It’s a magical time of year where shimmering strands of colorful lights, evergreen trees, Christmas music, and maybe even a snowflake or two will be all around us in Ohio.
One of our favorite ways to “get into the spirit” is to pack our favorite beverages and some yummy Christmas cookies and head out to drive through a festive light display. Fun for all ages; it’s a great way to escape the “hurry” of the season and make some great memories. And, bonus, no screens are involved!
Keep reading to learn more about all the best drive through Christmas lights in Ohio.
We have done our best to provide accurate information about each event. Changes do occur, however, so be sure to check the event website before you head out the door.
Drive Through Christmas Lights in Northeast Ohio
Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake
Held on the banks of Lake Erie, this drive through light display is held at Lakeshore Park. Lights on the Lake includes 70+ light displays and covers 54 acres across the park.
Dates: November 25 – December 31, 2022
Admission: suggested donation is $5 per car or van, $1 per person on bus, mini-buses $20
Address: 1700 East 1st Street, Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 (use the entrance on Lake Rd. (531) at State Rd.)
Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park
Experience this 1.25 mile drive through the fairgrounds featuring more than 2 million lights and 40 displays.
Dates: Opening on November 25, 2022
Admission: TBA for 2022-23
Address: Great Geauga County Fairgrounds, 14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton, Ohio
Bright Nights
Bright Nights, Mercy Health’s gift to the community, is held at the Allen County Fairgrounds. See over 80 LED light displays including a light tunnel, illuminated trees and buildings, and more. The Lima Symphony Orchestra performs music from The Nutcracker over the radio as you drive thru the lights.
Dates: Opening on Nov. 26, 2022; Sat and Sun only for first two weekends; Fri-Sun from Dec. 9 to Dec. 18; open Wed.-Sat., Dec. 21 – Dec. 24
Admission: cash only at the gate (no credit cards accepted); $10 per vehicle and $30 per bus
Address: Allen County Fairgrounds, 2750 Harding Highway, Lima, Ohio 45804
Christmas Cruise Thru
Held at the Defiance County Fairgrounds, this Christmas lights drive thru features over 3 million lights along 2.5 miles of displays. Watch their calendar for special events on select weekends: live reindeer, visits with Santa, mini village, vendors, festival of trees, and more.
Dates: November 25 – December 24, 2022; 6-9pm
Admission: goodwill donation
Address: 530 South Main St., Hicksville, Ohio 43526
Magic of Lights™
Featuring more than 40 festive scenes and a 200-foot light tunnel, Magic of Lights™ covers more than a mile of course at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.
Dates: Nov. 23, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Admission: varies by date
Address: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130
Upper’s Winter Fantasy of Lights
Harrison Smith Park will be transformed for this December drive through light show. Be amazed by 33 acres of park with millions of lights along the drive. They offer horse drawn carriage rides (reservations required) on Mondays, Tuesday, and Wednesdays.
Dates: December 1-30
Admission: a donation per car is requested: proceeds benefit a local charitable organization
Address: 525 East Wyandot Ave., Upper Sandusky, Ohio 43351
Wild Winter Lights Drive Through at Cleveland Zoo
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will be transformed into a winter wonderland when they host Wild Winter Lights. This Ohio Christmas light show will feature hundreds of lighting displays and over 1.5 million lights across holiday themed areas including Candyland, the Enchanted Forest, Santa’s Workshop, and more.
Drive Through Dates: Nov. 15,16, 22, 29, 30 and Dec. 1-4,8-11,15-23,26-30
Admission: $57 per car for Zoo members and $66 per car for non-members
Address: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, Ohio 44109
Winter Wonderland
Held at the Sandusky County Fairgrounds, Winter Wonderland will be happening from December 11-22, 2022.
Drive Thru Dates: Sundays through Thursdays, December 11-22, 2022
Admission: TBA for 2022-23
Address: Sandusky County Fairgrounds, 901 Rawson Ave., Fremont, Ohio 43420
Drive Through Christmas Lights in Central Ohio
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Columbus’ original drive thru light show, this locally owned and operated holiday light show is held at the Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds in Delaware, Ohio.
Dates: November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Admission: prices vary; 2022-23 pricing is $20 (on Mon-Thurs) and $30 (on Fri-Sun) per car/minivan/SUV; tickets can be purchased at the ticket gate (cash, credit or debit) or online; special pricing for active military and veterans; see site for pricing on large and multi-passenger vehicles; season pass available while supplies last
Address: 3311 S Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015
Magic of Lights™ at the Historic Crew Stadium
This new for 2022 display of lights is held at the Historic Crew Stadium. See over a million lights at this new location for Magic of Lights™.
Dates: Nov. 23, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Admission: varies by the day of your visit
Address: Historic Crew Stadium, 717 East 17th St., Columbus, OH 43211
You Might Also Like: 7 Christmas Towns in Ohio to Put on Your Holiday Bucket List
Parklights at Caesar Ford Park
They’ve packed the park with lights! Drive through Caesar Ford Park’s Winter Wonderland, North Pole Car Show, Winter Farm, and Festive Festival, then wave to Santa at the North Pole.
Dates: December 1-31, 2022; 6-9pm
Admission: no fee mentioned
Address: Caesar Ford Park, 520 South Stringtown Rd., Xenia, Ohio 45385
Wonderlight’s Christmas
A great addition to the best drive through Christmas lights in Ohio list is Wonderlight’s Christmas, the largest Christmas light show in central Ohio. See more than 1 million lights synchronized to music (tune in with your car stereo) at this crowd favorite.
Dates: November 11, 2022- January 1, 2023; 5:30-10pm
Admission: $30 per car (up to 7 passengers), full sized buses and large RV’s are not permitted
Address: Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Road, Hartford, OH 43013
Drive Through Christmas Lights in Southwest Ohio
We have an entire article dedicated to the great drive through Christmas light shows in and around Cincinnati!
Get the scoop on all of the following events here: Drive Through Christmas Light Shows in Cincinnati
- Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island
- Holiday in Lights at Armco Park
- Journey Borealis at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
- Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion
- Light up Middletown
- and more!
