Holiday Lights and Ice Skating Around Columbus

Columbus switches into holiday mode faster than most people expect. Clocks fall back on Sunday, November 1, and by the middle of the month it is dark before 5:30 p.m., which is exactly when the light displays start to matter. This guide gathers the season's biggest light walks, the suburban tree lightings, and every public ice rink worth driving to, with the dates each organizer has posted for this winter. It is built for planning: you can pick one big night out, string together a weekend, or find something free within a short drive of home.

Every date, time and price below comes from the organizer's own website, checked this week: the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Downtown Columbus Inc., the cities of Dublin, New Albany, Gahanna, Worthington, Grandview Heights, Hilliard and Lancaster, Easton Town Center, Uptown Westerville Inc. and OhioHealth Chiller. Where two official sources disagree, we say so. Weather can still shut an outdoor rink or move an event, so check the linked page on the day you go.

The holiday season at a glance

If you only want the calendar, here it is in order. Details for each stop follow further down.

• Friday, Nov. 13: Easton Grand Illumination, market 5 to 8 p.m., tree lit around 7 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 20: Wildlights opens at the Columbus Zoo, and Wanderlights opens Downtown.
• Saturday, Nov. 21: WinterFest Columbus at Dorrian Green, noon to 4 p.m., and the Riverside Crossing rink in Dublin opens at 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 22: Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration, 3 to 6:30 p.m., and New Albany's Santa Skate and tree lighting.
• Sunday, Nov. 29: Worthington Holiday Open House, noon to 5 p.m., with the tree illumination at 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 1: Holiday in the Heights at Pierce Field in Grandview Heights, 5 to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 3: Dublin Tree Lighting at Coffman Park, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 4: Grove City Mistletoe Market and Christmas Parade, Westerville's tree lighting and Parade of Lights, the first Wander Night Downtown and Yuletide on Gay.
• Sunday, Dec. 6: Hilliard Tree Lighting, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., and New Albany's Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Skate.
• Thursday, Dec. 10 to Sunday, Dec. 13: Winterlights at Alley Park in Lancaster, 6 to 8 p.m. nightly.
• Through Jan. 3: Wildlights. Through Feb. 14: Wanderlights. Through Feb. 28: the New Albany rink. Through March 14: the Riverside Crossing rink.

The two big light shows

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Wildlights is the region's best-known ticketed light display, and this season it runs from Friday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 3. The zoo posts Wildlights hours of 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, while daytime zoo hours shrink to noon to 5 p.m. for the winter. Entry is included with regular zoo admission or a membership, so members can treat it as a free night out. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium sits at 4850 W. Powell Rd, north of Columbus near Powell.

Three attractions are new this year. Starlight Safari places seven oversized animal sculptures around the grounds, one for each region of the zoo, each wrapped in thousands of points of light. Bricktopia fills the Naomi Coyle Dempsey Quest for Enlightenment Interpretive Center in Asia Quest with animal builds by OhioLUG, a recognized LEGO fan community. Starlight Constellation Quest, sponsored by Disney on Ice, adds a star-themed search for kids. The zoo also says rides on the Columbus Zoo Train, the Yule Tide Boat Ride and the carousel are now included with admission.

A few planning notes from the zoo's own page help a lot. Arrive before 4 p.m. if you want to see gorillas and orangutans, since they settle in early, then stay as the lights come on. The two animated Holiday Magic shows play over Conservation Lake, and the zoo posts a caution for guests with light sensitivities. In North America the reindeer corral and the 12 Days of Wildlights train are free, and Santa is in Polar Frontier, though he stops taking photos after Dec. 23. S'mores and frosted nuts are sold near the lake, and Ring in the New Year, presented by Diamond Cellar, closes out the run.

Wanderlights in Downtown Columbus

Wanderlights is the free answer to Wildlights, and it lasts much longer. Downtown Columbus Inc. lists the run as Friday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Feb. 14, lit every night from 5 to 10 p.m. Ohio Power Company, the new legal name for AEP Ohio as of October, powers the displays. Our calendar listing shows Feb. 15 as the end date, while the organizer's site says Feb. 14, so plan around the earlier date.

The route has three stops in Downtown. Columbus Commons, at 160 S. High St, sets a 40-foot tree among 150-plus lit trees and a tunnel of glowing arches. West Town Street connects to the Scioto Mile Fountain at 233 S. Civic Center Dr, where wrapped trees frame the water. Organizers count more than half a million lights in all. Parking is easiest in the Columbus Commons Main Garage at 55 E. Rich St, and every Downtown COTA line, including routes 1 through 12, 102 and CMAX, stops near the Commons.

