Columbus LOVES Christmas lights! From free but amazing neighborhood displays, to immersive paid Christmas lights experiences, you’ll find plenty of holiday joy around the city with the best Christmas lights in Columbus.
Driving around to see Christmas lights is always fun during the holiday season – and even something you can do with all ages when the whether isn’t great.
Gather your family, pack some snacks and hot cocoa, and you’ve got an evening of Christmas spirit.
Scroll down for a map to see all of the locations so you can plan your stops!
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FREE displays of Christmas Lights in Columbus
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Columbus Christmas Lights
All Season. Drive around Columbus and enjoy the display of lights in various neighborhoods – for free!
Check out the Christmas Lights Finder website to search near your neighborhood – or use it to take a tour around Columbus! Make sure you check the details and links to see if the display is running for 2023.
Easton Town Center Grand Illumination
Easton is beautiful during the holidays! From the giant tree to the train display, and the lights strung up everywhere! Walk around, or take a horse drawn carriage ride check out the holiday lights of Easton – it’s beautiful during the season.
The season at Easton kicks off on November 22, 2024 with the Grand Illumination.
Wanderlights: New Columbus Commons Holiday Lights
November 22, 2024 through February 15, 2024, every day from 5pm until to 11 pm. Check out more than 400,000 LED lights dazzle Columbus Commons park, thanks to a generous contribution from American Electric Power.
Fridays in December will be a little extra festive, with free hot chocolate and carousel rides from 5pm to 9pm. Plus, you’ll hear the music of the season with musicians roaming around the park. You can find that extra bit of holiday cheer on these dates.
Wanderlights at the Scioto Mile
Late-November 22, 2024 through January tba, 2023. Downtown Columbus with be lit with more than 200,000 lights for the Holiday Light Display along the Scioto Mile.
This spectacular display will span Columbus Commons, the Lazarus Building and along the Scioto Mile.
photo: cotc
Creekside Park Lights Display
Creekside Park in Gahanna is lit up for the season each night with a quarter of a million lights until early January. The light display plays along to music, and includes a Gingerbread Village.
Creekside Park is within CORA limits, so grab a festive beverage and stroll through the Holiday Wonderland.
Lights are programmed to change with the music from 5pm-8:30pm Sun-Thur and 5p-10p Fri & Sat. Read more here.
Nativity at Cathedral Square (formerly State Auto Christmas Corner)
November 29, 2024 through early January 6, 2024. This stunning long-standing holiday tradition has been gifted and relocated, and will be lit nightly at St. Joseph Cathedral through the season.
The nativity scene and story of Christmas is a tradition that is loved by many. Read more here.
Nativity at Cathedral Square (formerly State Auto Christmas Corner)
The Lucy Depp Park Light Show
This drive-thru Christmas light experience at Lucy Depp features 9 houses over 13 acres. The show runs from Black Friday to the first week of January, dusk until 10pm Sun-Thurs, and until 11 on Friday and Saturday.
In order to manage traffic, there is a loop to drive. You enter at Frabell Dr and exit on Springdale Dr. Make sure you read about the history of Lucy Depp Park – it’s fascinating! Address: Frabell Dr. Powell, OH 43065
There is a donation box located at the entrance to the show for Feed the Kids Columbus. Every dollar donated=1 meal for a child in need. Please consider making a donation, no matter how small!
Holiday Magic in Powell: Lucy Depp Park 13-Acre Light Spectacular
Lights of Glenross
Thanksgiving – January 1, 2025. Glenross subdivision in Delaware and has around 300 houses with light displays choreographed to Christmas music played on 88.5FM.
5pm-9pm Sunday-Thursday
5pm-11pm Friday & Saturday
Check out the website at www.lightsofglenross.com or like Lights of Glenross on Facebook for more info. Ballater Dr., Delaware, Ohio 43015.
image provided by Lights of Glenross
Inniswood Illuminated at Inniswood Metro Gardens
December 2024 from 5 pm to 8 pm. See details about the lights throughout the garden on the Facebook page.
