🌟Season of Sparkle: Lake County Winter Bucket List 2025
Where To Start Dashing Through Your Tour?
With holiday bells ringing and winter magic in the air, there are countless ways to celebrate the season in Lake County! Get into the festive spirit by exploring local holiday open houses, boutiques, and shops brimming with one-of-a-kind gifts, hand-crafted ornaments, and irresistible seasonal treats!
For the winter adventurers, lace up your skates and hit the local ice rink, or set out on a snowy trail for an unforgettable snowshoeing experience. Prefer to stay warm and cozy? Gather your favorite people for the Lake County Hot Chocolate Trail and cozy up with cocoa!
And don’t forget to toast to the season at the Grand River Valley wineries and breweries, where you can sip on spiced wines or raise a glass of craft beer to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
This winter, let the holiday magic fill your days with warmth and unforgettable memories as you check off every stop on the Lake County, OH Winter Bucket List!
Take a copy of the Winter Bucket List wherever you go!
Lake Metroparks Chapin Forest Pine Lodge Ski Center
1) Wrap up in a cozy scarf and try snowshoeing or hiking under the lights at Lake Metroparks Chapin Forest Pine Lodge Ski Center.
Local’s Tip: Check the live trail cams for weather and trail conditions before you go!
2) Lace up your skates and glide into the season at Mentor Ice Arena’s public skate sessions!
3) Listen to the Grinch himself read stories at the Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse during Fairport Harbor Holidays December 7 – 8!
Fairport Harbor Marine Museum & Lighthouse Photo By: Lori O’Laughlin
4) Relive your childhood at Penitentiary Glen’s Candyland Adventure, a life-sized board game through the forest that’s as sweet as it sounds
5) Attend a community tree lighting festival filled with music, holiday cheer, and maybe a visit from Santa!
Painesville City - Friday, November 21 5-8:00PM
Downtown Willoughby - Thursday, December 4 at 7:00PM
Fairport Harbor - Saturday, December 6 at 5:45PM
Country Lights Drive-Thru Experience
6) Drive through a dazzling holiday light wonderland at Lake Metroparks Farmpark during the Country Lights Drive-Thru Experience December 5 - 28
Local’s Tip: This one sells out every year—get tickets online early!
7) When holiday shopping has you feeling shell-shocked, taco ’bout it on a stop along the Lake County Taco Trail.
8) Let the holiday magic happen at Blank Boutique — find your sparkle for that NYE, OR Holiday Party #OOTD.
9) Ride in a horse-drawn carriage through Madison Village during Christmas in the Village complete with festive lights and a cheerful market on Saturday, December 6
10) Brave the frosty waves during the ‘Port Plunge’ at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park - Jan 1, 2026
Arabica Coffee - Willoughby, OH
11) Take a chocolate-y journey with a cocoa (or two) along the Lake County Hot Chocolate Trail to earn your 2026 Hot Chocolate Trail mug. Visit our fave local coffee shops & cafés or mix it up with a restaurant or winery with their own Hot Chocolate variations.
Local’s Tip: Visit a few of our fave coffee shops:
Julbeans Coffee & Crepes - Fairport Harbor, OH
Calico Jack Coffee - Mentor, OH
Arabica Coffee - Willoughby, OH
12) Take a pause from the holiday hustle with a visit to the Helicopter Daughter & Badass Tea Company at their new location in Mentor. Cozy self-care gifts and tea blends make perfect stocking stuffers.
13) Stay in one of the new festive holiday-themed rooms at the elegant Willoughby House, then savor a decadent dinner & cocktails from Julia’s 1902’s seasonal winter menu — pure holiday indulgence!
Ice Wine Festival in the Grand River Valley
14) Plan your trip to the Grand River Valley for the Ice Wine Festival. Held annually in March, this event highlights the region’s unique ice wine with daily and weekend festivities, pairings, music, and more!
15) Hit the festive streets with a winter 5K! Take on the Miracle On Erie Street 5K or the Miracle Mile in Willoughby, winding through some of the city’s oldest neighborhoods decked out in holiday lights. Or dash through Run Santa Run 5K in Mentor and keep your eyes peeled — you just might spot Santa Claus himself cheering you on!
16) Exchange gifts with friends over a Christmas Ale at Red, Wine & Brew in Mentor.
Local’s Tip: Their in-store holiday market is the perfect one-stop shop for last-minute gifts and local wines.
Vincent William Wine
17) Step into holiday elegance with a visit to Vincent William Winery & Mansion along Lake Erie’s icy shore, it’s picture-perfect this time of year.
18) Grab your sled and hit the hills! Sledding is permitted at Chagrin River Park, Chapin Forest Reservation, Hidden Valley Park, and Riverview Park — where the steep hill makes it a local favorite. Remember: sled at your own risk and have fun!
19) Cozy up at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison with festive Christmas-themed rooms and a complimentary shuttle to four Grand River Valley wineries.
Local’s Tip: Keep the wine tour festive with stops at Holiday Pop-Up Wineries or make a couple stops on the Hot Chocolate Trail in Madison Village.
Grinchmas Bar at Grand River Cellars
20) Get into the holiday spirit at Lake County’s fun Christmas pop-ups! Toast with a festive cocktail at Rudolph’s Revenge at Debonne, celebrate the season at Grinchmas Bar at Grand River Cellars, or wander through Westel’s Wonderland in Downtown Willoughby.
21) Bundle up, grab the kids (or plan a date night), and head out to celebrate the Snow and Ice with Northeast Ohio Winter festivals.
Holiday Ice and Lights Festival | Lake Metroparks Farmpark | November 28-30 - Wagon rides, miniature train and railroad exhibits, cookie shop, light display, and visits with Santa.
Mentor Chill Out | City of Mentor | January 17, 2026 - Sledding (weather permitting), an all-ages outdoor ice-rink, a thrilling 30 foot carnival slide and the Chill Out Polar Pavilion.
Wickliffe Winterfest - January 17, 2026
Are you interested in joining our list? Email elyse@tourlakecounty.com to learn more about how to partner with Tour Lake County!