COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVN) -- The holiday season arrives in Columbus Friday night with lights and lanterns.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's annual Christmas light show opens Friday night.
Wildlights features millions of lights, animated musical light shows, and appearances by Santa and his reindeer.
People who bring five canned food items for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank will get free admission Friday night only.
The Ohio State Chinese Lantern Festival also opens Friday night at the Ohio Expo Center, featuring illuminated lantern sculptures of animals, flowers and holiday figures.
Collectively, the 34 lanterns have 15,000 LED lights.
And Gahanna's Creekside District ushers in the holiday season Sunday with the annual Holiday Lights celebration, featuring both indoor and outdoor activities.
It begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, featuring food, crafts, entertainment and more.
Santa is expected to arrive a little after 6 p.m. Sunday, with a fireworks display and a candle-lit walk through Creekside Park planned following the ceremonies.
(Photos courtesy Ohio State Chinese Lantern Festival and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)