From glowing towns to candlelit villages, Ohio transforms into a storybook winter escape each holiday season. Between dazzling light displays, family traditions, and cozy markets, this year’s celebrations bring together the best of warmth, nostalgia, and community spirit. Here’s your detailed guide to 8 of the most unforgettable Ohio holiday experiences for 2025 — and how to live them like a local with HomeExchange.

Visit Ohio with HomeExchange

Region Event Dates (2025) Why You'll Love It
Cincinnati PNC Festival of Lights Nov 17 – Jan 7 4 million lights, glowing animal lanterns, and train rides
Toledo Lights Before Christmas Nov 17 – Dec 31 75-foot tree with 35,000 lights and family-friendly winter fun
Waynesville Yuletide Village Nov 24 – Dec 16 Medieval Christmas charm with bonfires and festive markets
Akron Winterblast at Lock 3 Nov 24 – Feb 19 Ice skating, bumper cars, parades, and fireworks
Fremont Hayes Home Holidays Dec 21–22 Victorian celebrations and horse-drawn sleigh rides
Sandusky Winter Wonderland on the Pier Dec 8–9 Lakeside market with Santa, reindeer, and music by the water
Steubenville Nutcracker Village & Advent Market Nov 21 – Jan 6 200 life-sized nutcrackers and cozy local crafts

1. PNC Festival of Lights – Cincinnati

At the Cincinnati Zoo, the holidays roar to life under four million LED lights that shimmer across every tree, path, and enclosure. Kids can hop aboard the North Polar Express train, wander through glowing tunnels, and meet Santa surrounded by animal-shaped lanterns. The 24-foot-tall Fiona the hippo nutcracker greets visitors at the entrance — a nod to the city’s most beloved zoo resident. It’s a breathtaking family experience that perfectly balances wonder and nostalgia.

2. Lights Before Christmas – Toledo

Toledo’s zoo transforms into a glowing dreamscape, home to over one million twinkling lights and the state’s most majestic Norway spruce, adorned with 35,000 bulbs. Visitors can glide down an ice slide, marvel at ice-carving shows, and sip cocoa in a festive village designed for pure joy. Started in 1986, this annual tradition now attracts over 175,000 visitors, proving it’s one of Ohio’s brightest winter destinations.

3. Yuletide Village – Waynesville

Step into a medieval Christmas fairy tale at the 15-acre Yuletide Village in Renaissance Park. From fantasy characters and live performances to artisan markets and firepits serving spiced cider, every detail feels enchanted. Families can meet a woodland Santa or listen to brass bands playing carols under starlit branches. It’s a slower, more magical way to celebrate — one that blends history, creativity, and a deep sense of togetherness.

4. Winterblast at Lock 3 – Akron

Downtown Akron turns into a giant winter playground during Winterblast, now in its 19th year. Glide across a 10,000-square-foot ice rink, ride ice bumper cars, or laugh your way through a game of frozen mini golf. The season begins with a lighted parade, fireworks, and a towering tree, setting the tone for months of outdoor fun. And don’t miss Archie, the park’s 22-foot talking snowman, a local legend who brings smiles to every visitor.

5. Hayes Home Holidays – Fremont

Step back into the 19th century at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Home, where Victorian traditions come alive. Guided by costumed interpreters, you’ll explore candlelit rooms, admire vintage ornaments, and even ride a horse-drawn sleigh through the 25-acre estate if the weather permits. A detailed miniature train display delights guests of all ages — and yes, you can push buttons to make tiny skaters dance.

6. Sandusky Winter Wonderland on the Pier

For two magical nights, Sandusky’s Jackson Street Pier becomes a glowing holiday marketplace overlooking Lake Erie. Families can browse local crafts, warm up with boozy hot chocolate, and enjoy live music beneath the stars. Santa and his reindeer make their appearance, while choirs perform lakeside. The reflections of lights on the water make this event one of the most scenic and intimate celebrations in the state.

7. Steubenville Nutcracker Village & Advent Market

Downtown Steubenville transforms into a charming nutcracker paradise with over 200 life-sized wooden figures, each with its own story — from Mrs. Claus to characters inspired by local legends. Created by a father-daughter duo, the event combines art, community pride, and Christmas nostalgia. The nearby Advent Market offers handmade gifts, mulled cider, and warm smiles from locals who truly embody the season’s spirit.

Experience Ohio’s Heart With HomeExchange

The best part of Ohio’s holiday season isn’t just the lights — it’s the feeling of being part of something real. With HomeExchange, you can experience that warmth firsthand by staying in real homes across the state.

Picture yourself waking up in a Victorian home in Fremont, sipping coffee as snow dusts the windows, or staying in a cozy cabin near Chardon, where neighbors wave as they head to the town tree lighting. Or imagine spending a weekend in Waynesville, chatting by the fire with locals after a stroll through Yuletide Village.

With HomeExchange, you don’t just visit Ohio — you belong here. It’s about connection, community, and creating holiday memories that feel like home, wherever you go.

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Ohio in winter is a celebration of togetherness — from glittering zoos to glowing villages, every event reminds us that joy shines brightest when shared. Whether you’re trading homes or taking a road trip through snow-dusted towns, one thing’s certain: Ohio will make your holidays feel truly magical.