We track 2 displays in Powell — the 5th-densest city for lights in Ohio. 1 of them are free to visit.
Displays here switch on around sunset. In Powell 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 Powell typically drop to around 25°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 |
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 Powell cluster, OpenStreetMap maps 1 public car park and 19 public toilets. Only 16 cafés or takeaways nearby, so bring a flask if you want one.
Freeneighborhood9 decorated houses over 13 acresone-way drive-through loopsynchronized show on 87.9 FMcharity donations accepted
Nine houses spread across 13 acres of this Powell neighborhood put on a coordinated show viewed via a one-way loop entering on Frabell Drive and exiting on Springdale Drive, with music broadcast on 87.9 FM. Admission is free, with donations collected for charity.
✓ Verified 2025-2026
nullattractionmillions of LED lights across zoo groundsholiday displays and soundsmember preview nightselect free admission nights
Millions of LED lights take over the Columbus Zoo each winter in one of the region's most beloved holiday traditions, opening with a member preview on November 20 and running through January 4 except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Regular zoo admission applies, members enter free, non-member parking is $10 per car, and the zoo posts select free-admission nights on its website.
✓ Verified 2025-2026
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