32 Holiday Happenings in Columbus – 2022 Edition
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.
One Time Holiday Events
Cirque Dreams Holidaze will convey the magic of the holiday season through a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus arts. Cirque Dreams Holidaze is set to dazzle Columbus audiences with its acclaimed and whimsical holiday spectacular at the Palace Theatre, for two nights only, on December 1st and 2nd. Tickets can be found at my.cbusarts.com.
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 2nd through December 4th so click the link to grab your tickets.
Mark your calendars for Winterfest at the Scioto Mile happening on Saturday, December 3 from 11 am to 4 pm. Live music kicks off at 11 am on the Bicentennial Stage, along with activities for all ages including a snow globe photo opportunity and mechanical reindeer.
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 4th from 5 pm to 9 pm. Businesses stay open late with holiday specials and festive surprises, including Santa Claus, ice carving, live music, mulled wine and more.
Throughout the Season Events
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.
12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt
Make your way to 12 Historic Dublin spots to find each elf and get your card signed! When your kiddo finds the elf at each stop, they will get a little prize. Collect them all and return your completed card at any participating business before December 23rd to be entered to win the grand prize basket. The hunt kicks off on December 1st and runs through December 23rd at the following participating locations: Boho 72 Boutique, Terra Art Gallery, Dublin Toy Emporium, Extragifts, Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, Starbucks, Our CupCakery, Winan’s Coffee and Chocolates, Paris 75, Dublin Visitor & Information Center, and more.
Bring your family to a 19th century holiday celebration and see Charles Dickens’ festive vision of Christmas come to life. Meet and interact with Ohio Village residents to learn how they celebrate the holiday season. Have some chance encounters with holiday characters including Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Krampus and others. Enjoy music and dance of the period and partake in various activities in the village buildings, and look for gift ideas in the artisan market. The holiday celebration takes place on Saturday, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th from 530 p.m. to 930 p.m. and Sunday, December 4th, 11th, and 18th from 1 pm to 5 pm. Timed tickets are available online. There will be no walk up tickets available.
Experience the magic of the season this year in Worthington through shopping, dining, and one of a kind events. The Holiday Open House on November 27th from noon to 5 and illuminated shopping on December 7th from 6 pm to 9 pm. Worthington is a magical place to visit throughout the season with twinkly lights, Christmas trees, and holiday themed window displays fo
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 18th from 6 to 9 p.m. In addition to shopping, Easton has plenty of family-friendly holiday activities to enjoy, including the Holiday Lighting Ceremony and fun activities with Santa to carriage rides and more.
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 is 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!
Holiday Lights – Walking
Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life
“Light Up the Lawn, Light Up a Life” is Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s new holiday tradition that builds hope and joy for hospitalized children, families and the health care heroes caring for them. The lawn along Livingston Avenue in front of Nationwide Children’s will be transformed with a butterfly-themed light display that illuminates with a flutter effect each time a donation is made, visible to pediatric patients and their families in the hospital tower as they look out at the lawn below. It’s easy to participate! Through the end of the year, starting with a gift of just $10, you can instantly light up butterflies on the lawn and through patient units by making a donation to Nationwide Childrens.
Holiday Lights at the Columbus Commons
Holiday lights will be twinkling at the Columbus Commons from November 18th through January 1st from dusk until 11 p.m. A 50 ft tall holiday tree has been installed along with more than 400,000 lights throughout the park. Stop by every Friday in December from 5:30 pm to 9 pm for Festive Fridays to enjoy a ride on the carousel, seasonal music, and a cup of hot chocolate.
Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow
Visit the Franklin Park Conservatory for the annual Conservatory Aglow from November 19th through January 8th. See new displays such as the light show in the rainbow tunnel, a disco dance party and a musical light show in the Grand Mallway. These fun new additions are featured alongside returning favorites, including ornament trees, the Whirly Tree by Tork Inc. and a larger-than-life gingerbread house. This year, the wondrous sights extend into the interior Conservatory! Paths of candlelight lead guests through the biomes and past Dale Chihuly’s illuminated installations. Reserve your tickets today.
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.
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.
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 pm to 9 pm on December 2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th, and the 16th and 17th. Both members and non-members must register and reserve a time slot for the Winter Wonder Walks at www.dawesarb.org.
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 20th from 3 to 6:30 pm. The event will feature a holiday stage with live entertainment, the tree lighting, a processional, and Santa arriving by firetruck! Activities include strolling holiday-themed characters, carriage rides, train rides, live nativity, the light show and more. New this year is an upgraded 30-foot tree with interactive lights. The light display throughout Creekside Park totals 300,000 lights! Accompanied with music, the light show will begin on Sunday, November 20 and run through January 8.
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo
Experience the Columbus Zoo completely transformed into a winter wonderland covered in millions of LED lights from November 18th through January 1st. Experience animated light shows, meet and greets with some of your favorite characters, and seasonal treats.
Drive-Through Light Shows
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 18th through January 1st. Tune in to the radio channel that synchronizes to the light displays and take in the light displays featuring light displays and familiar characters.
Experience WonderLight’s Christmas, a drive thru holiday light show, at the Hartford Fairgrounds in Hartford, Ohio, from November 11th through January 1st – 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 are strongly encouraged.
Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car at the Historic Crew Stadium beginning November 23rd.
6 houses in Powell have joined together to put on a free, drive-through light show on 7.5 acres of land. The show runs from Black Friday to the first week of January, dusk until 10pm Sun-Thurs and until 11 on Friday and Saturday. Because the roads are so narrow and traffic is a concern, there is a loop around the show. There are signs directing traffic, but to find the lights put 9360 Frabell Dr, Powell OH 43065 into the GPS.
Over 300 houses in the Glenross neighborhood have holiday lights choreographed to holiday music. The show begins Christmas Day and runs Sunday – Thurdays from 5 pm to 9 pm and on Friday and Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm. For the best light show experience, begin at the entrances of Ballater Dr, Eagle Walk Road, Sycamore Lane, or Braumiller Crossing Drive.
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
- Santa at Oakland Nursery
- Photos with Santa at Easton Town Center
- Photos with Santa at Polaris Mall
- Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s
Wishing you and yours a holiday season filled with love, joy, and laughter.