Welcome to the holiday wonderland that is Toledo, Ohio! As the festive season approaches, our city comes alive with a vibrant array of light displays, events and holiday experiences, ensuring that there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Written by: Kendahl Plank
Published on: 10/11/2024
Whether you're a local looking to make the most of your hometown's holiday spirit or a visitor eager to experience Toledo's unique seasonal magic, you're in for a treat.
Ice Skating at The Ribbon
The 2024-2025 ice skating season opens on Friday, November 15, 2024, and runs daily through Sunday, March 2, 2025 (excluding Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day). Ice skating sessions are 90 minutes each, with schedules varying by day of the week. We strongly encourage making advanced reservations to guarantee your spot on the ice.
The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark is a 1,000 ft. looping ice trail featuring rolling hills and soft curves for a uniquely Metroparks winter ice skating experience. The Ribbon is connected to a 5,000 square foot skating pond that offers a traditional ice rink experience for beginners and a series of special events and programs.
The Ribbon and Glass City Metropark as a whole is truly a destination. After you skate through the park, enjoy food and drinks from The Garden by Poco Piatti inside markethall or reserve a cabana for your group near the skating area where families can warm up by the fire.
The Lights Before Christmas
Each year the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium shines bright from mid-November through the end of December with their annual lights display, The Lights Before Christmas.
The event features a breathtaking array of over one million lights, intricate and imaginative light displays, turning the zoo's picturesque landscape into a mesmerizing tapestry of colors and shapes. From the towering Big Tree adorned with colorful bulbs to animated light sculptures of animals and holiday characters, every corner of the zoo is adorned with radiant illumination, and it is fun for the whole family to enjoy!
During Lights, zoo opens daily at 3 p.m. The Zoo is not open during the daytime and is only open for Lights.
Mon - Thurs
Open 3 - 8 p.m., Zoo closes at 9 p.m.
Fri - Sun
Open 3 - 9 p.m., Zoo closes at 10 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day
Open 3 - 8 p.m., Zoo closes at 9 p.m.
Christmas Eve
Open 3 - 8 p.m., Zoo closes at 9 p.m.
Christmas Day
Open 3 - 8 p.m., Zoo closes at 9 p.m.
New Year's Eve
Open 3 - 8 p.m., Zoo closes at 9 p.m.
Experience the magic of the holiday season at the newly redesigned Winter Village! Enjoy a festive beverage at Twinkle Tavern and shop seasonal merchandise at Enchanted Gifts. Cozy up by a firepit and roast a s'more from The Sweet Shoppe. Don't forget to visit with Santa and share your Christmas wish at Santa's Lodge!
Create timeless memories among twinkling lights! Find Winter Village at the south side of the Zoo in the Amphitheatre.
Holidays at the Manor House
The 50th annual Holidays at the Manor House returns, December 7-15. Admission is free and no reservations required. Ring in the holidays at one of northwest Ohio’s most festive celebrations. Each year, volunteers from the community transform over 30 areas of the 30,000-square-foot Manor House into a holiday wonderland. Tour the house and see why more than 40,000 people make Holidays at the Manor House part of their holiday tradition.
Visit Metroparks Hall on the same dates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. to see the model train exhibit by the Swanton Area Railroad and Model Club. Reservations will not be required to see the trains, however a limited number of people will be allowed inside the building at one time.
Walleye Hockey Season
It wouldn't be winter in Toledo without Walleye Hockey. This adrenaline-fueled spectacle takes center stage at the Huntington Center Arena all winter and many visitors make attending a game part of their holiday tradition! Part of what makes the Walleye experience special is their themed nights and this year for the holidays they are doing a Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation themed night which will include a special snowman ornament giveaway. Learn more about the Walleye Hockey season here.
Notable Holiday Displays, Events & Tree Lightings:
Hensville Lights
Saturday, November 23 through the holidays
Hensville Park and Fleetwoods Taproom will be fully lit covering the whole building with a display of lights along with a big tree lighted tree in Hensville park. Head downtown for their special tree lighting event to ring in the season and kick off the downtown Toledo Holiday Lights Trail.
Sleigh Bellwether
Mid December through the end of the year
Celebrate the holiday season at Toledo Spirits Company's cocktail bar! Each year they transform Bellwether into an annual Christmas Wonderland Pop-Up: Sleigh Bellwether! Enjoy Christmas music, over the top decorations, and holiday cocktails. The Sleigh Bellwether cocktail menu features holiday inspired drinks served in unique glassware with festive garnish. Stay tuned for more details!
