Vaccination rates are up, COVID-19 cases are down, and restrictions have largely been eliminated. And that light at the end of the tunnel? That’s made by brightly shining holiday lights! So, get a group together and start planning to get in the holiday spirit in Columbus. Ohio’s capital is a delightful place to visit during the holidays, offering millions of lights sparkling through the city as well as plenty of shopping opportunities to take care of gifts for your whole list.
Holiday Lights
The city’s top attractions feature glowing light displays across the city that brighten the skies nightly throughout the holiday season.
Central Ohio’s favorite family holiday tradition, Wildlights! at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium began with just a few strands of lights and a few trays of cookies, and the show has grown to millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer and other holiday festivities, offering a whole new way to experience Jack Hanna’s home zoo.
The annual Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will illuminate winter nights with thousands of lights that twinkle and glow in stunning displays. Accompanying the lights are familiar holiday favorites – such as the rainbow tunnel, ornament trees, gingerbread competition and more!
Don’t forget to explore the light displays and holiday scenes that pepper downtown on a guided tour with Columbus City Adventures. See how holiday displays come to life on the Scioto Mile, Columbus Commons and various businesses around the city.
Many of Columbus’ attractions are lit up for the holidays
Holiday Shopping
Whether its big-name brands or boutique experiences you seek, Columbus has you covered.
With more than 240 best-in-class businesses that call it home, Easton is one of the city’s premier shopping, dining and entertainment destinations. Easton’s unique village-like setting offers a broad assortment of big-name retailers like Apple, Nordstrom and American Girl that are a fashion virtuoso’s dream. Over the last year, Easton has added 16 acres of new mixed-use development that includes the state’s first RH Gallery from Restoration Hardware. COVID-19 hasn’t slowed this lifestyle center down, and it’s easy to see why Chain Store Age Magazine named Easton the best retail experience center in the country in 2019.
USA Today named High Street in the Short North Arts District among “10 great American shopping streets” stating, “There’s nothing else like it in the United States.” Filled with one-of-a-kind shops, from homegrown stores that have gained national recognition – like Homage – to specialty outlets favored by locals, there’s something for everyone in the Short North.
Columbus offers big big-name brands or boutique experiences.
Known as one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods in the country, the already-idyllic German Village is even more charming at the holidays. Paper lanterns and strings of lights line the streets and lead the way to a variety of shops, including one of the nation’s largest independent bookstores – The Book Loft – with 32 rooms of books for every reader on your list.
See all that Columbus has to offer eager travelers and start planning your trip today at experiencecolumbus.com/groups.
Columbus has something for everyone