Six Wander Nights turn up the volume on Dec. 4 and 5, Dec. 11 and 12, and Dec. 18 and 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. Those evenings add free hot chocolate and carousel rides at Columbus Commons, fire pits at the Scioto Mile Fountain, Santa in the Lazarus Building galleria and a free covered trolley linking the stops. On Friday, Dec. 4, Yuletide on Gay brings ice sculptures, live music and an outdoor DORA bar to Gay and High streets from 5 to 9 p.m. Budget for parking on those nights, since the Commons garage charges $10 during Wander Nights.

The same weekend the rinks open, WinterFest Columbus sets up on Dorrian Green, 50 S. Belle St, on Saturday, Nov. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. Columbus Recreation and Parks presents it with local music, food trucks and seasonal beer and cocktails, and admission is free, which leaves room in the budget for dinner Downtown and a first look at Wanderlights after dark.

Tree lightings and hometown celebrations

The suburbs each run their own kickoff, and most are free. They are listed here in date order.

Easton Grand Illumination, Friday, Nov. 13

Easton goes first. Easton Town Center holds its Grand Illumination around the Town Square from 5 to 8 p.m., with holiday music, a vendor market and sweet treats. Around 7 p.m. Santa helps switch on the 56-foot tree and roughly two million lights across the center. Travelin' Tom's Coffee is listed among the featured vendors with hot chocolate and cold brew, and Santa photos begin the next day.

Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration, Sunday, Nov. 22

Gahanna's Holiday Lights Celebration fills the Creekside District from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Visit Gahanna lists live performances on a holiday stage, crafts, open houses, trackless train rides and a giant snow globe for photos, all free. Santa arrives by 6 p.m. to light the tree and set off fireworks. Nth Degree is the presenting sponsor. If you want to stay on the east side, Bicycle One in Gahanna runs a Cranksgiving food drive ride the week before, on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10 a.m.

New Albany Santa Skate and Tree Lighting, Sunday, Nov. 22

New Albany doubles up on the same Sunday. Santa christens the new Hinson Amphitheater rink with a skate session from noon to 4:30 p.m., then the city lights its tree at 5 p.m. in Rose Run Park. Our listing for the tree lighting and Santa Skate has the full schedule. Two weeks later, on Sunday, Dec. 6, the city adds a new community Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Skate at Rose Run Park.

Worthington Holiday Open House, Sunday, Nov. 29

The Sunday after Thanksgiving belongs to Worthington. The Worthington Partnership's Holiday Open House runs noon to 5 p.m. through Old Worthington, with carriage rides, train rides, live music and Santa photos along High Street. At 5:30 p.m. the city lights the tree on the Southeast Village Green at State Route 161 and High Street. The city page mentions hot chocolate and a visit from Santa's reindeer. Our calendar also lists Holidays on High in Old Worthington.

Holiday in the Heights, Tuesday, Dec. 1

Grandview Heights lights its tree at Holiday in the Heights on Pierce Field, 1080 W. First Ave, from 5 to 8 p.m. The city adds an iceless skating rink that opens at 3 p.m., which is a good warm-up for small kids who are not ready for real ice. Admission is free, though some food, activities and vendors charge.

Dublin Tree Lighting, Thursday, Dec. 3

Dublin holds its Tree Lighting Ceremony at Coffman Park from 6 to 8 p.m., and it is free. The city's page lists the park address as 5200 Emerald Pkwy and promises photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling and holiday activities. The city points drivers to free lots at the park and at the nearby Dublin Community Recreation Center.

Westerville and Grove City, Friday, Dec. 4

Friday, Dec. 4, is crowded. In Westerville, the tree lighting and Parade of Lights fill Uptown, with the parade on State Street between Home and Plum streets and the tree at City Hall, 21 S. State St. The two official listings, from Uptown Westerville Inc. and the library, give start times half an hour apart, so check the city page that week before you claim a curb. Holidays in Uptown runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 19 for shoppers who want a quieter visit.

In Grove City, the Mistletoe Market and Christmas Parade share the evening. The market opens in Town Center Park at 3359 Park St from 4 to 9 p.m., the parade steps off at 7 p.m., and the tree lighting follows. The market returns Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hilliard Tree Lighting, Sunday, Dec. 6

Hilliard spreads its free Tree Lighting across Hilliard's Station Park at 4021 Main St and Weaver Park from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The city lists horse and carriage rides, stilt walkers and balloon twisters, plus a free trolley looping through downtown, so you can park once and ride between the two sites.

