If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Clevelanders in the time I’ve been running this blog, it’s this: CLEVELAND LOVES CHRISTMAS.
I always tell people that Cleveland is a “summer city” because of all the great things there are to do when the weather is warm. But you know what? I think Cleveland is a Christmas city, too!
There’s always a long list of things to do in Cleveland at Christmas, from going ice skating to seeing theater productions to visiting pop-up holiday markets and bars. But by far my favorite part of the Christmas season in Cleveland revolves around the decorations – and especially the holiday lights.
There are no shortage of holiday light displays on offer each Christmas in the Cleveland area, whether they’re big commercial displays or smaller ones at peoples’ homes.
Below I’ve rounded up the best holiday light displays near Cleveland, along with info on each for the 2023 season.
You’ll find info on:
- Holiday lights in the city
- Drive-thru Christmas lights
- Downtown displays in other cities/towns
- Private home displays
- Other notable displays
Note: We try to keep this post updated as much as possible in the run-up to the holiday season! Info was last updated on November 18, 2023.
Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in Cleveland
Holiday lights in the city
Downtown Cleveland does Christmas lights and decorations pretty well! Here are my favorite spots for holiday lights downtown:
1. Public Square
Where: Public Square, downtown Cleveland
The halls (er… sidewalks?) are always decked in Public Square for Christmas. With a giant tree, an ice skating rink, and thousands of lights to enjoy, this is a must-visit spot starting the Saturday after Thanksgiving (the official lighting ceremony is called WinterLand).
Take a stroll through lighted tunnels, and check out a light/animation show that involves Terminal Tower three times per hour (from 4-10 p.m.) every night of the week through early January.
You can also see the Christmas window displays, Christmas trees, and other decorations inside Tower City.
How much: All the decorations in and around Public Square are always free to enjoy!
2. The Arcade
Where: 401 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
The historic Cleveland Arcade is one of my favorite downtown places to visit anytime of year, but especially around the holidays. The Arcade puts up twinkling garland with bows, and a sparkly Christmas tree.
This isn’t a huge lighting display like some of the others on this list, but it’s still a pretty place to stop for a photo if you’re already downtown.
How much: Free! (Though note that they do require a permit for professional photo shoots.)
Note: The Hyatt Regency owns most of the Arcade, and after a certain hour at night, only hotel guests are permitted inside the Arcade.
3. NELA Park display
Where: 1975 Noble Rd, East Cleveland
Over in East Cleveland, the lighting display at the headquarters of GE Lighting at Nela Park is always a family favorite. This holiday lighting display includes 1 million LED lights in colorfully lit vignettes that stretch along Noble Road for several blocks.
They even have a replica of the National Christmas Tree, which is designed each year by Debbie George, who is a local GE Lighting employee and helps design the Nela Park display each year, too.
The lights turn on this year on December 1, 2023, and will be on 24/7 through January 4, 2024.
Price: Free!
4. Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Where: 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is once again putting on a winter lights display in 2023. Wild Winter Lights features hundreds of lighting displays across several holiday-themed areas including Candyland, Enchanted Forest, Starry Skies, Santa’s Workshop, and more scattered throughout the Zoo grounds.
There will also be costumed characters, hot cocoa for sale, ice sculptures, live performances, and of course the chance to meet Santa!
Wild Winter Lights is designed as a walk-through event, but they’re also offering a drive-thru option on specific nights.
The event is running Tuesday-Sunday, November 14-December 30, 2023. Hours are 5:30-10:30 p.m. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended. Learn more about the walk-through experience here, or the drive-through experience here.
How much: Tickets are $19 for Zoo members and $22 for non-members if purchased in advance. Drive-through tickets are $45 per car for Zoo members and $55 per car for non-members. It’s highly recommended that you book your timed tickets in advance. You can buy them here.
Drive-thru Christmas lights
Speaking of drive-through holiday lights shows, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo isn’t the only option. There are several professionally-designed drive-through lights shows in the Cleveland area, too, and they’re all popular during the holiday season.
