It’s funny, I couldn’t tell you what I wore the Christmas of 1990 (I’m sure it was a gorgeous dress that matched my siblings and we all looked adorable mom), or what gifts I opened from under the tree, or even if we had snow that year. What I do remember is sipping hot chocolate as we walked through the zoo at night (that in itself is pretty cool to kids) in wonderment at the Lights before Christmas with close family friends, rushing ahead of my parents in awe of the Christmas magic at Children’s Wonderland, touring the over the top decorations at Holidays in the Manor House with my grandparents, seeing the classic, A Christmas Carol, & watching the joy on my father’s face as he recited lines as we watched the classic, It’s a Wonderful Life. That’s the thing about Christmas; it really isn’t about the perfect gift it’s about the time spent with loved ones. So this Christmas let’s focus less on the number of goods under the tree and more on the quality of time spent making childhood memories that our children will cherish for a lifetime.
Here are 10 Christmas Experiences for Kids in/near Toledo that will help build up that memory bank!
Maumee Holiday Light Parade
The Holiday Light Parade is an annual event that takes place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Holiday Light Parade: Lighted floats and walking groups will line up along the six-block stretch of West William Street. The parade will then step off from the Maumee Indoor Theater and proceed southbound down Conant Street toward the river before turning right onto West Wayne Street to disperse.
The Streets will be alive with crowds of kids both young and old waiting to see the 60+ lighted floats and the man of the night SANTA!
When: November 26 @ 6pm 2023
Location: Light parade will start at the Maumee Indoor Theater & proceed southbound on Conant St.
Cost: FREE
Website: https://www.maumeeuptown.com/holiday-light-parade
Holidays in the Manor House (FREE & NO Registration REQUIRED)
Ring in the holidays at one of Northwest Ohio’s most festive celebrations, Holidays in the Manor House! For over 40 years, community volunteers have transformed over 30 areas of the Manor House at Wildwood Preserve into a holiday wonderland. Tour the Manor House and see why over 25,000 people make Holidays in the Manor House an annual tradition. They always incorporate the kiddos into the tour by adding a small scavenger hunt for items, dress-up & photo opportunities, s’mores outside, etc.!
When: December 2nd- 10th 10am-8pm
Location: Wildwood Metropark 5100 Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43615
Cost: FREE and NO registration is required
Website: https://metroparkstoledo.com/holidays
Disney on Ice
CLICK HERE FOR ALL DETAILS
Children’s Wonderland
And it just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Children’s Wonderland!! Children’s Wonderland began as a Northwest Ohio holiday tradition over 50 years ago. For decades, families from all over Northwest Ohio have been coming to find the holiday spirit at Children’s Wonderland. As always, dozens of classic exhibits will be on display, train rides will be available, and there will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures with Santa.
When: December 8th-Dec. 23rd 11am-8pm & Dec. 24th 11am-2pm
Location: 7060 W Sylvania Ave, Sylvania, OH 43560 (Tam-o-shanter)
Cost: Kids 2+ $7, Adults 18+ $9, & Seniors 65+ $7 (plus $ for train and crafts, if interested)
Website: http://www.playsylvania.com/childrens-wonderland/
Merry And Bright Holiday Nights
Ever wonder where our Christmas traditions began? Discover the history of holiday customs and celebrations of Northwest Ohio. You will hear stories of Christmas’ past, sing hymns, and experience the journey of holidays through the years from 1830 – 1920s. Guests will have the opportunity to visit the Grime, Stuckey, and Witmer-Roth homes as well as St. Marks Church, the District 16 Schoolhouse and various buildings on our 1920s Mainstreet. Our historic homes will demonstrate traditional meal preparations for the holidays. Guests of all ages will be able to participate in Christmas-themed activities and enjoy train and trolley rides. Our youngest visitors and their families will enjoy a meet and greet with Santa in the theatre.
When: November 25th, November 30th, December 2nd, & December 9th….these WILL sell FAST!
Location: Sauder Village22611 State Route 2, Archbold, Ohio 43502
Cost: Adults $17.00/ Children (3 and up) $12 (By Reservation Only, limited spaces Make reservations EARLY online or please call for availability 800-590-9755). Click HERE to register
It’s A Wonderful Life: Silver Screen Classic Film ($5 a person)
Enjoy Toledo’s New Old Fashioned Night Out! Cold Tall Drafts, Full Bar, and popcorn are available! It’s a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra. Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers. (Tickets are general admission but reservations are strongly encouraged for this film).
When: Friday, December 15th 7:30pm & Sunday, December 17th @ 2pm
Location: 410 Adams St, Toledo, OH 43604
Cost: $5 per person for admission
Order tickets here: http://www.valentinetheatre.com/events.html
Christmas Carol Sing at Rosary Cathedral
If you still haven’t gotten in the Christmas spirit this afternoon will get you there! The beauty of Toledo’s Diocese gorgeous Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral adds a layer to the experience like none other as you listen to (and participate) the glorious voices of the Cathedral Choir. This is a great event for families with older kiddos (5 & up)
Location: Rosary Cathedral 2535 Collingwood Blvd. Toledo, OH 43610
When: Sunday, December 17th, 2023– 3:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Website: https://rosarycathedral.org/music/concert-series/
Lights before Christmas at the Toledo Zoo
Voted best Zoo lights in the nation! The 2021 edition of the area’s brightest holiday tradition features over one million lights and more than 200 illuminated animal images! Stop by Santa’s workshop in the Arctic Encounter! 3-D holiday scene set to music and projected onto the side of the Carnivore Café. Take a moment to enjoy this new take on a holiday short story with your whole family! See the big man in his element, whisper your holiday wishes and pose for a fun family photo. (Paid photo opportunity) The fan-favorite Ice Slide returns with inner tubes built for two along with Bumper Cars on Ice!
When: Nov. 17th -Dec. 31st Daily: 3-8pm (time varies with the holidays, double check website if visiting on a holiday)
Location: Toledo Zoo 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH 43609
Cost: Members, Unlimited Visits daily (MUST REGISTER!)
Non-members: Adults $29 and Children & Seniors $26
Website: https://www.toledozoo.org/lights
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, revised by David Jex and Debra Ross Calabrese and directed by Amy Spaulding-Heuring is a 30-year Toledo Rep tradition! This timeless tale of redemption follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he is transformed by the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future from a miserly old curmudgeon into a man who embodies the true meaning of Christmas. With lavish costumes, spectacular sets, and a musical score rich with carols of the era, this production is one you will not want to miss!
When: December 1st-3rd 2023
Location: At Toledo Rep Theatre 16th Tenth St. Toledo, OH 43604
Cost: $19.75-$29 + handling (Group pricing available)
Website for tickets: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/toledorep/1471
2023 North Pole Express
All aboard! The short ride on a quarter-scale train runs through a Christmas wonderland of outdoor displays. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there on various nights. After taking a ride through the winter wonderland, families can visit the NWORRP gift shop and museum. No indoor restrooms (portables only), train is open-air and unheated, so dress accordingly and bring a small blanket to cuddle up with, if desired.
When: November 24th-December 30th, 2023 Fridays, Saturdays, 5:30-9pm and Sundays 5:30-8:30pm Closed Christmas Eve
Location: Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc. 12505 County Road 99, Findlay, Ohio 45840
Cost: $5 for Adults and $3 for Children
Website: http://nworrp.org/north-pole-express.html
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 