Cincinnati is a beautiful city to be in during the holiday season as we have many festive light displays all over the city and surrounding areas. It’s like the entire tristate lights up with excitement for the season, and you could spend each evening during the month of December visiting a new event, display, or neighborhood, experiencing the enchantment of the holidays. But if you’re looking for a short list of the best holiday lights near Cincinnati, try this road trip that is nothing short of magical. Since all of these take place after the sun goes down, you may have to split the trip up into a few nights, but a visit to any of these spots is sure to make your holiday season memorable.

View this interactive map for exact locations or to make any changes. Now crank up the holiday tunes, and let’s go!

GoogleMaps
1. Holiday Lights on the Hill
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
Facebook/Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
Holiday Lights on the Hill takes place within the unique Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton. It's a 2-mile drive-through display with countless, dazzling lights that transform this park into a magical wonderland.
2. The Christmas Ranch
Christmas Ranch, 3205 S Waynesville Rd, Morrow, OH 45152, USA
The Christmas Ranch
Located in Morrow, you can walk through a dazzling small town created at The Christmas Ranch. Millions of lights decorate this large property where you can also relax by a bonfire, take a ride on a train, visit small, festive houses, and enjoy a treat or two.
3. Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods
Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241, USA
Facebook/Holiday in Lights
For decades, Holiday in Lights has been one of the most treasured light displays in the city. This drive-thru display is best accompanied by the Christmas music playing on Warm 98, as you inch past festively themed lights and unique winter scenes.

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4. Coney Island's Christmas Nights of Lights - NO LONGER HAPPENING.
Coney Island Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230, USA
Facebook/Coney Island Amusement Park
Editor's note: Sadly, with the closure of Coney Island, this event is no longer happening.

Drive through two-and-a-half miles of dazzling lights on the outskirts of Cincinnati's classic Coney Island.
5. Christmas Town at the Creation Museum
Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd, Petersburg, KY 41080, USA
The Creation Museum Website
Christmas Town at the Creation Museum is located in Petersburg, Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati. This outdoor, walk-through display is pure magic and includes more lights than ever before. Aside from parking, the event is free to attend.
6. Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45220, USA
Facebook/GLSEN Greater Cincinnati
Cincinnati's already beautiful zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland that has been called the best zoo lights in the country. The millions of lights create a magical winter walk that should definitely be an annual holiday family tradition.
7. Fountain Square
Fountain Square, 520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA
Facebook/Fountain Square
A trip around town to see Christmas lights wouldn't be complete without viewing the city's very own Christmas tree on Fountain Square. Lace up some ice skates on the rink; enjoy the many festivities that are taking place on the Square this season, and soak up the beauty of Cincinnati.

Bundle up and get out and about this holiday season to see all Cincinnati has to offer. Do you have a favorite light display around town? What do you think are the best holiday lights near Cincinnati? Let us know in the comments below!

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holiday lights near Cincinnati

Sarah M. | October 14, 2022

What are some other must-visit holiday events near Cincinnati?

One of our favorite holiday events in Cincinnati is The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill. This must-visit (and award-winning) event happens nightly from 5-9:30 p.m. (weather permitting) starting the day after Thanksgiving until December 31. With more than four million twinkling lights, there's something new to see at every turn. You've never experienced Christmas lights quite like this before. In addition to the millions of awe-inspiring Christmas lights, there's a Santa Claus Museum, an Antique Toy Collection, and a synchronized lights and music show! And if you're wondering about specific accolades, The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill won ABC's "The Great Christmas Light Fight" in 2018. The lights are also nominated for USA TODAY’S 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2020 Travel Awards. It's truly one of the best holiday light displays in Ohio!

Another really fun event near Cincinnati is "Scuba Santa" at Newport Aquarium, located just over the river in Northern Kentucky. Each year between Thanksgiving and New Year's, Santa takes a break from walking in a winter wonderland to scuba dive in the water wonderland at Newport Aquarium. Apparently, he is not only magical but brave as well, as he dives cheerfully into the shark tank! Santa is available to chat with visitors with the help of his elves at designated times each day. This makes for a really unique holiday photo op and experience for kids!

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