Children's Wonderland
Friday, December 13 - Tuesday, December 24 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter
Children’s Wonderland began as a Northwest Ohio holiday tradition over 50 years ago. For decades, families from all over the Northwest Ohio have been coming to find the holiday spirit at Children’s Wonderland. As always, dozens of classic exhibits will be on display, train rides will be available, and there will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures with Santa.
Main Street Sylvania
Downtown Sylvania is lit up each year with strings of lights and can be enjoyed while exploring Sylvania’s lively downtown district. Wander through art galleries for inspiration and stock up on supplies at the art supply depot. Get the latest fashions at locally owned boutiques and shop for unique home décor. Get a drink at a local establishment to sip as you stroll through the shops in Sylvania’s Downtown Outdoor Recreation Area (DORA).
The Town Center at Levis Commons
The tree lighting ceremony is complete with live coverage, entertainment and kids activities to enjoy. Eat, shop, enjoy live performances, witness 13abc's live broadcast, welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus, and help Levis Commons light the big tree!
November 23: Downtown Toledo Holiday Lights Trail Kickoff during the Hensville Tree Lighting
December 1,4,8,9,11&15: Cookie Classes with 7 Little Cupcakes- Official
December 5: Cookies and Cocoa at Imagination Station Toledo
December 7: Christmas Tree Ship at National Museum of the Great Lakes
Christmas Ale Adventure
The Christmas Ale Adventure is a fun promotion on the 419 Ale Trail where visitors who have the mobile passport can get special offers on holiday ales at regional breweries from November 15 through the end of the year. Plus when you check out these regional breweries a special Christmas Ale Adventure sticker awaits you, while supplies last! To learn more about how to participate in the free 419 Ale Trail click here.
Holiday Shopping
It is no secret that a big part of the holiday season is shopping! Visitors to Toledo typically spend time shopping while they are here due to our local retail offering, thriving mall, and unique places to find gifts. So after you’ve made your holiday gift-giving list, get ready for some retail therapy at Toledo’s locally owned businesses! You’ll find a unique array of local boutiques and handcrafted artists to complement your must-have mall items. Check out our Holiday Shopping Trail for inspo!
If you are tired of giving more "stuff" and are searching for ways to celebrate through memorable experiences, check out The Ultimate Toledo Experiential Gift Guide for an abundance of opportunities to create unique, unforgettable moments for all your loved ones.
Merry & Bright Holiday Nights
Head about one hour west of Toledo to Archbold, Ohio and step back in time at Sauder Village. From the bright lights on Main Street to the quiet warmth of candlelit cabins, Sauder Village brings the past to life and inspires new memories. Slow down and stroll through historic buildings. Listen to live music. Take a trolley or train ride, make a holiday craft, and perhaps run into Santa himself. Indulge in an old-fashioned treat at our Soda Fountain. Take a break for the hustle of the holidays and make Merry and Bright part of your new tradition.While visiting, make sure to stop in at the Barn Restaurant for a home-style meal and grab your holiday treats at the Doughbox Bakery, adjacent to the Barn Restaurant.
Making Spirits Bright on Main Street
Enjoy a cocktail from the Broken Barrel Speakeasy on Main Street while you stroll through the historic buildings and learn about Christmas traditions from the past. Enjoy a sample of several historic themed drinks in our historic homes. Take a Trolley Ride or a train ride on our decorated train. Learn more here.
Holidays at RB Hayes
Enjoy a special evening tour of the Hayes Home during Hayes Home Holidays, offered two nights in December. Guests will be treated to festive stories and, throughout the tour, guests will be able to interact with costumed characters.Participants will enjoy a comforting cup of wassail, a hot spiced cider that was a popular holiday drink during the Victorian era. The home will be lightly decorated for the holidays in a historically accurate manner. Before and after tours, guests can enjoy the “Hayes Train Special” model train display in the museum auditorium.
Tours are Friday, Dec. 20, and Saturday, Dec. 21. Tours begin at 5 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. with the final tour departing at 8 p.m. Learn more here.
Horse-drawn sleigh and trolley rides through Spiegel Grove
Ride through the wooded estate of President Rutherford B. Hayes in a horse-drawn sleigh, as he did when he lived there from Thursday, Dec. 26 - Tuesday, Dec. 31. A horse-drawn trolley also will offer rides through Spiegel Grove. Learn more here.
Rides are from 1 to 4 p.m. each day. The sleigh can fit four people, and the trolley can fit 16 -18. The rides are a nostalgic trip through the beautiful wooded estate. Rides are by South Creek Clydesdales.
Looking for more inspo? You might like these other winter and holiday inspired blogs:
Toledo's Holiday Shopping Trail | Spending Thanksgiving in Toledo | The Ultimate Toledo Experiential Gift Guide
