The best spots to be dazzled by holiday lights in 2022
Nothing captures the magic of the holiday season quite like being surrounded by thousands of dazzling holiday lights. I’ve pulled together a list of the best spots to see holiday lights around Cincinnati in 2022. Here you’ll find both drive thru and walkable light displays.
Cincinnati Holiday Lights 2022
Drive Thru Light Displays
Holiday in Lights at Armco Park
New location for 2022
Holiday in Lights, an outdoor, drive thru light display, has moved from Sharon Woods up to Armco Park in Warren County. This attraction is open from November 18 to December 30, 2022. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Mondays and Tuesdays – until the last 2 weeks in December when it will be open nightly. Holiday in Lights begins at 6pm during the week, and 5:30pm on weekends.
Tickets can be purchased online (find a $1 off coupon here) or at the gate (no cash is accepted this year).
Holiday in Lights at Armco Park is located at 1223 OH-741, Lebanon, OH 45036
Nights of Lights at Coney Island
Another popular outdoor, drive thru light display is Nights of Lights at Coney Island. This light display is open nightly from dusk to 10:00pm beginning November 11, 2022 through January 3, 2023. There can be a bit of a wait to get in, so plan on going early and during the week to avoid crowds. Coney Island also has an activity packet you can print off from their website to keep the kiddos occupied while you wait.
Tickets to Nights of Lights are available by the carload and can be purchased online or at the gate.
Nights of Lights at Coney Island is located at 6201 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45230
Journey Borealis at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
Journey Borealis, the annual drive thru light display at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park and Museum, features scenes celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas. This light display runs from November 18, 2022 through January 1, 2023. Journey Borealis is open from 6:00pm to 9:00pm Tuesday to Thursday, and from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Friday to Sunday. It is closed on Monday.
Admission is by the carload and tickets can be purchased at the gate. Admission is free on Tuesdays for City of Hamilton residents with ID or current utility bill.
Journey Borealis at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is located at 1763 Hamilton Cleves Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013
Light Up The Fair at The Boone County Fairgrounds
Light Up The Fair is a drivable light display through the Boone County Fairgrounds. This attraction runs November 11 to December 31, 2022. It is open from 5:30pm to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, and 5:30pm to 10:00pm Friday and Saturday. Tickets can be purchased online.
Light Up The Fair at The Boone County Fairgrounds is located at 5819 Idlewild Rd, Burlington, KY 41005
Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion
Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion is back for 2022 beginning November 23 through December 30, 2022, but closed November 28-30 and Christmas Day. The Christmas Drive Thru is open nightly from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Other attractions, such as Santa’s Workshop and petting zoo, are closed December 5-7, so check their calendar before heading out.
After you enjoy the lights, explore the Christmas Village on foot. You can find Santa in Santa’s Workshop, peruse the gift shop, or enjoy the petting zoo.
Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion is located at 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, OH 45042
The Christmas Ranch
The Christmas Ranch is a drive thru light experience in Morrow. This attraction runs from November 18 through December 23, 2022. It is open 5:00 to 9:00pm Sunday though Thursday, and 5:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased online.
Take time to explore the ranch after viewing the light displays. There are Christmas shops, photos with Santa, and train and wagon rides.
The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow, OH 45152
Light Up Middletown
Light Up Middletown is a drive thru light display at Smith Park in downtown Middletown. It is open nightly from 6:00pm to 10:00pm beginning Thanksgiving to New Years Eve (November 24 to December 31, 2022). Admission is by cash donation only.
For more holiday fun, checkout nearby Holiday Whopla, where you’ll find Santa, ice skating, a holiday train, and more.
Light Up Middletown is located at Smith Park at 500 Tytus Ave, Middletown, OH 45042
Galbraith Road in North College Hill
Galbraith Road through North College Hill is one of our favorite spots to take a drive to look at holiday lights. Zapf’s Christmas Display at 2032 W Galbraith Road is one of the most well-know displays at a private residence around town. Downtown North College Hill itself is beautiful, with decorated lamp posts and archways of lights throughout the downtown area.
