The One Over-The-Top Christmas House In Cincinnati That Has Been A Tradition For Generations
By Andrea Limke|Updated on November 04, 2022(Originally published October 30, 2022)
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
There are many traditions in Cincinnati that span generations; those that we went to as a child and that we take our children and grandchildren to today. Some of these places disappear over time, but one has managed to continue and returns each holiday season. Zapf’s Christmas Display in North College Hill is a family home that has put Clark Griswold to shame for more than 50 years. This over-the-top Christmas house has been a Cincinnati tradition for generations, and from these photos, you can easily see why. Nothing captures the magic of the holiday season quite like a light display and this is one of the best.
If you've ever lived anywhere near North College Hill in Cincinnati, chances are you know about the Zapf family's Christmas display. It's been an over-the-top attraction since 1970 and it's all thanks to one man and his family's dedication to keeping it going for those who have made it a tradition.
Bill Zapf, fondly called Santa Z, obviously loved Christmas and wanted to share that passion with his neighbors. He began to decorate his yard in 1970, but it involved much more than a few strings of lights and a plug-in snowman. Oh no, the Zapf family was not messing around with their holiday lights.
Mr. Zapf passed away in 2008, but asked his family to carry on with this festive tradition. The home continues to be on display each year with countless lights, figurines, characters, and holiday charm.
Kids especially love the extreme nature of the decorations, but adults enjoy it just the same. In fact, many have visited the display since they were children.
Some of the decorations remain the same year after year, but there's always something new to look for. It truly is a remarkable sight to see, and you can only imagine the hours of hard work that go into bringing this all to life.
One of the best things about the display is its sense of humor. Along with traditional decor, be sure to look for the snowman family in the car, among other charming features.
The nod to A Christmas Story is always a hit, and with many other little details, plan on taking some time to really look it all over from your car. In fact, you'll probably want to drive past more than once. Don't worry, you won't be alone. Lots of visitors take in this magic multiple times in a season. The house has become such a popular landmark, it even has its own Facebook page.
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The Zapf family continues this display for the community, but they couldn't do it without the support of visitors. As you can imagine, purchasing all of the materials needed to construct this attraction can get pricey, and you can donate to the "Keep Santa Z's Lights On" fund to help the family cover the cost of the display's outrageous electric bill at any location of the North Side Bank & Trust. Consider making a donation if you enjoy the display to keep it going for future generations.
Generations have looked forward to visiting the Zapf's Christmas Display each year, as it truly is the most festive house in Cincinnati. If you have yet to see it for yourself, pile the family in the car and begin a new Cincinnati tradition in honor of Santa Z.
Zapf’s Christmas Display is a beloved tradition that spans generations of Cincinnatians, and we’re thankful the family carries on with this over-the-top attraction each year. Is a drive past the most festive house in Cincinnati one of your holiday traditions? What other neighborhood homes do you love checking out? We’d love to know how you’ve noticed the display change over the years. Let us know in the comments!
Zapf’s Christmas Display can be found at 2032 W Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45239. For more information and fun photos, follow along on Facebook here.
And for more holiday traditions in Cincinnati, check out our previous article here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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What else is there to do in North College Hill, Cincinnati?
Nestled in Hamilton County, North College Hill is a small city with a rich and fascinating history dating back to 1787. Beautiful nature is one of the primary attractions of the area. Mount Airy Forest is a lovely recreation area with miles of hiking trails and lots of opportunities to spot local flora and fauna. Winton Woods is another gorgeous public park that offers camping opportunities, golf, and a calm body of water for kayaking or fishing.
After working up an appetite in one of these green spaces, head downtown for a bite to eat at one of the many delightful local restaurants. You can choose from a wide spectrum of options from pizza and American to Indian and Mexican cuisines. Afterward, grab a locally made beer at Brink Brewing Company and chat with some of the locals who frequent this watering hole.
