The weather in Cincinnati is about as unpredictable as our Cincy sports teams (although those seem fairly predictable these days, unfortunately), and you never know what the day will bring. In the winter and during the holiday season, you may see a fairly warm afternoon or it could be freezing with snow and ice. If it is freezing and you’d still like to enjoy the enchantment of Christmas lights in the Queen City, then head to one of these six Christmas lights displays in Cincinnati. You’ll stay warm in your car, yet still experience the magic of the holiday season.

1. Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion
8762 Thomas Rd, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
Facebook/Land of Illusion
Land of Illusion in Middletown has transformed over the years from a popular haunted attraction to a year-round destination. Its Christmas Glow is the largest in the area with over 3 million lights! In addition to the drive-thru display, it also includes other activities such as a visit to Santa's Workshop and a petting zoo.
2. Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island
6201 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230, USA
Facebook/Coney Island Amusement Park
This popular drive-thru Christmas lights event returns this year with a two-mile car ride through a stunning display. The lights are perfectly synchronized to festive music and there are even more lights to enjoy this year.
3. Light Up the Fair at the Boone County Fairgrounds
5819 Idlewild Rd, Burlington, KY 41005, USA
Facebook/Light Up the Fair
If you're looking for an underrated display that deserves more recognition, check out the newer event at the Boone County Fairgrounds. So much hard work goes into creating this incredible display that's over 1.5 miles long and includes over half a million lights. Be on the lookout for the horses and the iconic Florence Y'all tower.
4. Holiday in Lights at Armco Park
1223 OH-741, Lebanon, OH 45036, USA
Facebook/Holiday in Lights
Holiday in Lights has been a tradition in Cincinnati for over 28 years, and for good reason. This classic holiday event offers over 1 million lights and over 250 light displays, as well as other events that take place throughout the season.

Learn more and also plan a visit to Santaland on the Holiday in Lights website.
5. Holiday Lights on the Hill
1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
Holiday Lights on the Hill
Holiday Lights on the Hill takes place at Pyramid Hill in Hamilton and is likely the most artistic of all of the displays in the Cincinnati area. Drive through this two-mile round-trip experience that includes an incredible blend of illumination and artwork.

Plan a trip to this unique holiday destination on its website.
6. Light Up Middletown
500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
Facebook/Light Up Middletown
This favorite drive-thru light display is celebrating 20 years of festive fun this season. Admission is by a cash donation and you'll want to definitely plan on donating to keep this tradition going and to help out local needs.

Learn more on the Light Up Middletown website.

Drive-thru Christmas lights displays in Cincinnati are a wonderful way for the entire family to enjoy the holiday season. And since many of these attractions also include other activities, there truly is something for everyone. Do you have a favorite of these Christmas lights displays in Cincinnati? Let us know in the comments!

And for another nostalgic display where you don’t have to get out of your car, check out this over-the-top Christmas house in Cincinnati.

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More to Explore

Christmas In Cincinnati

William Suphan | October 13, 2022

What are the best free holiday events in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati hosts a good number of free holiday events that are fun for the whole family. South Lebanon holds an annual Village Horse Parade with horses decked out like reindeer and adorned with holiday wreaths and other decorations. On Sundays, the Taft Museum of Art brings you back through time with their Antique Christmas event where you can see how trees and homes were decorated with Christmas cheer in decades past. Mt. Healthy really livens up the holidays with a day of discounted chopping, craft-making, delicious foods and brews, and much more.

What are the best holiday attractions in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has no shortage of bucket list holiday happenings available. The Cincinnati Ballet hosts an annual production of The Nutcracker. The ballet dancers perform this Tchaikovsky classic in such a talented, magical style and is a true delight. The Cincinnati Museum Center holds an event called Holiday Junction where toy electric trains meander through an intricate and massive collection of Lego settings known as Brickopolis. Scenes from Disney, Marvel, DC, Harry Potter, and more are recreated in painstaking detail. This has been an annual Cincinnati tradition for over 75 years! Bring the kids and watch their faces light up with smiles as they see their favorite fantasy places done up in lights.

What are some fun and whimsical ways that Christmas is celebrated in Cincinnati?

One of the most fun events in the city is SantaCon where hundreds of people dress up as Santa Claus and have an absolute riot as they pub crawl their way through downtown. Even those who don't participate get a huge smile on their face watching all the silly Santas cavorting about and having the time of their lives. The Overlook Lodge hosts an annual pop-up bar called Miracle where every inch of the place is bedecked in dazzling, sparking lights and decorations. Even the walls are covered in wrapping paper.

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Featured Addresses
Coney Island Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230, USA
Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Rd, Burlington, KY 41005, USA
Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Rd, Sharonville, OH 45241, USA
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013, USA
Light Up Middletown, 500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042, USA
Land of Illusion Adventure Park, 8762 Thomas Rd, Middletown, OH 45042, USA