Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve in Troy
The Miami County Park District transforms Lost Creek Reserve in Troy into a winter wonderland with a 1.25-mile, drive-through holiday lights display featuring over 60 animated and static light installations. The event runs weekends from Nov. 29 through Dec. 23, plus nightly Dec. 12–23, with visiting hours from 6–9 p.m. each evening. Admission is $10 per car or $30 per 15-passenger van, cash only. For a festive twist, the Park District also hosts a Holiday Lights Fun Run on Dec. 2, where participants can stroll, walk or run the lit route beginning at Heritage Hall. LEARN MORE
Tipp City Holiday Lights Driving Tour & Contest
Tipp City Lights, the fifth annual holiday lights driving tour and contest, runs Dec. 6–25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Tipp City and Monroe Township. Hosted by Tipp Monroe Community Services, the tour features twinkling displays throughout the community. Maps of participating homes are available online at tmcomservices.org, on the TMCS Facebook page, or at the TMCS office from Dec. 4–21. A holiday decorating contest runs alongside the tour. Visitors can vote for their favorite displays from Dec. 6–20 by texting the address to 513‑437‑6560 or submitting a ballot at the TMCS office, with one vote allowed per phone number. Community votes determine the top 10 homes, after which a judging panel selects the top three winners, to be announced Dec. 20. Also, don't forget to drive past City Park, 312 Park Ave. to see dozens of Christmas trees donated and decorated by local businesses, organizations and families and the historic Roundhouse (pictured above) decorated in lights.
Clawson Lights in Troy
Clawson Lights in Troy, returns for its fifth year, featuring a synchronized Christmas light show at two homes located at 1955 Fox Run and the house to the left of this address. The season kicks off with a Grand Illumination at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 29. The display then runs Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. through the Christmas season, with lights remaining on a solid setting after nightly end times. Extended hours will be offered during the week of Christmas to accommodate increased visitors. Clawson Lights has been voted the best in Dayton and draws attendees from across the region. Visitors are encouraged to avoid blocking neighbors’ driveways, turn off vehicle lights when stopping, and turn them back on when leaving to prevent collisions. Organizers post updates about weather, new events, and other details on the Clawson Lights Facebook and Instagram pages. Donations are being accepted this year, with details forthcoming. LEARN MORE
The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill
The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill returns this Christmas season in Clifton Nov. 28 through Dec. 30, with a dazzling display of more than 4 million lights illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees and bridges — including a 100-foot “waterfall” of lights. Visitors can stroll through a miniature village, explore a Toy Collection and Santa Claus Museum, and catch a synchronized light-and-music show on the old covered bridge. Every night (until Dec. 30), a live Santa works in his workshop, and every 15 minutes he checks his list and climbs the chimney to load his sleigh. Gates open at 5 p.m., lights switch on at 6 p.m., and the display runs until 9 p.m. nightly (6–8 p.m. on Dec. 24 and 25). Admission is $15 for everyone ages 4 and up, with free parking and free admission for children 3 and under. LEARN MORE
A Carillon Christmas in Dayton
A Carillon Christmas lights up Carillon Historical Park in Dayton from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30, as the 65-acre campus is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, music and holiday cheer. The event runs Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m., with the park closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Admission is $14 for adults (ages 18–59), $12 for seniors, $10 for children ages 3–17, and free for children 2 and under and for Dayton History members. Highlights include the Carillon Tree of Light, visits with Santa, the Carillon Park Railroad, model train displays, a puppet show based on The Tailor of Gloucester, museum shopping, and concerts at the Deeds Carillon. Food and drinks are available throughout the park, including hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, and seasonal fare at cafés like the Carillon Christmas Café and Peppermint Mill. LEARN MORE
Deck the Diamond in Dayton
The Dayton Dragons’ “Deck the Diamond” kicked off Nov. 14 at Day Air Ballpark and runs nightly through Jan. 3, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The walk-through holiday spectacular features more than 1.1 million twinkling lights, synchronized music-and-light shows every 10 minutes, and a full slate of family activities. Guests can ride the North Pole Express, meet Santa in his clubhouse, write letters to him, decorate ornaments, and enjoy live performances, carnival games, a 44-foot Christmas tree, fire pits with s’mores, and holiday treats. Admission is $12 Monday–Thursday and $14 Friday–Sunday, with a $16 “Flex Date” ticket available for more flexibility. Day Air Ballpark offers a wheelchair-accessible concourse, though field access (including the train) is not accessible. For more details and to purchase tickets, visit dragonsdeckthediamond.com.
