Cincinnati Nights of Lights, one of Greater Cincinnati’s largest synchronized light shows, opens for the season on November 23. With over 2 million lights dancing all around this HUGE drive-through experience, you’ll be amazed!
This holiday light tradition continues but in a new home. The lights, the themes, and the general set-ups are the same as in years past but they’ll be changed up a bit for the new location. The sequence has changed and the route has changed… but the elements remain the same.
And where is this new home? Cincinnati Nights of Lights will be at the Clermont County Fairgrounds this year. Located in Owensville, the Clermont County Fairgrounds are about 20 minutes from I-275 via Rt. 50 or Rt. 32.
What to Expect at Cincinnati Nights of Lights
Timed tickets are being sold online this year. You’ll choose your date and a time when you book your ticket (they’re hoping this will greatly reduce the wait as you pull up to the event).
Tickets will NOT be sold at the gate this year. Timed tickets are required.
Admission to Cincinnati Nights of Lights is by the carload.
Signs will direct you as to where to enter the fairgrounds for Nights of Lights. You’ll pull in and make your way to the entrance.
After you get into the show, you’ll turn off your headlights and begin your experience!
Crank It Up!
As you pull in you’ll see signs that tell you how to tune the car’s radio into the show’s music. Don’t go without the music because they do an AMAZING job with synchronizing the show to the lights.
The music will include both traditional and rocking holiday music – always something for every person to love. You’ll hear lots of Christmas songs, old and new. Be ready for a sing-along! After all, “the best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”
Tips for Making the Most of Your Evening:
🎄 We like to go early in the year… seriously early in the year… like the first or second week they’re open. And we like to go early in the evening, just before dusk. The lines to get in should be short at that time and you should have lots of space between cars as you drive through the show.
🎄 In fact, we’ve found that the perfect time to go is early in the season, early in the evening, AND on a night when it’s raining just a bit (the show goes on, rain or shine). We could still see everything just fine and the raindrops on the windshield added to the magic. I can’t tell you whether this tip will work all season long but…
🎄 Pack some snacks and drinks. We like to kick off the season with this outing so I pack some fun Christmas treats. It’s such a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. They do NOT sell any concessions at Nights of Lights.
🎄 Here’s a tip that might make you laugh … be sure you know how to turn off your headlights and dial in your radio. We bought a new car this year and I will admit the headlights thing will have to be something I look into before we go!
🎄 Take some blankets if you’re not wearing coats in the car. You will probably want to roll the windows down, at least at some times, to take it all in. You won’t NEED to open the windows to enjoy the show but the kids do love to do it.
All the Important Things!
This show goes on, rain or shine!
If you’re taking kids, there’s a good chance you’ll need a potty break. Seriously, no matter how much we request that everyone go before we leave the house, we always have one that needs to go. Be aware they have a portable potty at the entrance gate and at the exit. We hop out with the kiddo (every single year!) while we’re in line at the gate and run in and out.
You can expect the show to last 30 minutes or so. You will have to go with the flow of the traffic but because we go early in the season (see tips section above), we’ve always just taken our time as we drive it.
Timed tickets are required. Tickets are non-refundable. See their site for full details.
Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show and begin a new Christmas tradition!
Cincinnati Nights of Lights will open on November 23, 2024 and closes on January 5, 2025.
Tickets must be purchased online and timed tickets are required. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.
Pricing is by the carload, just $30 (plus service fee) for up to 8 passengers.
The show will go on, rain or shine!
You’ll find the light show at Clermont County Fairgrounds, OH-132, Owensville, Ohio 45160
My wife and I like to go on Christmas Eve which is a Friday. How much is admission on a Friday? Mon thru Thurs is only listed.
We visited last night….7 people ages 75,74,43,22,16,3 &1. Spent nearly an hour in line…….had we not driven an hour to get there, we would have left after 45 minutes waiting in line.
But once the show began, we were mesmerized!!! Thumbs up, People….we’ll be back next. Year….with more family members!!