Christmastime is a magical time here in Ohio. Towns come alive with Christmas cheer and shopping centers light up the night with twinkling lights. The following are 10 Ohio towns that will get you in the Christmas spirit this year. They’ll make you feel as if you’ve fallen into a snow globe.
See how many you want to visit this year:
- Cambridge
Dickens Victorian Village of Cambridge/Facebook Dickens Victorian Village in Cambridge is a must-see. Take a trip back in time and explore the historic downtown of Cambridge. Until early January, the town is transformed into old world England, featuring more than 80 scenes of 180 lifelike figures representing typical scenes from Victorian society and Dickens’ novels.
- Crocker Park
Crocker Park/Facebook It’s almost impossible to not be in the Christmas spirit while you get your holiday shopping done here. During the month of December, this popular shopping center goes all out for the holidays with a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas train rides and visits with Santa.
- Gallipolis
Gallipolis In Lights/Facebook The French City’s park lights up the night during the holiday season, beginning November 23. Visit this quaint small town along the Ohio River for a visit to Santa’s house (also located in the park) and a memorable holiday season. You’ll find the city park at 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631.
- Lebanon
Warren County CVB/Flickr The Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival takes place in downtown Lebanon on December 2nd. (The Christmas Festival is from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and the Horse-Drawn Carriage Parades are held at 1p.m. and 7 p.m.) This free event also features gift and food vendors stationed along E Mulberry St, Christmas carolers, musical entertainment and train rides to the North Pole via the North Pole Express to visit Santa.
- Kirtland
Friends of the Kirtland Ohio Stake/Facebook Featuring 150,000 Christmas lights and more than 1,000 nativity scenes from around the world, this historic village is a unique holiday experience for families. The exhibit opens for the season on November 26 at 7 p.m. with free hot chocolate and caroling at the Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center.
- Easton Town Center
Ryan/Flickr Every year, this popular central Ohio outdoor shopping mall is decked out in Christmas lights and decor for the season. The shopping center also features Santa visits, ice skating and carolers.
- Steubenville
Steubenville Nutcracker Village/Facebook The Steubenville Nutcracker Village features the largest display of life size nutcrackers in the U.S., Christmas lights, vendors, caroling and more at the at the Fort Steuben Park. The nutcrackers will be on display from November 21st until January 7th.
- Middletown
Light Up Middletown/Facebook This town lights up the night every night during the holiday season. Light Up Middletown is open the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, featuring a drive-thru light display. (Donations are encouraged.) View the lights every night from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., regardless of weather (including holidays.) It is located at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH 45042.
- Grand Rapids
Downtown Grand Rapids Ohio/Facebook This town goes all out for the holiday season with a Christmas Open House, which features horse drawn wagon rides, ice sculptures, twinkle lights and more. Throughout the holiday season, the whole town is festively decorated.
- The Christmas Ranch
April Dray/Only In Your State This popular family fun attraction features a million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music, Christmas shops, pictures with Santa, wagon and train rides and hot food and drinks. Hours for Sunday - Thursday are 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. (The Christmas Ranch will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.) The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH 45152.
Have you visited any of these enchanting towns during Christmastime? If so, we want to know what your experience was like. What other towns would you add to this list? Let us know!
Dickens Victorian Village of Cambridge/Facebook
Dickens Victorian Village in Cambridge is a must-see. Take a trip back in time and explore the historic downtown of Cambridge. Until early January, the town is transformed into old world England, featuring more than 80 scenes of 180 lifelike figures representing typical scenes from Victorian society and Dickens’ novels.
Crocker Park/Facebook
It’s almost impossible to not be in the Christmas spirit while you get your holiday shopping done here. During the month of December, this popular shopping center goes all out for the holidays with a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas train rides and visits with Santa.
Gallipolis In Lights/Facebook
The French City’s park lights up the night during the holiday season, beginning November 23. Visit this quaint small town along the Ohio River for a visit to Santa’s house (also located in the park) and a memorable holiday season. You’ll find the city park at 2nd Ave., Gallipolis, OH 45631.
Warren County CVB/Flickr
The Lebanon Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Christmas Festival takes place in downtown Lebanon on December 2nd. (The Christmas Festival is from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and the Horse-Drawn Carriage Parades are held at 1p.m. and 7 p.m.) This free event also features gift and food vendors stationed along E Mulberry St, Christmas carolers, musical entertainment and train rides to the North Pole via the North Pole Express to visit Santa.
Friends of the Kirtland Ohio Stake/Facebook
Featuring 150,000 Christmas lights and more than 1,000 nativity scenes from around the world, this historic village is a unique holiday experience for families. The exhibit opens for the season on November 26 at 7 p.m. with free hot chocolate and caroling at the Historic Kirtland Visitors’ Center.
Ryan/Flickr
Every year, this popular central Ohio outdoor shopping mall is decked out in Christmas lights and decor for the season. The shopping center also features Santa visits, ice skating and carolers.
Steubenville Nutcracker Village/Facebook
The Steubenville Nutcracker Village features the largest display of life size nutcrackers in the U.S., Christmas lights, vendors, caroling and more at the at the Fort Steuben Park. The nutcrackers will be on display from November 21st until January 7th.
Light Up Middletown/Facebook
This town lights up the night every night during the holiday season. Light Up Middletown is open the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve, featuring a drive-thru light display. (Donations are encouraged.) View the lights every night from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., regardless of weather (including holidays.) It is located at 500 Tytus Ave., Middletown, OH 45042.
Downtown Grand Rapids Ohio/Facebook
This town goes all out for the holiday season with a Christmas Open House, which features horse drawn wagon rides, ice sculptures, twinkle lights and more. Throughout the holiday season, the whole town is festively decorated.
April Dray/Only In Your State
This popular family fun attraction features a million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music, Christmas shops, pictures with Santa, wagon and train rides and hot food and drinks. Hours for Sunday - Thursday are 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Friday - Saturday from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. (The Christmas Ranch will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.) The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S Waynesville Rd., Morrow, OH 45152.
For more holiday fun in Ohio this year, check out our previous article: 14 Magical Light Displays In Ohio That Will Simply Mesmerize You This Season.
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