Kingwood Center Christmas Lights in Mansfield, Ohio (2025)
Ohio is lucky to have plenty of amazing Christmas light displays, and Mansfield is home to some of our favorites. (Here’s our list of the best Christmas lights in Mansfield). One of the places we have incorporated into our Advent celebrations is “Christmas at Kingwood Center.” Kingwood Center Gardens hosts the most amazing Christmas lights and holiday home tour, which is budget-friendly for families.
Where is Kingwood Center Gardens?
Kingwood Center Gardens is located near downtown Mansfield, Ohio in North Central Ohio. It is approximately 80 minutes from downtown Cleveland and 70 minutes from downtown Columbus.
What is Kingwood Center Gardens?
Kingwood Center Gardens is a 47-acre estate located in the heart of Mansfield. The mansion was once the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kelley King. Mr. King made his money working for the Ohio Brass Company – he went from being their first electrical engineer to the President and Chairman of the Board. He had no children when he passed away in 1953, so he left his estate to a private foundation that still operates Kingwood Center.
Kingwood Center recently underwent a major renovation, creating a new building known as the Garden Gateway Center. This Center is home to the Gateway Cafe, a gift shop, a nursery, and a convention hall. It is also the place to learn the history of the King’s residence! My kids are always perplexed by Mr. King’s original Zenith TV.
Kingwood Center at Christmas
Christmas at Kingwood Center 2025 takes place from November 29 to December 30. The display is closed on Mondays, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Tickets must be purchased in advance (click here for the website – I spy the Yoder backs, lol). They are $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 7-18, and free for those under 7! When booking tickets, you must select a 30-minute time slot. You must arrive during that time, but stay as long as you like. The Gardens are open from 4 to 9, and the Garden Gateway Center & Cafe are open throughout the evening!
I like to enter Kingwood around 5:30, just at sunset, and walk to the King Mansion first. While we tour the home, darkness descends, and when we emerge, it’s the perfect ambiance for the Christmas lights! We’ve always had young children, so this time also allows us to be finished by 7 pm and home in time for bed (is that for the young ones, or us fortysomethings that aren’t handling winter well)? Ha!
The Mansion is a 3-story home with enough rooms to easily fit the Yoder Toter brood. The third floor is usually off-limits to the public, but during Christmas at Kingwood, Mr. and Mrs. King’s bedrooms and bathrooms are on display! Even the toilet was decorated! Be prepared – my kids had many questions about why Mr. & Mrs. King had separate bedrooms, and I didn’t leave without Googling, “Boudoir room.”
Visiting the King’s home with kids? The railings are typical of a 1920s home and not up to our 2025 safety codes! In other words, the railings are low, and the spaces between the bars are wide! Make sure you keep toddlers and little ones close at hand.
This year (2025) may be my favorite yet for the Kingwood Mansion!! I loved all the thought put in to each space my local businesses and volunteers. Note: most of the photos in this post are from year’s past, so I won’t spoil it for you!
Outdoor Christmas lights at Kingwood Center
The highlight for most families will be the outdoor light display! It’s extra dreamy in the snow. Christmas at Kingwood was even featured in Ohio For the Holidays Light trail!
This is the perfect place to bundle up with your loved ones and enjoy the holiday season! There are so many excellent photo ops, too! Don’t miss the beautiful doorways with pine swag and the twinkling light backdrops.
Don’t miss visiting the conservatory (or greenhouses). The rooms full of cactus and warm-weather plants pack a big punch for visitors. This year the pink lights were so pretty!
Make sure you dress in lots of layers because you’ll be alternating between visiting indoors and outdoors. Hats, coats, gloves or mittens, and boots are the way to go, especially when there’s snow on the ground like there was this year! (My favorite beanie. I’ve had these snow boots for 9 years, and they are still my favorite (Sorel boots – similar). They keep my feet so warm!)
Christmas at Kingwood is located at 50 N. Trimble Rd, Mansfield, Ohio. Call ahead with questions – (419) 522-0211
Making a day of it? Check out my list of our favorite restaurants in Mansfield and things to do with kids in Mansfield, Ohio.
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