Downtown Columbus has gone full glow-mode. More than half a million lights are set to illuminate Columbus Commons, Town Street and Bicentennial Park as Wanderlights returns for the season, free to visit every night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through February 14, 2027.
The display spans Columbus Commons, Town Street and the Scioto Mile, with hundreds of lit trees, archways and a waterfront display woven throughout downtown, according to 10TV. The free nightly experience itself is confirmed by Spectrum News 1, which calls the display a returning winter tradition for the city, and by downtowncolumbus.com, which puts the light count at more than half a million bulbs glowing daily across Columbus Commons, West Town Street and Bicentennial Park.
What's Waiting at Each Stop
At Columbus Commons, visitors pass through a sparkling arch tunnel and a snow-globe photo setup, with decorated flower beds and the Nationwide Children's Hospital butterfly light display rounding out the scene, per the station's report. Hot chocolate, trolley rides and a carousel are also part of the Commons experience, and 10TV notes trolley rides run every night of Wanderlights, carrying visitors through Columbus Commons, Bicentennial Park and the Lazarus Building Galleria.
Inside the Lazarus Building Galleria, Spectrum News 1 describes appearances from Santa, seasonal drinks, gingerbread art by S.U.G.A.R. and face painting. Down at Bicentennial Park, 40 sculptural lights join 75 illuminated trees and a sparkling stage display along the riverfront, rounding out the three-site footprint that stretches from Town Street to the Scioto Mile.
Wander Nights Returns for a Second Year
For a bigger splash, Wander Nights is back for its second consecutive year, running Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 5, Dec. 11 and 12, and Dec. 18 and 19, according to 10TV. Those evenings add three stops with complimentary hot chocolate, visits from Santa and carousel rides on top of the nightly Wanderlights setup, the outlet reports. The same Friday-Saturday window and dates are echoed by the same article from Spectrum News 1.
A similar December schedule appeared in Experience Columbus's holiday-lights guide for the 2026 season, which listed a free tour on the same December weekends and encouraged donations to Nationwide Children's Hospital. That listing describes the 2026 event rather than last year's run, and its matching dates underscore how Wander Nights has settled into a now-familiar December rhythm downtown.
Getting Downtown and Parking
Visitors can reach Columbus Commons via COTA lines 1-12, 102 or CMAX, per 10TV. Drivers have the option of the Columbus Commons Main Garage at 55 E Rich St., where parking runs $10, according to Spectrum News 1.
