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Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Holiday Lights

Find your holiday spirit by visiting these  Christmas light shows in Ohio. To make your visit even more special dress up in your festive holiday ware, pack a thermos full of hot cocoa and tune your radio to holiday music and enjoy!

Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

75 Water St, Clifton

$10 per person for everyone age 4 and older. Children 3 and under get in FREE! Free parking
Nov. 25 through Dec. 30  7 Nights a Week – 6pm to 9pm
Gates close at 9pm, light go off 30 minutes later
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, hours are 6-8pm
With over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges. There is even a 100 foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights. The flip of one switch turns all the lights on at once transforming night into a fantastical winter wonderland which includes a MiniatureVillage, a Santa Claus Museum , a Toy Collection and a spectacular synchronized lights and music show that features the old Covered Bridge.

Fort St. Clair’s Whispering Christmas

135 Camden Rd. Eaton
Gates are open 6:00-9:30 p.m.
A $5 donation per vehicle is greatly appreciated!

 What began in 1987 with just 800 lights now has grown to over 2 million lights, open every night from Nov. 26 through New Year’s Eve.

Holiday in Lights

Armco Park 1223 N. State Route 741, Lebanon
$20 carload- buy in advance.   15 Passenger Vans $60

November 18th-December 13th
6 PM-9 PM Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. | 5:30 PM-10 PM Friday & Saturday
Please note they are closed on Monday and Tuesday as well as Thanksgiving Day.

December 14th-December 30th
6 PM-9 PM Sunday-Thursday | 5:30 PM-10 PM Friday & Saturday

The holiday-themed displays showcase everything from Santa Claus and his elves, to every animal on the ark. There’s no need to bundle up to enjoy Holiday in Lights; simply warm up the car, round up your friends, family, or a special date, and head to Armco Park. Don’t forget to purchase special effects glasses at the gate to enhance your experience –  $2 for one, or 3 for $5 this year!

Holiday Lights at Lost Creek Reserve

2645 E. St. Rt. 41, Troy

$10 per car | $30 for 15 passenger vans

Open weekends November 25 thru December 23
Additional days for 2022 December 19-22 (Monday-Thursday) from 6-9 pm
Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m. Last car admitted at 9:30 pm
Sundays from 6 to 9 pm

Be transported into a winter wonderland filled with over 60 light displays, many of which are animated!  The 1.25-mile driving tour takes you through the woods, down charming farm lanes and past the historic Knoop Homestead aglow with lights.  Make this enchanted experience part of your holiday traditions.

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Land of Illusion  Christmas Glow & Winter Wonder Land

8762 Thomas Rd Middletown, OH 45042
Nov. 23 – Dec. 30. Closed from Nov. 28 through 30 and on Christmas Day.

Celebrate the season at The Christmas Glow, over 3.8 million lights at the 2-mile long Christmas Around the World drive-thru experience, visit Santa at the Christmas Village Santa Workshop or just take in the majestic lights of the 45-foot Christmas Tree as you and yours warm by the gas fire pits.

Pictures with Santa, a petting zoo, bon fires, personalized ornaments, kids rides, characters to meet, some delicious holiday treats, and drink options galore for both kids and adults!

Lights in the Heights
Huber Heights has put together a map that will lead you on a drive through of some of the best decorated houses in the area.  Check out this link for the map.  There are 2 lists in the map – Red light bulbs are the decorated homes. Green trees are the hospitality tents.

 Light up Middletown
A Drive – Through Fantasy Light Display

Smith Park 500 Tytus Avenue  Middletown
Every Night Thanksgiving Through New Year’s Eve 6 – 10pm  Open in all weather & Holidays
Admission by cash donation – you set the price!

A driving tour through a 100-acre park. Enter through the tunnel of lights to enjoy a sparkling fantasyland.  Several themed displays include a floating Sea Serpent in the reflecting lake, Santa’s Workshop, American Flag, Penguin Village, Deer Leaping Over the Roadway, Helicopter, Whales and much more – all with thousands of twinkling LED animated lights.

Park Lights

December 1–31 • 6-9 pm

Caesar Ford Park • 520 South Stringtown Rd. • Xenia
free drive thru event
Forget deck the halls! We’ve decked the park with dazzling lights! You’ll wind your way through dazzling themes – Winter Wonderland, North Pole Car Show, Winter Farm, and Festive Festival. Then you can wave to Santa at the North Pole! Drive through once, and you’ll want to do it all over again. Be sure to make this a holiday tradition! For more information call 937-562-6440.

The Christmas Ranch

Nov. 18 through Dec. 23. Closed Thanksgiving Day.   Fri and Sat 5 -10 pm,  Sun – Thurs  5 – 9 pm.

205 S. Waynesville Rd., Morrow
$22 per carload, $33 per oversized van (10+ visitors) and free parking, Reservations required for admission.

 An indoor and outdoor experience with seven heated buildings in the village area. The ranch has an expansive light display, animals, train and wagon rides, Christmas shops, Santa’s bakery and cafe, and bonfire.

Woodland Lights

895 Miamisburg Centerville Rd, Washington Township

$9 Purchase tickets in advance online or on the night of! Children 2 and under are free. Season Passes are $20.22

Visitors can stroll through the ten acres of sparkling light and whimsical displays or take a ride on the Rieck Express train along a separate path! Climb aboard this colorful four car train that seats up to sixteen and take a scenic ride that winds past the Pollinator Garden and the vernal pond, creating a treasured new memory for long-time visitors.

  • Thursday – Sunday: November 18 through December 23 – 6-9 pm
  • Nightly: December 15 through December 23 – 6-9 pm.  On Wednesday, December 21 we are celebrating the longest night of the year and staying open until 11 pm
  • Closed December 24 & 25

Yuletide Village at RenaissancePark

10542 OH-73 Waynesville, Ohio 45068

November 25 – December 17, 2022.
Fridays 5 – 9 pm | Saturdays 3 – 9 pm

Wander through themed lit areas ranging from the rivers of lights to our colorful Gum Drop Alley while costumed carolers serenade you. Get your holiday shopping done and stay toasty at our warming stations placed around the park.

Santa has set up a workshop in our village and is ready to hear your holiday wishes! And while you are here, you can bargain with Krampus to get off the naughty list.