We track 6 displays in Columbus — the densest city for lights in Ohio. 4 of them are free to visit.
When to go
Displays here switch on around sunset. In Columbus that means about 5:07 PM in early December and 5:08 PM by mid-month — the earliest sunsets of the year fall right in the middle of lights season. It is properly dark by about 5:38 PM, which is when the displays look their best. December nights in Columbus typically drop to around 23°F.
Date
Sunset
Fully dark
Dec 1
5:07 PM
5:37 PM
Dec 15
5:08 PM
5:38 PM
Dec 25
5:12 PM
5:43 PM
The Columbus lights loop — 6 stops
We ordered every display in Columbus into the shortest sensible driving loop: roughly 11.9 miles and 53 minutes of driving, before you count time spent parked and looking. Start wherever is closest to you and follow it round.
Driving estimate assumes a 25 mph average on residential streets plus four minutes stopped per display. Straight-line distances with a road-network allowance — treat it as a planning figure, not a satnav route.
Practicalities
Residential displays have no facilities of their own — no parking, no toilets, nowhere to warm up — so it is worth knowing what is around. Within about three miles of the Columbus cluster, OpenStreetMap maps 8 public car parks and 32 public toilets. There is no shortage of cafés and takeaways for a hot drink on the way round.
November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (closed select dates incl. Dec 24-25, Dec 31-Jan 1) · Evenings from 5pm
$17-$29.50attractionrainbow tunnelornament treesoutdoor displays in the Children's Garden and Grand Mallwaygingerbread contestlive entertainmentpopular nights sell out
The Conservatory's separately ticketed evening show is its biggest yet, extending beyond the glasshouse into The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children's Garden and the Grand Mallway, with a rainbow tunnel and ornament trees among the signature installations. Adult tickets run roughly $17-$29.50 with members paying about half, and popular nights sell out, so advance reservations are recommended.
Columbus Commons, Town Street, and the Scioto Mile · Columbus, Ohio
November 21, 2025 – February 15, 2026 · 5pm-10pm nightly
Freeattraction500,000+ LED lights40-foot lit treeglowing archway tunnel30 penguin light sculptures40+ sculptural lights and 75 wrapped trees at the Scioto Mile FountainWander Nights with free hot chocolate, carousel rides, movies, and Santa
Downtown's free walk-through display strings more than half a million LED lights across three connected sites: Columbus Commons, Town Street, and the Scioto Mile, where 30 penguin sculptures glow between High Street and Civic Center Drive. On select December Wander Nights (Dec 5-6, 12-13, 19-20) visitors get complimentary hot chocolate, carousel rides, movie screenings at the Scioto Mile Fountain, and Santa visits in the Lazarus Building galleria.
November 14, 2025 – early January 2026 · Nightly at dusk; tree light show every 5 minutes, 5pm-11pm
Freeattraction2 million lights56-foot illuminated treetree light show every 5 minuteshorse-drawn carriage ridesSanta photosdrone show (Dec 11)menorah lighting (Dec 15)
Easton kicks off its season with a Grand Illumination on November 14, when roughly 2 million lights switch on across the shopping center. A 56-foot tree runs a light show every five minutes each evening, and the season includes carriage rides, Santa photos, a drone show, and a menorah lighting.
Departs Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N High St · Columbus, Ohio
November 29 – December 30, 2025 · Tours at 6pm and 8:30pm
$59attractionguided Segway ride through downtown and the Scioto Greenwayholiday music en route~1.5 hours including training
Riders glide through downtown Columbus and along the Scioto Greenway on a guided Segway tour that pairs the city's holiday decorations with seasonal music. Tours depart the convention center at 6pm and 8:30pm, cost $59 per rider, and run about 90 minutes including training.
St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E Broad St · Columbus, Ohio
November 28, 2025 – January 5, 2026 · Lit nightly
Freeattractionlife-sized nativity sceneone of Columbus's longest-running holiday traditions
Formerly known as the State Auto Christmas Corner, this life-sized nativity scene now sits at St. Joseph Cathedral downtown and ranks among the city's longest-running holiday traditions. It is lit nightly from Black Friday weekend into early January.
2691 Sawmill Meadows Ave (off Sawmill Rd, north of Hard Rd) · Columbus, Ohio
Check Facebook page for 2025 opening · Check Facebook page
Freeresidentialmultiple songs synchronized to color-changing lightsfeatured on local newsalso decorates for Halloween
This Sawmill-area house, known for going all out at Halloween too, runs several different songs synchronized to color-changing lights, making it worth staying through a few numbers. It has been featured on local news stations and sits conveniently on the way to the Zoo's Wildlights.