Getting bored with your neighbors’ same old Christmas lights display for holiday entertainment? Even if they deck the halls like the Griswalds, why not go for some new scenery? Grab the family and head to one of these different but festive events to rekindle your holiday spirit.
Roscoe Village’s Christmas Candlelightings
Jump back in time and enjoy Christmas of yesteryear at Roscoe Village, in Coshocton. Christmas candlelightings will be Dec. 1, 8 and 15 and will include a visit with Santa, carolers, roasting chestnuts, candlelight tours and more.
www.RoscoeVillage.com, 800-877-1830
Clifton Mill’s Legendary Lights
One of the country’s finest Christmas displays, Clifton Mill, in Clifton, shows off more than 3.5 million lights illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees and bridges. A synchronized lights and music show features the old covered bridge, and the event also includes a miniature village and Santa Claus Museum. Starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs every night through Jan. 1.
www.CliftonMill.com, 937-767-5501
German Village Lights
On Sunday, Dec. 9, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., more than 10,000 luminaries will light up German Village. Businesses will stay open late with special holiday offerings.
www.germanvillage.org, 614-221-8888
Fantasy of Lights
This annual, two-mile drive-through extravaganza, from Nov. 16 to Dec. 30, features 125 light displays, including many with animation. Visitors may begin their tour at the Alum Creek Marina, 4000 Hollenback Rd., Lewis Center, which has been transformed into a holiday gift shoppe for the season. Santa will be on hand until Dec. 24.
www.alumcreek.com, 740-369-2900
Pyramid Hill Holiday Lights on the Hill
A spectacular drive-through light show with more than 500,000 lights will take place in one of just 10 sculpture parks of its size in the United States and the only sculpture park of its type in Ohio. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, covering 265-acres in Hamilton, will be visited by Santa and his elves.
www.pyramidhill.org, 800-311-5353
Christmas by Candlelight
From Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, drive through the Christmas lights that adorn the Marion County Fairgrounds. This event brings to life a dozen scenes that tell the story of Christmas, including a live Nativity.
www.marioncountyfairgrounds.com, 740-382-2558
Holiday Fest at The Beach
The Beach, in Mason, will be decked out in millions of sparkling lights and will feature an outdoor skating rink, toboggan slide, horse-drawn carriage rides, petting corral and more from Nov. 23 through Jan. 6.
www.thebeachwaterpark.com, 800-886-SWIM
Santa Trains
Ride with Santa on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s train each Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 24 through Dec. 16, departing from the Nelsonville Depot.
www.hvsry.org, 800-967-7834
December Days at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Seasonal activities include animal programs, music, crafts, holiday cookie decorating and more. Open all month (except Dec. 25).
www.clevelandmetroparks.com, 216-661-6500
Frostbite Follies
The showboat Majestic, on Cincinnati’s historic Public Landing, will hold its annual music and comedy revue of holiday hooliganism, Frostbite Follies, from Nov. 30 through Dec. 9.
www.cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com, 513-241-6550