From overlooked roadside attractions to unusual museums and obscure natural wonders, Local Hidden Gems will showcase some of the unique and unexpected treasures that make America extraordinary. We emphasize charm, surprise and delight.
Local hidden gem: Castle Noel in Medina, Ohio
Christmas only comes once a year.
But at Castle Noel, Christmas is all day, every day, all year round.
Mark Klaus (yes, that’s his last name) spreads joy among Christmas lovers all year long with his innovative and enchanting Christmas museum, Castle Noel. This museum is the largest Christmas attraction in the country. Behind each exhibition is a tradition or memory that all visitors can recognize and rejoice in their love of Christmas.
After growing up around Christmas shows, Mark Klaus said he created Castle Noel to bring that same happiness to people’s faces.
“My family was big on Christmas shows. I saw how people enjoyed having fun at our home,” Klaus said. “So I thought I would take it to the next level and make it something special for the people who come.”
Castle Noel holds your favorite Christmas memories
Located in Medina, Ohio, Castle Noel opened in 2013 in a building that was formerly a Methodist church. According to Ohio Traveler, it is now the largest Christmas museum in the country. It features Christmas movie memorabilia, original props and window displays from New York’s famous department stores.
Klaus said the museum renews exhibits, conducts renovation projects and adds new props and objects every year. Castle Noel is constantly evolving, making every visit feel fresh every year.
“We are constantly adding new displays, making the displays we have better and changing displays,” said Klaus. “The one thing people always say is that there are so many new things every year, which is pretty cool. So we work on it every day.”
Castle Noel’s displays go beyond Christmas
Although every season feels like Christmas, there is always something new for visitors to enjoy. This summer, amid all the Christmas decor, they even added a tropical touch with a summer Hawaiian luau attraction, featuring live Hawaiian dancers and music.
Visitors can take part in a scheduled indoor tour of Castle Noel and get up close to familiar Christmas collectibles and props from their favorite Christmas films.
Owners of Castle Noel have something new in store every year
As new exhibitions and displays are created at Castle Noel every year, they are working to make the museum bigger and better. Klaus is very excited about the new exhibitions and the fact that visitors have the opportunity to see them.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is here now, so people get to see a really cool, fully animatronic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. There are new displays everywhere,” Klaus said. “There’s a gingerbread theater with an animatronic gingerbread show, which is really cool.”
Klaus said the annual ideas for new exhibitions are endless, and he has many more magical ideas for Castle Noel in 2025 and beyond.
“There is no shortage of ideas. I work on these displays seven days a week and there is no end in sight of what there is to do and what we want to create,” said Klaus.
The owner of Castle Noel wants visitors to feel only joy
When you step into Castle Noel, the museum aims to transport you to a completely different world where you forget all the trials and tribulations in your life.
Klaus wants everyone who visits Castle Noel to feel joyful and forget all the pressures of their lives when they step through the doors. In short, to feel the happiness and joy of the Christmas season all year round.
“With all the stress in the world, I just wanted to create a place where people can be happy,” Klaus said. toys – just something to make people happy.”
Where: 260 S Court St, Medina, OH 44256
More information: https://castlenoel.com/
This article originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal: It’s Christmas all year round at Castle Noel: Local Hidden Gems
