Holiday Happenings in Columbus – 22 Family Friendly Ways to Celebrate the Season
The holiday season is upon us and the anticipation to create magical moments is real. I have compiled a list of ideas that include some of our favorite holiday traditions and some that we have been waiting to try out.
Holiday Lights at the Columbus Commons
Holiday lights will be twinkling at the Columbus Commons from November 19th through January 2nd from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. A 50 ft tall holiday tree has been installed along with more than 400,000 lights throughout the park. Bundle up, stream some holiday music, and take a stroll through the park to take in the sights.
Sounds of the Season at the Holiday Pops Concert
Take in the sounds of the season at a Holiday Pops Concert. Holiday magic transforms the historic Ohio Theatre, filling it with beautiful decorations, wonderful music, and seasonal cheer! There are three show times offered on December 3rd through December 5th so click the link to grab your tickets.
Visit Ohio Village to experience the spirit of holidays past. Watch an interactive presentation of “The Christmas Carol,” take part in hands on activities, enjoy holiday music, explore Jewish holiday traditions from the 1890s, and meet Santa Claus and other characters. The holiday celebration takes place on Saturday, November 27th, December 4th, 11th, and 18th from 530 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, November 28th, December 5th, 12th, and 19th from noon to 5 p.m. Timed tickets are available online. There will be no walk up tickets available.
Holiday Lights at the Columbus Metro Parks
The Columbus Metro Parks will be illuminated again this holiday season at Battle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Highbanks, Homestead Metro Parks, and Inniswoods Metro Gardens. The lights will begin the first weekend of December and remain lit every evening from dark until close, through the end of the month.
12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt
Make your way to Historic Dublin for a fun and festive scavenger hunt. Your kiddos can make their way to 12 Historic Dublin locations, try to spot the elf and get a stamp & prize for finding it. The hunt kicks off on December 4th and runs through December 23rd at the following participating locations: Boho 72 Boutique, Terra Art Gallery, Dublin Toy Emporium, Extragifts, Close Connections, Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, Starbucks, Dean Insurance Group, Cutler Real Estate, Our CupCakery, Biologico Beauty, and Winan’s Coffee and Chocolates.
Winter Wonder Walks at Dawes Arboretum
Enjoy the beauty of nature by taking a walk on the paved Parkwoods Trail surrounded by illuminated trees for the 4th annual Winter Wonder Walks at Dawes Arboretum. The weekend walks are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, and 17th, and 18th. Both members and non-members must register and reserve a time slot for the Winter Wonder Walks at www.dawesarb.org.
Stroll through Historic old Worthington to feel the magic of the season. Don’t miss Worthington’s Holiday Open House on November 28th, the Illuminated Shopping night on December 8th, and the “It’s a Wonderful Window Contest,” throughout the holiday season.
Village Lights in German Village
Stroll the luminary lined brick streets in German Village during the annual Village Lights event. This year Village Lights falls on Sunday, December 5th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Business stay open late with holiday specials and festive surprises, including Santa Claus, ice carving, live music, mulled wine and more.
Holidays at Easton Town Center
Visit Easton Town Center to complete your holiday shopping and find some holiday cheer. Easton’s Grand Illumination takes place on Friday, November 19th from 6 to 9 p.m.In addition to shopping, Easton has plenty of family-friendly holiday activities to enjoy. From the Holiday Lighting Ceremony and fun activities with Santa to carriage rides and more.
Experience WonderLight’s Christmas, a drive thru holiday light show, at the Hartford Fairgrounds in Hartford, Ohio, from November 12, 2021 through January 9th, 2022 – rain, shine, or snow. The show features over 1 million LED lights synchronized to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music played through your own car stereo. In order to keep wait times to a minimum, reservations will now be required and will be sold in two-hour time slots.
Experience the Season at Oakland Park Nursery’s
Experience the season at one of Oakland Park Nursery’s four convenient locations. Each location features different activities including Santa visits, horse drawn carriage rides, live music, tasty treats, and so much more.
All Aboard the Huntington Holiday Train
The Huntington Holiday Train has been a holiday tradition since 1992 and, after taking a year off, it is back on display at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library from November 22nd through January 8th. 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!
Attend a performance of BalletMet’s The Nutcracker. This production of The Nutcracker is performed at the Ohio Theatre by professional dancers and students from the academy. The ballet lasts approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes with a twenty minute information.
Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow
Visit the Franklin Park Conservatory for the annual Conservatory Aglow from November 20th through January 9th. Favorite displays, like the musical light show and the Gingerbread House, return along with brand new light displays including a reimagined Topiary Collection. Entertainers and musicians will perform in the gardens on select evenings to enhance the experience. Reserve your tickets today.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Make this 3-mile drive through light show part of your holiday tradition. The light show is located at the Alum Creek Campgrounds in Delaware, Ohio and will run from November 19th through January 2nd. Tune in to the radio channel that synchronizes to the light displays and take in the light displays featuring light displays and familiar characters.
The State Auto’s Christmas Corner is located at 518 E. Broad St. and features a life sized Nativity Display. The annual lighting ceremony takes place on December 1st at 530 p.m. and features the Columbus Children’s Choir. The display will then be lit daily through Christmas Day. Check out the website for updated choir concert dates and time.
The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill
Take a road trip to visit The Legendary Lights of Historic Clifton Mill. Beginning November 29th, 4 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.
Winterfest is back for the first time in 727 days. Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 4th from 11 am to 4 pm. This celebration will feature local and national musical acts, seasonal ales from hometown breweries and favorite dishes from Columbus food trucks, and fun winter inspired games and activities.
Holiday lights will be returning to the Scioto riverfront from November 24th through January 3rd. Bundle up and spend some time outdoors taking in the lights.
Holiday Lights at Creekside in Gahanna
Gahanna kicks off the season with their annual Holiday Lights event on November 21st from 4 to 6 p.m. The event features a holiday stage, tree lighting ceremony, a parade, and Santa arriving by firetruck. After the event, Creekside will twinkling aglow with lights the remainder of the holiday season.
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo
Experience the Columbus Zoo completely transformed into a winter wonderland covered in millions of LED lights from November 19th through January 2nd. Experience animated light shows, meet and greets with some of your favorite characters, and seasonal treats.
Visit with Santa
Be sure to visit with Santa Claus this holiday season:
- Santa at Village Lights
- The Wildlights Santa Experience at the Columbus Zoo
- A socially distanced Santa at Oakland Nursery
- Photos with Santa at Easton Town Center
- Photos with Santa at Polaris Mall
- Santa Photos at Tuttle Mall
- Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s
Wishing you and yours a holiday season filled with love, joy, and laughter.