Walkable Light Displays
PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The most magical time to visit the Cincinnati Zoo is during the PNC Festival of Lights. Millions of lights adorn the zoo during this outdoor, walkable event that runs from November 18, 2022 to January 8, 2023, but closed on holidays. The Cincinnati Zoo is open from 10:00am to 9:00pm, with festivities beginning at 4pm.
While at the Festival of Lights, make sure to also check out the light show on Swan Lake, the North Polar Express train ride, blacklight puppet show, visits with Santa and Mrs. Clause, and more. Admission to the Festival of Lights is included in Zoo tickets and passes.
PNC Festival of Lights at The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is located at 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45220
Deck The Y’alls Lightfest at Florence Y’alls Thomas More Stadium
New for 2022
New this year is Deck The Y’alls Lightfest at Florence Y’alls Thomas More Stadium. This walkable light display runs November 25, 2022 to January 1, 2023. It is open 5:30pm to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, and 5:30pm to 10:00pm Friday and Saturday, with special hours on holidays. It is also closed on November 28-29, and December 5-6.
In addition to the light display, there will also be ice skating, Santa, carnival rides, and vendors. Tickets to Deck The Y’alls Lightfest can be purchased online, and prices vary by date. There is also an additional charge for ice skating, Santa, and carnival rides.
Deck The Y’alls Lightfest at Florence Y’alls Thomas More Stadium is located at 7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY 41042
Holidays on the Farm at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods
New for 2022
Holidays on the Farm is the new holiday event for Great Parks of Hamilton County. This replaces the Holiday in Lights drive thru display, which has since moved to Armco Park in Warren County. Holidays on the Farm is open on select nights from 5:00pm to 9:00pm beginning November 18 to December 23, 2022. In November, this attraction is open Friday to Sunday. In December, it is open Thursday to Sunday the first two weekends, then open nightly from December 15-23.
At Holiday on the Farm, you can expect a walkable light display through nature trails, Santa, animal encounters, hayrides, interactive train display, food and drink options (including a beer garden!), and more. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door – although it is cheaper to buy tickets in advance.
Holidays on the Farm at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods is located at 10073 Daly Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park
A Carillon Christmas is a holiday event at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio. This event begins November 22 through December 30, 2022, excluding holidays. It is open 5:00pm to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, and 5:00pm to 10:00pm Friday and Saturday.
In addition to the light displays throughout the park, there will be train rides, Santa, a Christmas village, and more.
A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park is located at 1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton, OH 45409
Winter Nights, River Lights on the Purple People Bridge
The Purple People Bridge (officially known as the Newport Southbank Bridge) is a bright purple, pedestrian-only bridge that connects Cincinnati to Newport, Kentucky.
From November 18, 2022 through January 8, 2023, the bridge is decked out with festive lights and holiday music, in a display known as Winter Nights, River Lights. Make sure to also check out The Wish Tree Program Christmas Tree on the Newport side of the bridge.
The Purple People Bridge is located at 1 Levy Way, Newport, KY 41071
WinterFest at Kings Island
WinterFest at Kings Island features the amusement park decked out in holiday lights, along with holiday shows, games, and attractions galore. This attraction runs on select nights beginning November 25 through December 31, 2022.
Some of the most popular rides are also open during the winter festivities, including the K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad. Attractions include ice skating, photos with Santa, baking cookies with Mrs. Clause and more.
WinterFest at Kings Island is located at 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH 45034
Light In The Forest at Cincinnati Nature Center
The Light In The Forest display at Cincinnati Nature Center features light installations along a trail through the woods. This display runs from 5:30pm to 9:00pm on select dates December 1, 2022 through January 1, 2023. Light In The Forest is closed on December 24 and 25.
Preregistration is required for this event, that also features, a bonfire, children’s activities, live music, and holiday shopping.
Light In The Forest at Cincinnati Nature Center is located at 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150
I hope you find the best spot for your family to enjoy the magic of holiday lights around Cincinnati. Happy Holidays, friends!
If you enjoyed our post on holiday trains, make sure to also check out Santa in Cincinnati and Holiday Trains for all the holiday fun around Cincinnati.