Here are all the options within an hour of Cleveland:
1. Magic of Lights
Where: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights
This drive-through light display at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds features the latest LED technology and digital animations, and more than 1 million individual lights!
And while this is primarily a drive-thru display, there’s also a “Jolly Holiday Village” set up along the route with concessions, crafts, and of course Santa. You are permitted to stop in the village and get out of your car, but you don’t have to.
Magic of Lights runs daily from 5:30-10 p.m. from November 22, 2023 though December 31, 2023. It’s recommended to go on a weeknight if you want to avoid lines.
How much: Entry prices are per vehicle, and start at $23 per vehicle if you purchase tickets online in advance. At the gate, tickets are $30 per car at the gate Monday-Thursday, and $35 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Buy tickets here.
2. Country Lights
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd, Kirtland
Another annual light display, the Lake Metroparks Farmpark is once again offering its popular Country Lights this year. Light displays of all shapes and sizes line the route, which will take anywhere from 20 and 45 minutes to drive through.
Country Lights takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. Nov.30-Dec. 3, Dec. 7-10, and Dec. 14-22. This is a strictly drive-thru event, so you shouldn’t expect to get out of your car at all.
How much: Advanced tickets are required, and tickets are $27.50 per car. Buy tickets here.
3. Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park
Where: Geauga County Fairgrounds, 14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton
The Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light drive-through follows a 1.5-mile path through the Geauga County Fairgrounds. There are 40 different Christmas light displays to see, made with 2 million individual LED lights. Many of the displays are animated along to music.
This drive-through is open November 24, 2023-January 3, 2024 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 5:30-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. It takes 20-40 minutes to drive through, depending on how crowded it is.
How much: Tickets are $25 for cars with up to 7 passengers, and $40 for vehicles with over 8 passengers. Buy online here.
4. Holiday Lights Cruise-Thru
Where: Carlisle Equestrian Center, 13630 Diagonal Road, LaGrange
Another family-friendly drive-through lights event is happening at the Lorain County Metro Parks’ Carlisle Reservation. You’ll be able to see twinkling lights and holiday scenes throughout the 26-acre park.
This is another drive-through-only event, so don’t expect to leave your car.
You can drive through Wednesday-Sunday from November 25-December 30, 2023 from 5:30-9 p.m. Learn more here. (And note that on Wednesday-Saturday evenings in December, there’s also a walk-through trail at the Carlisle Visitor Center.)
How much: Free, but all visitors are asked to bring at least one non-perishable food item that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.
5. Drive Thru Holiday Lights
Where: Medina County Fairgrounds, 720 W Smith Rd, Medina
This drive-through holiday light display at the Medina County Fairgrounds is one of the largest in the area, with 85+ different displays.
The event runs Fridays-Sundays from November 24-December 10, and also from December 15-31 in 2023. It is open 6-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 6-9 p.m. on Sundays and weeknights. Find more info here.
How much: It costs $10.00 per car or $20.00 per van/small bus. Cash or check payments only.
6. Lights on the Lake
Where: Lakeshore Park, 1700 East 1st Street, Ashtabula
This light display in Ashtabula County claims to be the largest holiday light display on Lake Erie. It has 70 displays across the 54 acres of Lakeshore Park, including an even larger display this year that is animated to music.
Lights on the Lake runs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 6-9 p.m. from November 25 through December 31, 2023. Learn more here.
How much: $5 per car
Downtown displays in other cities/towns
Cleveland puts up some lovely holiday lights, for sure. But so do other small towns in northeast Ohio. Some you’ll definitely want to make the drive to visit include:
1. Strongsville Winter Wonderland
Where: Strongsville Commons, at the corner of SR 82 (Royalton Rd.) and SR 42 (Pearl Rd.)
Set up in the city’s public square each year before Thanksgiving, the Strongsville Winter Wonderland includes a decorated gazebo, clock tower, tunnel of lights, and 40-foot-tall Christmas tree.
The displays will be lit this year on November 19, and are free for anyone to enjoy every night through the holiday season.