Winterlights at Alley Park, Dec. 10 to 13

For a quieter walk, Winterlights lights the trails of Charles Alley Memorial Park, 2805 Old Logan Rd SE in Lancaster, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Organizers list bonfires, hot chocolate and a snow globe photo spot, and it is free. Pets are not allowed. Lancaster's WinterFest and Tree Lighting downtown is also on our calendar.

Our events calendar lists more hometown celebrations too, including Olde Pickerington Village, Christmas in Downtown Delaware and Christmas in Uptown Circleville.

Where to go ice skating

Outdoor skating in Central Ohio is better than its reputation, thanks to two chilled rinks that do not depend on a cold snap. Our ranked best ice skating rinks list covers the full field. Here is how each one fits into a holiday night.

Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink, Dublin

The Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink opens Saturday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. and stays open until Sunday, March 14. It sits below The Dublin Link pedestrian bridge, across the river from Historic Dublin and next to Bridge Park restaurants. Regular hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. The city adds bonus sessions: noon to 9 p.m. on Nov. 25 and Nov. 27, several weeknight sessions in early December, and most of winter break, with short days of noon to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, 4 to 9 p.m. on New Year's Day, and a closure on Christmas Day.

Admission is $15 a person with skate rental included, and the price is the same if you bring your own pair. Rental sizes run from youth 9 to adult 13. Skaters can stay as long as they like, which makes it easy to linger. The rink is wheelchair accessible through the Zamboni doors, skate trainers are not provided, and staff close the ice for heavy rain or when the air nears 60 degrees.

New Albany Ice Rink at Hinson Amphitheater

The New Albany rink at 170 E. Dublin Granville Rd is new this season. It opens with the Nov. 22 Santa Skate and runs through Feb. 28, open 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Monday through Wednesday are held for private rentals. Tickets are $15 with rentals, and the Dec. 6 Hanukkah Skate is the other date to circle.

OhioHealth Chiller

When the weather turns warm or wet, OhioHealth Chiller is the reliable backup. Public skating runs at Chiller Dublin, Chiller Easton, Chiller North in Lewis Center and the Ice Haus, and no reservation is needed. The posted prices are $8 for Noon Skate and $10 for public sessions, with kids 5 and under at $4 and rentals at $5. Friday Night Meltdown costs $18 with skates included, Cheap Skate sessions are $6, and a Family of Four ticket with rentals is $50.

Campus and natural ice

The Ohio State University Ice Rink posts open skate dates one month at a time, so check its schedule as December gets close. In Dublin, the free natural rink at Coffman Park opens only after several days of hard freeze, so treat it as a bonus rather than a plan.

Warm up with hot chocolate

A light walk or a skate session ends better with a hot drink. Our new best hot chocolate list ranks five cafes, and several sit close to the stops above. Chocolate Cafe on Northwest Boulevard stays open until 9 p.m. most nights and pours a spiked hot chocolate, a good stop after Holiday in the Heights. Northstar Cafe keeps its Short North and Easton cafes open late, which works for Wanderlights or the Easton tree. Fox in the Snow has cafes on Bridge Street in Historic Dublin and on Main Street in New Albany, both handy after skating, and Kittie's Cakes is a short walk from the Worthington Village Green.

Tips for planning your nights

Go on a weeknight if you can. Wildlights and Wanderlights both draw their biggest crowds on Fridays and Saturdays, and the zoo's Sunday through Thursday hours still give you four hours of lights. For Wanderlights, the Wander Nights are the most festive, but a Tuesday walk in January has the same displays with almost no one around.

Plan around the cold. Outdoor rinks in Dublin and New Albany are chilled from below, so a mild night is fine, but rain closes them. Pack gloves for kids, since rental skates do not come with them, and a thermos helps on the long walk from the zoo's parking lots.

Use transit for Downtown. COTA's Downtown lines stop near Columbus Commons, which skips the garage line on Wander Nights. Free trolleys in Hilliard during its tree lighting, and Downtown on Wander Nights, cut down on walking between sites.

Know what is free. Wanderlights, WinterFest, the Gahanna, Worthington, Grandview Heights, Dublin and Hilliard tree lightings and Winterlights in Lancaster cost nothing to attend. Wildlights is included with zoo admission, and the Dublin and New Albany rinks are $15 with skates.

Check our events calendar for new additions as more cities post their December schedules, and browse neighborhood pages for dinner near each stop. Families with toddlers can add ideas from our winter activities for toddlers list.

Hero photo: Trees wrapped in purple and pink lights along a path at Wildlights. Photo: Grahm S. Jones / Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.