Christmas light displays abound for holidays
With December here, there are a number of places to visit to see displays of Christmas lights throughout Ohio — especially many within an hour away. And patrons can enjoy all of the Christmas lights despite the coronavirus pandemic. Below is a list of drive-thru places and other Christmas attractions on the western side of the state.
With the pandemic, places that allow patrons to see Christmas displays on foot are asking patrons to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing from other people who are not from the same household.
In addition, most of the venues and additional information can be found on OhioGirlTravels.com.
Mercer County Fair Merry & Bright
The Mercer County Fair Merry & Bright Christmas Lights is being held every Thursday thru Sunday, now until Dec. 13 and will then be open every evening from Dec. 17 to Dec. 27, including Christmas night.
Admission is $10 per car on Thursday and Sunday, $15 on Friday and Saturday and vehicles with more than 10 passengers are $25.
More information can be found on MercerCountyOhioFair.com.
Mercy Health Bright Nights
Creating an annual tradition for the community, the Mercy Health Bright Nights features more than 45 LED Christmas light displays will be throughout the grounds.
A light tunnel and illuminated trees and buildings can be seen all over the fairgrounds.
The display takes 15-25 minutes to drive through and features the Lima Symphony Orchestra performing music from “The Nutcracker” broadcast over a radio station that can be heard on the fairgrounds as guests enjoy the lights.
The display is open Friday through Sunday with times of 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is $10 per vehicle and more information can be found at AllenCoFair.com/mercy-health-bright-nights.
Upper Sandusky’s Winter Fantasy of Lights
The 33-acre drive-thru display located just outside downtown at Harrison Smith Park, 525 E. Wyandot Ave., runs until Dec. 30. The display — which has happened every year since 1997 — is open 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
A donation of $5 per car is requested, Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday with proceeds benefiting a local charitable organization selected annually. Commercial vans are $15 and tour buses are $50.
More information can be found at UppersFantasyOfLights.org.
Christmas Cruise Thru
The largest light show in the tri-state area features more than 100,000 outdoor lights and displays, carriage rides, a visit with Santa, live entertainment, indoor crafters, a Christmas village of houses, food, a festival of trees and other special events.
Fireworks will also take place Dec. 13. Patrons can enjoy the twinkling lights from the warmth of their vehicle.
The display runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 23 at the Defiance County Fairgrounds, 530 S. Main St. in Hicksville. Cost is by goodwill donation. More information can be found at ChristmasCruiseThru.com
Holiday In Lights (Sharonville)
A 28-year tradition, Holiday In Lights is open nightly from until Dec. 31. This drive-thru light display located in the Cincinnati area features more than a million lights stringing a mile long. Times are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The display is located at 11450 Lebanon Road, state Route 42.
Proceeds goes to A Child’s Hope International. A new feature this year is a Pixel light tunnel, more lighted trees, new light displays and special event nights. Special effect glasses are also being sold for $2 each or three for $5.
Admission is $15 per vehicle and $ 45 for buses and 15-passenger vans. Credit cards are accepted. No cash will be accepted because of COVID-19 and patrons are encouraged to pre-buy tickets online. For additional information, HolidayInLights.com.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights (Delaware)
Located at the Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds, 3311 S. Old State Old, in Delaware, the drive-thru light show also features pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate and cookies and gift shops. Open until Jan. 3, the show features 30 new light displays. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Gates close 30 minutes prior to nightly show close time.
Cost is $20 per vehicle Monday through Thursday and $30 per vehicle Friday through Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
For additional information, visit ButchBandosFantasyOfLights.com.
Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Along with the twinkling lights, visitors can view dozens of poinsettias, Paul Busse model railway, hand-blown glass ornaments trees and family-friendly entertainment throughout the holiday season.
The display lasts until Jan. 10 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Admission costs are $22 for ages 12-59, $19 for ages 60 and older and $12 for ages 3-12. Children under 2 years old are free. Reservations are recommended.
For more information, visit FPConservatory.org.
Light Up Middletown
Located at Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave., Voted Best Local Attraction of 2019, the drive-thru display closes on New Year’s Eve, open every night from 6 p.m. to p.m., weather permitting. There is no fee, but donations are encouraged.
There will be no Santa house visits this year.
More information is located at LightUpMiddletown.org.
Christmas By Candlelight (Marion)
Another drive-thru Christmas lights display is open until Christmas at the Marion County Fairgrounds, 220 E. Fairground St.
The display is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 5 to 8 and open every night from Dec. 12 to 25. A live Nativity is displayed from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8, Dec. 14 and 15 and Dec. 21 and 22. Admission is $6 per vehicle, $20 for small buses and $35 for large buses.
Journey BOREALIS, formerly Holiday Lights on the Hill (Hamilton)
The annual drive-through light display is a two-mile round trip and runs until Dec. 28 — including holidays.
Located Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, 1763 Hamilton- Cleves Road, patrons can view the lights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission is $20 per vehicle Monday to Thursday and $25 Friday to Sunday. Membership to the display includes reduced admission to special events, discounted art cart and facility rentals.
Memberships and additional information can be found at PyramidHill.org/Holiday-Lights-On- The-Hill.