At the kick-off event on November 19, visitors can also enjoy an ice tunnel and ice carvers, the Holiday Lights trolley, and free hot cocoa and donuts. Santa will also make an appearance, and there will be a fireworks display after dark.
2. Downtown Chagrin Falls
Where: Triangle Park, Riverside Park, and Chagrin Falls boardwalk, Chagrin Falls
The small town of Chagrin Falls looks like something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie during the holiday season. Triangle Park in the middle of the town gets decked out with a live Christmas tree, giant red bows, and thousands of feet of garland.
And nearby, the boardwalk and steps leading down to the viewing platform of the Chagrin Falls waterfall also gets festive with garland, bows, and twinkle lights.
You’ll also find decorated Christmas trees and more garland at Riverside Park, along with several beautiful lighted window displays in the shops along Main Street.
In 2023, Chagrin Falls is doing two days of family-friendly fun called Deck the Falls, which will feature photo ops with Santa, music, games, hot cocoa and more. This is happening on December 9th and 16th.
There will also be a parade (featuring Santa) on November 24th during the Lighting of the Greens ceremony.
3. Medina Hometown Holidays
The Medina Public Square Historic District puts on a whole holiday celebration, with special events and extended shopping hours throughout the season. It also gets extra-cute with decorations, with the pièce de résistance being the large decorated tree inside Public Square’s gazebo.
The city’s Candlelight Walk is back this year, too, being held November 17-29, 2023. This event kicks off the holiday season each year in Medina.
Private home displays
I of course can’t tell you about every single private home that is decorated for the holidays, but I can point you to a few stand-out properties in various neighborhoods in the Greater Cleveland area.
Here are just a sampling of local favorites (and I’d encourage you to tell me about more in the comments!):
1. Fairview Park Sidewalk Lights
Where: Mostly along Seabury Ave. in Fairview Park
What began at just one house in Fairview Park spread to a whole neighborhood… and then to the whole city! You can find “Sidewalk Garland Lights” throughout much of Fairview Park, along with lots of home displays.
The greatest concentration of decorated homes and sidewalk lights are along Seabury Ave., but there are lots of houses that participate now all through Fairview Park. They even have a dedicated mobile app guide now. Learn more here.
The garlands, light tunnels, and other displays are lit from Black Friday through New Year’s from 6-11 p.m.
2. Crown Point Parkway Festival of Lights
Where: Crown Point Parkway, Strongsville
A favorite every year in Strongsville, this display comprises not just one but several houses along the Crown Point Parkway cul-de-sac. The houses go all-out with lights, decorations, and music, and visitors can either walk or drive by to enjoy the displays.
The Hoag family house is the most over-the-top in the neighborhood, with hundreds of lighting elements in their front and side yard.
The displays can be enjoyed from Thanksgiving night through January 1, 2024 starting at 5:30 p.m. each evening. Kids can even visit with Santa Friday-Sunday from 6-9 p.m.
Note that residents ask that you don’t park in the cul-de-sac itself; there are several nearby residential you streets you can park on and walk over. More info here.
3. Petkovsek Family Christmas Lights
Where: 10020 Applewood Drive, North Royalton
This family goes all-out with its Christmas decorations, which include lighted archways, inflatables, and lots of colorful lights.
This year, you can enjoy the lights from November 26-December 31, 2023. Hours for the Petkovsek Family Christmas Lights are sunset to 10 p.m. every night.
4. Bob Mangan’s Winter Wonderland
Where: 34907 Cambridge Drive, North Ridgeville
With lighted archways, twinkling trees, and lots of inflatables, this North Ridgeville house gets decked out in more than 50,000 lights each year! You can visit any evening between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The lights are on until 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
5. DeVere Family Christmas Display
Where: 688 Lear Rd, Avon Lake
The DeVere family has put up its outdoor display of 20,000+ Christmas lights, which include 30+ lighted trees, Christmas characters, a life-size gingerbread house, and a nativity scene. The lights cover 2 full lots, so there’s a lot to see!
The display will be up November 26-December 31, 2023.
