Check out the holiday lights at the historic Clifton Mills

Join Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio, to celebrate the winter spirit by exploring the mill’s grounds and its holiday light display. In the past, the mill has had over 3 million twinkling lights decorating the property. This year, guests are encouraged to see Clifton Mill’s 20-foot Christmas tree or pop by Santa’s workshop and spy on him checking his list and doing other preparations for his big night. What’s more, guests can visit the mill’s Santa collection, featuring an array of Santa memorabilia.   

In its 38th year of the lights display, Clifton Mills was originally decorated with only 100,000 lights. Today, that number has grown to 5 million. “My father and I purchased the mill and one night we were walking around—my family is very big into holidays. My father said, ‘We own this beautiful piece of property, let’s put a few lights on it.’” Clifton Mills owner Tony Satariano says of the creation of the light displays. “People started pulling off the road, saying, ‘This is amazing; this is incredible.’ I guess that was the aha moment.”  

Founded in 1802, the historic Clifton Mills is one of the largest grist mills still in operation in the United States. The Mills Country Kitchen provides diners with home-cooked meals and all-day breakfast options. Breads, pies and cookies are all baked daily to ensure freshness. Guests are able to bring Cliftons Mills country breakfast to their own kitchen by purchasing the mill pancake mix. The restaurant is open Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Sat-Sun. 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.  

This display will be available November 28- December 30, 2025. Gates open for the lights at 5 p.m. and the lights turn on at 6 p.m. and will be on until 9:30 p.m., seven days a week. Gates close at 9 p.m. For more information on Clifton Mills, visit its website.