Annual Lighting of The Licking County Courthouse

Head to Newark on the day after Thanksgiving for the Annual Lighting of the Licking County Courthouse on Friday, November 29, 2024 at 6pm.

The beautiful Licking County Courthouse looks AMAZING all lit up, and courthouse square is filled with larger than life Christmas displays.

Enjoy a festive holiday evening of entertainment including a variety of musical guests, carols, and Santa Claus!

The program starts at 6 pm with music, live nativity, and more. Santa will ride in on a firetruck around 7 pm, and the lighting will occur shortly after. 

Holiday Bazaar

Come early for the Holiday Bazaar at the Canal Market District from 3 pm – 6:30 pm – just one block away from the square. Shop with over 40 vendors and pick up some Christmas gifts and amazing baked goods.

Food trucks will be on site to dine from before the Courthouse lighting, or dine at one of the suggestions below!

Dining in Newark

Hungry? Grab dinner or a snack at one of these great eateries before or after the event in Downtown Newark!

Please check hours before planning to dine at these, as hours may be adjusted for the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend and for the event.

• Elliot’s Wood Fired Kitchen and Tap
• Mariposa
• 1922 on the Square
• Shipp Brothers Brewing Restaurant & Taproom
• Drip Dreams Ice Cream
• Moe’s Original BBQ 
• Buckeye Winery
• River Road Coffee House
• Downtown Fruit Passion Newark
• Christy’s Pizza
• Chickie’s General Store
• Wendy’s

Free parking is available along most streets in Downtown Newark, and there is a free parking garage on 2nd St just south of the Courthouse at the Canal Market District. 

Licking County Courthouse Square
26 S 3rd St, Newark, Ohio 43055

Check out the Facebook page for updates.