Christmas Lights Near Me

Columbus Christmas Lights 2026Every drive-thru, zoo, park and downtown display around Columbus, with what's confirmed for this year and what isn't yet. We check every one and update this page each week through New Year's.

Updated Monday, September 14
18 displays
4 confirmed for 2026
12 free

This weekWhat changed since our last update

Confirmed for 20262026 dates not announcedLast year's details, unverified

The big ones

Five displays draw most of the crowds in central Ohio. Two are confirmed for 2026 already. If you only do one, we'd pick Wildlights on a weeknight and Butch Bando's on the way home.

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo Confirmed 2026

Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 5–9pm Sun–Thu, 5–10pm Fri–Sat Zoo admission, parking $12 Powell, 15 mi north

The one everyone means when they say "the lights." Millions of LEDs across the zoo, animated shows synced to music, the Yule Tide boat ride and the 12 Days train. The North America Trek region joins the route this year, so plan on more walking than you remember.

Go before 4pm. Most animals go inside before the lights come up. Members get their own preview night on November 19, and there's a sensory-friendly stroll on November 17 that needs pre-registration even if you're a member.
Official page Directions

Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights Confirmed 2026

Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027 5:30–9pm Sun–Thu, 5:30–10pm Fri–Sat Per car, $10 off weekdays Alum Creek, Delaware

Three miles of drive-thru through the Alum Creek campgrounds, over 300 displays, tunnels and light walls. It's locally owned and has run 26 years, and it still feels like it. Tune to 88.3 FM for the radio show, which local students help produce.

Sit on the right side of the car. The show is built to be seen from there. Weeknights are shorter lines and ten dollars cheaper.
Official page Directions

WonderLight's Christmas in Ohio 2026 dates not announced

Last year: Nov 14 – Jan 4 5:30–10pm nightly $30 per car Hartford Fairgrounds, 26 mi

Central Ohio's biggest drive-thru by light count, over a million LEDs dancing to music on 89.9 FM. It's a ticketed, timed-entry show, so it never turns into a two-hour queue the way the free ones can.

Their site still shows 2025. Last year they opened November 14. We'll update this the week they post.
Official page Directions

Wanderlights, downtown Last year's details

Last year: Nov 21 – Feb 15 5–10pm daily Free Columbus Commons to the Scioto Mile

The free one, and it's good. A 40-foot tree and 150 lit trees at Columbus Commons, a tunnel of glowing arches, then penguins along Town Street to the riverfront where the fountain and 75 wrapped trees do the rest. Wander Nights on December Fridays and Saturdays add free cocoa, trolley rides and a movie.

Park once at the Commons garage (55 E Rich St) and walk the whole thing. On Wander Nights the covered trolley runs between the Commons and Bicentennial Park.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Last year's details

Last year: Nov 22 – Jan 4 5–9pm, till 10 Fri–Sat Admission, parking free East Broad Street

Lights through the gardens and glasshouses, with the Holiday Blooms exhibit of a thousand poinsettias inside. Warmer than any other stop on this list, which matters in January.

Check the music schedule. Live performances run on select nights and the evening ticket is a separate entry from daytime admission.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Free

Downtown, Easton, and a 91-year-old nativity that most people drive past without knowing it's there.

Easton's Grand Illumination 2026 dates not announced

Last year: Friday, Nov 14, 5–9pm Free Easton Town Center

Easton switches the whole town center on in one night, with a drone show and the 56-foot tree's synchronized light show, then keeps the lights up through New Year's. It's usually the first big lighting of the season in Columbus.

2026 date not posted yet. Last year it was Friday, November 14.
Official page Directions

State Auto's Christmas Corner Last year's details

Last year: Dec 7 – Jan 3 5–11:30pm, plus 6–8am Free 518 E Broad St

A life-sized nativity and lights on the State Auto campus, in its 91st year. Choirs perform on a schedule posted to their Facebook page. It's on the way to the Conservatory, so pair them.

It's lit from 6 to 8 in the morning too. Nobody is there. Bring coffee.
Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Worth the drive

Under an hour from downtown. Two of these are already confirmed for 2026.

Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill Confirmed 2026

Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 Gates 5pm, lights 6–9pm Admission, under 4 free, parking free Clifton, 45 mi

Five million lights on a historic mill and the gorge behind it, with a 100-foot waterfall of light. It has run 38 years and gets national coverage for a reason. Closes an hour early on December 24 and 25, and it's closed New Year's Eve.

Monday to Thursday. Weekends back up onto the road. Cash is faster at the gate, cards work with a fee.
Official page Directions

ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park Confirmed 2026

Dec 1 – 31, 2026 Free drive-thru Xenia, 49 mi

A free drive-thru through a county park, split into themed sections: a winter section, a North Pole car show, a farm and a festival, with Santa waving at the end. Free means weekend traffic. Go on a weeknight.

Official page Directions

Christmas at the Castle, Loudonville Last year's details

Last year: Nov 28 – Dec 27 3:30–9:30pm Admission, parking $10 Fri–Sat Landoll's Mohican Castle, 59 mi

150,000 lights on an actual castle in the Mohican woods. It's a long drive for lights alone, so most people make it dinner at the Copper Mug and stay late.

Runs every year. We haven't seen 2026 dates yet.
Official page Directions

Tree lightings and town squares

One-night events in the suburbs. None have posted 2026 dates yet. We list last year's so you can plan around the same weekend.

Christmas in Downtown Delaware

Last year Dec 5–7. Tree lighting, parade, an ice rink and carriage rides. Mostly free.

Official page Directions

Downtown Lancaster WinterFest

Last year Sat Dec 6. Carriage rides, Santa, tree lighting. Free.

Official page Directions

New Albany tree lighting and drone show

Last year Sunday, Nov 23, 3–6pm at Market Square. Santa, reindeer, and a drone show finale. Free.

Official page Directions

Hilliard tree lighting

Last year Dec 7 in Old Hilliard, with carriage rides and the Historical Village open. Park at the fairgrounds. Free.

Official page Directions

Heart of Grove City parade and tree lighting

Early December, 7pm parade through the town center then the lighting. Free.

Official page Directions

Ohio Statehouse tree lighting

Early December, 5:30–7:30pm. Santa lights the tree in the atrium, cookies after. Free.

Official page Directions

Holidays in Uptown Westerville

Last year Nov 29 – Dec 20. Shops and the historic district decorated, events most weekends. Free.

Official page Directions

Christmas Lights Ohio, Delaware County Fairgrounds

Last year Nov 26 – Jan 3. A 1.5-mile drive-thru with 2 million lights and 40 displays. Per car, coupon on Kemba's site.

Official page Directions

Know a display we're missing?

A house, a street, a church, a park. Give us the address and anything you know and we'll check it and add it.

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