PJs on, cocoa in the cupholder, tune the radio.
Drive-Thru Christmas Lights
The best holiday outing you can take in your pajamas. Pile everyone in the car, find a show, and roll slowly through tunnels of lights while the music plays on the radio.
See 23 Ohio drive-thru showsOr plan a lights night by ZIP and date
Where are you driving?
Of 101 Ohio displays, 29 have 2026 dates quoted from their own sites, 18 list dates there without printing the year, 8 show only an earlier season's dates, and 46 have no dates we could quote. We show this year's dates only when they're posted, and we label last season's details with their year.
More states are coming. We add a state only after checking its shows one by one.
Pick a show and a night
Drive-thru light shows run at county fairgrounds, metro parks, ballparks and even a few family farms and neighborhoods. Most run from mid-November into early January, and some open only certain nights of the week. Many post their dates just two to three weeks before opening, so check the show's page close to your night.
Sort out tickets
Most shows charge by the carload, not by the person. Some take payment at the gate, often cash only. Others sell timed tickets online, where you book a half-hour or two-hour window. Buses, limos and big vans usually pay more, and a few shows don't allow them at all.
Tune the radio
Many drive-thrus play music on their own low-power FM station, with the lights blinking in time. The station is usually on a sign at the entrance, and some shows announce it only on opening night. Turn it up and let the kids sing along.
Pack the car
Lights-night checklist
Ready? Start with Ohio
Our Ohio drive-thru Christmas lights guide covers all five regions. Filter by free shows, timed tickets, FM radio, Santa and cocoa, or enter a ZIP code and a date to see what's scheduled that night.
Plan a lights nightKnow an amazing display we missed? Tell us about it.