Columbus Holiday Displays That Light Up the Night

Yearly Favorites

Wildlights: Have you truly celebrated the holiday season if you haven’t gone to Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium? There are thousands of sparkling lights to enjoy and several animated displays, too. Ride on the Polar Bear Express, visit Santa and take a spin on the carousel.

Conservatory Aglow: Enjoy holiday horticulture at the Franklin Park Conservatory through January 9th. Make your way through the dazzling light tunnel, wander amongst the lighted animal topiaries and explore a starry wonderland in the Bonsai Courtyard. There’s also live entertainment and refreshments.

Holiday Lights at Columbus Commons: Through January 2nd, the Columbus Commons will be lit from dusk to 11 p.m. with more than 400,000 lights. The display is free to the public and features roaming musicians throughout the grounds. There’s also free hot chocolate and carousel rides on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Clifton Mill: There’s a reason these holiday lights are considered “legendary.” The displays include an illuminated mill, gorge, bridges and a 100-foot waterfall of lights. You can also watch Santa at work in his shop and see him go up the chimney every 15 minutes.

Outdoor Experiences

SegAway Tours: The Scioto Greenways are lined with lights, and you can enjoy them as you cruise on a Segway. Featured attractions include the Union Train Station Arch, the Arena District and Bicentennial Park. Tours start at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and last for 90 minutes.

Holiday Lights at Scioto Mile: On a budget, but still want to enjoy some holiday lights? The Scioto Mile lights are free and are lit from dusk until dawn through January 3rd.

Christmas at Kingwood: Come to Kingwood Hall and explore the Trail of Lights and community tree walk. The festivities will run Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. until December 30th, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Santa’s reindeer will pay a visit on December 11th and 12th, and Just Jazz Live will perform on December 23rd in the King Ballroom.

Holiday Lights at Easton: The Easton Town Center is once again aglow with two million lights and a 56-foot animated Christmas tree. Snap a photo with Santa or take a carriage ride through the North District and Fenlon Square.

Drive-Thru Light Displays

Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights: This holiday staple has lit the Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds for more than 20 years. Join the fun Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Flying Horse Farms: This half-mile drive will take you around decorated buildings and animated light shows. The drive is free to the public, but donations are accepted. The show is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. until December 26th.

Lucy Depp Park Light Show: This show covers seven acres and includes six houses decked with holiday lights. Trees and bushes are covered in more than 45,000 bulbs, and each display is independently controlled. The show starts at dusk and runs until 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Lights of Glenross: Explore the Glenross neighborhood, where more than 300 houses are covered in lights that are choreographed to some of your favorite Christmas music on 94.1 FM. There’s also an online scavenger hunt so you can search for some of the most unique displays during your adventure.

Magical Lights of Winter: The National Raceway in Hebron, Ohio is transformed into a glowing wonderland during this time of year. The drive-thru display is open Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online.

Come home for the holidays at Ardent Communities. View our apartment locations and contact us online to schedule a tour.