Deck the Halls, for real. The best holiday lights in Cbus!

Maybe this was a tradition in your family, like it was mine...we'd drive around the neighborhood division that had the best holiday light set-up each year. No matter what city you live in, there's always a neighborhood you can pin-point where families raise the bar and go all-out on their Christmas decorations. It's like that movie from a few years ago where two men, who were neighbors, were in perpetual competition to have the brightest, most exciting, spectacularly decorated house during Christmas time. I imagine this sort of thing actually happens.

(courtesy of Getty)

We always drove through this neighborhood when I was a kid, where many of the houses were decorated so well, the families entered competitions and without a doubt, each year, this particular house always won. Their decorations actually moved! They used motors to propel ice-skating penguin and reindeer figurines up and down their roof! Cut-outs made from what was probably wood inhabited the entire front and side yards; even the driveway. At this time, we lived in a state that didn't really have cold weather. Snow was a foreign concept to the people of this town, so getting to see or actually play in snow only came by manufacturing it. This particular family must have bought yards and yards of that fake, fluffly, white fabric that looks like cotton balls and covered every inch of their property with it. That, or they used that fake, spray snow. They took this holiday very seriously. Plus, dozens of people would do drive-bys each day just to see the marvel that was this home turned mini-winter wonderland.

Since then, I have yet to see any holiday home decorating come close, though it is always fun to take an evening drive in search of a house that comes close...

So where in Columbus are some fun holiday-light sightings?

• Upper Arlington (between Tremont and Yorkshire on Gilford Rd.) has some pretty awesome lights

• One street (18 houses) in Pickerington is completely decorated. This is THE street to head over to. Hall Ridge Dr. is the name of the street.

• The Columbus Zoo: this is not a residential example, but the zoo has some of the most amazing lights each year! Typically called ZooLights or WildLights, or something to that effect, the zoo always has intricate lighting exhibits, ice skating and hot-cocoa. The event goes on til Jan. 3rd.  starting at 5 pm and it's free with zoo admission which is $10 for adults and $7 for kids and seniors. (Deal alert: Wendy's is doing coupons for the event so go grab a burger and get yourself a coupon to WildLights while you're at it!)
  


• There's German Villiage's light celebration with carolers, real roasted chestnuts, and more and you can walk or drive around the town to see people's decorations.


• Easton Town Centre, as you could already guess, has beautifuly decorated christmas trees and then too, horse-drawn carriage rides each year.


• In Gahanna, there's Creekside, where all along the creek's edge are lights and lit figurines that are great for the little ones to view. Be aware, you'll have to actually walk around outside to get the full effect so dress warmly and try to go on a warmer evening


• Alum Creek State Park (in Delaware) does a huge light festival that you can drive through so as not to freeze your buns off. It costs $10 Mon. - Thurs., and $15 on weekends. And it goes all the way through to the end of the December!

• The neighborhood of Clifton Mill in Clifton, OH, is lit and decorated from head to toe. This is one not to be missed.

Got more tips on the best neighborhoods for viewing Christmas decorations/lights? Tell me about it!