The holiday season is such a festive time of year to explore different communities as they become illuminated with lights and decorations. Many communities host free tree lighting ceremonies. Due to circumstances, communities have had to become creative to have some version of a tree lighting! There will be virtual tree lightings, smaller gatherings, and safety precautions will be put in place for those communities that have chosen to have this event. Please check their websites often as changes may occur as the events become closer.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies Around Columbus
Easton Town Center
Date: Lights turn on Friday, November 20, 2020
Details: There will not be a parade this year but the lights will be on throughout the season!
Website: Easton Town Center
Market Square Holiday Tree Lighting in New Albany
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Details: Bring the whole family for this tree lighting!
Website: New Albany Chamber of Commerce
Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
Date: Sunday, November 22, 2020
Time: Virtual Event this Year
Details: In lieu of the in person tree lighting, there will be three Saturdays of fun from 4-6 with a holiday train and will give rides through Creekside Park and Gingerbread Town. This will encourage social distancing and a fun way to see lights on your own schedule! The website will be updated soon.
Website: Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
Holiday Hop in Hilliard and Tree Lighting- New Date and Now Virtual
Date: December 6, 2020
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Details: This year’s celebration marks the 30th annual Tree Lighting in Old Hilliard. The city will be still be lighting the tree, but they invite you to watch the live stream on facebook from home!
Website: Holiday Hop in Hilliard and Tree Lighting
Short North Tree Lighting/Deck the District
The Month of December
Details: Out of an abundance of caution for public health and safety due to COVID-19, there will not be a public tree lighting in the Short North Arts District this year. However, they highly encourage shopping at the many small, local businesses in the District, especially given the trials and tribulations they faced in 2020; they need assistance now more than ever! They will have a virtual holiday hop on December 6, 2020 too!
Website: Short North Tree Lighting
Worthington Tree Illumination Ceremony- Now cancelled
Date: November 29, 2020- Event has now been cancelled for 2020.
Time:
Details: Please support local businesses in Old Worthington!
Website: Worthington Tree Illumination Ceremony
Uptown Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting: Marysville
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Details: The city of Marysville continues to meet with the local health agency to see what options will be best for holiday events. Stay tuned by checking their website!
Website: Uptown Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting Marysville
Holiday Tree Lighting: Grandview Heights
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Time: 3:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
Details: This event will take place but asking the public to stay home and Light up Grandview at their homes!
Website: Grandview Heights
Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony & Festivities
Date: Thursday, December 3, 2020
Time: 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Details: The City of Dublin will kick off the 2020 holiday season on Thursday, December 3 at Coffman Park. This is now a Drive Thru event!
Website: Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Ohio Statehouse
Date: Virtual Event this Year- December 3, 2020
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Details: The fun filled online event includes the annual tree lighting, holiday music, a performance by Ohio Dance, Holiday Greetings from Ohio’s Historic Sites, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as a special guest. Check the website for further details and schedule updates. You can also view the festival online after the live broadcast. Use the link: https://www.facebook.com/TheOhioChannel.
Website: The Ohio Statehouse
Olde Pickerington Village Holiday- Now 21 Days of Lights
Date: Friday, December 11, 2020- December 31, 2020
Time: Dusk
Details: Make some memories with the kids! Load the family in the car and enjoy all the holiday lights as you drive around the historic Pickerington Village. No need to worry about social distancing with this event.
Website: Olde Pickerington Village Holiday
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Westerville
Date: Friday, December 4, 2020
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Details: It’s a self-guided tour this year if you choose to walk around uptown! It may be different this year, but the celebration will continue through the virtual world. Watch for a special online countdown to the annual Westerville Tree Lighting in Uptown Westerville, available on westerville.tv on Friday, Dec. 4, that will include the City of Westerville Mayor, many Uptown Westerville Merchants and of course, Santa himself.
Website: Westerville Parks & Recreation
Winter Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony: Upper Arlington
Date: Friday, December 4, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Details: This event is now cancelled for 2020.
Website: Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony
Main Street Delaware First Friday
Date: Friday, December 4, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Details: Bring your Christmas cheer to this festive event. Be sure to check the website for updates on the details of this event!
Website: Main Street Delaware Christmas in Downtown
Grove City Christmas Celebration
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Details: This event is now cancelled!
Website: Grove City Christmas Celebration
Holidays in Powell
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2020
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Details: The city of Powell is hosting a safe, fun and family-friendly Holidays in Powell event this year from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 in Village Green Park, 47 Hall Street. The event will look different from previous years but they’re excited to present this opportunity for the community to enjoy. This will include a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. followed by holiday tunes on the Amphitheater Stage, food trucks and a bonfire. The city’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will be in effect as well. Registration is strongly encouraged in advance. The website will be updated soon.
Website: Holidays in Powell
Christmas on the Square in Sunbury
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2020
Time: All Day
Details: See website for information and updates!
Website: Christmas on the Square
Annual Tree Ceremony: Reynoldsburg
Date: December 5, 2020
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Details: New location for 2020 at The Reynoldsburg Senior Center
Website: Reynoldsburg Tree Lighting Ceremony
Christmas Under the Clock: Plain City
Date: December 11, 2020
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Details: Come see Santa and his reindeer! Coloring contest will take place as well.
Website: Christmas Under the Clock
Thank you for this list of Holiday Tree Lighting events and activities. It is appreciated! Please note that the library event on November 23rd is in Columbus Wisconsin NOT Columbus Ohio. Have a very Happy Holidays!! 🙂
Glad you find the list helpful. We have removed the library event. Thanks for letting us know! It takes a village. 🙂
The 10th annual Clintonville (Columbus, OH) Tree Lighting will be held Sunday, December 9 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Music by Whetstone High School choir, hot chocolate and cookies, kids’ crafts, and photo opps with Santa will be indoors at the Whetstone Community Center (3923, N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214). Parade to tree at adjacent Whetstone Library for the lighting ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Clintonville Rotary. Flyer is available.
Marilyn Clark
Chair – 2018 Clintonville Tree Lighting
Clintonville Rotarian
614/266-1859 cell
[email protected]
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