Blossom Music Center is the summer venue of the Cleveland Orchestra, but in winter becomes home to a spectacular holiday light display. With over 35 large displays and more than 200 smaller figures, the ride through festival grounds is entertaining for those of any age who love dazzling holiday lights.
Blossom is located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, just north of Akron and South of Cleveland.
The best way to reach the event is to go west for 2 miles off of Ohio Route 8, exit Steel Corners Road.
The displays are set up along on the winding roads of the Music Center grounds. Cars are guided to one of two lanes. Prices are charged per vehicle. Cars and SVUs are $15, with higher prices for limos and buses. Discount coupons can be found for a $3 discount on weekdays.
The festival opens at 6 p.m., and closes at 9 p.m. on weekdays, but stays open until 11 p.m. on weekends, running from mid-November to early January. It takes about a half hour to drive through the displays, although it can take longer during busy times. Be sure to have enough gas in the car.
Displays at Blossom
The displays vary in theme and size. There are some displays that clearly advertise local businesses, but most are designed around the holiday. In addition to the Orchestra, Blossom also hosts popular music acts, and in keeping with the venue, there are a number of displays of musical instruments.
Sports are also popular, with animated baseball, football and basketball scenes. Particularly involving are cross country and downhill skiers swooshing through the trees. There are a number of displays of deer jumping overhead, along with a display of presents floating above the passing cars.
It takes effort to determine what some displays are, and it is sometimes difficult to see displays that are blocked by cars in the other lane. There is a stop for concessions about half way through, but it is poorly marked and may require a sudden lane change.
Santa Claus and his elves are featured throughout the ride, but there is only one angel. The organizers did not include any other religious themed displays, nor is Christmas referred to specifically.
The large displays include a depiction of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, and the ride ends with a mesmerizing tunnel of flashing colored lights.
The Holiday Displays at Blossom are a fun way to get into the holiday spirit in Northeast Ohio.
