The Holidays in Hancock County
The holidays are here and there is no better place to celebrate than in Findlay and Hancock County!
Holiday Lights & Decorations
Businesses and Attractions
Downtown Findlay Window Decorating Contest
Downtown Findlay is decked out for the holidays! Be sure to stroll Downtown and see all the beautifully decorated windows and the lights in Latham Courtyard. Voting opens soon!
FRC Twinkle Nights at Hancock Co. Fairgrounds, 1017 E. Sandusky St.
Stay in your car and drive through a holiday light show that transforms the Hancock County Fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland of color, music, and joy. Purchase tickets here
Ghost Town Findlay, 10630 CR 40
Fridays and Saturdays from 5 – 8 p.m. until December 13 stroll through Ghost Town, visit Santa, and see all the decorations! Learn more here
Hancock Hotel
Stop in the lobby or just walk by to see the winter wonderland transformed inside this local boutique hotel.
Hanneman Funeral Home, 201 Osborn Ave.
Drive through this magical loop of holiday lights and decorations!
Marathon Center for the Performing Arts 200 W. Main Cross St.
MCPA’s lobby is beautifully decorated for the holidays! Stop by during business hours and snap some holiday photos of your family!
Marathon Petroleum Headquarters, 539 S. Main St.
Marathon HQ is bright and bustling for the holidays!
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, 12505 CR 99
Ride through the winter wonderland of NWORRP by taking a miniature train ride – be sure to visit the decked-out train house! The North Pole Express is part of the Ohio Holiday Lights Trail!
Communities & Landmarks
Village of Arcadia
Arcadia Community Park is home to Arcadia’s community Christmas tree! Be sure to see it in all its glory.
Tree Lighting: December 7
Village of Arlington
Arlington’s streets are lined with festive light poles and their community Christmas Tree will be decorated by handmade decorations by community members.
Tree Lighting: December 2
Bluffton Blaze of Lights tour
Begin at Bluffton Presbyterian Church, 112 N Main St., Bluffton, to view the Ream Folk Art Display before driving through residential areas.
Bluffton Blaze of Lights: November 29
Village of McComb
McComb is ready for the holidays! Visit the village for lights and decorations that will transport you to a holiday wonderland.
Hometown Christmas: December 7
Village of Mt. Blanchard
Plan a stroll or drive through the picturesque village of Mt. Blanchard. Snowflakes don light posts along Main Street, businesses’ windows are decorated, and Hurricane Park and the gazebo are decorated. Stop by Memorial Park, located at the intersection of Clay and Main for a musical light show every day beginning at 5 p.m.
Christmas in the Village: December 6
Village of Van Buren
Visit Van Buren to see the village decorated for the holiday, and see the community’s first Christmas Tree.
Tree Lighting: December 3
Village of Vanlue
Vanlue’s park and gazebo are ready for your holiday photos!
Christmas in the Park: December 7
Residential
The Courier puts together a great list of residential light displays. See 2023’s list here and stay tuned for 2025!
Magic on Melrose, 701 E. Melrose
From 6 – 9 p.m. daily Pull in, tune your radio to fm 88.5. Sit back and watch the light show in the comfort of your car! Depending on the weather, on Fridays and Saturdays, enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, cookies and popcorn as you enjoy our walk-through display called Candy Cane Lane.
The Arlington Beautification Committee will be hosting a residential holiday decoration contest!
As part of the Bluffton Blaze of Lights festival residents of the village participated in a holiday lights contest. Drive around the village and see the lights and choose your favorites!
McComb’s Spirit of Christmas Contest is taking place again this year! Learn more here
Festive Events
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until December 29, North Pole Express
Take a ride on the North Pole Express! The North Pole Express will take you on a journey around their magical grounds. The cost is just $5 for adults and $3 for children. Be sure to keep a lookout for silly elves hiding in the Christmas Tree Forest and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus on select dates.
Weekends and Select Sensory-Friendly Wednesdays, FRC Twinkle Nights
Stay in your car and drive through a holiday light show that transforms the Hancock County Fairgrounds into a glowing wonderland of color, music, and joy. Purchase tickets here
Fridays from November 28 until Christmas, Kiwanis Santa’s House
Held at St. Andrew’s Church from 6 – 8 p.m., visit with Santa, enjoy a wagon ride through Downtown, and some sweet treats!
Hometown Holiday Events
Enjoy the holidays with our village celebrations!
December 24, Father Christmas visits historic South Main Street.
Walk through peaceful South Main on Christmas Eve to enjoy the historic homes, holiday lights, and luminary lined sidewalks. Father Christmas and Mrs. Claus will be walking the sidewalks from 8 – 10 p.m.
Winter Break
Enjoy Winter Break in Findlay and Hancock County with these special events and attractions open with special hours starting Monday, December 22 through the New Year! See local shops’ hours here, and local restaurants’ hours coming soon.
Alexandria’s Duck Pin Bowling, Make your Reservations!
AMF Sportsman Lanes, Reserve a Lane!
Axe Ventura, Make your reservations here!
Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center
Open by appointment only, call 419-423-4954 to schedule your visit!
Findlay-Hancock County Public Library
FlightHouse Live Music and Pool
Marathon Center for the Performing Arts Fisher/Wall Art Gallery
Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation
Painters’ Pottery
Sunday-Tuesday, 1 – 5 p.m.
Christmas Eve & Christmas: Closed
New Year’s Eve & January 1: Open 1 – 5 p.m.
Regular Hours: Thursday, 1 – 7 p.m.; Friday, 1 – 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m.