Land of Illusion spends the fall scaring people. Starting Nov. 20, the Middletown park, about halfway between Cincinnati and Dayton, trades its haunted houses for Christmas Glow: a 2-mile drive through more than 3.5 million lights, then a walkable Christmas Village with Santa, a petting zoo, kids’ rides and fire pits for thawing out. It’s one of the bigger displays on our list of Christmas lights around Cincinnati, and one of the few where the lights are only half the night.
The drive-thru
The 2-mile route winds through eight themed sections of lights with carols playing along the way. Plan on 25 to 30 minutes at the posted 5 mph, longer on busy nights. You can’t get out of the car for photos, so whoever isn’t driving is on camera duty.
The Christmas Village
After the drive, you park and walk into the village. Santa is in his workshop every night the village is open, from 6 to 10 p.m. Kids can share their wish lists, make a craft and leave with a treat. Santa photos are taken by a third-party photographer and cost extra, and personal photos with Santa aren’t allowed.
The Polar Petting Zoo has goats, Highland cows, sheep, alpacas and llamas, plus Charlie the Camel. Feed and carrots are sold on site. Beyond the animals, there’s Whoville, Cookie Cutter Playland, rotating costumed characters, a big Christmas tree and gas fire pits. The three rides are the Cookie Cutter Train Ride, the Rudolph Riding Challenge and Dash’s VR Ride. The VR ride costs extra, and so do some other activities.
Food runs from Don’s Pizza and concession stand basics to donuts and hot cocoa at Mrs. Claus’s Snack Shack. The Elf’s Lounge is open nightly for the 21-and-up crowd, though it doesn’t serve alcohol on Sundays. The gift shop will personalize ornaments with your family’s names.
Most families spend one to two hours in the village. The attractions are covered, but the walkways between them are outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Dates, hours and tickets
- Dates: Nov. 20 to Dec. 24, closed Christmas Day. The drive-thru reopens on its own Dec. 26 to 30; the village is closed those nights.
- Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 24. Drive-thru only nights run 6 to 9 p.m.
- Admission: $17 for ages 13 to 64, $13 for ages 4 to 12 and free for kids 3 and under. Senior and military tickets are $13 at the gate.
- How tickets work: Tickets are per person and good any night through Dec. 24, so you don’t have to pick a date. You can buy at the gate, but buying online gets you in faster. Text GLOW to 877-805-1007 for discounts.
- Parking: Free.
- Pets: Not allowed.
- Accessibility: All areas are wheelchair accessible, though some spots get tight on busy nights.
- Weather: The park may close for severe rain, ice or snow. Check the banner at the top of the Land of Illusion website before you leave.
- Address: 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown
Buy tickets and check for closings on the Land of Illusion Christmas Glow website.
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
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