HOLIDAY LIGHTS
November 27 - December 23, 2026
5:30-9:00 p.m.
Walking Trail:
Carlisle Visitor Center
12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
Drive-Through:
Carlisle Equestrian Center
13630 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange, OH 44050
Free | No Registration Required
Celebrate the holidays this year with our festive Holiday Lights displays! The mile-long drive-through portion at the Equestrian Center (13630 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange) features our classic light displays that you can enjoy from the comfort of your vehicle. Or, enjoy a festive ½-mile walk on our decorated trail at the Carlisle Visitor Center (12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange). We will also host a “Wildlife Giving Tree” at the Carlisle Visitor Center, featuring items needed to care for the animals at Carlisle and other LCMP facilities.
Admission to this program is free, but visitors are asked to bring a nonperishable food donation for Second Harvest Food Bank. There will be a donation station at the beginning of the driving display at the Carlisle Reservation Equestrian Center, at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center inside the Black River Room, and at the beginning of the Children’s Nature Discovery Trail.
As always, outdoor programs are weather-dependent. For more information, call (440) 458-5121.
Additional Holiday Lights Activities at Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center:
Balloon Twisting: Wednesdays in December 2, 9, 16, 23 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Santa Nights: Thursdays in December 3, 10, 17 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Santa Shop, Courtesy of Friends of the Metro Parks, join us for a simple craft, along with gift wrapping and shopping assistance for young shoppers. November 27 & 28 and December 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, & 19 from 5:30 - 8:30 pm.
Little Green Choo Rides: Sundays November 29 and December 6, 13, & 20 from 5:30 - 9:00 pm.
Lorain County Metro Parks would like to thank their Holiday Lights sponsors:
LIGHTS ON THE LAKE
Dates | 5:30-9:00 p.m.
Lakeview Park, 1800 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052
Free | No Registration Required
Experience a FREE lakefront drive-thru lighted holiday display at Lakeview Park! Enjoy “Lights on the Lake” with classic holiday scenes, festive décor, and thousands of twinkling lights spanning this 26-acre park. This after-hours event is intended for drive-thru only. You will not be permitted to exit your vehicle. Lights turn on at dusk and stay lit until 9 p.m. each night. We hope you find an opportunity to enjoy this cheerful and safe holiday activity!
Santa Nights at Lakeview Park
Nov. 28, & Dec. 5, 6, 13, & 19 | 5:00-7:00 pm
Celebrate the holiday season with this annual favorite! Drive through Lakeview Park to see all the magical light displays and visit with Santa at one of our free Santa Nights inside the Sunset Terrace for some hot chocolate, cookie decorating, crafts, and a photo opportunity! No registration required!
‘NIGHT TREE’ STORY TIME
Wed., Dec. 9 | 5:00-6:00 p.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Henry’s Barn, 46223 U.S. Rt. 20, Oberlin
$3/person
Join us for a new holiday tradition where we will hear the story "Night Tree" by Eve Bunting, then create ornaments made of food for wildlife. We will hike outside to find and decorate our very own Night Tree, then head back to the barn for hot cocoa and cookies.
Registration is required by Thursday, December 4. Cost is only $3 per person!
SANTA’S BLUE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PARTY
Thurs., Dec. 10 | 6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Rd., Avon
$8/person | Registration Required
Join us for Santa's favorite holiday games, activities, and decorated displays inside the Miller Nature Preserve's Conservatory and Orchid Room! Fee includes admission to the Conservatory's 'Blue Christmas' themed seasonal display, take home treats for the kids, and a complimentary hot cocoa and cookie for decorating per participant. Bring along a camera or phone for a photo opportunity with Santa!
Note - The Orchid Cafe will be open with a limited snack menu during the event.
Participants of ALL ages are required to register to attend, register by 12/6 and pay $8 for EACH PARTICIPANT 3 years and up (adjust the QUANTITY before adding to the cart). Additional FREE admissions available for those 2 years and under (type in Name, Age information when prompted during the registration process).
Miller Members receive a $4 discount. Call (440)937-0764 for Miller Membership information (Annual Adult $20, Annual Youth $10, or Lifetime $250).
