The invention relates to a variable-gap lightning arrester and a lightning protection device. The variable-gap lightning arrester comprises a lightning leading pole, a first conductor and a second conductor, the first conductor is used for being electrically connected with a grounding grid, the second conductor is elastically arranged on the first conductor, the lightning leading pole penetrates through the second conductor and is in insulation connection with the first conductor, a plurality of blades are annularly arranged on the periphery of the second conductor, in the first state, the second conductor and the lightning leading pole are spaced, and in the second state, the blades can drive the second conductor to abut against the lightning leading pole under the action of wind power. The second conductor is elastically connected with the first conductor, the lightning leading pole is spaced from the second conductor, the second conductor is provided with the blades, and the bladesenable the second conductor to abut against the lightning leading pole under the action of wind power, so that an electric path is achieved. The structure can avoid the problem that the lightning leading pole cannot conduct lightning smoothly due to corona, can avoid corona by blowing away a large amount of charges on the lightning leading pole through wind, and has the characteristics of simple structure and high lightning leading reliability.