The invention relates to a lightning detection method for distribution networks. The method includes the following steps: detecting a variety of signals at a detection point; carrying out magnetic orientation using very-low-frequency signals, low-frequency signals, the north-south component of a magnetic field, the east-west component of the magnetic field and the vertical component of an electric field to judge the direction of lightning; carrying out waveform discrimination using very-low-frequency signals and low-frequency signals and carrying out consistency discrimination using visible light signals to judge the type of lightning; and carrying out time-domain differential comparison using very-low-frequency signals and low-frequency signals to determine the degree of attenuation, and determining the relative distance of lightning according to the attenuation ratio. According to the invention, lightning can be detected by only detecting a variety of signals at one detection point and determining the relevant parameters of lightning based on the signals. More accurate lightning data can be obtained. The accuracy of lightning detection is improved. Moreover, the detection process is simplified and easy to implement.