The Best Akron Christmas Lights Displays {2023}

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If you are in the Akron area this holiday season, don’t miss the opportunity to check out some of the best Ohio Christmas light displays. From public parks dressed up in tinsel to drive-through displays with animation and soundtracks, these are some of the best dazzling Akron Christmas lights displays.

Looking for more holidays lights in Ohio? Check out this list of the Best Christmas Lights Displays in Ohio!

Best Akron Christmas Lights Displays

For many, visiting Christmas lights displays in Ohio has become a family tradition. Gather your friends and family to create new memories at one of these festive Akron Christmas lights displays!

Winterblast at Lock 3

No matter what time of year you visit Akron, Lock 3 always has something fun going on. From outdoor concerts in the summer to festivals year-round, you can always count on finding entertainment here. After Thanksgiving, Lock 3 kicks off Winterblast, a winter festival with tons of fun things to see and do, including plenty of Christmas lights. Winterblast includes ice skating, fire pits, food, drink, and private igloos for rent. Winterblast kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony at the end of November, and also holds special events like Breakfast with Santa and Christmas with the Grinch.

When: November 25 – December 18, 2022 Wednesday & Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm, Sunday 11am-6pm; December 19, 2022 – January 8, 2023 open daily check website for hours TBD
Where: Lock 3 – 200 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308
Admission Cost: Various rental prices and some activities require advance online reservations, check website for pricing and to make reservations
Website: https://www.lock3live.com

Lock 4

Lock 3 isn’t the only place to see Christmas lights in Akron; Lock 4 has them too! Lock 4 is another fun entertainment hub in downtown Akron, with public art, live music, restaurants, and cultural events, all surrounded by historic buildings. The Christmas season at Lock 4 kicks off with a light show and tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving and continues with all of the fun Winterblast events scheduled at Lock 3.

When: November 25, 2022 – January 8, 2023 TBD
Where: Lock 4 – 200 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308
Admission Cost: Free
Website: https://www.downtownakron.com/go/lock-4

*Other Akron Parks and Recreation spots with Christmas lights include Grace Park and Anna Park.

Akron Christmas Lights
Photo Courtesy of Akron Zoo

Akron Zoo Wild Lights

For some of the best Akron Christmas lights, head to the zoo! Kicking off Thanksgiving weekend, Wild Lights is a fun event for the whole family. See thousands of lights, displays, and of course, animals. You’ll also have the chance to meet the Grinch, a Snow Princess, a snowman, and Santa Claus during the festive season. Sweet treats like s’mores and hot cocoa (spiked or not!) are also available for purchase. As the holidays come to a close, Zoo Year’s Eve wraps up the festive season with a daytime New Year’s party.

When: November 24-26, December 1-3, 8-10, 15-23 & 26-29, 2023; 5pm-9pm
Where: Akron Zoo- 505 Euclid Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44307
Admission Cost: Online Tickets $15.00 Ages 14+, $11.00 Ages 2-14, children under 2 are free, parking fee $3; Tickets Purchased at Gate $18 Ages 14+, $14 Ages 2-14, children under 2 are free, parking fee $5.
Website: https://www.akronzoo.org/wild-lights

Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall

For more Christmas lights in Akron, check out this special event at Stan Hywet Hall. This historic home was built in 1915 by the founder of Goodyear Tires. Since 1955, the home and estate grounds have been a museum and event space. Each winter, the estate is transformed into a winter wonderland. More than one million lights strung throughout the gardens are just the opening of this Christmas event. Inside the mansion, classic Christmas movies are played in various rooms, as well as 30 unique Christmas trees. Enjoy warm snacks and drinks as well as shopping opportunities at the gift shop.

When: November 24-26, November 30, December 1-3, 7-23, 26-30, 2023 from 3-8pm
Where: Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens- 714 North Portage Path, Akron OH 44303
Admission Cost: Monday-Thursday $20.00 Ages 17+, $9.00 Ages 6-17; Friday-Sunday $24.00 Ages 17+, $11 Ages 6-17; children 5 and under are free; All tickets are pre-sale only
Website: https://www.stanhywet.org

Polar Express at Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway

This holiday event is so much more than just Christmas lights near Akron, Ohio. Hop aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for an unforgettable journey to the North Pole. The vintage railcars are decked out in lights and holiday decor, and all kinds of fun activities are planned along the route. Enjoy cookies and cocoa while writing out your letters to Santa, who will make an appearance on the train as well! The North Pole Adventure departs each evening from the Akron and Rockside stations. This is a holiday trip your kids will never forget!

