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Where to see light displays in central Ohio this holiday season

Stop by one of these central Ohio locations with your friends and family this year to see a bright show.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Looking to get in the holiday spirit? There's nothing like classic holiday lights and music to make the frigid, snowy weather feel magical. 

Stop by one of these central Ohio locations with your friends and family this year to see a bright show.

Holiday Lights

Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights | 3311 South Old State Rd., Delaware

Nov. 22 through Jan. 1, 2025

The three-mile drive-through experience at the Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds takes about 30 minutes, featuring twinkling holiday displays and dazzling tunnels, with the perfect holiday music.

Wanderlights | Downtown Columbus

Nov. 22 through Feb. 16, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily

The Downtown Columbus area is transforming into a winter wonderland this holiday season with several locations to enjoy light displays. Start the Wanderlights experience at the Columbus Commons where thousands of lights will be shining bright. Then, continue to the Town Street display and finish up at the Scioto Mile which will be illuminated by more than 40 sculptural lights.

Conservatory Aglow | 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus

Nov. 23 through Jan. 5, 2025

Franklin Park Conservatory lights up its gardens with thousands of lights each year for a show that lasts over a month. Visitors can see a musical light show, walk through the rainbow tunnel and see the poinsettia tree.

Credit: Franklin Park Conservatory

Dawes Arboretum | 7770 Jacksontown Rd., Newark

Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21

Guests will experience a guided walk through the paved Parkwoods Trail surrounded by illuminated trees and then get to enjoy music, coffee, food trucks and an appearance from Santa afterward. Get tickets here.

Easton Town Center | 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus

Lights kick off on Friday, Nov. 22 from 6-9 p.m.

Watch as over two million lights simultaneously illuminate Easton for the season at 7 p.m. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and continue throughout the evening with live music, costumed characters and more!

Kings Island WinterFest | 6300 Kings Island Dr., Mason

Nov. 29 through Dec. 31 on select nights

This year's Kings Island WinterFest is sure to get you in the holiday spirit with over seven million holiday lights, festive activities and holiday-themed live shows. 

Wildlights | 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell

Nov. 22 through Jan. 5, 2025

This event will feature millions of lights, train and carousel rides, Santa Claus and many more attractions. This marks the 36th year the Columbus Zoo has transformed the park into a twinkling winter wonderland.

Credit: Grahm S. Jones

RELATED: Wildlights returning to Columbus Zoo for 36th year

City Tree Lighting Ceremonies

Delaware tree lighting: Dec. 6

Stop by Delaware's annual tree lighting ceremony with your family this holiday season! The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. 

Dublin tree lighting: Dec. 5

This year's Dublin lighting ceremony will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Coffman Park, located at 5200 Emerald Parkway.

Easton’s Grand Illumination: Nov. 22

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Easton will host their annual Grand Illumination event with live music and costumed characters. Over 2 million bulbs will light up Easton Town Center.

Grandview Heights: Dec. 3

There will be live reindeer, photos with Santa, iceless ice skating and so much more at this year's "Holiday in the Heights." The tree lighting will kick off after 7 p.m.

Marysville: Dec. 2

Kids can visit Santa for free this year at Partners Park in Uptown Marysville during the annual Christmas walk and tree lighting ceremony from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The countdown to the tree lighting begins at 6 p.m.

New Albany: Nov. 24

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., families in the New Albany area can enjoy the city's free event with live reindeer, ice sculptures, face painters, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Santa will arrive at 3 p.m. and the tree lighting countdown will begin at 5:25 p.m.

Upper Arlington: Dec. 6 

Upper Arlington is hosting its annual Winter Festival from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. where Santa will stop by for pictures before the tree lighting ceremony. There will also be ice sculpting, horse-drawn carriage rides and caroling.

Worthington: Dec. 1

Tree illumination festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. in Village Green.

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