Christmas lights you need to see
Every year about 150 million Christmas lights are sold and 80 million homes are decorated for the holiday season. This phenomena started with Thomas Edison in 1880 with the first Christmas light display. Back then, lights were extremely expensive (as much as $2,000 in today’s money).
Decorating with Christmas lights has become an important tradition during the holidays and people love to cover their houses and trees in assortments of bright colors with the use of lights. Others like going to see lights in different displays. There are many displays throughout Northeast Ohio, here are some of the top ones:
Strongsville’s Winter Wonderland
This is a drive-by and walk through
50 to 60 minutes away
Free
In the public square, lights cover the town clocktower, gazebo, and commons!
Crown Point Festival of Lights
Walk through or drive-by cul de sac on two lane road, found in Strongsville
45 to 50 minutes away
Free
Lighted arches and kids can meet Santa on the weekends!
Personal finance teacher, Kathy Wiemken expresses her appreciation of the lights display: “As far as the Crown Point lights it is certainly something to see...When my children were small, it was an annual tradition to visit this light location. We would get out and visit with ‘Santa.’”
Winter Lights Lantern Festival
Inside the Cleveland Museum of Art and Wade Oval, walk through
40 to 45 minutes away
Free
Lanterns from tons of different cultures with different traditions!
Nela Park
Walk through in Cleveland
40 to 45 minutes away
Free
Contributions from major organizations, like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, put together a gigantic display of half a million lights!
Public Square
Downtown Cleveland, walk through
35 to 40 minutes away
Seeing the lights is free
Lights, ice skating, carriage rides and more, all downtown!
Deck the Hall
In Stan Hywet Hall in Akron, walk through
40 to 45 minutes away
$6-$15 to get in, free parking
More than 850,000 lights around manor and grounds with free parking
English teacher, Melissa Lindley said, “I love going to Stan Hywett all year round, but especially at Christmas. The musical light show is amazing and it is so cool to see how the uber-rich would celebrate the season. The opulence of the mansion is astounding and truly gets visitors into the Christmas spirit. Be sure to have a piece of gingerbread if you go!”
Church Lights
Middleburg Heights with both indoor and outdoor walk through
40 to 45 minutes away
Free
40,000 lights decorate the area, indoors can only be seen Sunday evenings
Taggs Candy Cane Lane
Mayfield Heights house, walk by or drive past
25 to 35 minutes away
Free
8,500 lights which flash to christmas music!
Holiday Lights at Carlisle Reservation
Lorain Metro Parks, walk through
50 to 60 minutes away
Free
Decorations represent different holiday movies, it’s asked you bring a non-perishable food item when going to visit!
Hudson Holiday House
Walk through
15 to 20 minutes away
Free
30,000 lights with nativity scene and other christmas favorites!
Brennan Szczepanski says “Hot chocolate and candy canes will be provided if you want to come take pictures with jolly old saint nick!”
