• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Visit Ohio Today
  • Search By County
  • Hocking Hills
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Subscribe
  • Search By Ohio County
  • Hocking Hills
  • Metro Parks
  • State Parks
  • Adventures
  • Wineries
  • Pumpkin Farms
  • Ohio orchards
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Subscribe
    • Search By Ohio County
    • Hocking Hills
    • Metro Parks
    • State Parks
    • Adventures
    • Wineries
    • Pumpkin Farms
    • Ohio orchards
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2023

    Clifton Mill Christmas Lights 2023

    December 4, 2022 by Cindy Leave a Comment

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    building with lots of christmas lights

    Clifton Mill Christmas Lights are a sight like nothing you have seen before. Millions of lights illuminate historic Clifton Mill to create the most perfect Ohio Christmas lights display. 

    view of clifton mill christmas lights both sides of bank

    Visit Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    Contents show
    1 Visit Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    2 Is there food at Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    3 Parking at Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    4 What else is at Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    5 What Others Are Saying About Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    6 Fast Facts for Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    7 Personal Review of Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    8 Where is Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
    9 Let’s go to Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    Clifton Mill Christmas Lights are touted as one of the best light displays in the state and midwest region! Clifton Mill and the surrounding gorge, bank, trees and bridges are illuminated with millions of lights. 

    The lights tradition at Clifton Mill has been going strong for over 35+ years! Traditionally, Clifton Mill Christmas lights can be viewed from after Thanksgiving to the end of December.

    You will be mesmerized by the 4 million lights on display. There is even a 10-foot waterfall of twinkling lights. While there you can visit the miniature village they have set up where you can peek into Santa’s workshop where you can see him hard at work!

    Hungry? Grab a snack while viewing all the Ohio Christmas lights! You can generally find things like hot dogs, bbq sandwiches, soup, hot chocolate and some sweets!  

    FUN FACT: Clifton Mill won the $50,000 grand prize on the ABC's “The Great Christmas Light Fight” back in 2018!

    FUN FACT #2: Clifton Mill was once again nominated for USA TODAY’S 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards for 2022, and also a contender for Best Public Holiday Lights Display! Very impressive!

    clifton mill on the creek side showing red building decorated with light of chrsitmas lights white and red ones

    Is there food at Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    YES! You can find a delicious selection of snack foods inside. Things like popcorn, giant pretzels, nachos, hotdogs and more! Inside they accept cash and credit.

    Outside there is a Hot Chocolate Shack, this is a cash-only purchase.

    covered bridge at clifton mill, it is decoreated with wreaths and christmas lights

    Parking at Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    The road is closed in front of the mill. Just follow the signs that say free parking, It will lead you to a parking lot across the water from the mill. From there you’ll access the site via the beautiful covered bridge!

    life sized manger scene
    animated miniature town
    santa coming out of chimney

    What else is at Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    Besides all the beautiful lights on the mill, you can see the covered bridge light show every 30 minutes. The lights dance to the beat of the music and it is a beautiful site! You can see the life-sized manger scene as well as a huge miniature animated town display. Oh, yes, Santa is there too! He is busy working in his workshop but it takes time to wave at everyone through the window. If you are lucky, he'll pop out of the chimney and talk with you! He did that twice when we were there in 2022!

    kids peaking into a window with christmas lighst and seeing santa

    What Others Are Saying About Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    • Simply Spectacular Light Show!!!!! So much fun. (Linda C)
    • It is awesome at Christmas with all the lights, however, the entrance fee is a little steep. Fun for kids though. (Ken D)
    • First time going and it was amazing. Loved the miniature town setup. Santa came out of the chimney to wave to everyone. The light show on the covered bridge was great. (Kim J)
    side of covered bridge at clifton mill christmas lights

    Fast Facts for Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    • Dates for 2023: November 24th - December 30th
    • The gates open around 5 pm - 9 pm each night (Special Hours Dec 24/25 6-8pm) - I would highly suggest going during the week and getting there between 5 and 5:30, it gets busy quick!
    • The lights are “on” from 6 pm to 9:30 pm
    • Parking is free
    • Admission is $10 per person (Mon-Wed) for ages 4+ older - Children 3 and under are free AND $15 a person (Thurs-Sun)
    • Major credit cards and cash are accepted
    • Visit the website for more information
    red mill named clifton mill with two waterfalls down into a river gorge

    Personal Review of Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    Clifton Mills Christmas Lights was spectacular! I (Cindy) went with one of my kiddos in December 2022! This was our first time visiting during the holiday season. We have previously seen the mill in all its beauty during the summer months! We arrived around 5:30, the gates open at 5. I would suggest you get there between 5 and 5:30 as it fills up quickly with other onlookers.  There are no lights on until 6 pm. It is beautiful to see the dark night transform into a bright Christmas scene! Totally spectacular! Plan to be there 1-2 hours to view everything. 

