10 Can’t Miss Events this Holiday Season in Columbus

The holiday season is upon us in Columbus and the anticipation to create magical moments is real. Below are ten tried and true ways to experience the magic of the holidays – hopefully you will find some inspiration to help create your own holiday traditions.

Shop Small this holiday season and support the local makers in your community, especially on Small Business Saturday, which falls on November 24th this year. Click here to find 6 ways you can shop small for those tiny humans in your life.

Stroll the luminary lined brick streets in German Village during the annual Village Lights event. This year Village Lights falls on Sunday, December 2 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Businesses stay open late with holiday specials and festive surprises, including Mr. & Mrs. Claus, ice carving, live music, mulled wine and more.

Stop by Santa’s Workshop at the Lazarus Building on December 1 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mr. Claus will be available all day to take photos in the original sleigh from the building’s former life, there will be crafts led by the OSU Urban Arts Space, and the Orange Line Holiday Train will be on display in the windows. That day the Columbus Commons will be celebrating the start of the holiday season, with carousel rides, face painting and hot chocolate – all for free! End the day by taking a stroll through the Commons’ paths lit up by the beautiful Holiday Lights.

Visit the Columbus Commons from November 21 through January 2nd from dusk until 11 p.m. for the holiday lights. Every Friday in December there will be free hot chocolate and carousel rides. Plus, you will find carolers roaming around the park so you can sing along to your favorite seasonal songs as you stroll.

Take a road trip to visit The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill. Beginning November 23rd, 3.5 million lights will be illuminating the mill, gorge, riverbanks, trees and bridges. There is a 100 foot “waterfall” of twinkling lights. Every night until the night before Christmas Eve you can peek into Santa’s Workshop to see a live Santa at work and then, every 15 minutes or so, watch him check his list and go up the chimney to load his sleigh.

Experience the Season at one of Oakland Park Nursery’s four convenient location. Each location features different activities including the opportunity to visit with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, live music, tasty treats, and so much more. Click here to learn how to discover all that is offered.

All Aboard the Huntington Holiday Train at the Main Library now through January 3rd. The Holiday Train features trains, tracks, a waterfall, tunnels, bridges, mini homes and a castle. All of these pieces and parts make for a fantastic game of eye spy!

Visit the Franklin Park Conservatory for the annual Conservatory Aglow, November 17 through January 2nd. This year the light installations are being advertised as “the biggest and brightest holiday show in the history of the Conservatory, extending beyond the building and into The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden as well as the Grand Mallway.”

Attend a performance of The Nutcracker. We are lucky in Columbus because we have two dance company’s to choose from. Balletmet’s production of The Nutcracker is performed at the Ohio Theatre by professional dancers and students from the academy, while the New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts.

Santa Clause is coming to Columbus and he is making multiple stops around the city. Our favorite places to visit with Old St. Nick are at the Franklin Park Conservatory and during the Oakland Park Nursery holiday events.