Discover the charm of the season in Newark with our comprehensive guide. From locals to holiday tourists, our guide highlights the best of Newark's festive season.
One of the standout attractions is the Wildlights at Columbus Zoo, where dazzling lights transform the zoo into a magical winter wonderland. The Holiday in Lights event offers a stunning drive-through display that captivates visitors with its elaborate light installations. And the Holiday Pops from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring classic holiday music performed live. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Newark
- Wildlights at Columbus Zoo (Powell)
- Holiday Pops from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Columbus)
- Holiday in Lights (Lebanon)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton (Dayton)
- Akron Zoo Wild Lights (Akron)
- The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill (Clifton)
- A Carillon Christmas (Dayton)
- Magic of Lights (Middleburg Heights)
- WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio (Hartford)
- Land of Illusion Christmas Glow (Middletown)
See these and even more events listed below!
Newark Holiday Light Displays
Holiday in Lights
What to Expect:
Unique drive-through light show with over 1 million lights.
Description:
Holiday in Lights is an outdoor light display at Armco Park, featuring over 1 million lights and 250 displays, showcasing holiday-themed scenes from Santa Claus to every animal on the ark.
Where: Lebanon | More Info: Holiday in Lights
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with synchronized light and animal exhibits.
Description:
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo features millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, and various holiday festivities, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere.
Where: Powell | More Info: Wildlights at Columbus Zoo
A Carillon Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with extensive light displays and historical attractions.
Description:
Carillon Historical Park transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with thousands of lights, live music, historical craft demonstrations, and Santa Claus. The event features the Carillon Tree of Light, Gem City Letterpress, and various festive activities.
Where: Dayton | More Info: A Carillon Christmas
Rock & Awe Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with over 25,000 lights.
Description:
The Rock & Awe Holiday Light Show at the Sandusky County Courthouse features over 25,000 lights synchronized to music and special effects, bringing holiday cheer to all who attend. This free event runs nightly from Thanksgiving Eve to New Year's Day.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Rock & Awe Holiday Light Show
The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and music show on historic mill and bridge.
Description:
The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill features over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees, and bridges. The display includes a 100-foot "waterfall" of twinkling lights, a Miniature Village, a Santa Claus Museum, and a spectacular synchronized lights and music show. Every night, guests can peek into Santa's Workshop to see a live Santa at work.
Where: Clifton | More Info: The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill
Akron Zoo Wild Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with over one million lights and festive activities.
Description:
The Akron Zoo Wild Lights event features over one million lights, fun photo-ops, and festive activities like visiting Santa Claus and enjoying treats at Mrs. C's Sweets. The event includes various light displays and interactive experiences.
Where: Akron | More Info: Akron Zoo Wild Lights
Upper’s Winter Fantasy of Lights
What to Expect:
Unique light displays benefiting a local charity.
Description:
Upper’s Winter Fantasy of Lights is a spectacular holiday light display at Harrison Smith Park in Upper Sandusky, featuring 33 acres of twinkling lights and unique displays. The event benefits a local charitable organization and offers free Fantasy Walk Events.
Where: Upper Sandusky | More Info: Upper’s Winter Fantasy of Lights
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday lights and activities for the whole family.
Description:
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow features over 3.8 million lights in a 2-mile drive-thru experience, a Christmas Village with Santa's Workshop, and a petting zoo.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio
What to Expect:
Synchronized LED lights and music drive-through display.
Description:
Over 1 million LED lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music create a heart-warming drive-through experience at Hartford Fairgrounds. The event features shooting stars, floating snowflakes, dancing candy canes, and giant Christmas trees, making it a memorable holiday tradition.
Where: Hartford | More Info: WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with a 300-foot RGB tunnel.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Dayton features custom-built light displays synchronized to joyful Christmas melodies, including a mesmerizing 300-foot RGB tunnel and multiple 50-foot-tall Christmas trees.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday light display with interactive elements.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday lights spectacle featuring over 2 million sparkling lights, including classic holiday scenes and animated displays like Mattel’s Waving Christmas Barbie and BIGFOOT Monster Truck.
Where: Middleburg Heights | More Info: Magic of Lights
Foxtail Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Choreographed light display with holiday and music themes.
Description:
Foxtail Holiday Lights is a dynamic holiday light display in Copley, Ohio, featuring changing themes and sequences each year, including holiday and music from various genres.
Where: Copley | More Info: Foxtail Holiday Lights
Elegant Illusions Christmas Drive Through Park
What to Expect:
New LED displays and animatronics in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
Elegant Illusions Christmas Drive Through Park features all-new LED displays, animatronics, and over 50 holiday scenes at the Portage County Randolph Fairgrounds. Visitors can stop at the Santa Shack, take photos at Photo Op benches, and enjoy a special Christmas tradition.
Where: Atwater | More Info: Elegant Illusions Christmas Drive Through Park
Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake
What to Expect:
Largest holiday light display on Lake Erie with over 70 professional displays.
Description:
Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake is a holiday light display featuring over 70 dazzling displays at Lakeshore Park, set against the majestic backdrop of Lake Erie. The event offers a driving tour through 54 acres of rolling hills, creating a picturesque setting for family fun and holiday memories.
Where: Ashtabula | More Info: Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake
The Christmas Ranch
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with festive activities.
Description:
The Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio, features over 1 million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music. Visitors can enjoy a walk-through experience with seven Christmas shops, Santa's Bakery and Cafe, and train and wagon rides. The event also includes opportunities for photos with Santa and supports local charities.
Where: Morrow | More Info: The Christmas Ranch
Christmas at the Castle: A Kingdom of Lights
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with Santa appearances.
Description:
Stroll through the grounds of Landoll's Mohican Castle, adorned with over 150,000 lights and outdoor Christmas trees, while enjoying festive tunes and the possibility of meeting Santa Claus. The event offers a cozy setting for a hearty winter meal at the Copper Mug Grille, with beautifully decorated dining areas.
Where: Loudonville | More Info: Christmas at the Castle: A Kingdom of Lights
Newark Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
What to Expect:
Classical holiday music performance with a chorus and children's choir.
Description:
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops, a concert featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus and Columbus Children's Choir performing beloved holiday songs and carols at the Ohio Theatre.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Pops from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Zanesville (22 miles)
- Reynoldsburg (23 miles)
- Gahanna (25 miles)
- Lancaster (26 miles)
- Westerville (28 miles)
- Columbus (32 miles)
- Upper Arlington (35 miles)
- Dublin (38 miles)
- Grove City (39 miles)
- Delaware (39 miles)
- Hilliard (40 miles)