The 19 biggest holiday light shows in Cincinnati this year

As the days get shorter and nights get longer, and we trade our pumpkin spice lattes for peppermint mocha or hot chocolate, the change of season brings with it fun activities to enjoy after the sun sinks below the horizon.

One of the highlights is gathering family and friends to experience the magic of the season at one of Greater Cincinnati's holiday light shows. From walk-through immersive displays to drive-through experiences, there's no better way to get into the holiday spirit.

Here's a roundup of holiday light shows taking place this year in and around Cincinnati.

Christmas at the Ark Encounter (Nov. 28-Jan. 3)

Enjoy light displays, animal programs, the Ararat Ridge Zoo and carousel rides. Virtual reality experience and camel rides cost extra.

Details: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Ark Encounter, 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Free; $15 parking. Arkencounter.org.

Christmas at the Creation Museum (Nov. 28-Jan. 3)

Enjoy the garden of lights, indoor dramas in Legacy Hall, a live nativity, the Creation Zoo and the Encounter the Wonder SFX show. Planetarium show costs extra.

Details: 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Creation Museum, 2800 Bullittsburg Church Road, Petersburg. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Free; $15 parking. Creationmuseum.org.

Christmas Glow (Nov. 20-Dec. 24)

Celebrate the season with more than 3.8 million lights along a two-mile-long Christmas Around drive-thru experience, plus a petting zoo, Christmas village with Santa and "Christmas Lights with Bluey & Bingo" on Thursdays.

Details: 6-10 p.m. daily, Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. Drive-thru only Dec. 26-30. $15 for ages 13-34 and $10 for ages 3-12. Children 3 and under get in for free. Landofillusion.com/glow.

Downtown Dazzle (Nov. 29-Dec. 20)

Watch Santa rappel from a Cincinnati skyrise, enjoy fireworks and more. New this year, kids of all ages are up for "Elf Certification" during a scavenger hunt for Santa. Kids can snap pictures with Santa and Buddy the Elf, decorate holiday ornaments and cookies!

Great Parks' nature-based holiday adventure, Holidays on the Farm, run Dec. 4-23.

Holidays on the Farm (Dec. 4-23)

This walk-through experience features dazzling lights, old-fashioned hayrides, an animal meet-and-greet and more. You'll also find a quaint village showcasing local artisans and food trucks, live music, a synchronized dance horse show and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Winton Woods Farm and Equestrian Center, 10037 Daly Road, Springfield Township. $12 for ages 3-17 and seniors and $15 for adults (or $17 on-site). greatparks.org.

CAM Nights and Holiday Lights with Blink (Dec. 4-26)

Think "Night at the Museum," but with a healthy dose of holiday cheer. The Alice Bimel Courtyard has been transformed into an outdoor, immersive, light-filled winter wonderland, where visitors can gaze at a holiday-themed project light show designed by Cincinnati-based motion designer, 3D animator and three-time Blink artist Chaske Haverkos.

Visitors can enjoy the show outside, or diners can reserve a heated snowglobe and enjoy a good meal while watching the show. The Cincinnati Art Museum collection galleries and three exhibitions will also be open during the extended holiday hours.

Details: 5-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday evenings. Closed on Christmas Day. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Light in the Forest (Dec. 5-28)

Enjoy a beautifully lit forest, new installations by regional light artists, children's activities, live music, bonfires, food trucks and more.

Details: 5:30-8:30 p.m. select nights, Cincinnati Nature Center, Rowe Woods, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford. Preregistration required. $20 for non-member adults, $8 for non-member children ages 3-up. $15 for adult members and $6 for member children ages 3-up. Cincynature.org.

Light in the Forest opens for the season on Dec. 5 and runs through Dec. 28.

Light Up Middletown (Nov. 27-Dec. 31)

Enjoy a quaint drive-thru light display of holiday and winter scenes.

Light Up the Fair (Nov. 21-Dec. 27)

Northern Kentucky's only drive-thru light show features over two miles of sparkling holiday lights, festive displays and family-friendly holiday fun. Enjoy the synchronized light show set to your favorite holiday songs, and see brand new themed displays, glowing tunnels and picture-perfect holiday moments for you and your family.

