70 Magical Things to Do in Columbus this Holiday 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.

One Time Holiday Events

Holiday Open House at the Main Library Stop by the Columbus Public Library – Main Branch on Wednesday, November 20th from 6 to 8 pm for festive family fun with activities, crafts, hot chocolate and live reindeer outside! Enjoy music from Columbus Rings, performances from Columbus Modern Dance Company, plus the official launch of the Huntington Holiday Train with a little help from a special guest. All activities are free; parking for the event will be free in Main Library’s parking garage.

A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol returns to the Ohio Theatre for performances on Friday, November 29th through Sunday, December 1st.

Columbus Metro Parks Winter Hike Kick-Off. Visit Highbanks Metro Park on December 1 from 5 to 7 pm for hot chocolate and a walk through the park under the twinkling lights.

Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at The Ohio Statehouse. On December 5th from 530 pm to 730 pm, stop by The Ohio Statehouse for the annual holiday festival and tree lighting. Historical characters and modern dignitaries will be present to spread the holiday cheer, including Santa Claus. Enjoy complimentary cookies, music, activity tables, dance performances and demonstrations.

Winterfest Columbus, presented by Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, is an annual celebration of the winter season happening on December 7th from 11 am to 4 pm at Bicentennial Park. This free event features local seasonal craft beer and cocktails, live music, some of Columbus’ best food trucks, and lots of outdoor winter fun!

Holiday Extravaganza. Come Downtown for a flurry of festive events that are all happening on Saturday, December 7.

Santa at Lazarus (4-7 pm): Mr. Claus himself will be at the historic Lazarus Building galleria for photo ops along with holiday activities for the whole family including arts and crafts, face painting, letters to Santa, Secret Santa shopping, and more. At 7 p.m., Santa will lead the group to Festive Saturday at Columbus Commons.
Columbus Commons Celebration featuring the Good Market (4-9 pm):Enjoy free hot chocolate,  live music, a traveling photo booth, carousel rides, a bar offering hot boozy beverages, plus a shoppable holiday market by The Good Market while wandering amongst the lights.
Common Thread (4-9 pm): Sleigh the holiday season with holly, jolly local shopping! Check out the new juice lounge VitaliTEAalong with other small businesses this season.
Free Trolley Hop (1-6 pm): The Trolley Hop will offer a festive journey through the heart of Columbus. Celebrate the season with shopping, holiday-themed activities, and programming for the whole family.
Free Yuletide on Gay (3-8 pm): This one-day-only free street festival transforms Gay & High to a pedestrian-only winter wonderland experience. Find an iceless ice rink with complimentary skate rentals, live ice sculpture carving, live DJ entertainment, DORA beverages, and food trucks, all happening under “Current”. It’s sure to be a merry and gay time!

Columbus Metro Parks Evening Lantern Walks. Visit Chestnut Ridge Metro Park for a special evening lantern walk and hot chocolate on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, from 5–6:30pm.

Sounds of the Season at the Holiday Pops Concert. The Columbus Symphony brings magic to the Ohio Theatre in December, transforming it with a show of lights, festive music, heavenly voices, and seasonal cheer! The Columbus Symphony Chorus, Columbus Children’s Choir and special guests join to present the most-loved holiday songs and carols! There are three show times offered on December 6th through December 8th so click the link to grab your tickets.

Holiday Histories at The Ohio History Center. On December 7th & 14th, from 6 to 9 pm, visit the Ohio History Center to explore winter holidays like Christmas, Kwanzaa and more through hands-on activities. Experience cultural holiday traditions and stories together with community partners, learn about what less sunlight and wintry temperatures mean for Ohio’s wildlife, catch a holiday performance and shop the Ohio History Store, local vendors and crafters to pick up those last-minute gifts!

V illage 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 8th from 5 pm to 9 pm. Businesses stay open late with holiday specials and festive surprises.

Easton’s Holiday Drone Show on Thursday, December 12th, from 6 to 8 pm. The evening will include festive treats, music, and fun for all ages, concluding with a holiday themed drone show, celebrating 25 years of Easton.

Throughout the Season Events

The Nutcracker with BalletMet 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 or stamped! 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 2nd and runs through December 23rd.

Grove City Nutcracker Hunt Grab a sheet and get to hunting. Nutcrackers will be inside local businesses with their own number. Write the business name next to their number and turn in your sheet for a prize! The hunt will be from December 6, 2024 through January 3, 2025. Sheets can be turned into the Grove City Library, the Grove City Museum, and the Kingston Center.

Holidays in Worthington Experience the magic of the season this year in Worthington through shopping, dining, and one of a kind events. The Holiday Open House is on December 1st from noon to 5 and illuminated shopping is on December 6th 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.

Holidays in the Short North Arts District.

Holiday Trail: Grab a trail card from a Short North business or print at home here. Make purchases at three participating businesses from Nov. 29-Dec. 31 to earn stickers. Redeem your completed trail card for a free offer.
Elf Trail: Grab a trail card from a Short North business or print at home here. From Nov. 29 -Dec. 31, kids under 12 are invited to find elves hidden on the shelves of three participating businesses to earn stickers. Redeem your completed trail card for a prize.
Lil’ Shops: From Nov. 29-Dec. 31, businesses participating in the Short North Lil’ Shops offer a curated selection of items under $20, perfect for children to pick out gifts for family and friends.Kids may visit participating businesses to pick out presents for friends and family.
Holiday Hop: High Street is transforming into a pedestrian-only experience for Holiday Hops on High on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 12-8 p.m. Shop the High Street Holiday Market, showcasing more than 150 vendors offering one-of-a-kind art and locally crafted gifts. Enjoy visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, free gift wrapping, live music, festive fashion parades, a holiday tree lot and a special performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus.
Window Display Contest: Stroll down High Street and see businesses decked out in their best holiday window displays. Vote for your favorite window on Instagram from Dec. 1–7, and help crown the best storefront in the district! Winners will be announced Dec. 8.

