While driving around listening to your favorite holiday tunes, come and visit out of this world light installations and holiday decorations at the Pyramid Hill’s holiday lights event.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum has illuminated the holiday season with over a million twinkling lights in a 2-mile long route that spans over 75 acres, and this year the park celebrates the light show’s 25th anniversary.
The holiday lights event will begin Nov. 15 and will conclude Jan. 5, 2025. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday, with Mondays reserved for private events.
The 2-mile long trek will start every day at 6 p.m., however, Tuesday through Thursday lights will end at 9 p.m. and Friday through Sunday it will end at 10 p.m..
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum was founded by Harry T. Wilks in 1987 to provide land for future generations to experience the artwork of nature and natural settings, according to the Pyramid Hill website. Wilks had a strong relationship with Miami University, as he was an alumnus and on the board of trustees.
For the 25th anniversary of Pyramid Hill’s holiday lights, the non-profit organization plans to unveil a new route and new light fixtures for visitors to enjoy. “We’re always trying to improve the show year-after-year,” said Delaney French, Pyramid Hill’s Marketing Manager. “We’re pulling out all the stops to make it the best year yet.”
This year’s exhibit will showcase new and established local artists. One returning fan favorite is the Bombshells of Cincinnati, who display yarn bombing art exhibits throughout Candy Cane Lane.
Another artist that will return to the Pyramid Hill lights is Doug Borntrager. Based in Cincinnati, Borntrager does light projections for local art installations and did installations for Pyramid Hill in 2002.
Borntrager uses light projections as a way to connect the natural world with a world made from technology. The light projections will mainly focus on foliage and textures that coincide with the mission of Pyramid Hill.
“My projections, in particular, are focused on the art of nature,” said Borntrager. “Not only projecting onto the natural landscape provided, but also incorporating Aura Borealis visuals and highlighting different animals that are native to the area.”
Pyramid Hill dedicates its mission and goals to the arts, art educators and natural aspects of the park. The mission extends beyond and is engraved in the holiday lights event.
“With our mission being art and nature, we are always trying to find ways to highlight all the art and nature that already exists at the park,” said French. “Our goal is to be a good family destination for a holiday celebration.”
Although the 25th anniversary will showcase new installations and a new route, one change this year is the discontinuation of the Free City of Hamilton Nights. The Free City of Hamilton Night started in 2020 during quarantine, and offered visitors free admission to the park. Due to traffic concerns and low COVID relief funds, the free admission night is no longer available.
To make up for the loss of free admission night, Pyramid Hill and sponsors will host a ‘Walk the Lights’ night 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 for art educators.“That [Walk the Lights] for the park is very important because it connects us to art educators in the area,” said French.“It provides more opportunities for these educators.”
Pyramid Hill’s holiday lights accommodate people of all ages and furry friends to enjoy grand light displays from the comfort of their car. Pyramid Hill also offers a Bingo scavenger hunt for children to remain engaged and entertained during the displays.
“It’s sweet,” said French. “As you are touring the lights you can look for special features and cross them off as you go.”
For those who participate and get Bingo are entered to win a membership pass to Pyramid Hill. Membership passes will be offered weekly to winners.
Celebrating its 25th year anniversary with holiday lights that are a must see and a family tradition that will never dim, French said. “The fact that it’s been going on for 25 years is a testament of what a tradition it is to so many communities and people.”
