Despite cold winds and occasional snow flurries, hundreds gathered to participate in the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on Nov. 28, 2025.
The Licking County tradition draws attendees of all ages who wish to celebrate the start of the holiday season. Different lighted displays and holiday decorations can be found around all four sides of the Courthouse square, as well as on adjacent buildings. While waiting for Santa to make his grand entrance by Newark Fire Department Ladder 1, crowds walked around the square looking at the displays, drinking hot chocolate, enjoying the live nativity scene or taking rides in a horse-drawn carriage.
After a few “technical mishaps” where the festive yells of the crowd were not enough to turn on the Courthouse lights, attendees smiled and cheered when downtown was finally illuminated.
Musical group Barefoot McCoy plays holiday music in advance of the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Holiday decorations adorn the side of the Licking County Administration Building in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Decorations stand in place before the start of the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Patti Smith, of St. Louisville, Ohio, takes passengers on a carriage ride around downtown Newark before the start of the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. Smith and her husband Wayne have operated a carriage and pony ride business since the early 1990s. 
Attendees enjoy a live nativity scene on the southeast corner of The Square during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Musical group Barefoot McCoy plays holiday music during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Hundreds gather for the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Hundreds gather for the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Santa arrives by Newark Fire Department ladder 1 during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Santa arrives by Newark Fire Department ladder 1 during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Santa greets attendees as he walks to the courthouse stairs during the 77th annual Licking County courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Santa ascends the Courthouse stairs during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Santa speaks to the crowd of attendees during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Hundreds gather to listen to Santa and wait for the lights to turn on during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Santa speaks to the crowd of attendees during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
The crowd yells “Merry Christmas!” while waiting for the lights to turn on during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Attendees take photos together in front of light displays during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Attendees take a selfie together in front of light displays during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Lights adorn the Licking County Courthouse during the 77th annual Licking County courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Lights adorn the Licking County Courthouse during the 77th annual Licking County courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. 
Patti Smith, of St. Louisville, Ohio, smiles from her horsedrawn carriage in downtown Newark during the 77th annual Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025. Smith and her husband Wayne have operated a carriage and pony ride business since the early 1990s. 
The Licking County Courthouse lights visible from one of the alleys on the south side of The Square during the 77th annual Licking County courthouse lighting in Newark, Ohio, on November 28, 2025.
Hannah Fowler takes photos for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.