You may be familiar with Land of Illusion Adventure Park for its Aqua Adventures water park or for their haunted houses at Haunt Scream Park.
Land of Illusion also offers a holiday attraction to add to your list of Christmas events this holiday season.
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow has become one of the area’s newer Christmas traditions for a fun evening out with the entire family.
Guests can enjoy the drive-thru Christmas light experience followed by walking around Christmas Village.
This article is written in partnership with Land of Illusion. All opinions are my own.
When is Land of Illusion Christmas Glow?
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow is open November 22nd – December 30, 2023, from 6 PM to 10 PM
Drive Thru Only December 26th-30th.
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow is closed for Thanksgiving November 27th-29th, 2023, and on Christmas Day.
Experience Southwest Ohio’s Largest Christmas Lights Drive-thru Event
You can see over 3.8 million lights on the 2-mile-long Christmas Around the World drive-thru experience!
Before you start your Christmas drive-thru experience you’re instructed to turn the car radio to a specific station playing holiday music.
After that, you just relax and enjoy the holiday lights from the warmth of your vehicle.
Over the 2-mile stretch of the drive-thru Christmas display, you’ll enjoy light shows, giant candy canes, a holiday movie scene, iconic wonders of the world, and popular holiday characters.
The outdoor light displays for the drive-thru Christmas experience have several colorful tunnels to pass through along the way that are a highlight of the drive.
Christmas Glow is one of the favorite Dayton holiday traditions and also draws visitors from Cincinnati, Lebanon, and Columbus, Ohio, as well as northern Kentucky and Indiana.
Explore Christmas Village at Land of Illusion
Christmas Glow guests can visit Christmas Village after completing the drive-thru portion first.
Both experiences are included with your admission and you can’t access Christmas Village without paying for admission.
Land of Illusion Christmas Village has festive lights and several activities for guests to enjoy.
I would recommend walking around the perimeter of Christmas Village so that you don’t miss any of the things to do there.
Warm Up By the Outdoor Gas Fire Pits
The outdoor gas fire pits were one of my favorite features of Christmas Village.
You can stand around the fire pits or there is a seating section near the large fire pit located under the oversized gazebo.
We loved sitting at the tables by the fire pit while enjoying our snacks and drinks. This is also a nice spot to watch the holiday movie playing on the giant screen nearby.
Take a Picture By the Majestic Lights of the 45-Foot Christmas Tree
As you enter Christmas Village, you can’t miss the colorful 45-foot Christmas tree.
The large Christmas tree is a popular photo spot for both families and couples on a date night.
Visit the Animals at the Petting Zoo
Land of Illusion, along with Safari Junction has a petting zoo as part of their Christmas Glow attractions.
You’ll see a variety of goats in the petting zoo along with my favorite, the highland cows.
Guests can even feed the animals for an additional fee of $2 for feed and $3 for carrots.
Watch the Animatronics at Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
There are several Christmas-themed animatronics on display at Land of Illusion.
The reindeer are near the concession area and the penguins are near Santa’s workshop.
You can see the snowman after you exit the gift shop on your way back to your vehicle.
Rides at Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
There are 3 rides at Christmas Village (a train, mechanical reindeer, and a holiday-themed virtual reality experience).
How Much Are the Rides at Land of Illusion Christmas Glow?
- Individual rides are $5 each
- A pack of 3 rides is $12
- An unlimited ride pass is $18
Kids Area to Write Letters To Santa
If you are visiting with younger kids they can write or color a letter for Santa during their visit.
This is a great option if you want a break from the cold outside.
The letters can be dropped off in a special mailbox for Santa when they are finished.
Make sure that you also take a picture at the Grinch-themed photo area before moving on to other areas of the Christmas Village.
The same building also has stuffed animals that guests can help “stuff” onsite for an additional fee.
Special Photo Areas at Land of Illusion Christmas Village
Christmas Village has multiple areas that are fun places to take a photo with your group of friends, family, or special date.
I’d recommend offering to swap taking pictures with another family nearby if you don’t want all of your pictures to be selfies.
Keep the “live” section on for your phone camera just in case you have a “blinker” and need to use a different picture.
Food And Drinks at Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
There are a variety of warm snacks available at Christmas Village including fresh baked pizza and donuts, nachos, pretzels, hot dogs, sugar waffles, and popcorn.
I’d also recommend trying their fresh roasted pecans, cashews, or almonds that pair well with hot cocoa.
For drinks, they offer soda, energy drinks, Gatorade, bottled water, hot cocoa, and coffee.
For the 21 & over crowd don’t forget to try their spiked hot chocolate or hot apple cider!
Take a Photo With Santa in Santa’s Workshop
If have a family tradition of getting pictures with Santa you can get them taken during your visit to the Christmas Village Santa Workshop for an additional fee.
The Picture with Santa packages range from $20-60 and are provided through a professional photography partner.
* Pictures with Santa are not included with the Christmas Village experience which means that you can’t take pictures with Santa on your own phone.
Gift Shop at Christmas Glow
Inside the gift shop, you’ll find lots of unique holiday gifts, hand-blown ornaments, holiday decor, and Land of Illusion apparel.
Hours For Land of Illusion Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion
Christmas Glow is on select nights from 6pm- 10 pm rain or shine.
When: Select nights from November 23rd – December 30
Closed for Thanksgiving November 27th-30th, November 30th, December 5th-7th and Christmas Day.
Drive Thru Only December 26th-30th
*The Winter Wonderland is only open on select dates.
What Does Admission For Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion Include?
Admission is $12 per person and includes both the drive-thru light display and the Winter Wonderland.
*The Winter Wonderland is open on select nights)
Kids 3 & under are FREE!
No pets are allowed in the park so leave your furry friends at home.
Purchase Admission Online or At the Gate
You can purchase your admission ahead of time online or at the gate during your visit.
The price is the same $12 whether you purchase online or at the gate for Christmas Glow but you do get a discount for Aqua Adventures and Haunt when you buy online.
Is Christmas Glow Wheelchair Accessible?
The Christmas Glow is a drive-thru event and is accessible by any vehicle. The Christmas Village (open Thursday through Sunday) is wheelchair accessible for our guests.
Donations Accepted During Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion
Land of Illusions accepts donations that go to The American Red Cross, Toys For Tots, and the Dayton Food Bank. They also make generous donations to these organizations when they partner up with them.
Where is Land of Illusion Located?
Land of Illusion is located at 8762 Thomas Rd, Middletown, OH.
Parking at Land of Illusion
There are plenty of parking spots in the lot next to the entrance to Christmas Village.
Stay Connected to Land of Illusion Christmas Glow
You can connect to Land of Illusion on social media on Facebook and Instagram.
Sign up on the Land of Illusion attraction’s website for their newsletter to be updated on the park as well as giving them exclusive offers
Land of Illusion Christmas Glow Ticket Giveaway
I’m giving away 4 tickets to Land of Illusion Christmas Glow!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I’d love to check this out with my family!
Wow! I didn’t realize they even had this. Would be fun to take my girls!
We’ve never been and would love to check it out!
Wow, looks amazing! My family would love to go to this!
This looks amazing! We will have to check it out!
We’ve never been – but this looks amazing!!
Never been to this event before but it looks very fun ! Will have to check it out this year.
I’d love to take my grand-girls to this??
Been wanting to check this out for years and it looks so fun!
this would be awesome to see! i’ve never been to land of illusion because haunted house stuff isn’t my thing, but i’m a sucker for christmas lights!