Can’t Miss Holiday Lights in Columbus
The top holiday light displays that are worth the trip to Ohio’s capital city.
Columbus comes alive when the sun sets during the holiday season with fantastic light displays across the city. Check out this curated list of holiday light displays and mark your calendars to make sure you can enjoy everything Columbus has to offer!
Wildlights! at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Nov. 17–Jan. 7 | 5 p.m.–close
Central Ohio's favorite family holiday tradition is Wildlights! at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Originally just a few strands of lights and a few trays of cookies, the show has grown to millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer and other holiday festivities, offering a whole new way to experience Jungle Jack Hanna’s home zoo. Get your tickets.
Conservatory Aglow
Nov. 18–Jan. 7 | 5–9 p.m. weeknights, 5–10 p.m. weekends
The annual Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens features thousands of lights twinkling and glowing in stunning displays, and new this year is a completely reimagined Topiary Collection. Get tickets.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Nov. 17–Jan. 1 | 5:30–9 p.m. (Sun.–Thurs.) 10 p.m. (Fri.–Sat.)
Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights is the perfect activity if you want to see holiday lights and stay warm. The 3-mile, drive-through experience at the Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds takes about 30 minutes. It features twinkling holiday displays and dazzling tunnels, with the perfect holiday music pairing piped through the radio. Learn more here.
Columbus Commons Holiday Lights, presented by American Electric Power Foundation
Nov. 17–Jan. 1 | 5–11 p.m.
Come celebrate 13 years of festive lights at the Columbus Commons! See more than 400,000 LED lights dazzle as you walk through the scenic park. Entrance is free, learn more.
Winter Wonder Walks
Dec. 1–16 (Thurs.–Sun.) | 6–9 p.m.
Head to The Dawes Arboretum for the sixth annual Winter Wonders Walks. 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 afterwards. Get tickets.
SegAway Tours of Columbus
Nov. 23–Dec. 23 | 6 & 8:15 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of the holiday season as you glide downtown on a Segway during this delightful SegAway Holiday Lights Tour. Get tickets.
Trolley Pub Columbus Holiday Lights Tour
Nov. 25–Jan. 1 | 6 p.m. Daily
Embark on Columbus's most cost-effective and enchanting holiday lights tour with Trolley Pub Columbus, available from 11/25 to 1/1, every evening at 6 pm. Get tickets.
Holiday Trolley Hop
Dec. 2 | Noon–4 p.m.
Take a ride on an old-fashioned-looking trolley and tour several stops around the Discovery District on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Learn more.
Find more ways to #CelebrateCBUS this season in Ohio’s capital city by visiting ExperienceColumbus.com/holidays.
Wildlights! at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Nov. 17–Jan. 7 | 5 p.m.–close
Central Ohio's favorite family holiday tradition is Wildlights! at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Originally just a few strands of lights and a few trays of cookies, the show has grown to millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer and other holiday festivities, offering a whole new way to experience Jungle Jack Hanna’s home zoo. Get your tickets.
Conservatory Aglow
Nov. 18–Jan. 7 | 5–9 p.m. weeknights, 5–10 p.m. weekends
The annual Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens features thousands of lights twinkling and glowing in stunning displays, and new this year is a completely reimagined Topiary Collection. Get tickets.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Nov. 17–Jan. 1 | 5:30–9 p.m. (Sun.–Thurs.) 10 p.m. (Fri.–Sat.)
Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights is the perfect activity if you want to see holiday lights and stay warm. The 3-mile, drive-through experience at the Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds takes about 30 minutes. It features twinkling holiday displays and dazzling tunnels, with the perfect holiday music pairing piped through the radio. Learn more here.
Columbus Commons Holiday Lights, presented by American Electric Power Foundation
Nov. 17–Jan. 1 | 5–11 p.m.
Come celebrate 13 years of festive lights at the Columbus Commons! See more than 400,000 LED lights dazzle as you walk through the scenic park. Entrance is free, learn more.
Winter Wonder Walks
Dec. 1–16 (Thurs.–Sun.) | 6–9 p.m.
Head to The Dawes Arboretum for the sixth annual Winter Wonders Walks. 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 afterwards. Get tickets.
SegAway Tours of Columbus
Nov. 23–Dec. 23 | 6 & 8:15 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of the holiday season as you glide downtown on a Segway during this delightful SegAway Holiday Lights Tour. Get tickets.
Trolley Pub Columbus Holiday Lights Tour
Nov. 25–Jan. 1 | 6 p.m. Daily
Embark on Columbus's most cost-effective and enchanting holiday lights tour with Trolley Pub Columbus, available from 11/25 to 1/1, every evening at 6 pm. Get tickets.
Holiday Trolley Hop
Dec. 2 | Noon–4 p.m.
Take a ride on an old-fashioned-looking trolley and tour several stops around the Discovery District on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Learn more.
Find more ways to #CelebrateCBUS this season in Ohio’s capital city by visiting ExperienceColumbus.com/holidays.