OLD-FASHIONED HOLIDAY
Dec. 5 & 6 | 2:00- 6:00 p.m.
Vermilion River Reservation (Mill Hollow side), 51211 North Ridge Rd., Vermilion
$5/person | Register by Dec. 3
Get in the holiday spirit with some old-fashioned fun for the whole family at Vermilion River Reservation! Step back in time to the 1860s as you tour the candlelit Benjamin Bacon House Museum, where members of the Brownhelm Historical Association portray Brownhelm residents celebrating the holidays. Outside the Bacon House, by the warmth of their campfire, enjoy visiting with re-enactors as they cook and share Bacon and Brownhelm history. Go on a scenic horse-drawn carriage ride through Mill Hollow’s pretty, wintry backdrop and relax & roast treats around outdoor firepits (while supplies last). Continue the holiday festivities inside the cozy Carriage Barn, where The Friends of Metro Parks will be selling light refreshments (cash only) and listen to live music as you enjoy the warmth and glow of our grand fireplace and 14-foot-tall Christmas tree.
The program fee includes one carriage ride and the museum tour. Pre-register EACH person in your group for a 12-minute museum tour time-block (limit of 12 people per tour). No walk-ins will be accepted. Visitors must pre-register by Dec. 4 by clicking the button below or by calling (440) 458-5121. On the event day, please check in at the Carriage Barn lobby, where you will receive your Carriage Ride ticket to be used either before or after your scheduled museum tour. Outside activities are weather-dependent. For questions, contact the Carriage Barn at 440-967-7310.
SANTA LUNCH AT LAKEVIEW
Sat., Dec. 12 | 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Lakeview Park, 1800 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, OH 44052
$20/person | Registration Required
Join Santa for a Holiday, fun-filled afternoon at Lakeview Park! Tickets are required for everyone attending: $18 per person (ages 3 and up), and children 2 and under are free. The event includes a pasta bar lunch, cupcake decorating, one family photo with Santa, crafts, and activities for kids.
Pre-registration is required, call 440-458-5121 for tickets and information. Space is limited.
CRAFTS WITH MRS. CLAUS
Sun., Dec. 13 | 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Wellington Reservation, 535 Jones Rd., Wellington
$10/child (under 3 are free)
On Sunday, December 13th from 2-3:30pm we will be spending time inside the Wellington Reservation Visitor Center crafting with Mrs. Claus! During this special holiday event each child will make several holiday crafts and will be able to write a letter to Santa to be taken back to the North Pole. At the end of the event, cookies and cocoa will be served. The cost is $10 per child (ages 3-12). Please register ONLY the child, not the adult caregiver who will be attending with the child. Please limit one caregiver per child. We are requesting one caregiver per child so that each child can have an adult supervising and assisting them with the creation of their crafts and use of the art supplies. Seating is limited. Registration for this program is required by Saturday, December 12th. If your child has any dietary restrictions, please email Carolyn at cbarck@loraincountymetroparks.com with any details about the restriction/allergy.
The Wellington Reservation Visitor Center is located at 535 Jones Road, Wellington, OH.
HOLIDAY STRING ART ORNAMENTS
Sat., Dec. 19 | 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow, 51211 North Ridge Rd., Vermilion
$15/ person| Register by Dec. 17
Create a string art masterpiece! We will be creating 3 wooden cookie holiday string art ornaments! Supplies included. Brief instruction will be given at the beginning of class followed by participants working at their own pace. Registration and $15 fee is required by 12/17.
SANTA SCAVENGER HUNT
Sun., Dec. 20 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
French Creek Nature Center, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Village
Free | No Registration Required
The hunt for Santa's gift bag begins! Drop in French Creek Nature Center for a Santa Scavenger Hunt where you'll search through the Nature Center looking for Santa and some of his magical friends. Find all the items and win a prize from Santa's gift bag! After the hunt, relax at our Christmas Craft table, warm up with some cocoa from the hot chocolate bar, and watch a Christmas movie in one our theatres! Registration not required.