Holiday Lights and Displays in Central Ohio

There are several holiday light shows to see in central Ohio. There are drive through versions where you can avoid being out in the cold and enjoy them from the warmth and comfort of your car. One of these is the Holiday Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park. More than a million lights shine in entertaining displays from November 17th through December 31st. Last year, there was a running theme of animal Olympics that was pretty cute. Most of the displays appear to move such as cows jumping in an arch and reindeers in flight. There are so many sights to see, you have to drive very slowly and occasionally pull over to let another car pass.

Halfway through the Holiday Fantasy of Lights is a shelter house you can stop at and shop. It's filled with holiday goodies and tourist-type gifts. They have free cookies and cider also.

The price per car is $10 Monday through Thursday running 5:30 to 9:30 and $15 Friday through Sunday, 5:30 to 10:30.

Another way to see sparkling displays from your vehicle is a tour of Downtown Columbus. Each year, office buildings, hotels, and trees are decked out in bright and colorful lights for the holiday season. Drive past the Ohio Statehouse on Broad and High to see the huge lit holiday tree (and several smaller trees) along with the beautiful décor on the Statehouse itself. Across the street is the Huntington Bank building where an enormous Christmas Bavarian village is recreated with several model trains running through. The hours the lobby is open are 7:30AM to 4PM Monday through Friday and a select few Saturdays and Sundays 1 to 5PM. Columbus City Hall on Broad Street, also has an enormous lit tree along with many Christmas figures and decorations.

Another downtown display not to be missed is the State Auto Insurance life-size nativity scene. It's a beautiful and realistic recreation of the journey and events leading up to Jesus' birth and Jesus at the manger with Joseph, Mary, angels, animals, shepherds and the Magi. For over 60 years, the display on East Broad Street has been lit up on a platform with music accompanying the scene. You can easily watch and take pictures from your car with a radio station available to tune into so you can even hear the music from inside your car.

Driving down pretty much any of the larger streets downtown will take you past several decorated buildings. There's The Columbus Dispatch on Third Street, Nationwide Insurance campus on North High Street, and City Hall on Broad Street.

It's a zoo out there

If you're willing to brave the cold, the Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are definitely worth a visit. Over two million lights decorate the zoo in a brilliant display. This alone is a gorgeous sight but there are also many wonderful zoo animals to see including Santa's reindeer. If you need warming up, there are indoor displays and warm beverages like cider and cocoa for sale in a few spots throughout the zoo. There are also ice skating and family activities such as carriage rides, pictures with Santa, and kids' crafts. Be further entertained by holiday carolers and a restored carousel ride.

The Wildlights display runs from November 22nd through January 1st 2007. The hours are 5 to 9PM Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 11PM Friday and Saturday. Admission rates are the usual rates for the zoo; $10 for ages 12-59, $8 for seniors 60 and over, $6 for 2 to 11 year olds, and free for children under 2 and zoo members. Parking is $3.

Keep Braving the cold

For a completely different way of seeing holiday lights there's the Holiday Lights Parade & Festival in Gahanna. I've attended the last two years despite the cold winds. I suggest bundling up very well and for this nighttime event. The parade runs along a quaint "main" street with various shops and restaurants where you can purchase a warm drink.

There is a sort of holiday open house involving the area stores, free crafts and activities for children and families, carriage and train rides, and food and drink. There are also a silent auction and many other opportunities to work on your Christmas gift list. The festival runs from 3 to 8PM with the parade beginning at 6PM.

Included in the parade are several marching bands performing holiday music and close to a hundred floats and carriages decorated with lights and Christmas décor. We saw several adorable miniature horse teams. Beware your child may be confused by the multiple Santas throughout the parade. I counted four last year.

This year, the parade and festival fall on November 25th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Put up the tree, have some Turkey Day leftovers, then head over to Gahanna for some more holiday spirit.

For an "enlightened" Christmas shopping experience head over to Easton Town Center in northeast Columbus. In the center of the Town Square a 50 foot tree is illuminated with 500 thousand lights. Holiday events throughout the season include carolers in period costume, choirs, a Christmas train display, and a Night Before Christmas complete with flying reindeer inside the Easton Station Building. A lighted carriage parade comes through December 3rd at 7:30PM and horse drawn carriage rides are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for $10 for adults and $15 for couples with kids riding free with paying adult.