✨SEE SOME CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS✨
✨Clifton Mill
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
The Clifton Mill lights have had an amazing few years of star-studded publicity. Gaze upon 4 million lights covering the bridge, the mill’s windows, roof, sides and bottom while every hour the lights shut off completely, leaving guests in total and complete darkness. As quietness sweeps the atmosphere, orchestral music begins a medley of Christmas songs and lights over the bridge will twinkle on and off again. Don't miss the Santa Claus Museum on site. Refreshments for sale.
Cost: $10. Kids 3 and under are free. Parking is free.
Christmas Hours: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 24 & 25
Location: 75 Water St., Clifton
>> Our favorite photos of twinkling lights for all to see across the region
✨Light Up Middletown
Credit: Nick Graham
Credit: Nick Graham
Drive your way through this 100-acre illumination display in Smith Park this holiday season. Notice the thousands of twinkling lights, including a floating sea serpent in the lake, a penguin village, deer leaping over the roadway, whales, Santa’s workshop and more. The signature entry tunnel will greet you upon arrival.
Cost: You choose the price; make any donation at the gate that you deem appropriate. Donations support nonprofit groups in the community and upgrades to Smith Park.
Christmas Hours: Every night through New Year's Eve, 6-10 p.m., regardless of weather
Location: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Ave. in Middletown
✨Holiday Lights on the Hill
Holiday Lights on the Hill features gardens of light, trees that sparkle up to 60 feet in the air, colorful forests and illuminated sculptures. This is the 18th season for the annual light display. See the 300-acre Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park sparkling with over 2 million twinkling lights in this two-mile, drive-through display.
Cost: Monday through Thursday $20; Friday through Sunday $25 (per carload). Admission for Pyramid Hill members presenting a current membership card is $15 every day.
Christmas hours: Open from 6-9 p.m.
Location: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton
More info: Website
✨Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island
This two-and-a-half-mile, drive-through light display features more than one million LED lights synchronized to festive holiday music. Features include larger than life trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes and tunnels of lights.
Cost: $6 per person. Children 3 and under free. Tickets are available online or at the gate. Local charities will benefit from Christmas Nights of Lights, including the Salvation Army, The Ruth Lyons Children's Fund, St. Vincent DePaul, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Starshine Hospice and Toys for Tots.
Christmas hours: Open from dusk until 10 p.m.
Location: Coney Island, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati
✨Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods
For nearly three decades, this drive-through lights display, built over a mile of wooded roadway, has been a Cincinnati family tradition. Holiday-themed displays depict everything from Santa Claus and his elves to every animal on the ark. If you’re up to getting out of your warm car, stop by Santaland for warm beverages, carolers, baked goods, a gift shop and a train display.
Cost: $15 per vehicle ($45 for buses/large passenger vans). A portion of the proceeds will go to A Child's Hope International.
Christmas hours: 6-9 p.m.
Location: 11450 Lebanon Road, Route 42, Sharonville
Cost: $15 per vehicle ($45 for buses/large passenger vans). A portion of the proceeds will go to A Child's Hope International.
✨Whispering Christmas in Eaton
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Credit: Tom Gilliam
Since 1987, the Whispering Christmas lights display has been a holiday favorite in the city of Eaton. The display features over two million lights in total, casting a jolly glow over Fort St. Clair State Park. Throughout the end of December, the lights display will be open every night from 6-10 p.m. Santa Claus will be making an appearance every night from 6-9 p.m. until Dec. 23. Cabins are open to visitors through Dec. 24.
Cost: $5 per car
Christmas hours: Open from 6-10 p.m.
Location: Fort St. Clair State Park, 135 Camden Road, Eaton
More info: Facebook
⛸GO ICE SKATING AT RIVERSCAPE ICE RINK
On Christmas Day, the Riverscape MetroPark Ice Rink is open from 1-8 p.m. Skate along the banks of the scenic Great Miami River as you sing aloud to Christmas music with family and friends.
Cost: $8 per person per skate, $2 skate rental. Seasonal passes available.
Christmas hours: Open from 1-8 p.m.
Location: 237 E. Monument Ave., Dayton
>> WORTH THE DRIVE: Walk through one of the nation’s largest life-size nativity scenes
🎅SHARE A MEAL WITH STRANGERS
If you don’t have anyone to share the holiday with, or are just looking to bring kindness and warmth to a space where it’s needed, the annual Home for the Holidays event is taking place from 1-5 p.m. at the Greater Dayton LGBT Center. The event is a potluck dinner for those who may be feeling lonely on the holiday. Bring a dish and a list of ingredients in the dish for those who may suffer from food allergies.
Cost: Free
Christmas hours: 1-5 p.m.
Location: The Greater Dayton LGBT Center: 24 N. Jefferson St., Suite 200, Dayton
More info: Facebook
📽SEE A MOVIE
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Celebrate a popular Christmas Day pastime, but with a twist. On Christmas Day, head to The Neon in downtown Dayton to catch a showing of films like Little Women, Marriage Story and The Irishman. Head to neonmovies.com for a full list of Christmas Day showtimes.
Cost: Matinees (shows before 6 p.m.): $8; Evenings: $10; Seniors (60 years of age and older): $8; Children 10 years old and younger): $8.
Christmas hours: Opens at 1:20 p.m. (30 minutes before the start of the first scheduled show of the day)
Location: The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton
More info: Website
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