ParkLights at Caesar Ford in Xenia
Presented by Greene County Parks & Trails, this display turns Caesar Ford Park (520 S. Stringtown Road, Xenia) into a free drive-through winter wonderland nightly from Dec. 1–31, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Visitors will wind through dazzling light displays, including a Winter Wonderland, North Pole Car Show, Winter Farm and a festive holiday festival, with a chance to wave to Santa at the “North Pole.” While admission is free, donations are accepted at a collection house near the exit to support the program in future years. LEARN MORE
Yuletide Village at Renaissance Park in Waynesville
Yuletide Village lights up Renaissance Park in Waynesville with its Season of Lights from Nov. 28 to Dec. 20, Fridays (5‑9 p.m.) and Saturdays (3‑9 p.m.). Wander through a glowing winter wonderland along the “Rivers of Lights” and Gumdrop Alley while costumed carolers and roving performers bring holiday cheer. The event features live music, storytelling, a charming Yuletide Market filled with artisan gifts, and cozy food and drink options like spiced cider and chili served by firepits. Guests can meet Santa in his woodland workshop—and, if they dare, encounter Krampus lurking in the shadows of Krampus Forest. For a special VIP experience, private igloos (seating 4–6) are available for rent, complete with heat, a carafe of hot beverage, and themed lighting. A highlight is the Yuletide Express, a festive train ride through the village, with tickets $5 for adults and free for children 3 and under. The festival is held at 10542 East State Route 73. LEARN MORE
Pyramid Hill Lights in Hamilton
The Pyramid Hill Lights returns for the 2025–26 season at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum in Hamilton, running from Nov. 14 through Jan. 4. The event is a fully drive-through holiday light show that winds along a two-mile route through the park’s natural and sculptural landscapes, featuring more than 1 million lights and art installations created by local artists. This year, Pyramid Hill is partnering with 4Wall Entertainment and Miami University students to project colorful designs on iconic sculptures, including “Age of Stone” and “Passage.” Favorites like Candy Cane Lane and Swan Lake also return, alongside new scenes like Holiday Glow and Mystic Garden. The show operates Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m., with extended hours in mid-December. Admission is $25 per car for nonmembers and $15 for Pyramid Hill members, and advanced tickets are encouraged for faster entry. The route is designed for continuous flow — cars may not stop during the tour — and vehicles over 10 feet tall or 20 feet long are not permitted. LEARN MORE
The Armstrong Air & Space Museum Holiday Lights
The Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta will host its annual Holiday Lights display from Nov. 28, 2025, through Jan. 1, 2026. Each night after dusk, tens of thousands of LED lights illuminate the museum grounds — including space‑themed displays like a 20‑foot‑tall Saturn V rocket and a giant Apollo-era astronaut. The event kicks off with a Grand Illumination on Nov. 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the lighting ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. Admission to the outdoor light display is free, though donations are accepted onsite. LEARN MORE
Gift of Lights in Wapakoneta
Gift of Lights at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds in Wapakoneta runs Nov. 26 through Dec. 28. Visitors can drive through more than a mile of festive, illuminated displays — over 150 individual light scenes twist through the fairgrounds. The event costs $15 per vehicle, with cash or card accepted at the gate. Hours are 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Monday–Thursday, and 6 p.m.–10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. LEARN MORE
Light Up Middletown
Light Up Middletown is a beloved annual drive-through holiday light display held at Smith Park in Middletown (500 Tytus Ave.). The display runs nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., every evening from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, regardless of weather. Admission is by cash donation, and visitors “set the price” based on what they’re comfortable giving. The light show spans a 100-acre park and includes dozens of themed displays: you’ll see Santa’s Workshop, Penguin Village, a leaping deer, a floating sea serpent, helicopters, whales, and more—all fashioned in animated LED lights. In addition to regular evenings, Light Up Middletown hosts special events such as a Balloon Glow (weather permitting), where hot air balloons are lit from the ground for a magical effect. For more information, including directions and seasonal updates, visit lightupmiddletown.org.
PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo
The PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden runs Nov. 20, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026, with nightly light displays beginning at 4 p.m. As the Zoo opens at 10 a.m., visitors are encouraged to arrive early to catch the animals before dark. The event includes more than 5 million LED lights, 65 larger-than-life illuminated animal lanterns, a “Wild Lights” show over Swan Lake, a blacklight puppet theater, and the enchanting “Fiona Fairies” hidden in Fairyland. Guests can also ride the North Polar Express train (from 2:30 p.m.) and the Conservation Carousel (both extra cost), roast s’mores at stations around the Zoo, and warm up with seasonal fare at concessions like Hot Hippo and grilled treats. Santa is available for visits (last night is Dec. 23), and there are “Meet-a-Creature” animal encounters in indoor habitats such as Manatee Springs. The Zoo’s operating hours during the Festival vary: Sunday–Thursday until 9 p.m., Friday–Saturday until 10 p.m., with extended hours from Dec. 21–31. Admission to the PNC Festival of Lights is included in regular Zoo admission. LEARN MORE
WinterFest at Kings Island in Mason
Kings Island in Mason, will host its annual WinterFest from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31, 2025, offering more than 7 million holiday lights, nightly entertainment, and a family-friendly winter wonderland. The event features 13 live shows, including new productions like Tinker’s Jingle Bell Ball and It’s Christmas, Charlie Brown!, plus the nightly WinterFest Wonderland Parade. Guests can enjoy ice skating on Snow Flake Lake, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, meet Santa Claus, and shop holiday gifts. Select rides remain open during WinterFest, such as Mystic Timbers, The Racer and Flight of Fear (reimagined as Flight of Cheer). Seasonal food and drink are also available, including hot chocolate in collectible mugs and specialty cocktails. On New Year’s Eve, the park will host a fireworks celebration at midnight, with a 10 p.m. family-friendly countdown available at Festhaus. Admission includes WinterFest with regular park tickets; add-ons like ice skating, cookie decorating, Fast Lane or igloo rentals are available. LEARN MORE
Lake of Lights in Kenton
Lake of Lights, a beloved drive-through Christmas event in Kenton, returns nightly from Nov. 28 through Dec. 31, at Saulisberry Park/France Lake (13344 St. Rte. 67 W.). Visitors can enjoy a festive light‑and‑sound display from the comfort of their car, with displays winding through the park at a steady pace. Gates are open every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $5 per car, and proceeds benefit local charities and community organizations. Special character nights and live nativity scenes are offered on select weekends, with details posted on the event’s Facebook page HERE.
