Inspiring Spots Within Your Reach - A Guide to Columbus Ohio
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Columbus’s Holiday Lights 2023: Your Complete Guide to Sparkling Displays
It’s the most wonderful time of year, and there is a ton of magic to be found! One of my favorite traditions this time of year is looking at all the twinkling, sparkling beautiful holiday lights. Few things can warm up a winter night and raise the holiday cheer level quite like a dazzling Christmas lights display.
Fridays in December will be extra festive at Columbus Commons! With free hot chocolate, live music, a traveling photo booth, carousel rides and a bar offering a hot boozy beverages, enjoy some extra merriment from 5 pm to 9 pm while taking in the 400,000+ holiday lights.
DOWNTOWN HOLI-DAY – December 2: From shopping at small businesses, trolley tours, photo opps with the big man himself, hot boozy beverages and more, this is the Holi-DAY you won’t want to miss Downtown. Enjoy some extra-festivities at the following events happening throughout the season:
Santa Extravaganza at the Lazarus Building (4-7 pm)
Festive Saturday at Columbus Commons (4-9 pm)
Good Market Holiday Edition (4-9 pm)
Winter Fest (11 am – 4 pm)
CSO Holiday Pops at the Ohio Theatre (3 pm)
Discovery District Trolley Hop (1-6 pm)
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
November 17,2023 – January 7, 2024
Sunday-Thursday 5pm – 9pm, Friday & Saturday 5pm to 10pm
If you don’t have a membership to the Columbus Zoo, but have a Columbus Library card – you can check out a Short Term Membership Pass. The pass includes 6 guests, expires 2 days after receiving the pass, and does not include $10 parking. Available at select libraries. More details here.
Explore captivating new displays, including mesmerizing lights synchronized with holiday melodies, immersive light installations, outdoor illuminated games, a lively dance celebration, and a retreat to festive igloos for an assortment of tabletop games. These fun new additions are featured alongside returning favorites, including the ornament trees, the Whirly Tree by Tork Inc., the life-size gingerbread house, and the magical train display of the Paul Busse Garden Railway.
New This Year! Ice Skating at Franklin Park Conservatory. December 1-14 only | 5pm-close nightly. Included in Conservatory Aglow Admission
Creekside Gahanna District Lights
November 19, 2023 – January 7, 2024
123 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230
Parking: Garage and On-street
Don’t miss the annual 2023 Holiday Lights Celebration in the Gahanna Creekside District on Sunday, November 19th from 3:00pm-6:30pm! Free for everyone holiday activities start at 3 PM, and include live performances on the Holiday Stage, arts and crafts, Touch-a-Truck, decorating a snow plow, fun photo opps in a Giant Snow Globe, and so much more fun! Santa arrives by fire truck at 6:20 PM to light the Tree and set off the Holiday Fireworks!
The Scioto Mile Holiday Lights
Each year, the Scioto Mile glows with holiday lighting, adding an air of festivity in downtown Columbus. The Scioto Mile holiday lights visible from dusk until dawn each day. Information on the 2023 lighting is coming soon.
Easton is one of our favorite places to visit during the holidays. Inside, you’ll find Christmas trees and holiday decor everywhere you look, and outside you’ll experience a one-of-a-kind light display that will have your whole family “ooh-ing” and “ahh-ing.” with a 56-foot Christmas tree that has a show beginning every 15 from the top of the hour.
EASTON’S GRAND ILLUMINATION – Friday, November 17 – 6-9PM throughout Easton: Kick off the holiday season… the Easton way! Festivities will begin at 6PM around the Center and continue throughout the evening with live music, fun for the family, costumed characters and more bringing holiday cheer! No matter where you are, take your eyes to the sky around 7PM and watch as over two-million lights simultaneously illuminate Easton for the season.
Town Square Holiday Tree Shows | 5-11PM daily beginning November 18 through December 31
Menorah Lighting | Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 7:30-9PM
The Dawes Arboretum
Explore the paved Parkwoods Trail, surrounded by illuminated trees and enjoy the beauty of nature in winter. There will be music, coffee, food trucks, and a special appearance from Santa Claus each night!
December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 6 – 9pm
November 30: 6pm | 7pm | 8pm – Members Only Night
7770 Jacksontown Rd Newark, OH 43056
Make sure to mark your calendars for the last night as Santa’s reindeer arrive to take him home to prepare for this holiday season. Register today at https://dawesarb.org/calendar-events-dawes-arboretum/. Registration is required. Both members and non-members must pre-purchase a ticket. The walk is approximately one mile.
If you’re like my husband, your way of viewing the lights is enjoying the show from the warmth of your own vehicle; we have plenty of drive-thru experiences in Central Ohio.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights (Drive-Thru)
November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Sunday-Thursday, 5:30pm-9:00pm and Friday + Saturday, 5:30pm-10:00pm
3311 South Old State Road, Delaware, OH 43015
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket gate (cash, credit or debit) or online
9360 Frabell Dr, Powell OH 43065 – Because the roads are so narrow and traffic is a concern, they have a loop around the show. There are signs directing traffic.
Their story goes back 184 years–from a stop on the Underground Railroad to an African-American resort community where boxer Joe Louis was known to stay, Lucy Depp Park has quite the history! Read more about it here.
Get ready to soak up the holiday spirit and make some unforgettable memories with your crew! Whether you’re strolling through the magical lights at Columbus Commons, soaking in the festive vibes at Easton Town Center, or enjoying the cozy charm of Lucy Depp Lights, there’s tons of fun waiting for you. Don’t miss out on these sparkling adventures—let’s make this season one to remember! Wishing you all a joyful and bright holiday season filled with laughter and love
