Lit up With Christmas Joy

Dorothy B. Oven’s Annual Christmas Celebration

Photo by Laura Zaidan/Maclay Andalusian

For more than 20 years, Tallahassee’s Dorothy B. Oven Park has celebrated the joy of Christmas with their annual holiday spectaculars. Oven Park allows visitors to drive through their winter wonderland or park and walk around. Not only are there almost 250,000 lights, but there are speakers throughout the park that play Christmas carols. 

This tradition has been in the making since October. The park turned on its Christmas lights this past Thanksgiving and will stay up until New Year’s. The park is lit up by strings of light in the trees, hanging stars, light-up bells, mistletoe and many more Christmas decorations. One of the main attractions is the house which is typically covered in gold ball-like lights. Alfred B. Maclay designed the manor house in 1963 and was later donated to the city of Tallahassee in 1986.

On Dec. 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Oven Park will hold their annual Elf Night. This night consists of meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, free hot chocolate and cookies and the classic Christmas lights and carols.