9 Must-See Christmas Lights Displays in Northeast Ohio

OHIO - Northeast Ohio should be getting its first real taste of snow this week. While we're all hoping for a dusting instead of a hammering, the one perk to true winter weather is the scenic backdrop it provides for the region's Christmas light displays.

To help you select the best lights display for you and your family, we've compiled a list of some of the region's most festive creations.

• Strongsville's Winter Wonderland - Set up at the city's public square, the decorations are some of the best in Ohio and they're free to drive by or walk through. A kick-off celebration was held Nov. 20 and Mayor Tom Perciak lit up the town clocktower, gazebo and Commons.
• Crown Point Festival of Lights - While you're in Strongsville, stop by this gorgeous display. Pedestrians will walk through lighted arches and on the weekend children can say hi to Santa Claus. More info here.
• Winter Lights Lantern Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art - This annual ceremony is inspired by several different cultures and their traditions and features hosts of lanterns both inside the museum and throughout Wade Oval.
• Nela Park in Cleveland - General Electric puts out more than half a million lights in an astonishing holiday display. The display is free and open to the public and features contributions from several major Cleveland organizations, like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
• Public Square in downtown Cleveland - The area was lit up during the Winterfest celebration Nov. 26. The square will remain a winter wonderland through the end of January, so you have plenty of time to get downtown, eat a nice meal, and check out the lights.
• Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron - Open Dec. 8-23 and 26-30, Deck the Hall is one of the largest Christmas light displays in all of Northeast Ohio. More than 850,000 lights are setup throughout the manor and its expansive grounds. Parking is free, but it will cost you to get in. More info here.
• Church Lights in Middleburg Heights - The indoor display is open on Sundays through 18, so that display will only be around for a little bit longer. The outdoor display is open every night through Christmas. More than 40,000 lights will decorate the grounds. More info here.
• Taggs Candy Cane Lane in Mayfield Heights - This display features more than 8,500 lights all synchronized to music and will be up until New Year's Eve. More info here.
• Holiday Lights at Carlisle Reservation at Lorain Metro Parks - Besides decorating the park, the Metro Parks have also decorated trail stations to resemble classic holiday movies. Admission to the park is free, but it is requested that you bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank. More info here.

DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Samantha Torres, public domain