It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Columbus is set to celebrate BIG!
Columbus goes all out for the holidays and there are too many events to list in one post. To make things even easier, we have them organized in specific posts. Click on each of these links for even more events: Tree Lighting Ceremonies, Breakfast with Santa, Holiday Performances, Trolleys & Trains, Holiday Light Displays and more in our Holiday Guide!
12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt
Pick up your scavenger card at one of the 12 participating businesses in Historic Dublin and search for the hidden elf. At each location, you will receive a small treat for finding the elf.
Began on November 12th and runs daily through December 17th during business hours.
Main Street Delaware
December 2, December 3, December 9, December 10, December 16, December 17, December 23 (check times and activities here: Main Street Delaware)
Main Street Delaware (20 E. Winter St. Delaware, Ohio)
Country Christmas
Take a 45-minute ride on a covered wagon while watching 5 mini-dramas about events from the Bible. Other things to enjoy: pony rides, petting animals, live music and fresh cut Christmas trees available for purchase.
December 2- December 3 & December 9-10 (Tours begin at 6:30 pm on Friday nights and 5:00 pm on Saturday nights and leave every 15 minutes.)
Marmon Valley ( 7754 State Route 292 S, Zanesfield, Ohio 43360
Visit with Santa at the Herb Center
December 3, 10 and 17 (9:00 am -1:00 pm)
Ohio Herb Education Center, 110 Mill Street, Gahanna, Ohio
Santa Race
December 3
Creekside Plaza, Gahanna, Ohio
North Market Holiday Events
December 3: 10 am – 2 pm meet the Nutcracker and 1:30-3:00 pm you’ll see Santa Claus.
December 17: 11 am – 2pm see Santa, Mrs. Claus and their live reindeer.
North Market (59 Spruce Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215)
Holiday Hoot
Listen to music by the Shazzbots and watch short child-friendly films from around the world.
December 3 (10 am)
Gateway Film Center (1550 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201)
Santa Parade
December 3 (10 am – 11 am)
Johnstown, Ohio
Cheryl’s 2016 Annual Holiday Party
December 3 (10 am – 6 pm) FREE
Cheryl’s Cookies & Brownies Flagship Store in Westerville (646 McCorkle Blvd, Westerville, Ohio 43082)
Holly Days
December 3 (11:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Visit Historic Dublin from 11 am – 4 pm for a day full of fun. FREE activities include 12 Elves of Dublin Hunt, Touch a Truck, kids crafts, live music, hot chocolate from Starbucks and more.
Christmas is Coming
December 3 (1:00-3:00 pm) FREE
Slate Run Historical Farm (1375 State Route 674 N., Canal Winchester, OH 43110)
Click on the link to view other upcoming events at Slate Run Farm.
Holiday Family Fun at OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks
December 3, December 4, December 10, December 11, December 17, December 18 from 1:30-5:00 pm
Hockey Santa will make an appearance and there will be cookie decorating.
A Holiday Evening on the Farm
December 3 (6 – 8 pm) FREE
Gallant Farm Preserve (2150 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware, Ohio 43015)
Holiday Classic Film Series at Marcus Theater
December 4-19 with showings on Sundays at noon, Monday at 7 pm and Wednesday at 7 pm.
Crosswoods Cinema (200 Hutchinson Ave., Columbus, OH 43235)
Admission is $5. Christmas Vacation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life are the films being shown.
Holiday Activities in the Village
December 4 (2:00 – 5:00 pm and then the tree lighting ceremony)
Begins at Shawnee Hills Police Station with two different wagons and hayride itineraries.
Rudolph Run 5K & Westerville Children’s Christmas Parade
December 4 (Parade beginning at 2:00 pm)
Westerville: Staging will be at Westerville South High School parking lot with the parade ending at St. Paul’s Catholic Church parking lot, which is different from preceding years due to construction on State St.
Marysville Elks Christmas Parade
December 4 (2:00-3:00 pm)
Uptown Marysville
Ohio Statehouse Holiday Choir Performances
December 5- 18 (weekdays from 12:00-1:00 pm) FREE
Museum Gallery: The Ohio Statehouse (1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215)
Christmas Open House at the Hanby House
December 6 (7-9 pm), December 10 & December 11 (1:00-4:30 pm)
Hanby House (160 W Main Street, Westerville, Ohio)
BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley
Adults can enjoy a holiday light tour stopping at various locations throughout the city.
December 8- 30 (Several dates are already sold out.)
Check-in at the Short North Pint House (780 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201)
Polar Express Weekend at COSI
December 9-11 (Check the website for show times)
COSI (333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215)
Dickens of a Christmas
December 9 & 10 (5-9 pm), December 11 (Noon – 5 pm), December 16 & 17 (5-9 pm) and December 18 (Noon- 5 pm)
Ohio Village (800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43211)
The Snow “Ball”
December 9 (6:30-8:30 pm)
Head to the Worthington Community Center (345 E. Wilson Bridge Rd.
Worthington, OH 43085) for family dance time with a DJ, photo booth, arts and crafts, and pictures with Santa.
Arthur Christmas
December 10 (11 am) FREE- sensory friendly screening
Gateway Film Center (1550 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43201)
Christmas in Ash Cave
December 10 (5:00-7:00 pm)
Hocking Hills State Park: Ash Cave
Kids Day Out: Winter Wonderland
December 17 (3:00-7:00 pm)
Highbanks Nature Center (9466 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, OH 43035) * $5 (registration opens on 11/30)
Christmas with the Critters
December 28 (1:00-4:00 pm)
Ohio Wildlife Center (6131 Cook Road Powell, OH 43065) * $5 per person at the door
Chanuka Celebration
December 31 (8:00 pm)
Easton Town Center: Town Square
There are SO many holiday activities going on in Columbus this season. Comment below if you know of any we missed. Happy Holidays!
