Let’s get one thing out of the way – I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year. One of the activities I enjoy the most during the season is driving around Kosciusko County and viewing all of the Christmas light displays. From the “Warsaw Light Show” house in the Crestview neighborhood to the ever-evolving lights display at Central Park in Warsaw, Kosciusko’s residents and businesses don’t hold back when it comes to celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.
While most of the locations below feature Christmas lights, some bonus destinations have been included because they espouse Christmas spirit and are bound to bring joy to even the most Grinchiest of us all. Read about other family-fun winter activities in Kosciusko County and the surrounding area!
The Warsaw Light Show House
You can’t have any list of Christmas light shows in Kosciusko County and not include the biggest and baddest of all of them. The light show extravaganza has gotten so big it now envelops two of the neighbors’ houses. Keep that in mind and don’t park too close to the featured house or you’ll miss the whole experience.
Warsaw’s Central Park
Tucked in between the south shore of Center Lake and the looming Zimmer Biomet international headquarters is Warsaw’s Central Park. In December, the park transitions from a sleepy late fall slumber with paths lit by alternating cool and warm white lights to a family fun park bedazzled with Christmas lights and decorations of all different shapes, sizes and colors. The city has invested a lot in the light display to keep it fresh and it has paid off. The programmed LED Christmas trees, which now include two smaller ones to compliment the main large one, have become a focal point for visitors. To help ward off the cold temps, hot chocolate and popcorn are available at the main entrance in the northeast corner of the park.
Leesburg Luminaria
The small town of Leesburg goes all out for Christmas but the most poignant part might be the most simplest of displays. The luminaria that line its streets are a silent reminder that the smallest individual lights can give off the biggest (and warmest) glow when joined together.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Bibler
Hansen’s Eastlake Skating Center
You’ll have to buy tickets to view Trace Hansen’s winter wonderland at his Hansen’s Eastlake Skating Center but the price of admission will be worth it. Few other business go all out like Trace does and it’s sure to bring a smile to faces young and old.
Whoville at the Courthouse
The first and third floors of the county courthouse have been transformed into Whoville. It doesn’t cost you anything to check it out and you’ll get to walk through what is arguably the most historic building in the county. I don’t permission to share the pics but you can view some here.
Village at Winona
The Village at Winona never does anything small and its Christmas lights display. From the entrance to town to the canal and throughout the Village, Christmas lights and displays are in abundance. Enjoy it on a walk or a drive. If you’re in your car, be sure to tune into the correct channel on the radio to enliven the experience.
Neighborhoods – Take Your Pick!
Honestly, our house (2175 S. Clover Ln in Brookshire Village at 15 and 200 South) isn’t the best decorated house in the area (or even our own ‘hood, apparently) but if you head to our neck of the woods, maybe you’ll make an evening out of it and check out other neighborhoods. Just up the road from us is Summer Field and the Meadows where a large number of homes proudly showcase their extravagant holiday displays.
Thinking about visiting Kosciusko County? Consider your own island or one of our lakefront resorts!
Tags: christmas fun, kosciusko