Cleveland itself is an excellent place to be at Christmas, with lots of holiday events, shows, lights, and more. But if you want to get out of the city and visit some smaller towns that give off cozy, festive vibes at Christmas, then I’ve got the list for you!
Many of these small towns look like something straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie, and there are plenty of holiday events and celebrations you can take part in. They’re all located within an hour’s drive of Cleveland, too.
Here’s a look at the best Christmas towns in Northeast Ohio:
The best Christmas towns to visit near Cleveland
1. Chagrin Falls
One of the best towns near Cleveland to visit around Christmas is Chagrin Falls. Located just 35 minutes from Cleveland, Chagrin Falls is known for its iconic waterfall in the center of town, along with its wealth of independent shops and restaurants.
This is probably one of the most picturesque small towns in Ohio any time of year, and it gets decked out for the holidays with Christmas lights, garlands, bows, and ornaments.
Along with simply visiting to see all the cheery decor, there are plenty of things to do in Chagrin Falls around the holidays. Some highlights include:
- Deck the Falls: A festival on December 7 and 14, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music, cookies and hot chocolate, visits with Santa, and more.
- Free carriage rides: Enjoy complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides around Downtown Chagrin Falls on December 8 and 15, 2024 from 1-4 p.m.
- Jingle and Mingle: Holiday shopping event with caroling and hot chocolate on December 19, 2024 from 6-8 p.m.
Just beware of running into handsome strangers or old high school flings here, because it absolutely has the feel of a Hallmark Christmas movie setting.
2. Medina
Just 40 minutes from Cleveland, Medina is another small town that goes all out during the Christmas season. The town square looks like it could be a photo from a Christmas card, with its picturesque gazebo decked out in holiday lights with a Christmas tree at its center.
Medina feels a lot like the real-life version of Stars Hollow, the quaint, fictional town from the television series Gilmore Girls – and this is especially true at Christmas!
Aside from the decor and all the local shops around the main square in Medina, there are plenty of other festive things to do in this Ohio town during the holiday season.
Here are some of the best things to do in Medina around Christmas:
- Candlelight Walk: The annual Candlelight Walk kicks off the holiday season in Medina, and includes a parade and sweet treats like gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate. In 2024, this took place November 22-24.
- Castle Noel: Although it’s open year-round, Castle Noel is most fun to visit at Christmas. This indoor attraction is a holiday explosion of festive decorations, Christmas movie props, and Instagram-worthy holiday displays straight from the famous storefronts in New York City. You can even visit Santa and take a ride down the slide from “A Christmas Story.” (Read more about visiting here.)
- Drive-thru lights: The Holiday Lights at the Medina County Fairgrounds is a spectacular display that should not be missed, and only costs $10 per car.
3. Hudson
Hudson, Ohio is another town that is delightful to visit around Christmas. Located 40 minutes from Cleveland, this town is beautifully decorated for the holidays. The town square, including the iconic clock tower and gazebo, is decked out in lights, and there’s a big Christmas tree in the center of it all too.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Hudson during December, including shopping at all the local businesses. Here are some of the best holiday activities and events in town:
- Blitzen’s: This is a holiday pop-up bar with festive decor and inventive drinks, some based on classic Christmas movies. It’s located inside Hudson’s Restaurant, and is family-friendly!
- Christkindlmarkt: You don’t have to travel all the way to Europe for Christmas markets, because Hudson hosts its very own German-inspired Christmas market based on its partnership with a Sister City in Germany. The market is being held from December 13-15, 2024.
- Case-Barlow Tour of Trees: Walk through a magical forest of decorated trees at a local farm on select evenings (December 6, 7, 13, and 14, 2024.)
4. Willoughby
Another one of the best Christmas towns in Northeast Ohio is Willoughby. Just 25 minutes to the east of Cleveland, this town is packed with festive charm around the holidays.
The town lights are some of the best, with colorful displays running along the main thoroughfares in town.
There’s a lot happening in Willoughby during the Christmas season. These are some of the best holiday events and activities to check out:
- Holiday Lighting Celebration: A free event with live music, tasty treats, a Live Nativity, and an appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus, culminating with a Christmas tree lighting. It takes place in early December each year (though was sadly canceled in 2024 due to severe weather).
- Santa’s House: Kids can visit with Santa in his house in Wes Point Park on Fridays Dec. 6-20, 2024 from 5-8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays Dec. 7-22 from 2-5 p.m.
- The Yard on 3rd: This open-air venue with food trucks, drinks, and live entertainment is turning into a fantastic holiday pop-up this year during Christmas. It’s the Cleveland area’s only outdoor Christmas bar!
- Lake Metroparks Farmpark’s Country Lights Drive-Thru: Just 15 minutes from Willoughby, Lake Metroparks Farmpark hosts an annual drive-thru lights attraction that’s always a family favorite.
5. Vermilion
Located 45 minutes west of Cleveland on the shores of Lake Erie, this charming waterfront town is another great holiday destination in Northeast Ohio.
The town is known for its Main Street lights, which extend to the waterways of the Vermilion River, which runs through town. Local businesses also compete with window displays. It’s a magical setting for the holidays, and there are plenty of festive events happening at this time of year.
Here are the top things to do in Vermilion around Christmas:
- Santa is Coming to Town: There are lots of opportunities to catch the Big Man through the holiday season. On November 30 and December 7 and 14 in 2024, Santa will be in town! He’ll cruise down the Vermillion River in a boat on Nov. 30, and will be available all 3 dates to meet at the Santa House in East Exchange Park. He’ll also be making the rounds on a fire truck with the Vermilion Fire Department on December 15, 2024.
- An Old Fashioned Holiday: Time travel to the 1860s at the Benjamin Bacon House Museum as you take a candlelit tour of the museum with costumed re-enactors and historical stories on December 7 and 8, 2024. You can also scenic horse-drawn carriage ride, and photo ops.
- Light shows: Vermillion is close to both the Lights on the NorthCoast drive-thru light show at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Sandusky, and the Holiday Lights Cruise-Thru at the Carlisle Equestrian Center in LaGrange.
READ NEXT: Christmas in Cleveland: 12 Things to Do This Holiday Season
These are some of the best Christmas towns to visit near Cleveland this year! Each of these small towns goes all out for the holidays and has a festive atmosphere and fun seasonal events to celebrate Christmas. Hopefully you can visit one – or more!
Which of these cozy Christmas towns will you visit this year?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’s sharing her love of the Cleveland area, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.