Your holiday season resource for Akron is here! Explore our comprehensive guide for all the best events and activities. Whether you're an Akron native or a holiday adventurer, this guide illuminates the city's seasonal charm.
One delightful event to experience is the Akron Zoo's Wild Lights, featuring vibrant light displays that create a magical atmosphere. Another highlight is the Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, where visitors can stroll through enchanting trails adorned with festive decorations. And the Hower House Museum Holiday in Bloom is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautifully themed holiday decorations in a historic setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Akron
- Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland)
- Akron Zoo's Wild Lights
- Welcome Santa Illuminated Night Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Hower House Museum Holiday in Bloom
- Massillon Holiday Parade & Light Up (Massillon)
- FREE Crocker Park Tree Lighting & Sing-Along with Santa and Friends (Westlake)
- FREE Santa’s Arrival at Southern Park Mall (Boardman)
- FREE Christmas on the Canal + Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus (Bolivar)
- 30th Annual Warther Tree Festival (Dover)
- FREE Come Home to Hudson & Caroling on the Green (Hudson)
See these and even more events listed below!
Akron Holiday Light Displays
Akron Zoo's Wild Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with over one million lights and interactive activities.
Description:
Akron Zoo's Wild Lights features over one million dazzling lights, fun photo-ops, and holiday treats like s'mores and hot chocolate. Enjoy Grinch-themed fun, visit Santa, and experience a Rockin' Lighted Spectacular.
Where: Akron | More Info: Akron Zoo's Wild Lights
Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo transforms into a holiday spectacle with over 1.5 million lights, dynamic musical light shows, and festive activities like carousel rides and model train displays.
Where: Cleveland | More Info: Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Welcome Santa Illuminated Night Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Illuminated floats and fireworks display.
Description:
The Welcome Santa Illuminated Night Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony in Downtown Akron features lighted floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus. The event culminates with Santa lighting the City of Akron's official tree and concluding with fireworks.
Where: Akron | More Info: Welcome Santa Illuminated Night Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Massillon Holiday Parade & Light Up
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with a festive parade and tree lighting.
Description:
The Massillon Holiday Parade & Light Up is a family-friendly event featuring a festive parade and tree lighting in downtown Massillon. The event includes a free festival atmosphere with activities for all ages.
Where: Massillon | More Info: Massillon Holiday Parade & Light Up
FREE Holly Pine Lane Kick-Off
What to Expect:
Local, handmade light displays by Canton Parks Recreation maintenance team.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with a free event featuring the lighting of Stadium Park, Santa, decorated Christmas trees, and kids' activities.
Where: Akron | More Info: FREE Holly Pine Lane Kick-Off
Light Up Middletown
What to Expect:
Unique drive-through light display with cash donation admission.
Description:
Light Up Middletown is a drive-through fantasy light display at Smith Park, featuring a tunnel of lights and a 100-acre park filled with sparkling lights. The event is open every night from Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, and admission is by cash donation.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Light Up Middletown
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with various themed scenes.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday light display featuring over 2 million lights, including classic holiday scenes and iconic characters like Mattel's Waving Christmas Barbie and the BIGFOOT Monster Truck. Guests can enjoy the event from the comfort of their vehicles, with some locations offering additional out-of-car activities.
Where: Middleburg Heights | More Info: Magic of Lights
Elegant Illusions Christmas Drive Through Park
What to Expect:
State-of-the-art animatronics and LED displays in a holiday light drive-through experience.
Description:
Elegant Illusions Christmas Drive Through Park features all-new LED displays, animatronics, and over 50 holiday scenes at Portage County Randolph Fairgrounds. Visitors can stop at the Santa Shack to visit Santa and Mr. Grinch, and take pictures at Photo Op benches. This event is designed to become a special Christmas tradition for families and guests from Northern Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Where: Atwater | More Info: Elegant Illusions Christmas Drive Through Park
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with a 300-foot RGB tunnel and multiple 50-foot-tall Christmas trees.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Dayton features cutting-edge technology and traditional holiday charm, offering an unforgettable experience with custom-built light displays synchronized to joyful melodies. Immerse yourself in a symphony of colors and festive melodies as you journey through a sprawling carpet of lights, multiple 50-foot-tall Christmas trees, and traditional Christmas scenes.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: Dayton
Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake
What to Expect:
Dazzling holiday light displays set against Lake Erie’s backdrop.
Description:
Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake is a holiday light display featuring over 70 dazzling displays set against the majestic backdrop of Lake Erie. The event offers a driving tour through Lakeshore Park, creating a picturesque and memorable experience for visitors.
Where: Ashtabula | More Info: Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake
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 experience.
Where: Powell | More Info: Wildlights at Columbus Zoo
Akron Holiday Shows and Entertainment
FREE Crocker Park Tree Lighting & Sing-Along with Santa and Friends
What to Expect:
Interactive tree lighting ceremony with live music and Santa's arrival.
Description:
Join Crocker Park for a festive Tree Lighting & Sing-Along with Santa and friends, featuring live performances, food trucks, and holiday attractions.
Where: Westlake | More Info: FREE Crocker Park Tree Lighting & Sing-Along with Santa and Friends
Akron Other Holiday Activities
Hower House Museum Holiday in Bloom
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a historic Victorian mansion.
Description:
The Hower House Museum Holiday in Bloom features a beautifully decorated 28-room Victorian mansion with hundreds of treasures and furnishings collected by the Hower family. The event showcases the mansion's unique Second Empire Italianate style and its historical significance.
Where: Akron | More Info: Hower House Museum Holiday in Bloom
FREE Santa’s Arrival at Southern Park Mall
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday celebration with Santa and festive characters.
Description:
Southern Park Mall welcomes Santa Claus for the holiday season with a grand parade featuring Santa, the Grinch, Cindy Lou Who, and other festive characters. Families can enjoy face painting, balloon artists, and story time with Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch. Admission is free, and families are encouraged to bring a toy donation to support the Salvation Army's Toy Drive.
Where: Boardman | More Info: FREE Santa’s Arrival at Southern Park Mall
FREE Christmas on the Canal + Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday event with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Join us for FREE Christmas on the Canal, where children can enjoy craft making, hot chocolate, and train rides. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Christmas House, and take home free goody bags filled with buttons and pencils. Music and hay rides will keep spirits bright.
Where: Bolivar | More Info: FREE Christmas on the Canal + Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus
30th Annual Warther Tree Festival
What to Expect:
Unique tree decorations benefiting local community.
Description:
The 31st Annual Warther's Tree Festival features over 100 pre-decorated trees, wreaths, and home decor, delighting families with unique themes each year. Admission is $5 for those 12 and older, with children under 12 admitted free. Proceeds benefit the Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Auxiliary.
Where: Dover | More Info: 30th Annual Warther Tree Festival
FREE Come Home to Hudson & Caroling on the Green
What to Expect:
Caroling event with illuminated pine trees.
Description:
Join the Hudson Community Choruses for a festive caroling event at the Gazebo Green, where massive pine trees will be illuminated during the caroling.