Holiday Lights Powered by the AEP Foundation
Columbus Commons Holiday Lights Powered by the AEP Foundation
Enjoy the festive lights at Columbus Commons from November 18, 2022 through January 1, 2023 EVERY DAY from 5 pm to 11 pm. Stop by after a Downtown dinner to see more than 400,000 LED lights dazzle in the park, thanks to our wonderful partnership with the American Electric Power Foundation.
Start your holiday season off right. Join us for Holiday Lights Opening Night on Friday, November 18 for FREE hot chocolate, carousel rides and entertainment.
Fridays in December will be a little extra festive, with free hot chocolate and carousel rides from 5 pm to 9 pm. Plus, you’ll hear the music of the season with musicians in the park. You can find that extra bit of holiday cheer on these dates:
Friday, December 2
Friday, December 9
Friday, December 16
Friday, December 23
While you’re traversing this glowing green space, take a photo and share it on Instagram using #CCHolidayLights!
Easy parking is accessible at 55 E Rich Street.
Fun fact: Parking at either of the Columbus Commons garages supports free events in the park and makes programming like Holiday Lights possible. Park here and pay it forward to enjoy everything from local bands to family fun in the new year.
Holiday Lights
November 18 through January 1
Daily, 5 pm - 11 pm
Powered by our partner, The American Electric Power Foundation
Twinkle, twinkle, lots ’o lights. That is how we light each night. Lit from dusk until 11 pm, they’re so dazzling, you’ll want to see them again. Bring the whole family or just plain you, you’ll be amazed at what 400,000 LED lights can do.
While you’re traversing this glowing green space, take a photo and share it on Instagram using #CCHolidayLights.
Festive Fridays
Opening Night, November 18
December 2, 9, 16, 23
5 pm – 9 pm
A walk in the park under nearly a half-million lights is oh-so festive. Add in a whirl on a carousel, music in the air, and a warming cup of hot chocolate and you’ve got Festive Fridays. Here’s to extra cheer, our free gift to you and yours on Fridays in December.
Restaurants Nearby
In case you need a bite to eat before, during or after your downtown Holiday Lights excursion, here are a few spots that may pique your interest.
The downtown restaurant scene is booming so this is just a snapshot of some of the local spots to chow down in our neck of the woods, but you can check out the complete compilation of downtown eateries here.
Tortilla Street Food, Food Truck
Columbus Commons
5:00 - 9:00 pm on
- Friday, November 18th
- Friday, December 2nd
- Saturday, December 3rd
- Friday, December 9th
- Saturday, December 10th
- Friday, December 16th
- Saturday, December 17th
- Friday, December 23rd
Just a Block Away:
- Burgerim - $
- Condado - $
- Lola's Kitchen and Bar - $
- Oshio Station - $
- The Goat - $$
Within Walking Distance:
- Dirty Frank’s - $
- Fourth & State Vegan - $
- Hadley’s - $$
- Little Palace - $$
- Mikey’s Late Night Slice - $
- Milestone 229 - $$
- Pecan Penny's - $$
- The Walrus - $$
- The Woodbury - $$
Holiday Lights Around Downtown
Lazarus Building Holiday Display
After you’ve walked through the Commons’ holiday haven, hop across High Street to check out the displays in the Lazarus Building windows along High and Town Streets.
FREE Scioto Mile Holiday Lights
November 23, 2022 - January 4, 2023
Dusk until 11 pm
The Scioto Mile will be decked out for the holidays, thanks to a generous contribution from CDDC and The Scioto Mile Endowment. From Bicentennial Park all the way up to Broad Street, the Downtown Columbus riverfront will be heralding the holiday season with sparkling seasonal lights.
Winterfest
Saturday, December 3
Presented by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, WinterFest is a celebration of the season featuring musical acts, seasonal craft beer and cocktails along with favorite dishes from Columbus food trucks. Check out the full lineup of bands and beer>>
For more holiday happenings in Downtown Columbus, head to DowntownColumbus.com/holidays
FREE Santa Extravaganza at the Lazarus Building
Saturday, December 3 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Lazarus Building Galleria
50 W Town Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Do you remember visiting the Lazarus department store, waiting wide-eyed to sit on Santa’s lap?
Mr. Claus himself will be making a comeback at the very place many Columbus residents affectionately recall making seasonal expeditions to see him: The Lazarus Building.
- Facepainting
- Balloon artists
- Free cookies and water, while supplies last
- Letters to Santa, led by OSU Urban Arts
- Letters to Veterans, led by the National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- Create your own ornament craft, led by OSU Urban Arts
- A butterfly ornament-making station, led by Nationwide Children's Hospital in partnership with "Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life"
- Music by the Supa Fun Band
- Holiday characters
- Orange Line Train and lego activities at the Center for Architecture and Design
- NEW! Secret Santa shopping, where kids can purchase presents for their grown-ups, with help from Santa's elves ($)