You can set up a nativity scene with figurines at home (there are even little people nativity sets for young children to play with), but a live reenactment really makes the first Christmas come alive for your kids. Use our roundup to find a live Nativity near you and introduce your kids to a special experience this Christmas season.

Us usual, if you know of an event that should be included, please submit the details here and we will add it. Thanks for helping us all make memories this holiday season!

While we do our best to offer accurate information, please always call ahead to double check with the organizers website before visiting.

Find a Live Nativity Near You

FREE Night in Bethlehem
Enjoy a live drive-thru nativity from the comfort of your car. Complimentary hot chocolate will be provided to each vehicle. {Find Out More}
When: December 4-6, 2020; 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Calvary Chapel, 8151 Stuhldreher St. NW, Massillon, OH 44646
Cost: FREE

FREE Live Nativity Walk-By in Hudson
People are invited to park anywhere, including the church’s backlot and walk by the manger and see the camel and other animals. Masks and social distancing are required. {Find Out More}
When: Sunday, December 6, 2020; 12pm-4pm
Where: First Congregational Church of Hudson, 47 Aurora St., Hudson, OH 44236
Cost: FREE

FREE Live Nativity Drive-Thru at Willoughby United Methodist Church
See a real-life depiction of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, The Three Wise Men, Shepherds and live animals – donkey, sheep and goat – just like at the birth of Jesus! A special Christmas gift will be given to each car, while supplies last. {Find Out More}
When: December 6-7, 2020; 6pm-8pm
Where: 15 Public Square (Beside Willoughby City Hall), Willoughby, OH 44094 (Enter Prospect St. from River St. on the south side of the church.)
Cost: FREE; Donations of non-perishable items for the Willoughby UMC Food Pantry are requested and will be collected at entry

FREE Live Nativity at Painesville Church of the Nazarene
Come and experience this live Nativity. The scenes will be outside on Dec. 19th and inside on Christmas Eve. Possible live animals onsite! {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 19, 2020; 7pm & 7:30pm
Christmas Eve, December 23, 2020; 5:30pm & 6pm
Where: PCN, 6235 Chestnut St., Painesville, OH 44077
Cost: FREE

As usual, if you know of an event that should be included, please submit the details here and we will add it. Thanks!

We Hope to Enjoy These Events Again in 2021:

Christmas on the Ranch – CANCELED
Bring your family for an old-fashioned Christmas celebration. Let your hearts be touched by the experience of the live Nativity. Enjoy listening to Christmas carols that will bring back the nostalgia of the true meaning of Christmas. Stroll through the Christmas Village, feel the warmth of the bonfire, roast a marshmallow, take a wagon ride, and sip hot cocoa while celebrating good tidings and great joy! {Find Out More}
When: CANCELED FOR 2020
Where: Buckin' Ohio, 8154 Garman Rd., Burbank, OH 44214
<Cost: Tickets required [REGISTER]

FREE Berlin's Live Nativity Parade – CANCELED
Celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas Season with a Live Nativity Parade on Main St. Mary & Joseph, live animals, wise men, shepherds, carolers, and more will walk from the Village Gift Barn to the square where the Christmas Story will be read. There will be a candlelighting service and caroling after the parade. {Find Out More}
When: CANCELED FOR 2020
Where: Village Gift Barn, 4755 State Hwy. 39, Berlin, OH 44610
Cost: FREE

FREE Live Nativity at Stow-Glen Retirement Village – CANCELED
Visit this year's Live Nativity scene, featuring the residents and staff of Pathway to Independence. Hot chocolate will be served, and there will be live animals! {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: 4285 Kent Rd., Stow, OH 44224
Cost: FREE; Donations will be collected to benefit Relay for Life.

