Wanderlights Returns Nov. 20 After Council OKs Park Lighting

The riverfront will glow again this winter. On October 5, Columbus City Council passed Ordinance 2459-2026, which lets the Recreation and Parks director sign a no-cost agreement with Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, the nonprofit that does business as Downtown Columbus Inc., for winter lighting in Bicentennial Park and along the Promenade. The vote was 8 to 0, with Council Member Melissa Green abstaining.

The agreement runs from October 1, 2026, to March 1, 2027. DCI will hire and coordinate the outside crews that furnish, install and maintain the displays, and the legislation states the work comes at no cost to the city. Recreation and Parks describes the lights as a tradition dating back to the park's opening, meant to draw people and business downtown while the plantings are dormant.

DCI has already set the calendar on its Wanderlights page: lights on every night from November 20 through February 15, 5 to 10 p.m., and free. The route links three stops, starting at Columbus Commons at 160 S. High St., running down West Town Street and ending at the Scioto Mile Fountain at 233 S. Civic Center Drive. At the fountain, DCI promises more than 40 sculptural lights and 75 wrapped trees.

Six Wander Nights add programming from 5 to 8 p.m. on December 4 to 6, 11 to 12 and 18 to 19. Plans call for firepits, a DORA bar and free holiday movies at Bicentennial Park, hot chocolate and carousel rides at the Commons, Santa in the Lazarus Building galleria, and a free trolley to the Nationwide Children's Hospital butterfly display. DCI suggests the Columbus Commons Main Garage at 55 E. Rich St., which charges $10 on those nights.

Plan a loop with our guides to the Scioto Mile and Columbus Commons, see what else is close on the Downtown page, and if you are bringing small kids, keep our winter picks for toddlers handy for warm indoor backups.