German Village Lights

This was such a splendid night. Calling back the days of yesteryear and the nostalgia of our youth. Carolers, Fudge, luminaries, Ole Saint Nic and Misses Claus. It was magical. All the lights were on and excitement filled the air. The houses prepared the stores open, and a Spirit that Christmas and the greatness of Jesus coming as a babe in full celebration. Strangers were saying 'hi' to strangers, people waving and cars being polite and stopping to lets pedestrians cross. Shoppers waiting patiently in line to get the store or to buy their purchase. Stores had little gifts or snacks to say thank you for an amazing 2024. I cannot share how great this event is and I only saw a small portion of it. It was fantastic and you should make it in your calendar for 2025. Don't let parking intimidate you. Take your time enjoy your surrounding there is plenty of parking, just drive slow you'll find it. Merry Christmas!!

We've attended Village Lights multiple times and really enjoyed it each time! We really enjoy the atmosphere of the luminaries lighting up the historic area, and even just strolling around with it lit up is fun. The main action usually happens on 3rd Street, which, as a result, gets pretty busy, but several of the other nearby streets are still festive but quieter. A lot of the residents decorate their homes, and we love seeing the fun and creative displays they come up. This year, we especially enjoyed an adorable penguin dance party and another house that decorated a tiny door for their Littles - too fun! In pre-pandemic years, we've even been randomly invited into open houses by residents we've met who had fully decorated the inside too. With the warmer (comparatively speaking) weather this year, it once again had a block party type vibe as a lot of folks were out on their patios. You can get the event map in advance from the German Village website to check out what's happening. There's usually a StriezelMarkt outside of the meeting haus, where little booths are set up as well as other activities - one year we met the Nutcracker from the ballet there, another there was a really amazing ice sculpture demonstration, and there's frequently live music in the later hours of the event. This year there were free cookies to be enjoyed. A lot of businesses stay open late, offer special deals, and/or have special activities. This year, we especially enjoyed the make your own s'mores over firepits at RE/MAX, free cocoa at Katzinger's, free photos with Santa and an elf at Cutler Real Estate, Third Street Dental was distributing goodie bags for after all the tasty sweets (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc), and Book Loft is always a favorite stop!There are also usually several groups caroling, a tree lot, and a lot of little pop-ups to check out - this year, we saw several bakeries, a farm selling gorgeous wreaths and greenery decor, and the pedal wagon was buzzing around. They also made fantastic use of Schiller Park this year - in the past, it's often been pretty dark and where the event kind of just stopped. This year, they lit it up (kudos for that, I'm sure it took a lot of work!), and offered story time with Santa at the amphitheater. It was very pretty to walk around and enjoy!

Hmmmm....I know people keep saying to show up on time to see the fun stuff but it's really not much to see.Lights are not strung up anywhere and parking is an absolute nightmare! You can walk around and go to Starbucks, Stauf's, other businesses but if you've seen it all before then I don't see how there's much to do. German Village doesn't have a ton of stuff to look at in the first place. It's pretty to look at the houses though.There was a band playing music, Schmidt's and another place had food trucks. There were a few random businesses tabling to sell showers, etc. There were some shops to go into and places selling Christmas stuff. You can also walk into St Mary to hear a choir.It was cool, but crowded and mostly something to do for families. You can take a pic with Santa.I saw lot of young adults but I'm sure they mostly came to drink, eat popcorn, and socialize.It was a little anticlimactic. Finding parking took most of my time and I don't see what the hype is about. Absolute disappointment.

Posted this a few years ago and it became folded into the German Village listing. Now Yelp says it is posted on the wrong page lol! So reposting; may visit if they have it this year. Village lights, the annual good tidings of the historical district here can be hit or miss. When at pinnacle it's a delightful and romantic walkthrough of a Dickinsonish Christmas, the most Victorian Holiday in among Victorian buildings; Whereas Christmas lights and greenery can look tacky in many neighborhood, here it is a gorgeous additive draped on brick and black iron--when it is actually done with vigor that is.Unfortunately, this year's version was lacking, underwhelming, dead as a doornail. The main weakness, other than the icy rain that wasn't ideal nor anyone's fault outside the Scrooges at HARP (eyeroll), was the noticeable lacking of lights and décor; I am not talking about the organizers who did a standout job again, but the residents of this crème neighborhood who phoned in their Christmas spirit this year. The lack of décor in these adorable homes and artsy garden was too apparent. Such a disappointment, such humbug. Wouldn't most of the fun of owning such dwellings be the decorating for the season? Oh well.As for the events plan by the committees they were well executed. They had a troupe of Irish dancers and other shows; carolers, brass bands, and an accordion player doing Polka Beatle tunes for some reason--Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da somehow made a germane tune.Of course the freebies and special by the eateries and shops of the Village are always a festive add-on.Not to overstate it, there were some impressive blocks. There were a couple highly artistic window paintings that grabs your attention like true paintings.All-in-all it was nice but that's as far as it went this year. Certainly not of the spirit of Christmas past.

Here's the scoop: Not only do you get to stroll throughout German Village and look at all the Christmas lights and decorations, but ALSO some of the local businesses open on this annually picked Sunday evening and give out free samples of wine, hot chocolate, a free munchie or two - you never know what all is going to be out for consumption/drinking. A few highlights: The Bell Chior plays classic carols with their giant hand bells. Loved the sweet melodic sound of the bells. Studio Fovero has tasty hot cider (you can add alcohol to it, if you'd like), along with several Greek finger pastries to try, wink wink. Tops the night? Super delicious hot chocolate, with whipped cream to top, on Lindy's patio. Folks, if you miss this stop, well, you've completely let me down. An instrumental band playing the usual. And, if it gets too crowded, directly across the street, the realty business has free boozy punch. The only thing to remember? Start your festivities as close to 5pm as possible, because stuff runs out.

This is a really nice event every winter. It's free and easy to park. The lights are pretty. There are carolers. And some vendors give away free popcorn and mulled wine. Go check it out!

I was excited to get to GV lights...sounded like a great event.. unfortunately I didn't get to the event till 630 and like previous reviewer mentioned get there as close to 5 as possible.. the sidewalks, tents restaurants all were absolutely filled to capacity ..to the point of a crowded college bar (elbow to elbow) I looked for a parking spot for literally 20 minutes than just gave up.. I also would like to mention that this really isn't a kids event..it's for adults, food tents, beer and wine trucks and samples .. I saw 1 kid who was a pre-teen in my endeavor to find parking..Not bashing the event but not what I thought and frankly disappointing.. went over to Columbus Commons and viewed the lights in peace and was able to enjoy holiday decorations...

Not worth the time. Come to German Village, of course, on any other day and enjoy it, but no need to struggle with parking, crowds, shops that you can enjoy any other time, a busy little market isle with booths that sell.. no, not Christmas market goodies, but shower stalls and what not, or long lines to get cold hot chocolate or a bag of kettle corn. Oh, and there are no extra lights to view, just some ones placed along sidewalks to guide you. Nothing special about this event at all on a personal level, no incentive to come, you will miss out on nothing.