ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park in Xenia

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

If your neighborhood has an amazing display, please email us at info@columbusonthecheap.com to be added!

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 2025.

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 14, 2025 with the Grand Illumination and Drone Show.

Easton Holiday Lights, Drone Show, Santa, and seasonal fun

Wanderlights: Downtown Columbus Holiday Lights

November 21, 2025 – February 15, 2026, every day from 5pm until to 11 pm. Check out more than 500,000 LED lights dazzle Columbus Commons park, thanks to a generous contribution from American Electric Power. 

Wander Nights at Wanderlights: December 5-6*, 12-13, 19-20, 2025 | 5 – 8 pm. Enjoy find complimentary hot chocolate and carousel rides at Columbus Commons, free holiday movie screenings at the Scioto Mile Fountain, special visits from Santa in the Lazarus Building galleria, and more!

Plus, hop on the free covered trolley at Columbus Commons or Bicentennial Park to see the Nationwide Children’s Hospital butterfly light show.

Read more here!

https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/christmas-in-downtown-columbus/

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.

2025 Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration and Creekside Park Lights Display

Nativity at Cathedral Square (formerly State Auto Christmas Corner)

November 28, 2025 through early January 5, 2025. 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) – new location!

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, 2026. 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.

Inniswood Illuminated at Inniswood Metro Gardens

December 2025 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 posted station 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

TBA 2025
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.

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

TBA for 2025
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 posted station to enjoy the show to music.

1069 Gartner Ct, Columbus, OH 43207

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 21, 2025 –  January 4, 2026. 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.

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights

November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026. 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.

Butch Bando’s Holiday Fantasy of Lights

Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory

November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026.. Admission is $17 – $29.50. 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. 20 from 5 pm – 9 pm. Conservatory Aglow Member Free Appreciation Nights are
November 24, 25, and 26, 2025.

Columbus Metro Parks December Twinkling Lights 

December 2025. 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 5-6, 2025 from 5 – 6:30 pm. Visit to Chestnut Ridge for special evening lantern walks and hot chocolate.

Segaway Holiday Lights Tour

November 29 – December 30, 2025, 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.

https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/christmas-in-downtown-columbus/

Take a drive for these out-of-town Christmas Experiences!

WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio at Hartford Fairgrounds

November 15 – January 4, 2026 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

Wonderlight’s Christmas in Ohio at Hartford Fairgrounds

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.

Holidays in Fairfield County: Santa, parades, holiday celebrations, and more

Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio

Friday, November 21 through December 23, 2025, 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 28 – December 30, 2025 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 29 through December 30, 2025, 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 $7 – $12 for nonmembers. Closed December 1, December 5, December 8, December 15, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.

ParkLights at Caesar Ford Park

December 1-31, 2025. 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 28-December 31, 2025

Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Tickets start at $32 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

Magical Christmas Displays in Ohio from Columbus to Cleveland