6. Lunar Family Lights
Where: Bell Road, Willoughby
This incredible lighting is found on a cul-de-sac in Willoughby. The house and yard are illuminated, and a choreographed light show runs every night. You can see it Thursday-Sunday from 6-9:30 p.m. (weather permitting) beginning Thanksgiving night and running through the holiday season.
Tune in to 101.1 FM. More info here.
7. Dowell Family Christmas Lights
Where: 605 Joseph Dr., Aurora
This family home in Aurora is covered in multi-colored lights that “dance” twice an hour to popular Christmas songs. The shows run every 30 minutes from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
You can tune to 90.9 FM to listen in your car, or they also have speakers outside.
8. Lights on Acadia Drive
Where: 8456 Acadia Dr., Sagamore Hills
Here’s another “dancing house” for you a little further south. They have two large light trees, tons of lights in their front yard, and animations on their garage door, all synchronized to holiday tunes. This year, the show features 28,000 pixels “dancing” to 30 different songs.
Sequences run every night from 5-10 p.m. starting on December 1, 2023. There are speakers outside, or you can tune in to 98.3 FM to listen.
9. Wadsworth Griswold House
Where: 173 Duane Lane, Wadsworth
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation fans, rejoice! You can see a local take on the Griswold house in Wadsworth. Complete with 25,000 twinkle lights on the house and even an RV parked in the driveway, there’s no wonder why this is a holiday favorite.
The Wadsworth Griswold House is revealed each year in a celebration at 7 p.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the lights stay lit from 5-11 p.m. through January 1.
This light display is free to visit, but the family collects donations, which go towards the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Great Strides walk held each May.
10. The Jenkins Family Light Show
Where: 364 Oak St, Wadsworth
The Jenkins Family Light Show is always a favorite, with outdoor lights that are animated to various Christmas songs. The “show” runs from 6-10 p.m. every night from the day after Thanksgiving through December 30, 2023, and there’s a different show planned every night of the week.
Tune to 89.1 FM to listen.
Other notable displays
A little further away, but still worth visiting, here are some other light displays to check out:
1. Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet
Where: 714 North Portage Path, Akron
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens goes all-out for the holidays, with both indoor displays and decorations, and more than one million lights twinkling outside in the gardens.
Inside the manor house, every room is decorated with lights and trees.
Outdoors, there will be lots of lights, plus a light show choreographed to music called Dazzle. You can also pick up some fresh gingerbread from the Gingerbread Hut, or a hot drink from the Salty Reindeer.
Deck the Hall runs from 3-8 p.m. on select nights November 24-December 30, 2023.
How much: Tickets are $16 for members and $20 for non-members Monday-Thursday, and $18 for members and $24 for non-members Friday-Sunday. Tickets must be purchased in advance this year; get your tickets online here.
2. ChurchLights
Where: Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church, 13200 East Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights
The Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church is known for its annual double ChurchLights display. The display combines an outdoor display on the church’s lawn (available every evening from Thanksgiving to New Year’s) and an indoor ChurchLights Experience that runs every Sunday evening in December.
ChurchLights includes lights and videos programmed to music, and the indoor experience also includes puppet shows, live music, visits with Santa, and more. You can learn more here.
How much: Free, though a donation of non-perishable food items is encouraged.
READ NEXT: Christmas in Cleveland: 12 Things to Do This Holiday Season
So there you have it! A huge guide to the best Christmas lights in Cleveland. I hope you can get out and enjoy many of these displays for yourself this year!
Where are YOUR favorite Christmas lights in the Cleveland area?
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Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’ sharing her love of the Cleveland area with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.
Thank you for including Fairview Park Holiday Lights and Seabury Avenue! Be sure to visit us at the Elf Tent on Seabury for Hot Chocolate, Magic Reindeer Food, and Carousel Rides (for the little ones)!
Need to add The Dowell Family Christmas Light Show
605 Joseph Dr. Aurora, OH
Email me and I can send you an image of the show.
We had the chance to see the Crown Point Parkway Festival of Lights and the Petkovsek Family Christmas Lights and both were amazing! Well worth the drive to see. Dress warm and walk through the displays. Merry Christmas!!!!