Updated: November 8, 2026
Nothing gets me in the holiday spirit faster than Christmas lights. Twinkling, sparkling, colorful, the more the better.
Maybe I just watched Christmas Vacation too many times as a kid, but I can’t help but feel happy and in the holiday spirit when I’m looking at colorful, sparkling lights.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of them around here. From free downtown strolls to drive-thru mega shows, these are the best Christmas light displays in Columbus. Where a show hasn’t posted its 2026 dates yet, the listing gives its usual run.
| Display | Where | Cost | Typical dates |
| Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights | Alum Creek, Delaware | $20–30 per car | Late Nov–early Jan |
| WonderLight’s Christmas | Hartford Fairgrounds | $35 per car | Mid-Nov–early Jan |
| Wanderlights | Downtown Columbus | Free | Late Nov–mid-Feb |
| Conservatory Aglow | Franklin Park Conservatory | ~$28 adult | Late Nov–early Jan |
| Scioto Mile Fountain | Downtown riverfront | Free | Late Nov–mid-Feb |
| Holiday Lights at Easton | Easton Town Center | Free | Mid-Nov–early Jan |
| Wildlights | Columbus Zoo, Powell | Zoo admission | Nov 20–Jan 3 |
| Nativity at Cathedral Square | Downtown, E Broad St | Free | Late Nov–early Jan |
| Winter Wonders Walk | Dawes Arboretum, Newark | $10 adult | Mid-Dec |
| Creekside Holiday Lights | Gahanna | Free | Late Nov on |
| Metro Parks Holiday Lights | Six Metro Parks | Free | December |
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
What: This drive-thru holiday light experience is back again. Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights will cover Alum Creek State Park with LED lights. The cost of the event varies by vehicle. Cars are $20 Monday through Thursday and $30 Friday through Sunday. Holiday nights (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day) are $30 too. The three-mile route takes about 30 minutes, and weekend lines get long. Weeknights are $10 cheaper and the line is shorter.
When: November 20th, 2026 through January 3rd, 2027. Sunday-Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 3311 South Old State Rd, Delaware, OH 43015
WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio
What: Not to be confused with downtown’s Wanderlights, this is the region’s biggest drive-thru show. More than a million LED lights sync to Christmas music that plays through your own car stereo. It’s out at the Hartford Fairgrounds in Licking County. Admission was $30 per car for the 2025 season. For 2026 it’s $35 per car, up to eight passengers.
When: November 13th, 2026 through January 3rd, 2027, nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., holidays included.
Where: Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Rd, Hartford, OH 43013
Wanderlights
What: Wanderlights is Downtown’s free holiday centerpiece. More than half a million lights glow across three connected stops: Columbus Commons, Town Street, and the Scioto Mile Fountain. Start at the Commons for the 40-foot lit tree and the glowing archway tunnel, then follow the lighted path toward the river. On select Friday and Saturday Wander Nights in December, there’s free hot chocolate and carousel rides at the Commons, fire pits at the fountain, and Santa in the Lazarus Building.
When: Late November through mid-February, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly. Wander Nights run December 4th-5th, 11th-12th and 18th-19th, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
Conservatory Aglow
What: Enjoy one of central Ohio’s most beautiful holiday shows at Conservatory Aglow! Wander through the glow of this horticultural holiday tradition, rainbow tunnel and ornament trees included. Heads up: Aglow is a separately ticketed evening event, not part of regular daytime admission. Adult tickets ran $28.35 with the culture fee for the 2025 season, members pay half. Reserve ahead, because popular nights sell out.
When: November 21st, 2026 through January 3rd, 2027, evenings from 5 p.m. Through December the show runs to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It’s closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and December 2nd and 3rd.
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory
Scioto Mile Fountain Lights (Part of Wanderlights)
What: This is the riverfront leg of Wanderlights, and the stop to save for photos, with the downtown skyline behind the fountain. More than 40 sculptural lights and 75 wrapped trees surround the Scioto Mile Fountain.
When: Runs with Wanderlights: late November through mid-February, lit 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly.
Where: The Scioto Mile
Holiday Lights at Easton
What: Easton Town Center has decked all of their halls! Spend an evening admiring the lights… all 2 million of them. The season kicks off with Easton’s Grand Illumination in mid-November. Don’t forget to check out a special show put on by the impressive 56-foot tree every five minutes on the Town Square, daily from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. They have special holiday experiences all season long, including photos with Santa and Horse Drawn Carriage Rides.
When: Open at dusk nightly through the new year.
Where: Easton Town Center
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
What: Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium is one of the most beloved holiday traditions here in Central Ohio. Regular Zoo admission prices apply.
When: November 20, 2026 through January 3, 2027, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Evening hours vary by night, so check the Zoo’s site before you go.
Where: Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Nativity at Cathedral Square
What: Formerly State Auto Christmas Corner, this historic life-sized nativity scene continues downtown. It’s one of Columbus’s longest-running holiday traditions, and it’s free to visit.
When: Typically Black Friday weekend through early January (the 2025 season ran November 28 to January 5).
Where: St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E Broad St.
Winter Wonders Walk at Dawes Arboretum
What: A beautifully lit walking trail with glowing trees and festive features. It’s ticketed and pre-purchase only, no tickets at the gate. The 2025 season ran $10 for adult nonmembers and $5 for kids 5 to 15, with under-5s free.
Details: Santa visits, reindeer, ice sculptures, and live music.
When: December 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th and 19th, 2026, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., plus a members-only night December 10th. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids, and kids under five are free. Where: Dawes Arboretum (Newark)
Creekside Holiday Lights Celebration (Gahanna)
What: A full-on holiday festival to kick off the season. Details: Live music, kids’ activities, ice sculpting, fireworks, and Santa’s tree lighting. Lights remain up all season.
When: Kickoff festival: Sunday, November 22, 2026, 3–6:30 p.m.
Where: Creekside Park, Gahanna
Metro Parks Holiday Lights & Winter Hikes
What: Trails light up at Bank Run, Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Highbanks, Homestead, and Inniswood through December. Lights come on at dark and shut off at 8 p.m., so this is the early-evening option.
Details: The Winter Hike Series runs December through February across 19 parks, with hot drinks, treats, guided hikes, and a collectible patch if you finish seven.
When: December through February.
Where: Various Metro Parks
Columbus Christmas Lights FAQ
When do Christmas lights go up in Columbus?
Most big displays flip on the weekend before Thanksgiving. Easton’s Grand Illumination and WonderLight’s both open November 13th this year, and Wildlights and Wanderlights start November 20th, the Friday before Thanksgiving.
Which Columbus Christmas lights are free?
Wanderlights (including the Scioto Mile Fountain), Easton, the Nativity at Cathedral Square, Creekside in Gahanna, and the Metro Parks trails are all free. Wildlights needs regular Zoo admission, and Conservatory Aglow, Butch Bando’s, WonderLight’s, and Dawes are separately ticketed.
How much does Wildlights cost?
Wildlights is included with regular Columbus Zoo admission or membership. There’s no separate Wildlights ticket.
Where can you drive through Christmas lights near Columbus?
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek and WonderLight’s Christmas at the Hartford Fairgrounds are the two big drive-thru shows.
Want to see the neighborhoods that go all out? Here are the biggest home Christmas light displays around Columbus. And if you’re making a night of it, these Columbus restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day can handle dinner after the lights.
