Toledo Zoo
Journey Borealis
Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
Lights Before Christmas
Boasting more than a million LED lights, Journey Borealis is a multifaceted excursion that culminates in a look at Santa’s Workshop with working elves. Along the way, you’ll encounter Jerusalem (where blue and white lights pay tribute to Hannukah), Germany’s Candy Cane Forest (festive trees wrapped with red and white yarn), The Grinch’s Greenland (featuring an 80foot light tunnel), and Bethlehem (to honor the birth of Jesus). 513-868-1234; www.journeyborealis.com
Combine the natural beauty of the Little Miami River with 4.4 million red and white lights draping a historical grist mill, a covered bridge, and the riverbanks, and what do you get? One dazzling and exclusively Ohio extravaganza. Adding to the enchantment are hourly lights-andmusic shows and a singular Santa’s workshop where the jolly old elf not only makes toys but also goes up the chimney to load his sleigh. 937-767-550; www.cliftonmill.com
Perhaps Ohio’s most amazing Christmas tree is the zoo’s Norway spruce, a nationally known, 85-foot-tall behemoth that takes more than 3 miles of lights to decorate. The lighting of the “Big Tree” commences a truly electrifying event that includes dancing lights in the Main Plaza and 200 gleaming animal images. Take a cool ride on the ice slide or Holly Jolly Express Train, then warm up in the Yuletide Food and Spirits tent. 419-385-5721; www.toledozoo.org/lights
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Hamilton
Clifton
32 OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING • DECEMBER 2021
Toledo Zoo and Aquarium, Toledo
