Every time I ask the Northeast Ohio Family Fun community what their favorite holiday tradition is, the most common answer is looking at Christmas Lights. Thankfully we have some amazing Christmas Light Displays in Northeast Ohio. One of those displays is located in Northfield and is put on by the Rambacher Family.
This beautiful display is the creation of Don Rambacher and I had the opportunity to ask him a few questions about the display.
All About the Rambacher Family Christmas Light Display
The display first started in 2003 and has grown to incorporate more and more items each year. The tunnel of lights over the driveway was added in 2015 and is one of my favorite parts of the display. There is something magical about driving through the tunnel.
In fact, Don encourages visitors to pull into the driveway to get the best view of the lights. Plus, most evenings he is outside to welcome guests and pass out candy canes.
Fun Fact: They collect donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Any donation makes a difference!
We’ve visited a lot of Christmas Light displays over the years and this is one of our favorites because of the uniqueness and variation of each item in the display. A working merry-go-round, tunnel of lights, huge flagpole, a countdown to Christmas sign, dancing lights on the house and Christmas music playing in the background. These are just some of the special aspects of the display.
Fun Fact: There are a set of three wise men in the display that move closer and closer to the manger as Christmas Day approaches.
Don told me the reason he spends so much time on the display each year is because “I really like talking with the people I give the candy canes to and seeing how happy the Lighting Display make them. Their appreciation makes me realize all the work is very worthwhile. It’s so nice to bring joy into peoples lives.”
While these pictures and video give you an idea of what to expect, I encourage you to go see the display in person. I know the experience will get your family in the Christmas spirit.
Rambacher Family Christmas Display
Thousands of lights, merry-go-rounds, flagpoles, three wise men (who move closer to the manger as the days lead up to Christmas) countdown to Christmas signs and much more. Guests are encouraged to pull into the driveway to view everything. There is room at the bottom to turn around. Won best of lights in the Cleveland.com 2016 contest.
When: Day before Thanksgiving through January 6; Sunday through Thursday 5:30pm-10pm, Friday & Saturday 5:30pm-11pm
Where: 8636 Brandywine Rd., Northfield, OH 44067
Cost: FREE. Donations accepted for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
You may also be interested in:
- Must See Christmas Lights in Northeast Ohio
- Articles about other local Christmas Light Displays
- Upcoming Christmas Events & Activities in Northeast Ohio
Fans of this display kept offering the Rambacher family donations to help support their display so Don Rambacher decided to turn his annual effort into a fundraiser for St. Jude Hospital. In 2021, via sponsors and visiting volunteer donors, Don Rambacher raised more than $30,000 for St. Jude while passing out free candy canes to visitors from Thanksgiving in late November through the Epiphany in early January. An amazing, generous accomplishment by a humble man and his family in Northfield, OH.