By 1812Blockhouse
Communities all over the state have flipped the switch on one of the most popular traditions of the year: the Ohio Holiday Lights Trail. TourismOhio has released its 2025 edition, featuring 79 displays that range from small-town downtown scenes to full-scale attractions that draw visitors from hours away.
The trail brings together everything from walk-through light gardens to cozy drive-through shows, encouraging families and friends to step outside, explore, and make a night of it. It’s a statewide invitation to enjoy the season close to home or build a holiday-themed road trip.
Two stops land right in the 1812Blockhouse and 1808Delaware coverage area: Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights and Christmas at Kingwood. Both have long been regional favorites and continue to draw visitors who return year after year.
What State Officials Are Saying
“The Ohio Holiday Lights Trail is really a celebration of local spirit,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. Her office oversees TourismOhio and helped put the 2025 list together. She noted that each community brings its own character to the display, which is part of the charm.
State tourism director Sarah Wickham echoed that idea, reminding visitors that the displays are a way to reconnect with the places they call home. For one in four Ohioans who come back to visit friends and family, she said, the chance to explore a light show or downtown display can be the difference between staying inside and creating a shared memory.
Highlights From the 2025 Trail
This year’s trail stretches across every corner of the state. A few standouts include:
• Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
• PNC Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo
• Gallipolis in Lights
• Zane’s Landing Trail of Lights
• Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron
• A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton
• FROST: An Ice Capped Garden Experience in Cleveland
• Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus
• WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio
• Light Up Middletown
• Christmas Cruise Thru in Hicksville
The full list, along with an interactive map, is available at Ohio.org/Holidays.
A Look at Our Two Local Trail Stops
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Alum Creek State Park lights up each year with this long-running drive-through show. Families pack the car, tune in to the light-synchronized music, and ease along the route at their own pace. It’s simple, fun, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Christmas at Kingwood
Kingwood Hall and its surrounding grounds turn into a holiday landscape that mixes traditional charm with plenty of visual surprises. The historic estate makes a striking backdrop for the lights, drawing visitors from across north central Ohio.
Making the Most of the Experience
The state encourages visitors to explore the map, plan a route, and share photos using #HolidaysInOhio. Many displays sit near small restaurants, cafés, bookstores, and other local shops, giving families a chance to pair the lights with a meal or quick downtown wander.
Whether you’re sticking close to home or planning a weekend outing, the Holiday Lights Trail offers dozens of easy ways to enjoy the season. And with two standout displays right here in our backyard, there’s no need to travel far to find that bit of holiday magic.
Source: Ohio.org
