With the holiday season here, there are many festivities and events to experience. From light shows to Christmas shopping. 

Light shows can sometimes be a big tradition for many families in Westerville. “My favorite event is the zoo lights which I go to every year, once with my family and once with my girlfriend and maybe even a third time if my friends want to go,” student Bradley Dotson said. 

According to the Columbus Zoo website, residents of Franklin County who are ages 10 to 59 will be able to purchase tickets for $16.99. 

Families who do not wish to leave their car for some holiday fun can go to one of the many drive-through light shows around the Columbus area. “My favorite holiday event is the Fantasy Lights hosted at Alum Creek. I always go with my best friend and family,” student Maggie Fenwick said. 

Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights is being hosted at the Alum Creek State Park every day at 5:30 p.m. until Jan. 2nd. The drive-through light show is a total of three miles long, according to ticketbud.com. 

While anyone who wants something different this holiday season can purchase tickets for Krampus, a haunted Christmas experience at Fear Columbus. The event is only for two days and can be attended on Dec. 17 and Dec. 18. 

“I love holiday haunted houses,” student Kaiden Wolfe said. 

There are also many free events and lightings that people in the Columbus area can view. “For Christmas, we watch the lighting at Easton and Uptown,” student Chelsie Odoi said.

Anyone can enjoy the lights set up around Easton Town Center for free. The grand illumination began on Nov. 19. Each night, shoppers can view the lights as they pass by. 

In uptown Westerville, anyone can enjoy the view of the holiday tree in the center of the Westerville City Hall courtyard. While there was no official lighting ceremony according to Westerville Parks and Recreation, as pedestrians walk uptown, they can witness the tree lights as of Dec. 3.