When: November 8 – December 21, 2023, 5pm and 8pm Departures
Where: Akron Northside Station – 27 Ridge St., Akron OH 44308
Admission Cost: Various ticket prices, check website for pricing and to make online reservations
Website: https://www.cvsr.org/npa-info/

Wadsworth Griswold House

These Christmas lights near Akron are a must-see for any fan of the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie. Located in Wadsworth, just 20 minutes west of Akron, this private family home goes all out each Christmas. You’ll even spot Cousin Eddie and his RV out front! The home is lit each evening starting the day after Thanksgiving and continuing through January 1. Donations are accepted in person and online, and all funds raised help support Cystic Fibrosis research.

When: November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Where: 173 Duane Lane, Wadsworth, OH 44281
Admission Cost: Free, donations are accepted to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Website: https://www.facebook.com/wadsworthgriswoldhouse

Castle Noel

If you’re looking for Christmas lights near Akron year-round, this is the place! Castle Noel is all about Christmas, but you can visit and get into the holiday spirit any time of year, not just winter! Billed as “America’s Largest Year Round Indoor Christmas Entertainment Attraction,” Castle Noel is a must-see for Christmas fans. Inside, you’ll find a huge collection of costumes and props from the best Hollywood Christmas movies. Access to all of this is by guided tour only, so be sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time!

When: Open year round, reservations are required
Where: 260 S. Court St., Medina, OH 44256
Admission Cost: Tuesday-Thursday $27.95 Ages 13+, $22.95 Ages 12 and under, $26.95 for Military and Seniors; Saturday & Sunday $29.95 Ages 13+, $22.95 Ages 12 and under, $26.95 for Military and Seniors
Website: https://castlenoel.com

Looking for more Ohio holiday fun? Read The Best Christmas Attractions in Ohio.

Deck the Hollow Holiday Lights

Quail Hollow Park in the southeast suburb of Hartville features self-guided tours of the Christmas decorations. Deck the Hollow allows guests to stroll down Santa Lane, surrounded by decorated trees, lights, and music. Santa also makes an appearance most nights. This fun holiday event runs for two weekends in December; admission is by a ticketed entry in order to adequately space out the visitors at any given time. Concessions and a gift shop are both available during the festival.

When: December 8-10, 15-17, 19-20, 2023 from 5-8:30pm
Where: Quail Hollow Park – 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville, OH 44632
Admission Cost: $5.00 per person in advance online, $6.00 per person at the gate (cash only)
Website: https://starkparks.com/parks/quail-hollow-park/

Stadium Park Holiday Lights
Photo Courtesy of Stadium Park

Stadium Park Holiday Lights

From mid-November through mid-January, Stadium Park in Canton is transformed into some of the best drive-through Christmas lights near Akron. For over 20 years, local residents and visitors have been coming to Stadium Park to see the holiday light displays. Dozens of displays are set to show various holiday-themed scenes, including some animated light shows. This is definitely worth the short drive from Akron, and it’s completely FREE!

When: November 16, 2023 – January 7, 2024 from 5-11pm
Where: StadiumPark – 1615 Stadium Park Dr., Canton, OH 44718
Admission Cost: Free
Website: https://cantonparksandrec.com/events/holiday-lights

Lake Anna Park Holiday Lighting

If you’re looking for Christmas lights near Akron, Lake Anna Park Holiday Lights are on display from the last week of November through January 1. You’ll be dazzled by thousands of lights throughout 30 different displays. Before visiting the lights, be sure to visit Downtown Barberton to admire local holiday window displays along the Barberton Christmas Walk. These holiday spots are definitely worth the short drive from Akron, and are completely FREE!

When: November 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023; Sunday – Thursday 5-9pm, Friday & Saturday 5-10pm TBD
Where: Lake Anna Park – 615 West Park Ave., Barberton, OH 44203
Admission Cost: Free
Website: http://cityofbarberton.com/

Want to view Christmas lights from the comfort of your vehicle? Read Enchanting Drive Through Christmas Lights In Ohio

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Akron Christmas Lights

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