Christmas in Cleveland is downright magical, but there’s nothing like escaping to the suburbs around the holidays. One quaint community south of Cleveland knows how to throw an old-fashioned holiday celebration, and they do so with finesse year after year. Their annual festivities have made this community into one of the best places to celebrate Christmas near Cleveland. Prepare for a season that’s as sweet as sugarplums in Medina, Ohio.

Hiding 30 miles south of Cleveland is a charming community that's straight out of "A Christmas Carol."
Main Street Medina/Facebook
Medina is a small city of circa 26,000 residents. It's absolutely full of charm, and the Historic Medina Square is the community's heart and soul.
The town was founded in 1818, and though it suffered from major fires in 1848 and 1870, it could effortlessly set the scene for a Charles Dickens classic.
Main Street Medina/Facebook
Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" was first published in 1843. Though most of Medina was built after the fire of 1870, it maintains the early Victorian charms reminiscent of a quaint London neighborhood.
At the end of each November, Medina kicks off its holiday season with the Candlelight Walk.
Main Street Medina/Facebook
The Candlelight Walk, hosted by Main Street Medina, transforms Medina Square into a winter wonderland... even if snow is absent! The free event attracts thousands of visitors to the community, promising an epic Parade of Lights and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
While the event's two miles of lights attract visitors from all over the state, many claim the annual tree lighting as their favorite wintertime attraction.
Main Street Medina/Facebook
The 10-foot-tall tree in the Gazebo is always decked out each holiday season. It is particularly enchanting when first lit! You can find this year's schedule of events at the Main Street Medina webpage.
Whether you come during the Candlelight walk or in the midst of the Christmas season, the charms of this community will leave you enchanted.
Main Street Medina/Facebook
The decorations and lights in Medina Square emphasize the charm of the community. Grab a coffee at Cool Beans and warm up with some goodies from Honey Bee Bakery and you'll instantly be in the spirit of the season.

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The window displays featured in local shops will take you back to your childhood, when Christmastime meant window shopping with mom Downtown.
Main Street Medina/Facebook
Remember the thrill of going gift shopping with your parents back in the day? While window displays are waning in popularity, Medina's many charming shops continue to offer an over-the-top holiday shopping experience.
And, of course, the community's year-round Christmas museum is the most magical place to celebrate the season.
Samantha Wade/Google Images
If you've never visited Castle Noel, you are in for an absolute treat. This museum preserves window displays as well as holiday movie props and costumes, offering visitors a nostalgic experience.
You'll also want to swing by the The Tree of Remembrance, which offers visitors an opportunity to memories of loved one.
Photo Courtesy Of Ashley Waite
Waite and Son Funeral Homes has produced this tree each year for nearly half a decade, inviting visitors to participate in this cathartic exercise by sharing memories of deceased loved ones on provided ribbons which can then be attached to the tree. Amazingly, following the end of the season, this tree is donated to the County Parks and replanted.
Also on site in memory of the dearly departed is a a 10 foot by 10 foot angel wing backdrop, designed by Aubrey Meadows of By Bre Designs, to help visitors capture these precious memories.
Photo Courtesy Of Ashley Waite
Waite and Son Funeral Homes will also host a Candlelight Memorial Service to remember those that have passed on. Connect with them on Waite and Son Funeral Homes on Facebook for more information.
The community's lights and decorations are quaint and dreamy, and the rosy-cheeked wintertime visitors are endlessly jolly.
Main Street Medina/Facebook
With interesting shopping, unique dining, and incredible things to do, its no wonder visitors come from near and far to experience Medina at Christmastime.
This pretty community is the most incredible place to celebrate the holiday season.
Main Street Medina/Facebook

Christmas in Cleveland is magical, but sometimes the suburbs can capture the spirit of the season even better. Have you ever celebrated the holiday season in Medina?Craving more wintertime fun? You’ll fall in love with ‘Tis The Season, an amazing Christmas shop in Cleveland! Planning to stay in this winter? Check out our handy winter staycation checklist.

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More to Explore

Christmas City Near Cleveland

Tori Jane | November 14, 2023

What’s the best Christmas city near Cleveland?  

Ohio doesn’t exactly have an enormous population, so the term “city” is used loosely here. There are many Christmas cities near Cleveland, such as:  

  • Kirtland – This awesome little slice of paradise is the epitome of an old-school, traditional Christmas. The best time to check this community out is at nighttime, when you can really appreciate the lights!  
  • Chagrin Falls – This one might just be Santa’s favorite Midwestern town, and you’ll easily see why. Every Christmas is special here.  
  • Tremont – Did you know you can visit (and spend the night at) the house from the hit holiday movie "A Christmas Story?" Well, you can – and that alone makes this beautiful town a great home for the holidays.  

 

Learn more about the best Christmas towns near Cleveland.  

What are some other wonderful Christmas towns in Ohio?  

The list does not, of course, end with the above-mentioned places (though they do make for a good start). The state of Ohio is home to all kinds of adorable winter towns! Some of our favorite winter towns in Ohio are:  

  • Cambridge – This town is home to the famous Dicken’s Victorian Village, an immersive Christmas town that will take you back in time to the olden days and what the holidays were like back then.  
  • Lebanon – Attend the annual Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival in this town to get into the holiday spirit.
  • Gallipolis – This town gets all lit up, with plenty of awesome attractions to get the whole family into it. Ohio is magical at Christmas, and Gallipolis helps prove it.  

 

Learn more about our all-time favorite Christmas towns in Ohio.  

What is winter in Medina, Ohio like?  

In a word? Fun! All of the Buckeye State gets just a little more magical during the chilly season, but the town of Medina really shines! It’s chock-full of options for every family, including those who celebrate and those who do not. Some of the best Christmas events in Medina include:  

  • Castle Noel – You can literally have Christmas in July here, as it’s the holidays year-round from the moment you enter the building.  
  • The Candlelight Walk – An annual tradition! Kick off the holiday season with this wondrous wander through Medina Square.  
  • Downtown shops – All of downtown gets decked out for the holidays, making even browsing the usual shops a wonderful treat. 

 

Learn more about all the cool stuff to do in Medina for Christmas.  

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Medina, OH 44256, USA