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Get Your Glow On at These Drive-Through (and Walk-Through) Cincinnati Holiday Light Displays

By CityBeat Staff on Wed, Nov 14, 2018 at 5:49 pm

Just because it’s a little cold outside, doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do but Netflix and chill. Cincinnati has numerous winter events in which to take part, including light displays you can enjoy from the warmth of your own car — or even bundle up and walk through.

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Festival of Lights

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden does its annual glow-up with the 36th-annual Festival of Lights, the No. 1 zoo light show in the country (as voted by USA Today). More than 3 million LED bulbs will transform the park into a “Wild Wonderland” with festively adorned foliage, glowing animal sculptures, the ever-so-instagrammable rainbow-light tunnel and fun holiday and nature scenes depicted in twinkling bulbs. There will also be a black-light puppet show, Toyland Express train ride, everyone’s favorite synchronized holiday music-and-light display on Swan Lake and assorted s’mores stands. Nov. 17-Jan. 1, 2019. Free with zoo admission: $19 adult; $13 child/senior; online discounts available. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
Photo: Derek Dammann

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Festival of Lights

Photo: Kathy Newton

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Festival of Lights

Photo: Cassandre Crawford

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Festival of Lights

Photo: Kathy Newton

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Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island

What’s cuter than dazzling lights depicting gleeful snowmen, colorful trees, grooving candy canes and snowflakes? Not much. Bonus: You can see it all in the warmth of your own car. Listen to tunes via the radio — Coney Island has their own station that’s synchronized to the light dis-play — and shamelessly jam to as much holiday spirit as you please. Even if you’re still getting over the prior night’s Thanksgiving feast. Seriously, no judgement here. The display show winds through two and a half miles of the park so there’s plenty to take in before you head home to dream of dancing sugar plums. Through Jan. 6. $6 per person. Coney Island Amusement Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave., California, coneyislandpark.com.
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Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island

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Christmas Nights of Lights at Coney Island

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Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill

The Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum is no stranger to outdoor beauty, but why not ramp it up this winter with a holiday-themed display? Load up the van and drive through the looped two-mile glowing hybrid sculpture and light display. This year, Brave Berlin — the creative team behind last year’s BLINK art and light festival and the previous Lumenocity events — has crafted something extra special. Entry fee is by the carload so the kids can bring a friend. Nov. 16-Jan. 1, 2019. $20 per carload Monday-Thursday; $25 per carload Friday-Sunday; $15 for members all days. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, pyramidhill.org.
Photo: Provided

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Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill

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Holiday Lights on the Hill at Pyramid Hill

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Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods

For 28 years, this annual event has transformed into a staple Cincy holiday tradition. Kick back in your car and take a joy ride through a mile-long stretch of Sharon Woods. Dial the radio to Warm 98 — the lights are synchronized to the music. After or before, take the kiddos to the wonder-filled Santaland, open through Dec. 23 (just in time for him to get his sleigh in gear.) 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Through Dec. 31. $15 per vehicle. Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, holidayinlights.com.
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Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods

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Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion

This haunted Halloween attraction transforms for the season. Instead of ghosts and ghouls, find a glowing drive-through light display commemorating “Christmas Around the World,” with a twinkling Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and Big Ben. 6-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday (drive-through only); 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday (drive-through and Christmas Village); 6-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday (drive-through and Christmas Village) Nov. 21-Dec. 30. $16 per vehicle; $20 with Christmas Village admission. Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, landofillusion.com.
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