photo: facebook.com/Creation Museum

ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum

Helmed by the fundamentalist Answers in Genesis Christian group, the Creation Museum puts the “Christ” in Christmas as it transforms its botanical gardens into a giant holiday light display, complete with a live nativity, petting zoo, ice skating rink, gift shop and zip line.
Through Dec. 30. Outdoor exhibit is free; some attractions require a ticket. 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg, Kentucky.

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Photo: Provided by White Gravel Mines

Christmas Cave at White Gravel Mines

Take a self-guided walk through this underground gravel cave that depicts the birth of Jesus. The cave features more than 20 biblical scenes and thousands of twinkling lights. Luke 5 Adventures will be available on select dates to help those with limited mobility.
Fridays and Saturdays from 4-10 p.m. through Dec. 17. Admission is free but $1 donation is encouraged. 4007 White Gravel McDaniel Road, Minford, Ohio.

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