Santa arrived to turn on the lights of the city’s Christmas tree and to hold court in his house, on the first night of downtown Chillicothe’s Holiday Open House – as “Shine On Chillicothe” made Yoctangee Park glow.
Increasing drizzle didn’t dampen the energy when Santa Claus arrived at the center of a crowd at Water and Paint streets to light the giant artificial tree after 6pm on November 21st, 2025.
The live tree was dying and had to be removed, so a conical metal framework about 35 feet tall in front of the Rotary bell tower will take its place until a new live tree is big enough in future years…then the artificial tree will be used down in the park.
Though it is already lit, "Shine On Chillicothe" will have an official ribbon cutting at noon on Tuesday, November 25th. (Sorry, I had originally written Sunday.) The Holiday Open House continues on Sunday from 12 to 5.
In the below videos, watch samples of the lighting along Water Street, lights and activity at the cabooses, and the event at the Yoctangee Park main entrance at Paint and Water. (Watch for more soon!)
“Shine On Chillicothe” has a website and Facebook page. Also look into the “2025 Ohio Holiday Lights Trail.”
Find the article on the Scioto Post.
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.