'Tis the season to be jolly, and there are many lovely places in and around Cleveland that effortlessly make spirits bright. Though the chill of winter has crept into the air and snow is coating the ground and our flora, these lovely destinations will fill you with an inner warmth. Get ready for the merriest road trip imaginable, because these gorgeous places will have you in the holiday spirit.
1. Candy Land Has Gone WILD! at Penitentiary Glen Reservation (8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland)
Remember the magic of playing board games as a kid? In the cold winter months, it was a fun way to get closer with your family. The fun continues to this day, except this incredible Lake Metroparks reservation has reimagined the game as a life-size adventure course. You can check this epic event out through the New Year, and it won't cost you a dime! For the full story, click here.
2. Medina Square (Medina County)
Located in the heart of Medina County is one city that comes with a charming small-town feel. Medina's Public Square is gorgeous and built in the style of Midwestern Victorian downtown districts, and it looks like a model train town once the holidays roll around. You can stroll through the brilliantly lit Uptown Park to the Gazebo, or you can pay a visit to some of the area's gorgeous restaurants for a seasonal bite to eat.
3. Castle Noel (260 S Court St., Medina)
If there's one place in Northeast Ohio that truly provides an over-the-top holiday experience, it's Castle Noel. Located on the southern end of Medina Square, this former church houses iconic Christmas paraphernalia that you'll instantly recognize. You'll see genuine props from your favorite Christmas movies, extravagant window displays from Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Lord & Taylor, and other famous storefronts. It's open all year-round, but winter is doubtlessly the most magical time to pay this place a visit.
4. Winter Wonderland (Strongsville Commons)
Greater Cleveland has many charming communities, but Strongsville truly stands out in the winter months. The Christmas season transforms the commons and their iconic clock tower into a beautiful winter wonderland that you can walk through and admire. Aglow with seasonal splendor, the Crystal Palace gazebo and ginormous Christmas tree will leave you feeling like you just ventured to Santa's workshop in the North Pole.
5. Ashtabula County Lights on the Lake (1700 East 1st St., Ashtabula)
Lakeshore Park is lovely in every season, but its landscape is absolutely transformed in the colder months. Running each night through December 30 from 6 to 9 p.m., this drive-through display costs only $5 per car and it will truly knock your socks off.
6. Crown Point Parkway Festival of Lights (Crown Point Pkwy., Strongsville)
On this normally quiet cul-de-sac, Christmas is truly the greatest time of year. Almost every house in this friendly neighborhood is adorned with lights, and it's free and open to the public. Whether you cruise by in a car or on foot, you're sure to be dazzled by the loveliness of these festive displays. For the full story, click here.
7. Fairview Park Holiday Lights (Seabury Ave., Fairview Park)
Fairview park is a lovely community, but it will downright dazzle you in the holiday season. Hundreds of houses in this lovely community decorate, with the greatest concentration on Seabury Avenue where the sidewalks are lined with festive garlands. Click here for a map of participating houses.
8. John Domenick's Light Display (1842 Bur Oak Dr., Westlake)
The Prayers from Maria Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation may sound familiar if you are from the area. This splendid group organizes the annual sunflower field that celebrates the fight against cancer and commemorates those that lost their battle, and the group fundraises all the while to help support pediatric cancer research. This annual light display helps raise money for them, and it runs nightly from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. through December 30.
9. ChurchLights, Pleasant Hills United Methodist Church (13200 East Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights)
For 11 years, Pleasant Hills has presented a mind-boggling Christmas Light display that reminds you of the reason for the season. This dreamy indoor and outdoor display features thousands of lights, face painting, crafts, performances, and snacks, and it is downright magical. Stop by on a Sunday between now and December 30 to experience the splendor of this presentation.
There is abundant cheer in Northeast Ohio, particularly at these incredible light displays. Which is your favorite?
If you are a fan of these gorgeous decorations, then you simply must visit this year-round holiday shoppe.
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