Dazzling Christmas Lights in Westerville’s Annehurst neighborhood
Day after Thanksgiving through December. Display features 100,000 Christmas Lights that dance to music. The show is every night (weather permitting) from 6:00pm – 10:00pm Sunday thru Thursday and 6:00pm – 11:00pm Friday and Saturday.
They are collecting canned food donations to support W.A.R.M.
Check Facebook for updates; turn your car radio to 90.1 fm to listen to the lights. Address: 649 Old Coach Rd. Westerville Ohio 43081.
Sawmill Meadows Lights
This is just one house, but they DO IT UP for Christmas (and Halloween)! They’ve been featured on news stations for their decorations. There are other nicely decorated houses in the neighborhood as well, and it’s on the way to the Zoolights at the Zoo!
Follow the Facebook page for opening day and hours. Address: 2691 Sawmill Meadows Ave., Columbus (just off of Sawmill Rd. N of Hard Rd).
Fields Family Christmas Lights
This annual Fields Family Christmas Light show combines sequencing the lights to some favorite Christmas songs. They are also a drop off location for the annual Toy Drive for the Violet Township Fire Department (see details here).
The show starts the night after Thanksgiving, and runs until New Years Day. Sunday – Thursday 5 PM to 9 PM, Friday – Saturday 5 PM to 10 PM. Address: 288 Fox Glen Dr E. Pickerington, Ohio 43147. Tune your radio to 89.7 FM
The Gibbswold House
Check out the Gibbswold house! Located in Butler Farms in Obetz, Ohio, this awesome light show starts at 7 pm every night with 20K lights. Tune radio to 94.7FM to enjoy the show to music.
1069 Gartner Ct, Columbus, OH 43207
credit: Gibbswold Light Display
Christmas Lights Extravaganza
Opens Thanksgiving weekend. Free Drive thru Christmas Lights display. Donations are accepted. Open daily 6pm till 1130pm until after New Years.
Follow on Facebook for exact opening/closing dates when announced, as well as Santa appearances. 3595 Mcdonald Rd, Lancaster Ohio 43130
Christmas Lights Attractions in Columbus with Admission
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Don’t miss the Columbus Zoo Christmas lights featuring Columbus Zoo Christmas lights and festivities featuring displays of millions of LED lights and holiday sights and sounds.
Regular admission applies, except for free nights listed below. Members get free admission. Parking is $10/car for non-members.
Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Easton Holiday Carriage Rides
Check out the beauty of Easton during the holidays on a Easton Holiday Carriage Ride! Available weekends from November 23 – December 23, 2024; Saturdays from 5-9 p.m., and Sundays from 3-7 p.m.
Rides are $10, children under 15 ride free with paying adult.
image: Easton Town Center
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
November 22, 2024 – January 1, 2025. Enjoy 3 miles of holiday lights at Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, and stop by Santa’s House after the show $20-$30 per car.
Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
November 23, 2024 – January 5, 2025. Admission is $16 – $26.50. Members pay reduced admission. Holiday displays and activities at the Franklin Park Conservatory, including live entertainment, gingerbread contest, and more.
Conservatory Aglow is free for members on Nov. 17, 2023 from 5 pm – 9 pm.
Columbus Metro Parks December Twinkling Lights
December 2024. Walk under the twinkling lights at Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Highbanks, Homestead and Inniswood during the month of December. Details about Winter Hikes here.
December 6-7, 2024. Visit to Chestnut Ridge for special evening lantern walks and hot chocolate.
Segaway Holiday Lights Tour
November 24 – December 23, 2024, beginning at 6 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Take a festive ride on a Segaway Holiday Lights Tour through downtown Columbus and the Scioto Greenway to enjoy seasonal decorations, lights, and holiday music.
Training + tour is about 1.5 hours and costs $59 per rider. Columbus Convention Center, 50 E. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215.
Take a drive for these out-of-town Christmas Experiences!
WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio at Hartford Fairgrounds
November 15 – January 5, 2025 from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Wonderlight’s Christmas in Ohio is open rain, shine, or snow.
Come see over 1 million LED lights synchronized to traditional and newer Christmas music played through your own car stereo. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show. Admission is $30 per car (up to 7 passengers, not counting 3 and under).
Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Road, Hartford, OH 43013
Festival of Lights at The Fairfield County Fairgrounds
The return of the Festival of Lights at Fairfield County Fairgrounds is something to celebrate! Throughout the season, expect visits with Santa, kettle corn, desserts, and a concession stand. $10 per car.
Dates: Thanksgiving through Christmas (Sunday-Wednesday, 6-9pm; Thursday-Saturday, 6-10pm). See updates on Facebook.
Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio
Friday, November 22 through December 23, 2024, open every day except Thanksgiving. Located about an hour and fifteen minutes SW of Columbus, the Christmas Ranch features a Christmas Village with a combination drive-thru/walk-thru experience featuring approximately 1 Million LED lights which dance with the music.
Drive through to see the lights and park to visit areas of Christmas Ranch. Shop in 6 Christmas shops, grab a treat at Santa’s Bakery or the Elves food truck (walk-up window and outdoor seating), and visit with Santa.
Admission is $37 per carload or $47 per oversized van (10+ visitors) Free parking! Save $5 when you make reservations online at thechristmasranch.com.
Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
November 29 – December 30, 2024 from 5 – 9 p.m. (lights turn on at 6 p.m.) On Christmas Eve and Christmas they close at 8 pm.
Enjoy 4 million lights, outdoor miniature village, Santa Claus Museum, and nostalgic Toy Collection at the Legendary Lights at Clifton Mills. You can’t visit Santa, but you can peek into Santa’s Workshop to see Santa at work until December 23. Every 15 minutes or so, watch him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh. Food is available for purchase except on Christmas.
Admission is $15 per person for everyone age 4 and older. Children 3 and under always get in free. Food and drink for sale.
Saturday is the most crowded night; the attraction is less crowded on weekdays. Located near Yellow Springs, 40 miles SW of Columbus.
Christmas at Kingwood Center
November 30 through December 30, 2024, every Tuesday through Sunday starting at 4 pm. Kingwood Center in Mansfield offers a variety of activities such as live music, dozens of uniquely trimmed themed Christmas trees in rooms throughout the hall, a beautifully decorated Greenhouse, and outdoor light displays.
Reservations must be made in advance due to capacity limits. Walkup available only if space permits. Admission is $10 for nonmembers, ages 12 and under free. Closed December 2, December 6, December 9, December 16, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park
December 1-31, 2024. FREE! Caesar Ford Park in Xenia will deck the park with dazzling lights, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la. Wind your way through the Winter Wonderland, North Pole Car Show, Winter Farm, and Festive Festival, then wave to Santa at the North Pole. Drive through once, and you’ll want to do it again.
No admission or registration, so if you’re in the area or up for a drive, just drive through! The lights are on daily from 6 pm – 9 pm. For more information call 937-562-6440. Caesar Ford Park, 520 South Stringtown Road, Xenia, OH 45385.
Kings Island Winterfest
Select nights from November 29-December 31, 2024
Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets start at $39.99 for those over 48″.
Kings Island Winterfest features all of the sounds, traditions, and activities of the Christmas season, plus the fun of Kings Island.
Map for Christmas Lights in Columbus and Central Ohio
Looking for all of the holiday fun in Columbus? Check out these pages!
- Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list
- Free and cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Your Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in Columbus
- Over 40 Holiday Art and Craft Festivals
- Turkey Trots and Holiday Races
- Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus
- Christmas Theater and Concerts in Columbus
- Photos with Santa
- Locations of Mailboxes for Letters to Santa
- Community Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
- Holiday Train Rides in Ohio: Santa Trains and Polar Express
- Free and Cheap Activities for Winter Break in Columbus
- Columbus Happy Hours
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