It’s the most wonderful time of the year — and Ohio knows it. Situated between the great cities of Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati and surrounded by numerous, festive towns, we are the best location to experience all Ohio has to offer this holiday events season. We have put together an extensive guide filled with Christmas events happening in our area this year. Enjoy this special time of year as you create memories with your family and friends!
Wilmington, OH Holiday Events
Event: HomeTown HoliDazzle Parade
Date: November 30
The HomeTown HoliDazzle parade, presented by TimberTech, begins in Wilmington, Ohio, at 7pm from the Clinton County Fairgrounds and proceeds east on Main Street through downtown and ends at the intersection of East Mainand Lincoln Streets.
You will find incredibly decorated and dazzling lighted floats, tractors, horses, semi-trucks and marching bands filling Main Street Wilmington with their amazing sights and sounds, along with children of all ages!
Event: The Murphy Theatre
Many holiday live performances for the family.
Event: Pioneer Village Christmas Candlelight Walk at Caesar’s Creek
Date: December 7
Go back in time and take a walk through the village lit completely by candles. Cost is $6. Santa will be there!
Event: Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Date: ( November 29 & 30; December 1, 5, 6, 7, 8)
This reservation is for our regular Cut Your Own Christmas Trees Days (November 29 & 30; December 1, 5, 6, 7, 8). On all of those days, guests can cut a tree anywhere on the farm choosing from firs, spruce and pines. Click the link to make your reservation starting October 1, 2024.
Columbus, OH Holiday Events
Event: Wildlights at the Zoo
Date: November 22 – January 5
Experience the Columbus Zoo like never before! The Holiday season comes alive with millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer and other holiday festivities that can only be found at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Event: The Nutcracker
Date: December 12-28
BalletMet’s production of The Nutcracker is returning to the Ohio Theatre for the holiday season – and if you hurry, there’s still time to score amazing tickets for any performance! The Nutcracker Columbus production is an absolute delight for theater fans of all ages who love it for its whimsy, charm and the palpable Christmas magic.
Cincinnati, OH Holiday Events
Event: Light Up The Square
Date: November 29
Kick off the holiday season with Cincinnati’s annual tree lighting celebration! Festivities begin at 5pm. The evening will feature live music, a special appearance by Santa Claus and a dazzling fireworks display.
Event: Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Date: December 19-29
Dressing up and seeing the Nutcracker is like living out a childhood Christmas fantasy and Cincinnati offers this opportunity every year thanks to their incredibly gifted ballet. Due to the venue’s recent renovation, Music Hall, the performance is guaranteed to be more unforgettable than ever.
Event: Fountain Square Ice Rink
Date: November 2 – February 17
Fountain Square will be the only rink in the Tri-State to offer Bumper Cars on Ice this fall and winter. They will operate alongside ice skating seven days a week. Reservations can be made via the link above. They will have a limited number of “walk up” time slots available as well.
Event: Celestial Holiday
Date: November 2 – January 5
Krohn Conservatory will be a sight to behold this holiday season as it is transformed into a glowing winter wonderland. A great place to visit with the whole family.
Event: Night of Lights
Date: November 23 – January 5
Night of Lights is the region’s largest and best drive-through holiday light spectacular! You and your family will stay warm and dry as you experience more than 2 million lights, all moving perfectly in sync with festive and fun holiday music.
Visitors of all ages and mobilities will be awed by larger-than-life Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes, fantastic tunnels of lights and more!
Event: PNC Festival of Lights
Date: November 21 – January 5
The Cincinnati Zoo will still be shining bright as we’re once again transformed into a “Wild Wonderland” for the 42nd annual PNC Festival of Lights! Come early for more animals and stay for the lights!
In addition to admiring the beauty of 4 million LED lights, visitors can find the five Fiona fairies in Fairyland, take in a blacklight puppet show, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake or snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands.
Dayton, OH Holiday Events
Event: Grand Illumination
Date: November 29
Watch the holidays light up during Dayton’s traditional tree lighting on November 29. At 7pm, they’ll throw on the switch and approximately 50,000 lights will brighten the two-story-tall tree on Courthouse Square! Many activities for the entire family.
Event: A Carillon Christmas
Date: November 26 – December 30
Carillon Historical Park in Dayton features a winter wonderland of lights, train rides, slides and other attractions during A Carillon Christmas. With more than 15 miles of dazzling lights, Christmas themed activities and caroling, it’s one of the best places in Ohio to spend the holiday season.
Event: Oregon Historic District Grand Holiday Tour of Homes
Date: December 7-8
You will enjoy a guided tour through six beautifully decorated historic homes. Arrive at the starting location, Glasshouse Realty Group’s offices (The Armory Building at 201 E 6th St) and receive a tour book, map and wristband. After your tour is complete, stop back at The Armory to enjoy themed refreshments & holiday cheer!
Lebanon, OH Holiday Events
Event: Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Festival
Date: December 7
The Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival in historic downtown Lebanon. The festival runs from 10am until 8pm. The parades are at 1pm and 7pm.
Clifton Hill, OH Holiday Events
Event: The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill
Date: November 29 – December 30
For 35 years, Clifton Mill has celebrated the Christmas season in a very special way. Their light display, featured in Midwest Living and Ohio Magazine, is one of the country’s finest with over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges. There is even a 100-foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights.
Mason, OH Holiday Events
Event: WinterFest at Kings Island
Date: November 29 – December 31
This year, Kings Island is proud to present WinterFest. WinterFest is praised for its breathtaking lighting displays and enjoyable ice skating on the fountain.
Event: Yuletide Village: Season of Lights
Date: November 29 – December 21
Renaissance Park in Warren County, Ohio, offers a warm glow Fridays & Saturdays from November 29 to December 21. The village beckons you to take in light shows, enjoy hot food & drinks while you wander through our Yuletide Market.
