Where to See the Best Christmas Lights in Summit & Portage County (2025 Guide)

Summit and Portage counties have some standout Christmas light experiences in 2025, from classic walk-through displays to new drive-through shows perfect for a cozy car outing.​

Dazzling Lights In Summit County

Akron Zoo’s Wild Lights turns the zoo into a walk-through wonderland with more than a million lights, themed displays, music, and photo ops with holiday characters on select evenings from late November through December. Families can stroll the paths with hot cocoa, enjoy synchronized light shows, and make a full evening of it with rides and snacks inside the zoo.​

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron offers its annual evening light event, where the historic estate and grounds are covered in elaborate light displays, decorated trees, and seasonal decor throughout the mansion. Timed evening entries on many dates between late November and late December create a festive but relaxed atmosphere, with opportunities to walk the gardens, tour portions of the house, and enjoy refreshments.​

Lock 3 Park in downtown Akron features a large outdoor rink, walk-through light displays, and a festive plaza that stays lit through much of the holiday season. Visitors can pair the lights with ice skating, seasonal concessions, and nearby downtown shops and restaurants, making it an easy night out for families or date night.​

Neighborhood And Nearby Light Displays

Lake Anna Park Holiday Lights in Barberton is a beloved free display, with thousands of lights and dozens of holiday-themed scenes set around the lake from late November through New Year’s Day. Before or after walking or driving past the lights, many visitors stop in downtown Barberton to see decorated storefronts and holiday window displays.​

Stadium Park Holiday Lights in nearby Canton (a short drive from southern Summit County) offers a free drive-through display along Stadium Park Drive with more than 30 large light scenes, many of them animated. The route typically runs nightly from late November into January, so it is easy to work into an evening drive even on busy weeks.​

Portage County Light Events

Elegant Illusions Christmas Drive Through Park at the Portage County Randolph Fairgrounds brings a newer, large-scale drive-through show to the area, with over 50 LED and animatronic holiday scenes. The display runs for several weeks through the holiday season on select nights, with evening hours that make it ideal for a carload outing in pajamas and blankets.​

Portage County communities also promote neighborhood and park-based light loops where residents are encouraged to drive through and enjoy local home and park displays. Local tourism and community pages highlight suggested routes and neighborhoods, making it easy to create a DIY “lights tour” without leaving the county.​

Making A Local Lights Tour

For a full “Summit and Portage” experience in one evening, start at Lock 3 or Stan Hywet in Akron for a walk-through display, then head toward Barberton’s Lake Anna or down to Canton’s Stadium Park for a relaxed drive-through finish. On another night, plan a dedicated Portage County route anchored by the Elegant Illusions drive-through at the Randolph Fairgrounds, adding nearby neighborhoods or village centers highlighted by local tourism guides.