Christmas Lights

The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill

NEW FOR 2025!

Say hello to our 20ft Twinkling Tree of Lights — featuring 7,000 sparkling lights!

This stunning new addition brightens the area right beside the iconic water wheel, creating a picture-perfect photo spot for your visit.

Be sure to snap a photo and tag us so we can share the magic of this brand-new feature!

For 38 years Clifton Mill has celebrated the Christmas season in a very special way. Our light display, featured in Midwest Living, Ohio Magazine, USA TODAY, The Great Christmas Light Fight on ABC and more is one of the country’s finest with now over 5 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges. There is even a 100 foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights. The flip of one switch turns all the lights on at once transforming night into a fantastical winter wonderland which includes a Miniature Village, a Santa Claus Museum, a Toy Collection and a spectacular synchronized lights and music show that features the old Covered Bridge.

Every night until the night before Christmas Eve you can peek into Santa’s Workshop to see a live Santa at work and then, every 15 minutes or so, watch him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh.

VIP Light Flippers / Special Nights

NOVEMBER 28 – Governor Mike DeWine will kick off the season on opening night
DECEMBER 1 – Greene County Commissioners: Featuring a portion of the night’s proceeds donated to the Greene County Fish Pantry
DECEMBER 5 & 12 – Dayton Children’s Hospital Ambassadors

Restaurant and Gift Shop Winter Hours

Monday – Friday: 9am to 2pm
Saturday – Sunday: 8am to 2pm

The lights will resume November 28, 2025!

Gates Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5pm
7 Nights a Week . . . . . . . . . . . 6pm to 9pm
Dec. 24th & 25th . . . . . . . . . . . 6pm to 8pm

The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill was one of USA TODAY’S 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards in 2022! The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill was a contender for Best Public Holiday Lights Display. See the USA TODAY awards.

FAQ about the Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill

Frequently Asked Questions by years of visitors have been collected below to help you best determine when the best time is for your group to visit our holiday light display…

Where is Clifton, Ohio?

Clifton is about 30 miles E of Dayton, 40 miles SW of Columbus, 9 miles S of Springfield, 8 miles NE of Xenia, 3 miles E of Yellow Springs, 3 miles N of Cedarville in Greene County. GET DETAILED DIRECTIONS.

What are the dates?

The light display starts the day after Thanksgiving and is on every night through December 30. On Christmas Eve, Christmas, we close at 8 pm, and on New Year’s Eve we are closed.

What are the hours?

Gates open every day at 5 pm, the lights come on at 6 pm. Gates close at 9 pm; lights go off 30 minutes after gates close. On Christmas Eve, Christmas we close at 8 pm and New Year’s Eve we are closed.

Do I have to pay for parking?

NO! Parking is FREE.

What is the best night to come?

Monday through Thursday is MUCH less crowded. Saturday is the MOST CROWDED.

How much does it cost?

Admission is $15 per person for everyone age 4 and older. Children 3 and under always get in free!

Can I use a Historic Clifton Mill Gift Certificate for admission to the Christmas Display?

Yes!

Do you take credit cards?

We accept Master Card & Visa, but cash gets you through the gate much quicker. A convenience fee will be charged at the gate.

Do you take debit cards?

We accept debit cards that have a Master Card or Visa logo.

Do you serve food during the Christmas lights?

Every night EXCEPT Christmas and New Year’s Eve we serve hot dogs, BBQ pork sandwich, soup, cornbread, hot chocolate, cookies, pie, popcorn, and soft drinks.

Are you open in the rain or snow?

We do not open in SEVERE weather or HEAVY RAIN. Current information is posted at the top of this page and is updated immediately when the information changes. If you need more information, call 937-767-5501.

Is it wheelchair and stroller accessible?

Yes. Strollers are NOT allowed inside the buildings to protect the safety of the baby.

Group discount?

Groups of 15 or more can get $1 per person discount IF one person pays for the entire group.

Senior, student, military discount?

No.

Are pets allowed?

No.

Is it inside or outside?

The Gift Shop and Santa Museum are inside, Miniature Village and the Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill are outside.

Can children sit on Santa’s lap and have their picture taken?

No. Santa comes to Historic Clifton Mill to make toys in his workshop and load them in his sleigh.

How long is Santa at Historic Clifton Mill?

Santa leaves the mill when we close on the night before Christmas Eve to do his yearly rounds.

How long does it take to put up 5 million lights?

It takes 6 men most of 3 months to put up the display. The old covered bridge is a spectacular addition to The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill. The bridge, its windows, roof, sides and bottom are covered in lights of various colors as are pseudo trees which flank the bridge. Every hour, on the hour, all 5 million lights at Historic Clifton Mill go out leaving guests in total darkness. As a hush falls over the spectators, orchestral music softly begins to play a medley of traditional Christmas songs and some of the lights on the covered bridge begin to twinkle on and then off again. As the music builds and builds, more and more lights on the covered bridge blink off and on in time to the music, lights on the pseudo trees swirl around and change color in a way that seems impossible. By the end of the song, the music is booming through Clifton Gorge, the lights on the covered bridge have become mesmerizing and everyone watching is completely enthralled. Then the music ends and the bridge lights all go out, once again leaving guests in total darkness. Then, before most spectators can catch their breath, 5 million lights come on again all at once!