Armstrong Museum Holiday Lights & Grand Illumination
- Aviation Trail
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Friday, November 28, 2025 to Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2026:
Viewable nightly after dusk
LOCATION: Armstrong Air & Space Museum
ADDRESS: 500 Apollo Dr, Wapakoneta, OH
ABOUT THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS:
For over ten years now, the Armstrong Air & Space Museum has been inaugurating the holiday season by illuminating their grounds with a vast array of festive and colorful lights known as the Holiday Lights Display. The overall exhibition contains a multitude of aviation and space-themed displays made from tens of thousands of vibrant LED bulbs, with prominent works including a twenty-foot-tall Saturn V rocket and a giant Apollo-era astronaut saluting the American flag.
The light display will once again be part of the Ohio Holiday Lights Trail, a compilation of the state's most impressive light displays curated by Ohio, the Heart of it All, the state's tourism office. This year's holiday lights trail features dozens of amazing locations and attractions across the Buckeye State. You can get a full list of trail locations HERE.
TIPS FOR VISITING:
The average guest takes about 15-45 minutes to view the light displays.
The entire experience is outside, so plan for winter weather in Ohio!
The museum closes at 5:00 pm and is usually not open when the lights are on.
There are no outdoor restrooms so plan your visit accordingly.
There are no food or beverages sold but a number of restaurants are close by.
Guests are asked to refrain from touching the lights and cords.
Sign the guestbook located in the museum's entrance, we want to hear your feedback!
If you take any pictures of the lights throughout the holiday season please post them using the hashtag #AASMLights.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS COST:
The Armstrong Museum Holiday Lights are a FREE public event! The Holiday Lights are made possible through donations from the community.
You can help support this annual tradition by donating to the lights onsite or by clicking the link below:
Grand Illumination
DATE: Friday, November 29, 2024
TIME: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
LIGHTING STARTS: 7:00 pm
LOCATION: Armstrong Air & Space Museum
ADDRESS: 500 Apollo Dr, Wapakoneta, OH
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Help inaugurate the holiday season as the Armstrong Air & Space Museum flips the switch on their holiday lights during the Grand Illumination. At 7:00 pm sharp, the museum grounds will be illuminated by over 200,000 LED lights, with over two dozen stunning displays that feature a variety of space and holiday settings. The museum itself will also be open that Friday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm for guests to visit and shop. The holiday lights will be illuminated nightly afterwards until January 1, 2025.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
Get a free outdoor picture with Santa Claus, available periodically between 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Grab a warm complimentary cup of hot chocolate, courtesy of Coffé Amor. Limited quantity.
Create a beautiful keepsake with the museum's holiday photo activity.
Come inside for a little Black Friday holiday shopping, 10% off your purchase from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Purchase a ticket and explore the museum galleries during our extended holiday hours.
Check out some of the museum's newest displays, including our new lit Apollo 8 patch.
EVENT COST:
Outdoor viewing of the Armstrong Museum Holiday Lights is always FREE to the public!
Indoor admission is normal pricing, however, shopping at the store has no admission price.
Armstrong Air & Space Museum
500 Apollo Drive
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
(419) 738-8811 or (800) 860-0142
Armstrong Air & Space Museum is Site #12 on the Aviation Trail