Here in Powell, Ohio at the A Grade Ahead headquarters, we love celebrating holidays. One common theme that many holidays share is light. Hannukah, for example, is a Jewish holiday known as the festival of light. Diwali is the Hindu festival of light. Christmas, an important Christian holiday, is famous for decorative light displays. At A Grade Ahead, we are proud to represent many different cultures and backgrounds. From Diwali, to Christmas, to the New Year, we love celebrating with light. Join us by reading this article where we explore Central Ohio’s favorite holiday light displays.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Visit Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights along the shores of Alum Creek. Located at the State Park Campgrounds, this divine drive-through display is perfect for cold winter evenings. While the lights are beautiful, the traffic can be heavy, especially on weekends. Be sure to visit the Instagram or Facebook pages for updates on peak nights.
A Grade Ahead is on social media! Visit us on Instagram and Facebook!
Wildlights! at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
If you’d prefer to walk through a winter wonderland of lights, check out the Wildlights! at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Celebrate the holidays alongside the animals with millions of LED zoo lights, musical light shows, and festive activities. Did you know the zoo is located just behind the A Grade Ahead headquarters? After an evening of studying with us, the Wildlights would be a wonderful way to unwind with family and friends.
Ready to get started with enrichment? Take a free assessment with A Grade Ahead today!
Wanderlights in Downtown Columbus
Columbus Ohio is on the rise as a hip and happening Midwest metropolis. The Wanderlights experience is one of many seasonally cool ways to explore the buckeye capital. From November 22nd to February 16th, families may enjoy the lights of Columbus Commons, the Scioto Mile, and Town Street.
Winter Wonders Walk
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy holiday lights and feel close to nature, check out Winter Wonder Walks. Located at the Dawes Arboretum, the Parkwoods Trail will light up Friday and Saturday evenings from December 6th to December 21st. There will be a sensory friendly night on Thursday, December 12th. Guests can enjoy music, coffee, food trucks, and Santa every evening. On December 21st, Santa’s reindeer are scheduled to make a special appearance!
Conservatory Aglow
The Franklin Park Conservatory is famous for beautiful butterflies in the springtime. Did you know they have a holiday light display in the fall and winter? From November 23 to January 5, Conservatory Aglow will brighten your evening with light shows, live entertainment, and musical performances. Outdoors, guests can duck into the cozy lit igloos on the Ahlum & Arbor Arctic Terrace. Inside, guests can explore the biomes filled with multi-colored warm lights. What a lovely way to enjoy holiday lights while also learning about botanical biomes.
Does your child enjoy learning about plant and animal life? Explore AGA’s science curriculum today, or see if an academy near you is offering Eco-Explorers or one of our other Enrichment Camps!
Easton Town Center
With many holidays comes holiday shopping. If you must shop, why not do so while surrounded by beautiful light displays? Easton Town Center, a premier shopping destination in Columbus, features seasonal holiday décor throughout the entire complex. The Town Square at Easton hosts a 50-foot tree with a 5-foot star. The Central Park Fountain has a 30-foot tree, while Easton Gateway also has a tree in Gaslight Square Fountain. From shopping, to movie going, and dining out, Easton is a great place to make festive holiday memories.
From the mall, to the zoo, to the lake, to downtown, central Ohio has a plethora of beautiful holiday lights. Here at A Grade Ahead, we love them all. Which holidays do you celebrate in your family? Do you have a favorite holiday light display in your neck of the woods? Let us know in the comments below!
Author: Amanda Hutson, Curriculum Assistant at A Grade Ahead
