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Tallahassee and the surrounding communities do not fall short on putting out holiday flair, but if you are looking for that one special holiday spectacular light display that is sure to put the Griswold’s family Christmas to shame, you must have the City of Tallahassee’s Dorothy B. Oven Park annual holiday lights display on your holiday to do list! It’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser sure to impress those out of town guests in for the holidays!

Rich in history, the Dorothy B. Oven Park was part of the Lafayette Land Grant awarded by the United States Congress to General Marquis de Lafayette in 1824. In 1855 the Gamble Family purchased the property. In the 1930’s the manor home designed by Dr. Alfred B. Maclay was built on the property.

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Breckenridge Gamble, who notably created the first camellia nursery on the land, willed the property to his adopted son, Bill Rosa and daughter-in-law, Dorothy Buchanan. Dorothy married William J. Oven, Jr. following the death of her first husband, Bill Rosa.

It was the wish of Dorothy that the property be given to the City of Tallahassee for the community to enjoy. The property was donated by Will J. Oven, Jr. to the City of Tallahassee via the Tallahassee Friends of Our Parks Foundation in 1985. The property had to retain its natural beauty, and maintain the integrity of the gardens, yet be developed into a city park for all Tallahassee residents and visitors to enjoy.

The Dorothy B. Oven Park and Manor have maintained the property’s charm along with the splendor of its beautiful gardens and canopy of live oaks. The classic manor has been meticulously maintained with its original magnolia paneling and wood floors. The grounds consist of over six acres of native gardens, making this property a popular venue for weddings and receptions, seminars, and meetings.

But let’s get back to the park’s holiday lights! Each year Dorothy B. Oven Park creates a holiday winter wonderland right here in the city limits of Tallahassee. The Park staff transforms into Santa’s helpers, putting out over 225,000 festive lights throughout the front of the park. Guests can take in the sights without even getting out of their cars, or for those wanting to enjoy a more up-close look, guests can stroll the grounds and take in the lights and sounds.

The Dorothy B. Oven Park holiday lights haven't let its community down, as they have brought the holiday spirit to Tallahassee since 1990 when a church donated their lights and requested the Park continue with a community lights tradition. Even during the 2020 COVID shutdowns, guests were able to drive through the experience, or stroll while masked, providing sightseers with some much needed holiday cheer.

Of course, the holiday lights have grown, as have the displays over the years. Visitors have added this display to their annual holiday traditions. Guests can enjoy the ride, or stroll, while sipping their hot cocoa and listening to the holiday tunes playing in the background.

It’s a great time for friends and families to gather and enjoy a night of holiday entertainment together, regardless of age. Guests can enjoy the various themed exhibits, including nature and wildlife, fire truck and train displays, and, of course, everything North Pole! The twinkling holiday lights can’t help but take you back to Christmases past, filling your heart with holiday joy that would be hard for even Ebenezer Scrooge not to enjoy.

The City of Tallahassee works tirelessly to ensure that residents and visitors enjoy the tradition of the Dorothy B. Oven Park holiday lights. The Park’s holiday lights display makes its entrance on Thanksgiving evening and runs through New Year’s Day. Holiday light hours traditionally run from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 5:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The spectacular holiday light exhibit is family friendly and free to the public!

Visitors should anticipate heavy traffic during the holiday hours. Parking is limited onsite, but there is nearby parking for guests wishing to stroll the grounds. Just be safe and be mindful of slow moving or stopped vehicles, and pedestrians, as everyone either on four wheels or two legs are taking in their surroundings of twinkling lights everywhere!

Dorothy B. Oven Park is located at 3205 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida, and is operated by the City of Tallahassee’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department. For more information visit: www.Talgov. com/Parks.

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