Last year I started a list of residential holiday light displays for those in search of free light displays in the Columbus area. It has become a tradition of mine to go out searching for over the top, decorated homes. My favorite
displays are beautiful or beautifully tacky. They are the kind of
displays that take months to create and rack up hundreds of dollars in
energy bills. The bill is worth it considering the way these displays make us feel when we look at them.
They evoke precious memories of our childhood when things were simpler
and exciting. They remind us of the days when some of us believed in
magic.
On
Christmas Eve, after Christmas dinner or after you see the new Star Wars movie; take a drive around the
Columbus area to check out these cool displays. Grab yourself some snacks, a cup of hot cocoa and take a tour of the best residential displays in your area. After all, this is
something we only get to see once a year.
This year I got lots of leads but only had time to check out some of them before my self appointed deadline. So, this list may have some later additions. Some new displays have made the list this year and three displays have returned. The two new light displays are synchronized to music. You can find videos of those displays on my instagram today @krisofohio. I hope you go out and enjoy your tour!
1.The Musical Angel
Westbrook Village Lights
Located on Westbrook Village off Holt Rd & Lesbrook Dr.
(near Georgesville)
I discovered this display last year after I posted my list but I wanted to make sure it made it's debut as first on my list this year.
Every year a group of neighbors get together to make the neighborhood beautiful and collect can goods for the Mid Ohio Food Bank. The neighbors put up their lights and synchronize them to a holiday soundtrack. They encourage you to come out to enjoy the free light show but pay it forward by leaving can goods in the drop boxes near the display.
tips: Keep the neighbors in mind and don't stop in the middle of the street or block their driveways. Pull over beside the curb. Consider visiting during the week when there is less traffic.
2.The Christmas Melting Pot
Guilford Road off Riverside Dr. Upper Arlington
I have visited this home for a few years now and it never gets old. It is beautifully tacky and everyone loves it. It is one of the homes that gets a lot of traffic each year. When I visited, it was late so the house was not completely lit. This photo does it no justice. There are Santas all over the windows on the house.
tips: Pull over to the side of the road so you can get out of the car to take in the details. Also ride around the neighborhood for some beautiful classically decorated homes. There is one just at the right of this home off Guilford.
3.Christmas in the Country
Kropp Rd off of Alkire in Galloway
This is another photo that does this display no justice, but the light show is definitely worth checking out. This display is on a large piece of property in the Galloway area and is synchronized to music. You can get a better idea of the show from my instagram.
tips: pull into one of the long driveways nearby to keep from getting interupted by traffic.
4. All American Christmas
S.Richardson between W.Mound and Eakin on West Columbus
This is my favorite display each year. I have faithfully visited this home for the last four years. It is always beautiful but he changes and adds things every new season. This year one of my favorite details are gingerbread men playing in the late Cooper Stadium next to Santa's workshop. Also, new this year is a inflatable snowman on the porch and a nativity scene.
tips: Pull over, park if you can to get out and see the details. You can only see the gingerbread men on the soccer field from outside the car.
5. Land of Lights
Valleyview Dr. off Hague across from YMCA
This display was 50,500 lights last year but they have increased to 57,300 lights this year. The display is a family tradition and is on it's second generation of decorators. It is free to visit but feel free to leave a donation if you love what you see.
tips: Drive up the long driveway and get out to walk around.
I hope this has been helpful to all of those looking for places to check out free light displays in Columbus. Check back because I may add new displays before the season ends. For those of you who are looking for lights that aren't in the Columbus area, check out the Tacky Light Tour website. There isn't much for Columbus but there are large lists of homes for many other cities.
Happy Holidays!
Kris,
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