The holidays in northwest Ohio are a time for slowing down, bundling up and spending time with the people you love. From ice skating to finding the best hot chocolate in town, there’s something magical around every corner in the Glass City. Here’s a flurry of festive fun to check out this season.
Take in Promenade Park and the Hensville Lights
Downtown Toledo feels like it transforms overnight once the tree is lit at Promenade Park. The night is typically filled with music, food trucks and, of course, one giant Christmas tree. Just around the corner from the tree is Hensville Lights, which turns the Warehouse District into a glowing wonderland, with more than 200,000 bulbs stretched across St. Clair St. Bring a warm drink, take some photos and let the evening set the tone for the rest of your holiday season.
Tree lighting ceremony Fri. Nov. 21, 5-8pm
Pick the perfect Christmas tree at a local farm
Bundle up and head to a local tree farm. Local favorites such as Whitehouse Christmas Tree Farm, Salsberry Christmas Trees, Rick and Carl’s Christmas Trees and Freedom Farm Delta allow you to cut your own fresh tree for the season.
wheelerfarms.com/christmas-tree-farm
salsberrychristmastrees.com
bowlinggreenchristmastrees.com
freedomfarmdelta.com
Go ice skating
There’s nothing quite like skating under the night sky at an outdoor rink. Ottawa Park offers a classic open-air experience that has been a community favorite for generations. ottawapark.org
Don’t forget to stop by Winter at The Ribbon at Glass City Metropark. This 1,000-foot ice skating loop has rolling hills and curves and includes a 5,000-square-foot open area, referred to as the “pond”, designed for beginners and family events. metroparkstoledo.com
If cold noses aren’t your thing, Tam-O-Shanter in Sylvania has plenty of indoor skating sessions where you can enjoy the fun without the chill. sylvaniatamoshanter.com
See the Lights Before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo
You really can’t fully experience the holidays in northwest Ohio without visiting the Toledo Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas. With more than 1 million lights each year, including the fully decorated 85-foot Norway spruce, it’s a tradition that families visit after year.
Support local at the Toledo Farmers’ Market
Each December, the Toledo Farmers’ Market transforms into a festive holiday marketplace filled with fresh greenery, handmade gifts and seasonal snacks. Families can browse local vendors, enjoy live music and maybe even catch a visit from Santa. It’s a cozy way to cross names off your shopping list while supporting small businesses.
Take a snowy hike at any Toledo Metropark
Not all holiday memories include lights or music. Sometimes, the best tradition is a peaceful walk through the snow at any of Toledo’s Metroparks. Pack a thermos of cocoa, look for deer tracks and enjoy the quiet beauty of winter in northwest Ohio.
Ride a horse-drawn carriage in Wildwood Metropark
Bundle up and hop aboard. Molly and Sally, the beloved mule team from the Canal Experience, pull a carriage through Wildwood Preserve on Saturdays and Sundays. Rides leave from Wildwood Metroparks Hall. Reservations are required. $8 per person. Children under 5 ride free on an adult’s lap.
Turn hot cocoa into a holiday tradition
Each winter, local coffee shops and bakeries roll out seasonal drinks like peppermint mochas, gingerbread lattes and hot chocolate. BREW Coffee Bar, The Flying Joe and Maddie & Bella are just a couple of local spots to sip something sweet, but part of the fun is discovering your own favorite.
Make a gingerbread house at home
After a busy day out, nothing beats coming home to build a gingerbread house. Play holiday music, spread out the candy and let the kids get creative. Spending time together with an activity, avoiding screens and other intrusions, makes for a memorable and meaningful time together.
Celebrate with Live Arts
Toledo Live Arts Toledo’s (The Toledo Symphony) seasonal concerts are always a hit for families. December shows include “Christmas at the Peristyle,” “The Nutcracker,” “Handel’s Messiah” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Step into Children’s Wonderland
Children’s Wonderland returns to northwest Ohio this year at Sylvania’s Tam-O-Shanter, Dec. 12–24. Families can enjoy classic exhibits, train rides and photos with Santa. This year brings back the Mold-A-Matic souvenir wax holiday figure machines, along with a coloring contest, donuts with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a model train display.
Take a drive to see neighborhood light displays
If you don’t have a Toledo Zoo membership or just want to save your wallet from another holiday splurge, you can still enjoy dazzling lights all over the area. Load up the car with blankets, snacks and the kids and crank up your holiday playlist. Then, take a leisurely cruise through the Toledo area’s neighborhood displays. Perrysburg and West Toledo are always bright spots, but the Lighting Up Nevada Street Facebook page is an insider’s guide with an updated list of residential displays throughout the season.
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076242381469
Holidays at the Manor House
Each December, Metroparks Toledo transforms the 30,000-square-foot Wildwood Preserve Manor House into a holiday wonderland. Volunteers decorate more than 30 areas inside the mansion, and visitors can enjoy a model train display by the Swanton Area Railroad and Model Club. Admission is free and no reservations are required.
Give back as a family
The holidays are a time that reminds people of the importance of giving back. Why not spend some time ringing bells for the Salvation Army, donating toys or helping at a local food bank? Volunteering together can become a most meaningful seasonal tradition.
