LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – The Allen County Fairgrounds is preparing to open its popular holiday light display this weekend.
In partnership with Mercy Health, Bright Nights will feature around 300 light displays along a roughly 25-minute drive-through route on the fairgrounds. Visitors can tune in to hear the Lima Symphony Orchestra performing music from The Nutcracker as they enjoy the lights.
It also takes a large team to make Bright Nights a memorable holiday tradition.
“First and foremost, the community has really gotten behind this event. Over the last couple years, we've had around 25,000 individuals come through the light trail each year. But also we started some new cool business partnerships in the community here, one with Nutrien Lima, where we're offering caroling on the Nutrien Plaza stage as kind of a fun fundraising opportunity for groups or organizations in the community. And then we started a new partnership this year with Apollo Career Center, where their welding and electrical programs are designing welding fabricating and wiring new Christmas light displays to add to our route,” says Troy Elwer, Operations Manager, Allen County Fairgrounds.
Admission for 2025 Bright Nights at the Allen County Fairgrounds is $10 per vehicle or $30 per bus. Cash is accepted at the gate, and tickets can also be purchased by credit card at the Administration Office during business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2025 Bright Nights Dates and Times
- Saturday, November 29: 6–9 p.m.
- Sunday, November 30: 6–9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 6: 6–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 7: 6–9 p.m.
- Friday, December 12: 6–9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 13: 6–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 14: 6–9 p.m.
- Friday, December 19: 6–9 p.m.
- Saturday, December 20: 6–9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 21: 6–9 p.m.
- Monday, December 22: 6–9 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 23: 6–9 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 24: 6–9 p.m.