    There are port-a-potties onsite, the inside bathrooms are closed. Inside you can still shop and purchase food!  It seems that pretzels and popcorn were the popular items I can attest that the popcorn was delicious!  Outside you can find a hot chocolate shack! 

    There is a covered bridge light show that happens every ½ hour, so be sure to watch for that. If you don’t have a good view the first time around, just wait a half hour!

    They had a life-sized manger scene and a beautiful miniature lighted town on display.  Santa (the real live one) was in his workshop waving to children and adults through the window, then he’d go up through the chimney and talk to children from the top of the chimney!

    The Christmas spirit was in full effect, you could feel it!

    Parking: the road is closed in front of the mill. Just follow the signs that say free parking, It will lead you to a parking lot across the water from the mill. From there you’ll access the site via the beautiful covered bridge!

    front side of clifton mill decorated with christmas lights, people standing in front taking picture

    Where is Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    Clifton Mill Christmas Lights are located at 75 Water Street, Clifton Ohio 45316

    Parking: the road is closed in front of the mill. Just follow the signs that say free parking, It will lead you to a parking lot across the water from the mill. From there you’ll access the site via the beautiful covered bridge!

    Let’s go to Clifton Mill Christmas Lights

    Have you visited the Clifton Mill Christmas Lights in previous years or even this year? We would love to know! Drop us a comment below to share your thoughts and tips from your visit!

    A HUGE thanks to reader KB for sharing her pictures from a recent visit to see the Clifton Mill Christmas Lights! We love the kids peeking in to see Santa!

    green circle with white check mark

    Hello! We have done our very best to ensure that the accuracy of events, hours, addresses, etc are up to date. Please know that information can change due to weather, updated health and safety challenges, etc. If you find incorrect information, please send us an email and we can get it updated.

    To be updated and stay connected, subscribe to our newsletter.

    click here to search by ohio county
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    « Sweet Corn Festival Millersport
    Things To Do In Findlay Ohio »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    white background, black circle with words: visit ohio today.com est 1803 inside

    This site was created to help others discover what Ohio has to offer! There are activities for all ages and interests in Ohio. We are helping you to discover or “re” discover Ohio, one day at a time.

    More about Visit Ohio Today →

    Reader Favorites

    • A close up photo of two wine glasses each containing white wine
      Ohio Wineries
    • A white/grey horse in a muddy field
      Hocking Hills Horseback Riding
    • text: best wineries in geneva ohio Collage picture of glass wine bottles in wine stand, green wine bottle with plastic cup in front with yellow liquid, red liquid in tall glasses and black tray with white paper and plastic clear cups filled with yellow and red liquid
      Wineries In Geneva Ohio
    • A photo of a goat with its head on a fence. Map image of Ohio with text overlay saying Youngs Jersey Dairy Farm
      Youngs Dairy 

    Popular Categories

    • Wineries
    • Things to do in
    • Animals
    • Hocking Hills
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Recent Posts

    • Ohio Wineries
    • Hocking Hills Horseback Riding
    • Wineries In Geneva Ohio
    • Youngs Dairy 
    • Xmas Tree Farms In Ohio

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Info

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact: team (at) visitohiotoday (dot) com

    Popular Posts

    • Logan Ohio
    • Haunted Houses in Ohio
    • Things to do in Hocking Hills
    • Glacier Ridge Metro Park
    • Rockbridge Ohio

    Popular Winery Posts

    • Hocking Hills Winery
    • Grand River Cellars
    • Spring Hill Winery
    • South River Winery

    Please note that we are not the official web site for ANY Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, Historical Society, Ohio State or Government. This website is owned by a private Ohio media company and was created as a travel resource.

    Disclaimer: Always call ahead to make sure that the place you are visiting is open, has current open hours, etc. Use the information on this website as a "starting point" for your travel planning. Please check the official websites and social media of the places you plan to visit before you go.

    OUR SISTER SITES

    air fryer eats logo
    easy veg recipes by vegetarian mamma
    happy food healthy life words with a red beet and green leaves
    insanely easy recipes

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023