Historic Clifton Mill is a great destination for those seeking something unique during the holiday season.
I first learned about Historic Clifton Mill back in 2012 from a friend’s Facebook post. They said it was worth the drive, and that was demonstrated by their incredible pictures. We had to find out for ourselves.
Historic Clifton Mill did not disappoint, and we recently revisited the holiday attraction to see if it was similar to our memory.
Thanks again to Clifton Mill for providing complimentary admission for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
The Legendary Lights have been a holiday tradition since 1987, when Anthony Satariano Sr., his wife, and son purchased the mill.
How Many Christmas Lights are at Historic Clifton Mill?
Back in 1987, there were 100,000 lights, and the display has since grown to over 5 million lights!
The lights surrounding the mill are so impressive, and if you happen to visit after the snowfall, it’s even more magical.
Each night, the lights turn on at 6PM.
A visit to Clifton Mill is best at a slow pace to savor the simplicity of the experience and its history.
There has been a continuous mill on this site since 1802!
In fact, Clifton Mill is one of the largest water-powered mills that still remains in operation.
Enjoy the Musical Covered Bridge
There’s a light show featuring the covered bridge set to music every 30 minutes.
An announcement is made before the show to allow guests enough time to walk over to the viewing area.
Everything is within close proximity, and there’s a good chance you’ll be able to view the show more than once.
Watch Santa on the Rooftop
Every 20 minutes, Santa goes up the chimney to the rooftop.
The animatronic reindeer on the roof move their heads and tails to make Santa’s interactions from the chimney even more special for kids. Santa even led us in singing a Christmas Carol.
View Santa’s Toy Workshop
You may view Santa working hard in his toy workshop before or after his time on the roof.
Guests can view Santa through the window, where he interacts with viewers and waves in between making toys.
Most of the toys on display in the workshop are from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Explore the Animated Miniature Village
The size may be a smaller scale, but this display is HUGE!
There are over 100 moving miniatures on display and nearly 800 feet of train tracks.
You really need to stop and take in every detail to really appreciate it.
My kids were immediately excited about the Ohio State University vs. the University of Michigan football game displayed with movable players and band members.
The band marched to spell out O-H-I-O. Their only complaint was that they still couldn’t understand why anyone would root for Ohio State;)
A few of my favorites were the “A Christmas Story ” home display.
It showcases several moments from the movie, including the leg lamp in the window, Ralphie in the bunny suit, and a boy with his tongue stuck to a flagpole.
The Big Boy drive-in is another popular scene to spot. If you’re visiting with kids, this is a great spot to play ISPY.
View the Impressive Santa Claus Display
There are more than 47 years of antique Santas on display, dating back to 1850 from the Satarianos family.
It’s safe to say that you may recognize a few variations of Santa, no matter what year you were born.
The line for the Santa display was good because it made us really look at the variety of unique Santas.
Santa donations are always welcome to add to the collection on display.
Enjoy the Views of the Covered Bridge from the Deck
There’s a great viewing area of the covered bridge on the back deck of the mill.
You’ll want to dress warmly because the experience is mostly outdoors.
I’d recommend dressing in layers and checking the weather forecast before you go.
There’s a seating area where guests can view the lights, relax, warm up, and enjoy their hot chocolate at the mill.
The restaurant isn’t open in the evening. Hot dogs, BBQ pork sandwiches, soup, cornbread, hot chocolate, cookies, pie, popcorn, and soft drinks are still available for purchase except for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Shop the Mill Gift Shop
You’ll find an assortment of holiday-themed items in the gift shop.
You can also purchase flour products prepared at the mill in the gift shop.
Fun fact: the pancakes served at the restaurant for breakfast are made from grains from the mill.
Be on the lookout for a variety of antiques hanging from the ceiling of the gift shop, too.
Where is Historic Clifton Mill Located?
Historic Clifton Mill is located at 75 Water Street, Clifton, OH.
This destination is 30 miles east of Dayton, Ohio, and around 70 miles from downtown Cincinnati.
When Are the Legendary Lights at Historic Clifton Mill?
The Christmas light display takes place every night from November 28 to December 30, 2025.
Hours are 5-8 PM on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
When is the Best Time to Visit Clifton Mill for the Holiday Lights?
The best time to visit is Monday through Thursday for lighter crowds.
How Much is Admission to the Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill?
Admission is $15 per person for ages 4 and older. Children 3 and under get in FREE!
*No pets allowed.
Parking is free at Clifton Mill.
More Information About Historic Clifton Mill
You can learn more about historic Clifton Mill on their website and Facebook page
