Our favorite photos of twinkling lights for all to see across the region

The historic Clifton mill, built in 1802 and still working, opened its Legendary Lights for the 2019 holiday season on Friday, Nov. 29. Four million lights cover Clifton Mill’s scenic attributes, including the mill, a covered bridge, cliffs and riverbanks. Last December, Clifton Mill was the winner of a $50,000 prize on ABC show “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

Credit: Tom Gilliam

The historic Clifton mill, built in 1802 and still working, opened its Legendary Lights for the 2019 holiday season on Friday, Nov. 29. Four million lights cover Clifton Mill’s scenic attributes, including the mill, a covered bridge, cliffs and riverbanks. Last December, Clifton Mill was the winner of a $50,000 prize on ABC show “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

There is something magical about touring sparkling light displays during the holiday season.

Fortunately, there are all kinds of Christmas light displays near Dayton that deserve a visit.

>> Where you can see Christmas lights without leaving your car

>> The best Christmas light displays across the region

We’ve visited many of the region’s displays over the last couple weeks and have gathered a collection of beautiful photos. Here are some of our favorites:

🚶🎄CLIFTON MILL LEGENDARY LIGHTS: CLIFTON, OHIO

The historic Clifton mill, built in 1802 and still working, opened its Legendary Lights for the 2019 holiday season on Friday, Nov. 29. Four million lights cover Clifton Mill’s scenic attributes, including the mill, a covered bridge, cliffs and riverbanks. Last December, Clifton Mill was the winner of a $50,000 prize on ABC show “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

Clifton Mill knows how to dazzle with four million lights! People who arrive at 6 p.m. can see all of these lights turn on at once. And, throughout the evening, the lights will be turned off and on again for later-comers to also experience it while walking the trails.

>> Glowing with pride: Nationally-recognized Clifton Mill ready to light up another holiday season

🚶🎄WOODLAND LIGHTS: DAYTON, OHIO

The Woodland Lights, located in Countryside Park, 895 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, in Washington Twp. is one of the longest-running and most popular annual lights festivals in the Miami Valley area. The Christmas light display is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

The Woodland Lights of Washington Township is one of the longest-running and most popular annual lights festivals in the Dayton area. This year, visitors will be able to check out the 27th annual walk-through lights display through Dec. 23, from 6-9 p.m.

>> Wander through the enchanted forest: Meet Santa and enjoy a new view at Woodland Lights this season

🚗🎄LAND OF ILLUSION CHRISTMAS GLOW: MIDDLETOWN

The Land of Illusion Christmas Glow on Thomas Road in Madison Township is open nightly through December with over 3.5 million lights in a 1.5 mile drive-through light display.  Land of Illusion Scream Park is open during the Halloween season featuring Middletown Haunted Trail, Zombie Sniper Patrol and more. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

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Credit: Nick Graham

Land of Illusion is no longer just a destination for spooky haunts during Halloween. It now offers a drive-through lights display, with some walkable elements, where you can enjoy a mile of 3 million lights.

>> MORE THAN FRIGHTS: Land of Illusion expands vision with second annual Christmas Glow 

🚗🎄LIGHT UP MIDDLETOWN

Light Up Middletown, a drive-through holiday lights display at Smith Park, Ohio opens for its 14th year on Friday.

Credit: Moodie

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Credit: Moodie

The 20th annual Light Up Middletown drive-through display at Smith Park features a 1 1/4-mile route with more than 60 displays. A group of retirees, dubbed the “Grandpa Gang,” gets the displays ready each year.

>> RETIREES HELPING: ‘Grandpa Gang’ readying lights, displays for 20th Light Up Middletown

🚗🎄 HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT LOST CREEK RESERVE: TROY

Holiday Lights at Lostcreek Reserve in Troy will open on Nov. 29, 2019. The new drive-through lights display will be open weekends only and is set on a picturesque historic farm and wooded area. Here is sneak peek at what to expect from a media preview event on Nov. 23, 2019. DAVID MOODIE/CONTRIBUTED

Credit: DAVID MOODIE

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Credit: DAVID MOODIE

A new holiday tradition is here: The Miami County Park District launched a new drive-through holiday lights display at Lost Creek Reserve in Troy. The route  spans approximately 1.25 miles and will include more than 50 light displays, including a reindeer at a waterfall, snowflakes, snowmen, illuminated trees and more.

>> NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION: Drive-through Christmas lights display on historic farm now open

🚶🎄CINCINNATI ZOO FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Scenes fromt the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden 37th annual Festival of Lights. GREG LYNCH / STAFF

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Visitors can admire three million LED lights and larger-than-life animal lanterns as they light up the zoo creating this year’s theme, “Wild Wonderland.” This event was voted the No. 1 zoo lights in the nation by USA Today in 2018 and 2019.

>> WORTH THE DRIVE: Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights is back and this year there’s a new Fiona Fairyland

🚶🎄 KINGS ISLAND'S WINTERFEST

Ring in the new year at Kings Island’s Winterfest, with outdoor ice skating and a countdown with Snoopy. CONTRIBUTED

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More than five million sparkling lights are on display as Kings Island transforms into an enchanting wonderland. Lights can be enjoyed in a number of ways, including ice skating, marveling at the Eiffel Tower-turned-Christmas-tree, and enjoying live entertainment.

>> WINTER WONDERLAND: Kings Island has transformed into a magical winter wonderland

🚗🎄WHISPERING LIGHTS: EATON

Fort St. Clair's Whispering Christmas light display is open through December from 6-10 p.m. every night with hot chocolate and cookies. A $5 donation per car is requested to help to cover the operation costs. Fort Saint Clair State Park is located at 135 Camden Road in Eaton. TOM GILLIAM/CONTRIBUTED

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

For over three decades, Fort St. Clair’s Whispering Christmas lights display has been a beloved holiday tradition in Eaton. The Whispering Christmas drive-through lights display in Eaton contains an impressive two million lights and dozens of unique fixtures.

>> Eaton’s Whispering Christmas lights display has become a decades-old tradition