10 places in Dayton to see holiday lights

By Kamron Taylor, Staff Writer

Deck the halls!

It’s that time of year again -- you’re looking forward to checking out the holiday lights while sipping on a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Dayton’s holiday light scene is pretty impressive, as neighborhoods all over the city like to share the holiday cheer.

Dayton.com thought it would be helpful to find the holiday lighting events located around town, so that you could participate in the fun that’s closest to home.

Here are 10 area locations boasting the most impressive holiday light displays.

1. Christmas Tree at the Greene

Source: Facebook

The Greene's Christmas tree is finally lit, after their annual lighting ceremony on November 21st. It’s here to stay until end of December, so venture out to the shopping center at any time, but especially evenings to check it out.

Want to go?
WHAT: Christmas tree at the Greene
WHERE: 4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek OH, 45440
HOURS: November 21 - January 1st
INFO: Website | Facebook | 937-490-4990
2. Fairborn Hometown Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

Source: Facebook

Let’s say you live in Fairborn and you’re interested in a holiday celebration close to home. The Fairborn Hometown Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting will be packed with holiday cheer, plus fun for the whole family. You can also expect an appearance from Santa!

Want to go?
WHAT: Fairborn Hometown Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
WHERE: Santa's Candy Cane Lane located at Fifth Third Commons, Main Street and Grand Avenue
HOURS: 4-7 p.m. Friday, December 4
INFO: Website | Facebook | 937-754-3030
3. Vandalia Christmas Tree Lighting

Source: Facebook

As Santa makes his rounds, he'll also stop by the Vandalia Christmas Tree Lighting event. There will be plenty of cookies and hot cocoa to go around, along with kid’s holiday crafts and holiday entertainment.

Want to go?
WHAT: Vandalia Christmas Tree Lighting
WHERE: Vandalia Rec Center, 1111 Stonequarry Rd, Dayton
HOURS: 6 p.m. Thursday, December 6
INFO: Website | Facebook | 937 - 898-5891
4. Woodland Lights

Source: Dayton Daily News

Step into the dream world of lights that is the Woodland Lights event. All month-long holiday lights and displays span along the Washington Township Rec Center. Food trucks, amusement rides and live animals are stopping by for the holiday event that will get you into the holiday spirit!

Want to go?
WHAT: Woodland Lights
WHERE: Washington Township Rec Center, 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Washington Twp.
HOURS: 6 to 9 p.m., December 4-30; closed Dec. 24-25
INFO: Website | Facebook | 937- 433-0130
5. Fort St. Clair's Whispering Christmas

Source: www.images54.fotki.com

Located in Eaton Ohio, this display has grown to over 1.2 million lights. This display is so impressive, it’s easy to see how the event started almost 30 years ago!

Want to go?
WHAT: Fort St. Clair's Whispering Christmas
WHERE: Fort Saint Clair Park, Eaton
HOURS: 6-10 p.m., December 1-24
INFO: Website | Facebook | 937-456-4125
6. Dayton Holiday Tree

Source: Dayton Daily News

We’re sure you saw the installation of the holiday tree at some point as you were driving downtown. Well, now it’s time to check the finished product in Courthouse Square. Soak it all in as the holiday lights illuminate downtown Dayton. It’s available for your viewing pleasure until January 1^st

Want to go?
WHAT: Downtown Dayton Holiday Tree
WHERE: Dayton’s Courthouse Square, Dayton
HOURS: December 27th- January 1st
INFO: Website | Facebook | 937-224-1518
7. Clifton Mill

Source: Facebook

This wouldn’t be a holiday light roundup without mentioning the impressive display brought to you by our friends at Clifton Mill. You simply can’t ignore this event, which has been featured in Midwest Living and Ohio Magazine. The display boast over 3.5 million lights which twinkle on the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges.

Want to go?
WHAT: The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
WHERE: 75 Water St., Clifton (Greene County)
HOURS: 5-9 p.m. Nov. 27-January 1
INFO: Website | Facebook | 937-767-5501
8. PNC Festival of Lights

Source: Facebook

The 50 minute drive is well worth it! Nominated for USA Today’s 2015 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Zoo Lights, the PNC Festival of Lights is definitely an event you do not want to miss.

Want to go?
WHAT: PNC Festival of Lights
WHERE: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, Ohio 45220
HOURS: 5p.m. – 9p.m. Sunday – Thursday, 5p.m.-10p.m. Friday – Saturday, November 21^st – January 2^nd
INFO: Website | Facebook | 513-281-4700
9. Light Up Middletown

Source: Facebook

Imagine driving through 100-acres of festive holiday lights. You you can do it at Light Up Middletown. It’s complete with themed displays such as a floating Sea Serpent in the reflecting lake, Santa’s Workshop, American Flag, Penguin Village, Deer Leaping Over the Roadway, Helicopter, Whales and much more!
Want to go?
WHAT: Light Up Middletown
WHERE: Smith Park, 500 Tytus Avenue, downtown Middletown, OH 45042
HOURS: 6-10p.m. everything from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve
INFO: Website | Facebook | 513-423-1877
10. Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Source: Facebook

Brighten up your holiday season with Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo. Boasting more than three million twinkling lights, this holiday light display is well worth the drive from Dayton to Columbus!

Want to go?
WHAT: Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
WHERE: 4850 W. Powell Rd Powell, OH 43065
HOURS: 5p.m.-9p.m. Sunday – Thursday, Friday –Saturday, November 20, 2015 - January 3, 2016
INFO: Website | Facebook | 800-666-5397PNC