Best Places to Watch Christmas Lights in Cincinnati, OH

The festive season is nearly upon us here in the Tri-State area, bringing holiday traditions and winter weather. What better way to celebrate the season than by viewing Christmas lights from the comfort of your new Honda? We’ve rounded up some of the best spots for drive-through Christmas light displays around Cincinnati. When the sun sets and you’re in the holiday spirit, gather the family and head to one of these incredible light shows.

Image via Flickr by Me in ME

Christmas Nights of Lights (Coney Island)

At just over 2.5 miles, Christmas Nights of Lights is the longest total drive of all the displays listed here, and is certainly a must-see this holiday season. Through your Honda‘s radio, tune into the synchronized soundtrack, featuring traditional and modern holiday music. You can even feel good about your visit, since part of your entry fee goes to local nonprofits, including Salvation Army and Toys for Tots. The line for this drive-through can get long and busy, so be sure to pack some snacks, arrive early, and get comfortable in your car.

Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods

Who doesn’t love a long-standing holiday tradition? Sharon Woods, part of the Hamilton County Great Parks, has hosted this Cincinnati tradition for the past 31 years. Holiday in Lights incorporates over 1 million lights into 250 different light displays, for a truly magical and wonderful show. Special effects glasses are sold at the entry to enhance the experience.

There’s even a 5k fun run on November 20, ending just after dusk amongst the lights. Also, on December 1 and 29, Holiday in Lights will only be open to foot traffic. So if you’re up for it, bundle up and head to Sharon Woods (perhaps in your new Honda), park in the secured parking, and enter the park on foot for a unique holiday experience.

Journey Borealis (Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum)

Journey Borealis is updated and expanded for the 2021 holiday season and, as a result, is now a 2.5-mile drive-thru show. A unique feature of this light display is the incorporation of some of the park’s sculptures. Featured displays include the North Pole, Candy Cane Forest, Grinch’s Greenland, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem’s Hanukkah. A soundtrack for this adventure is provided on an app, with music by the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra and Cincinnati Boychoir. Plus, if you’re a Hamilton resident, you get in free on Tuesdays.

Visit Journey Borealis from November 19, 2021, to January 2, 2022.

Light Up the Fair (Boone County Fairgrounds)

Hop in your Honda and head across the state line to Kentucky for this incredible light display. With over 5 million LED lights, Light up the Fair is the only drive-through light exhibit in northern Kentucky and is just a short drive from Cincinnati. It’s also one of the longest drive-through light shows in the Tri-State area. According to their website, the organizers have been busy adding new lights and displays in preparation for the 2021-22 season. A soundtrack is timed to the displays, so be prepared to tune in, chill out, and get in the holiday spirit.

Light Up Middletown

Entry to this drive-through light display, which recently celebrated its 22nd birthday, is by cash donation only. This policy makes for a more budget-friendly option in the Tri-State area. Despite its affordability, visitors often remark at the beauty of the lights and the quality of the displays. Features include the 12 Days of Christmas and Santa’s Workshop (visit website to learn more about COVID-19 restrictions). A Balloon Glow event brings hot air balloons throughout the park to create a sensational visual experience for visitors. Light Up Middletown is all about supporting the community, so we love the idea of supporting this attraction.

Christmas Ranch

Christmas Ranch is much more than a drive-through experience. This attraction includes six Christmas shops, Santa’s bakery and cafe, photos with Santa, and wagon and train rides. Take a break from driving to enjoy the bonfires, a cup of hot cocoa, and a yummy baked good. Or get some Christmas shopping done at one of the themed stores. Like many other light shows on this list, this place lets you synchronize music through your car radio as you drive through the displays.

Christmas Ranch is truly a Cincinnati-area holiday tradition and has even featured on HGTV and Good Morning America. Reservations are required to enter, so be sure to go to their website and avoid disappointment.

PNC Festival of Lights (Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden)

The key feature of this festival of lights is, of course, that it’s at a zoo. Animal lovers and Christmas light enthusiasts unite at this impressive attraction. Arrive early in the afternoon to enjoy the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens (home of the famous Fiona the hippo), then stay for the Christmas lights. Admission to the Festival of Lights is included in your zoo admission fee, with no additional charge.

Other than driving through the incredible 4 million light display, visitors to PNC Festival of Lights can enjoy a North Polar Express train ride, have snacks at the s’mores stands, and explore Santa’s Village. There are also nightly performances, including MadCap Winter Wonders, and visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus. The zoo itself will stay open until 9 p.m. during the festival, so you can also visit animal enclosures (indoor and heated) after the sun goes down.

The 2021 Christmas Lights Season Is Nearly Upon Us

Many of these light shows open as early as the second week of November and give you up to 10 weeks of holiday entertainment. Make a new holiday tradition with your family by visiting multiple venues this year. Warm up your Honda, gather your family and friends, and drive out to see the lights. Be sure to pack enough snacks and hot cocoa.

These are our top picks for Christmas light displays in the Cincinnati area. Do you have a favorite light show we didn’t mention here? If we missed any, please let us know.

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