FREE Annual Journey to Bethlehem in Walnut Creek – CANCELED
Experience the sights and sounds that Joseph and Mary may have experienced as they journeyed to Bethlehem. Some of the activities of the journey include registering for taxation, just as Mary and Joseph did, and experiencing the Bethlehem marketplace. Participants will also meet biblical characters and share a fireside with shepherds and their flocks. The journey ends with a live Nativity scene. {Find Out More}
When: CANCELED FOR 2020
Where: The first stop on the Journey is Walnut Creek Mennonite Church at 2619 County Road 144, Sugarcreek, OH, 44681. Stop here first to register and receive a map of the other stops. You may park at the church and ride the shuttle vans to the events in town.
Cost FREE

FREE Follow the Star to Bethlehem in Ashtabula Towne Square – CANCELED
Come experience the sights, sounds, vendors, animals, the people of Bethlehem, and, of course, the Christ Child! {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: 3315 N. Ridge Rd. E, Ashtabula, OH 44004
Cost FREE

FREE Follow the Star to Bethlehem – CANCELED
A Journey to Bethlehem is a family-friendly indoor/outdoor event and will include a guided tour to Bethlehem, indoor marketplace, live nativity, nativity photos, live animals, children’s crafts, and warm refreshments. {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: Regina Coeli Church & School, 733 Fernwood Blvd., Alliance, OH 44601
Cost FREE; In the spirit of Christmas, there will be a collection of non-perishable food items to support the Christmas Food Basket Drive.

FREE Search for the Christ Child
You’re invited to experience the Christmas story like never before! Follow a shepherd guide on a 20-minute interactive journey along Mary and Joseph’s trek to Jerusalem. Meet angels, wise men, King Herod, and other characters before ultimately arriving at a live nativity to behold the Christ child. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate while you wait for the journey to begin. Small activity bags also provided to young children. {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: NEW LOCATION!The Federated Church, 76 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
Cost: FREE

FREE Live Nativity at Valley View Village Church – CANCELED
The Live Nativity is an outdoor experience that will immerse you in the sights and sounds of the very first Christmas. You will meet Isaiah the prophet, Caesar Augustus, King Herod, the Magi, and the shepherds. Your journey will lead you through the busy Bethlehem market to see Mary and Joseph with the baby in the stable. {Find Out More}
When: CANCELED FOR 2020
Where: 11401 Tinkers Creek Rd., Valley View, OH 44125
Cost: FREE

FREE Journey to Bethlehem – a Live Interactive Nativity
A unique, interactive telling the Christmas story. Your guide will lead you down the path to the manger, where live animals will help keep Baby Jesus warm. Now in its 21st year, Journey to Bethlehem is a family-oriented way to start off your Christmas season. {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: Church of the Redeemer United Church of Christ, 23500 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake, OH 44145
Cost: FREE

FREE The Boar's Head Christmas Festival: A Celebration of Christ's Birth at Zion Lutheran Church
While the festival in its entirety is not presented here, selections from it have been recreated for tonight to help bring back those wonderful memories. {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: 508 Mentor Ave., Painesville, OH 44077
Cost: FREE (Registration is required.)

FREE Night in Bethlehem in North Canton
Come and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this free, interactive event for all ages. Walk-through Bethlehem. Before you exit, see and touch the stable animals. {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7707 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH 44721
Cost: FREE

FREE Live Nativity at Hambden Congregational Church
Join in this free community event and journey back to the manger of Bethlehem at the outdoor live nativity. Then come inside and take a tour to meet the ancestors of Jesus who long anticipated his birth. After the tours, enjoy the celebration of Christmas where we will be serving warm refreshment and crafts for the kids. {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: 13840 Grand Army of the Republic Hwy., Chardon, OH 44024
Cost: FREE

FREE 45th Live Nativity
Discover the true meaning of Christmas. Live animals, live music in sanctuary both nights. Refreshments in fellowship hall. For more information, email 2ajrhuskypups@att.net.
When: TBA
Where: North Mentor Centenary United Methodist Church, 9290 Lakeshore Blvd., Mentor, OH 44060
Cost: FREE

You May Also Be Interested In

It's not a live nativity, but it's probably the largest quantity and variety of nativity sets you've ever seen in one location!

FREE Historic Kirtland Nativity Exhibit
This Christmas season, enjoy this annual nativity exhibit. With nearly 1,000 nativities from all over the world on display, you won’t want to miss it! {Find Out More}
When: TBA
Where: Historic Kirtland Visitors' Center, 7800 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: FREE