Details: Dusk to 10 p.m. nightly. However, if you're in line at 10 p.m., you will not be permitted to enter. Boone County Fairgrounds, 5819 Idlewild Road, Burlington. Open Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. $15 per car for 1-2 passengers and $25 per car up to 8 passengers. Kids 3 and under are free. lightupthefair.com.

Perfect North's Northern Lights (Nov. 21-Dec. 23)

Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland, including LED-lit trees, winter scenes and a light tunnel. Guests can walk the one-mile loop Fridays and Saturdays.

Details: 6-10 p.m. daily, Perfect North Slopes, 19074 Perfect Lane, Lawrenceburg. Closed Nov. 26-27. $9 adults, $4.50 ages 3-12. Runs through Dec. 23. perfectnorth.com.

Bright Lights in Bright, Indiana (Nov. 28-Jan. 4)

Drive by 20 themed displays and through a light tunnel. Listen to holiday music and immerse yourself with a megadose of holiday cheer.

Cincinnati's Nights of Lights (Nov. 26-Jan. 3)

Coney Island's popular drive-thru holiday light show has a new home at the Clermont County Fairgrounds. Illuminated by more than 2 million lights, this beloved Cincinnati tradition features larger-than-life Christmas trees, glowing snowflakes, dancing candy canes, tunnels of light and more.

Details: 5-10 p.m. daily, Clermont County Fairgrounds, 1000 Locust St., Owensville. Timed ticketing; choose your 30-minute time slot to enter. $30 vehicles of 8 persons or less, $50 vehicles with nine or more passengers. No limos, RVs or buses longer than 21 feet. queencitylightshow.com.

PNC Festival of Lights (Nov. 20-Jan. 4)

Arrive early and visit with the animals, then stay for the beauty of 5 million twinkling lights. See five Fiona fairies in Fairyland, a blacklight puppet show, a light show on Swan Lake and more. The North Polar Express Train and carousel rides open at 2:30 p.m.

Details: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Runs Nov. 20-Jan. 4. Cincinnatizoo.org.

Cat Canyon featuring a male lion for the Festival of Lights.

Pyramid Hill Lights (Nov. 14-Jan. 4)

This drive-through experience features unique art and a nature-filled route lit up by installations by local artists and over 1 million lights.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton. Runs Nov. 14-Jan. 4. Closed Mondays. $25 per car for non-members and $15 for park members. pyramidhill.org.

Pyramid Hill Lights opens for the season Nov. 14.

Festival of Ferns (Nov. 1-Jan. 4)

Walk through the conservatory and experience dazzling enchantment this holiday season at the Krohn Conservatory's Festival of Ferns. Celebrate the magic of winter with ferns and festive displays, including model trains that glide through poinsettias and winter plants. Also, see miniature replicas of Cincinnati icons, such as the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport.

The Christmas Ranch (Nov. 21-Dec. 23)

Walk through an old-fashioned family Christmas experience boasting 1 million dancing lights synchronized to holiday music, plus you can enjoy train and wagon rides, seven Christmas shops, pictures with Santa and a bakery cafe.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow. Runs Nov. 21-Dec. 23. Closed Thanksgiving Day. $47 per oversized van, $37 per carload. No buses or RVs. Free parking. Thechristmasranch.com.

WinterFest (Nov. 28-Dec. 31)

The amusement park transforms into an enchanting holiday wonderland with dazzling lights. Enjoy ice skating on the Royal Fountain, live shows and entertainment, the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, fun activities, holiday shopping and seasonal treats.

Strings of lights are hung from the Eiffel Tower at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio.

Winter Nights & River Lights (Nov. 21-Jan. 4)

This Ohio River pedestrian bridge is bedecked in cheerful twinkling lights for the holidays.

Yuletide Village Season of Lights (Nov. 28-Dec. 20)

The home of the Renaissance Festival beckons with sparkling holiday lights, festive shows and unique offerings at the Yuletide Market.

Details: 5-9 p.m. Friday, 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Renaissance Park, 10542 E. State Route 73, Harveysburg. $45 season pass, $20.01 general, free ages 12-under. Yuletidevillage.com.

NOTE: The Florence Y'alls will not host its annual Deck the Y'alls holiday light show and festival this year.