Looking for the best Christmas lights and holiday light displays in Columbus and Central Ohio this holiday season? You’re in the right place! Our ultimate guide to Light Up Nights and Holiday Lights has everything you need to plan a magical family outing. We’ve rounded up the top family-friendly Christmas light displays and events across Dublin, Powell, Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Columbus, Plain City, and Marysville — plus a few festive spots in other areas of Columbus — so you can find all the best holiday lights near you in one convenient list.
There’s something magical about holiday lights in Central Ohio - they’re beautiful, bright, and fun for all ages. Whether you’re taking the kids for their first Christmas light adventure or reliving your own childhood memories, these dazzling displays are sure to bring out the holiday spirit in everyone.
Wondering where and when to see the brightest Light Up Nights and Christmas lights around Columbus this year? We’ve got them all right here — listed by date and location, from NW Columbus (Dublin, Hilliard, Powell, Upper Arlington, Plain City) and across Central Ohio. Ongoing light displays are featured at the end for easy planning.
Last updated: November 21, 2025
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Light Up Nights and Tree Lightings:
November 14
🎄Easton's Grand Illumination
Kick off the holiday season with family-friendly Christmas lights in Columbus at Easton Town Center. Enjoy dazzling lights, festive music, and holiday cheer — a perfect night out for families in Columbus Ohio.
November 15
🎄Easton Square Holiday Tree Show
See the spectacular animated tree lighting display and enjoy family-friendly activities.
November 23
These are on the other side of town, but if you have family or friends it is one to see...
🎄Creekside Holiday Light Celebration
Fireworks in November!! Free for everyone and include live performances on the Holiday Stage, arts and crafts, fun photo opps in a Giant Snow Globe, and so much more fun! Plus Santa arrives to light the tree and set off the holiday fireworks!
🎄New Albany Holiday Tree Lighting
Enjoy a community tree lighting, and seasonal activities for kids.
November 30
| 🎄Worthington Tree Illumination |
| Annual event featuring lights, treats + meet Santa and his reindeer, and experience the joy of the season. |
December 2
| 🎄Holiday in the Heights Grandview Live reindeer - always a hit for families! |
December 4
🎄Dublin Christmas Tree Lighting
Family-friendly Christmas event in Dublin as the community gathers to light the holiday tree. Enjoy live music, seasonal activities for kids, and festive cheer for the whole family.
🎄Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
Celebrate the season at the Ohio Statehouse Christmas tree lighting in Columbus. Enjoy festive holiday lights, live music, complimentary cookies, and seasonal activities perfect for families and visitors of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to take a photo with Santa in front of the Ohio Statehouse holiday tree!
🎄 Upper Arlington Winter Festival
Celebrate the season at Winter Fest, one of Upper Arlington’s most beloved holiday traditions! Held at Mallway Park on Arlington Avenue, the park transforms into a festive holiday destination where the community comes together to officially light the holiday tree. Enjoy holiday lights, seasonal activities, and family-friendly fun for all ages.
December 5
| 🎄 Delaware First Friday Tree Lighting oge Celebrate the season at Christmas in Downtown Delaware, a family-friendly holiday lights and tree lighting event. Enjoy festive decorations, live music, carriage rides, skating and more holiday fun while taking in the charming downtown atmosphere. |
| 🎄 Westerville Enjoy the Parade of Lights and Holiday Tree Lighting in Westerville! Santa will light the tree at 7 p.m., with holiday lights, hot chocolate, cookies, and festive fun for the whole family. |
December 6
| 🎄Holidays in Powell Celebrate the season at Holidays in Powell with holiday lights, festive activities, and family-friendly fun. A perfect evening to take the kids and enjoy the magic of the holidays! |
| 🎄Christmas Under The Clock Plain City Kick off the holidays at Christmas Under the Clock in Plain City! Enjoy holiday lights, live reindeer, and more festive fun for the whole family |
| 🎄Short North Holiday Hop and Tree Lighting Free Holiday Fun at the Short North Holiday Hop. A perfect way to kick off the season in downtown Columbus! |
| 🎄Sunbury Christmas on the Square Head to Sunbury Square for the usual "Hallmark" charm. NEW: iceless skating rink |
December 7
🎄Hilliard Tree Lighting
35th annual Tree Lighting! Free festive fun in Downtown Hilliard and Weaver Park.
| 🎄 Bexley Tree Lighting Celebrate the season at the Bexley Tree Lighting with holiday lights, live music, and family-friendly festivities. |
December 11
🎄Easton Town Square Holiday Drone Show
Watch the sky come alive at the Easton Town Square Holiday Drone Show. A must-see event in Columbus this holiday season!
Holiday Light Displays
[Ongoing throughout the Season]
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Wonderlights Christmas
An enchanting drive-through holiday light show set to dazzle guests of all ages at the Hartford Fairgrounds. Running from November 14, 2025, to January 4, 2026, this year’s show promises even more magic, memories, and holiday cheer for visitors from across Ohio and beyond.
Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights
Columbus Commons Holiday Lights
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Wildlights
Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow
Easton's Grand Illumination, Tree Show, and Carriage Rides
Christmas Lights Ohio at Delaware County Fairgrounds - new for 2025
NW Columbus Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in Columbus, Oh. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, giveaways, and more. We proudly serve families in Columbus, Dublin, Hilliard, Powell, West Clintonville, West Worthington, Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Plain City! NW Columbus Macaroni Kid is full of useful local information like this PLUS tons of kid-friendly events on our event calendar. Have an event you'd like submitted to our calendar for consideration? Submit an event here. Like what you see here and want to get all the fun delivered to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter for the 411 on local family fun! #CbusMacKid
