Spend a night exploring local holiday light displays

Don't miss out on the remaining nights of the holiday season to check out the variety of holiday light displays in and around Springfield. Below we've shared just a few of our favorites. 
  • Northridge 
    Driving; free

    You could wander the roads of Northridge and find a variety of brightly-lit homes with a fun mix of lights, inflatables, and more. And, there are two stand-out homes in this Northern part of Sprignfield.

    First, 4160 Helena Drive, which calls itself The Christmas House, has an array of dancing lights top to bottom that are timed to music. Just pull over near the house, turn off your headlights and tune into the radio station listed on the sign in the front yard to enjoy the music-matched light show. 

    Second, don't miss 4811 Tulane Road. The display is full of 533 new and vintage Blow Mold decorations combine with 53,000 lights, says homeowner Cody Anderson.

    Anderson says his love for decorating grew when he started decorating with his dad at about 10 years old. Anderson's father worked for Ohio Edison, and Anderson says he was able to learn about electric work while decorating for Christmas.

    Anderson started his own display when he moved to Tulane about 15 years ago, and he treasures some of the blow mold figures and other Christmas decorations passed down to him from his father.

    "This year has been my biggest display, but it will grow even larger next year," Anderson says. "I'm expanding to the backyard and allowing people to walk thorugh the display to enjoy all the lights."

    Stop by, and you might see Santa. Or, you can snag a search-and-find page to try to find all the blow mold figures listed.

    Anderson has been in talks with ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight show. Though nothing is confirmed yet, he's hoping his home will be featured in a future season.
  • Ramar Estates
    Driving; free

    The neighborhood off of Route 72, just a couple miles south of Interstate 70, has a history of being aglow during the holidays. The nostalgia ramped up again in 2020 when the Elliott family brought back dancing rooftop Santa, which has continued as an annual tradition. 

    Rooftop Santa will be back for one more appearance this year on Friday, Dec. 23, and it's fun to drive through the rest of the neighborhood to enjoy the collection of other lights and inflatables down each street and culdesac. 
  • Clifton Mill
    Walking; Monday-Wednesday, $10 per person over 4, Thursday-Sunday, $15 per person over 4.

    In Clark County, it's hard to get more holiday vibes than that of The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill's walk through light display. 

    The display has been featured on ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight, and it was recognized by USA Today in 2022 as one of the top 10 Best Public Holiday Light Displays in the U.S. 

     
  • Downtown Springfield
    Walking or driving; free

    Downtown Springfield's light display has grown over the last 3 years as Holiday in the City has transitioned into a five-week-long celebration, with the addition of the lights to The Esplanade and City Hall Plaza and throughout the core of Downtown. 

    While you're there, take a spin on the outdoor ice rink, pop into some of the shops to grab a last minute gift, or skip cooking and eat dinner at one of the local restaurants. 
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Read more articles by Natalie Driscoll.