Festive Fridays at the Columbus Commons. Stop by the Commons on Fridays during the holiday season (December 6, 13, 20) from 5 pm to 9 pm for Festive Fridays to enjoy free hot chocolate, live music, a traveling photo booth, carousel rides and a bar offering a hot boozy beverages.

Wanderlights Trolley Tour. On Fridays during the holiday season (December 6, 13, 20) from 5 pm to 9 pm, hop on and explore all the Wanderlights destinations, plus an extra-special stop at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to see the light show on their front lawn. This tour is free but donations to Nationwide Children’s Hospital are encouraged.

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 22nd starting at 6 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.

Season of Celebration at COSI is a grand seasonal exhibit experience, starting on Saturday, November 23, 2024, that will transform the museum into a winter wonderland, combining science, education and the festive spirit of the season. With a grand, 40-foot tree in the iconic COSI Atrium serving as the centerpiece, the experience will captivate visitors with enchanting decorations, 50 community-focused trees, 10 Classic COSI exhibit-themed trees along with specialty food & beverage.

The Nativity Scene at Cathedral Square Formerly known as the State Auto Christmas Corner, the historic display has been gifted to the Museum of Catholic Art and History. This display can now be viewed at the St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 East Broad Street, from November 29th, 2024 through January 6th, 2025.

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 18th through January 18th. 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!

Walk Through Light Shows

Wanderlights. From November 22nd through February 16th from 5 pm to 10 pm, daily, winter magic abounds at Wanderlights, where over a half a million lights and special experiences will brighten the Downtown Columbus landscape.Wanderlights is more than a light display; it’s Columbus’ ultimate holiday destination. Families, couples, and solo adventurers will find joy in the holiday glow that’s totally FREE, plus one-of-a-kind holiday experiences against the backdrop of Downtown Columbus and include:

Columbus Commons. Start your Wanderlights experience at Columbus Commons and see the park shining brighter than ever with new twists on this holiday tradition.
Town Street. Town Street will be twinkling with expanded lights and decorations, projection shows and a seasonal mural. As you waddle over to the Scioto Mile, see if you can spot all the penguins hidden between High Street and Civic Center Drive.
Scioto Mile. The Downtown riverfront will be decked out in an elevated glow, centered around the Scioto Mile Fountain, which will be illuminated by more than 40 sculptural lights that will provide passersby and Milestone 229 patrons the ultimate photo-worthy experience.

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo Experience the Columbus Zoo completely transformed into a winter wonderland covered in millions of LED lights from November 22nd through January 5th. Experience animated light shows, meet and greets with some of your favorite characters, and seasonal treats.

Holiday Lights at the Columbus Metro Parks The Columbus Metro Parks will be illuminated again this holiday season from the first weekend of December and remain lit every evening from dark until 8 pm, through the end of the month. The following Metro Parks will be participating:

Battle Darby Creek
Blacklick Woods
Highbanks
Homestead Metro Parks
Inniswoods Metro Gardens

Holiday Lights at Creekside in Gahanna Gahanna kicks off the season with their annual Holiday Lights event on November 24th from 3 to 6:30 pm. The event will feature live performances on the Holiday Stage, strolling holiday-themed characters, touch a truck, a giant snow globe, snow plow decorating, carriage rides, train rides, live nativity, the light show and more. Make sure to catch the ice sculpting show starting at 4pm. The light show will begin on November 24th and run through the holiday season.

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 7th annual Winter Wonder Walks at Dawes Arboretum. The weekend walks are scheduled from 6 pm to 9 pm on December 6th & 7th, 13th & 14th, and 20th and 21st. Both members and non-members must register and reserve a time slot for the Winter Wonder Walks at www.dawesarb.org.

Easton Town Center Holiday Tree Shows Enjoy the show! Beginning November 23rd, our 56-foot holiday tree on the Town Square will feature special shows every five minutes from 5-11PM daily.

Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow. Visit the Franklin Park Conservatory for the annual Conservatory Aglow from November 23rd through January 5th. Step into a holiday wonderland as the gardens and interior biomes come alive with dazzling lights and captivating experiences. Wander through mesmerizing light displays, dance the night away at our nostalgic 90s-themed party, or unwind in cozy festive igloos at the all-new Ahlum & Arbor Arctic Terrace. Inside, the magic continues as lights adorn the Conservatory’s lush biome spaces. These exciting new features join returning favorites including the iconic ornament trees, the whimsical Whirly Tree by Tork Inc., the life-size gingerbread house, the enchanting Paul Busse Garden Railway and Through the Vines: A Seasonal Journey.

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 $50, you can instantly light up butterflies on the lawn and through patient units by making a donation to Nationwide Childrens.

The McCoy Cabin presents Holly Jolly Lights 2024. Located in Pataskala, Ohio, the McCoy Cabin is a walk through light show that features lights synchronized to music, light tunnels, inflatables, and photo ops. The trail is a combination of gravel and grass and is approximately 1/4 of a mile long.

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 22nd 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.

Lights of Glenross Over 300 houses in the Glenross neighborhood have holiday lights choreographed to holiday music. The show begins Thanksgiving 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.

Lucy Depp Park Light Show 9 houses in Powell have joined together to put on a free, drive-through light show on 13 acres of land. The show runs from Black Friday through January 5th, 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.

Wonderlight’s Christmas Experience WonderLight’s Christmas, a drive thru holiday light show, at the Hartford Fairgrounds in Hartford, Ohio, from November 15th through December 31st – 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.