With projected temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s don’t sit at home instead get into the holiday spirit by checking out some of the amazing things happening in Columbus! From tree lighting ceremonies, parades, breakfasts with Santa, musical performances and much more there is bound to be fun for everyone. This list is organized by dates so it makes it easy to plan what makes it on your activity list.

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Columbus is about to get a whole lot brighter with all these tree lighting ceremonies and holiday cheer!

November 30

Uptown Christmas Walk in Marysville Uptown Square (November 30 from 5-8 pm) Santa visit, live reindeer, dance performers, stilt walker, balloon artist, horse-drawn carriage rides and Christmas Tree Lighting.

December 1

Christmas Open House at Hanby House (December 1 7-9 pm, December 5-6 from 1:30-4:30 pm) Tour the historic home of Benjamin Hanby (the conductor of “Up on the Housetop”), holiday decorations and refreshments.

The Ohio State House (December 1 from 5:30-7:30 pm)

December 3

Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony (Thursday, December 3) Festivities begin at 5 pm. Dine at La Chatelaine with snow princeeses and snowman (fee required for dinner). Live reindeer, pictures with characters and free Tim Horton’s donughts and hot chocolate are available at 5:30 pm. At 6 pm dance and musical performances, followed by the countdown to tree lighting, 7-8 pm Meet and Greet with Santa at the Dublin library.

Hilliard (Thursday, December 3 from 5-7:30 pm) Visit by Santa, ice sculpture carving, elementary choir singing, reindeer, face painting, balloon guy and hot chocolate.

Link to purchase: Cbus love shirt Link to purchase: Dublin Mom shirt (A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a Columbus charity.)

December 4

All Aboard the Polar Express at the Hilliard Library (December 4 from 7:00-8:30 pm) Stories, caroling, crafts and treats. Free tickets are required.

Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony in Upper Arlington (6:00 – 8:30 pm) At Mallway Park enjoy caroling, horse drawn carriage rides, live reindeer, visit with Santa, bonfire with S’Mores and tree lighting at 7:30 pm.

Country Christmas at Marmon Valley (December 4 & 5, December 11 & 12) 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, take a ride on the horse drawn caroling wagon to select a fresh cut Christmas tree.

Santa House on Main Street in Delaware, Ohio (December 4-5, December 11-12, December 18-19; click on the link for times and details)

Elf Jr. the Musical at Dublin Scioto High School (December 4-6)

Grand Illuminations at Scioto Mile (December 4)

Holiday Pops performed by Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Dec 4th-6th)

Living Christmas Trees at Grace Polaris Church (December 4-6 & December 10-13) 100 singers, 40 piece orchestra, live animals, cast of hundreds and special effects. Geared for ages 6 and up.



December 5

Breakfast with Santa- click on the links for details: Franklin Park Conservatory, Pickerington Senior Center, California Pizza Kitchen, Story time and Breakfast with Santa,

Visit with Santa at the Herb Center in Gahanna (9am-1pm) Meet Santa, jot a note at the letter writing center, make a photo frame and some crafts. $5 per craft or 3 for $12 (photos with Santa are free when taken with your own camera)

Santa Parade in Johnstown (December 5 from 10 am – 11 am) Parade starts at the high school and ends at town square.

Holiday Hoot at Gateway Film Center (December 5: Activities at 10 am, Films at 11 am) FREE with a canned food donation. Featuring short films and the Shazzbots for musical entertainment.

PBJ & Jazz (December 5: one show beginning at 10 am and another at 11:30 am) Listen to songs of the season at the Lincoln Theater. $5 at the door with a family maximum of $20.

Holiday Bazaar at Dublin Jerome High School sponsored by the PTO (10 am – 3 pm) Get your shopping done at this annual fundraising event. Vendors will have items available such as home decor, purses, totes, doll clothes, essential oils, quilts and more.

Santa Visit at the Grandview Heights Library (December 5 from 11 am – 12 pm) Free photos and holiday craft.

Holly Days in Historic Dublin (December 5 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm) The fire department will have a fire truck in the parking lot of the library collecting items for Toys For Tots, meet Mr. & Mrs. Claus in La Chatelaine for pictures, hot chocolate stations, free trolly rides, music and more.

Dublin Dance at Abbey Theater in Dublin (Saturday, December 5 at 11 am & 1:30 pm)

Holidays in Powell (December 5 12:00 – 5:30 pm) Indoor and Outdoor Events such as meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus, crafts, trolley rides. Tree Lighting ceremony at 5:30 pm.

Christmas is Coming at Slate Run Living Historical Farm (December 5 from 1:00-3:00 pm) Help decorate the farmhouse Victorian style. Make an ornament to take home and string popcorn. FREE

Oakland Nursery (November 28-December 20 on Saturdays and Sundays) Each location has different events so check with each store for their activities. Some things you may expect are: horse drawn carriage rides, Santa, visit by a reindeer, live music, food sampling and more.

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Market (December 5)

Christmas Open House at Hanby House (December 1 7-9 pm, December 5-6 from 1:30-4:30 pm) Tour the historic home of Benjamin Hanby (the conductor of “Up on the Housetop”), holiday decorations and refreshments.

Christmas Under the Clock in Plain City (December 5th 5:00-8:00 pm) Tree lightening ceremony begins at 5:00 pm, then pictures with Santa, live music, wagon rides and craft vendors.

A Holiday Evening on the Farm at Gallant Farms (December 5 from 6-8 pm) Live Christmas music, roast chestnuts over the fire, cookies and make holiday decorations. FREE

Country Christmas at Marmon Valley (December 4 & 5, December 11 & 12) 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, take a ride on the horse drawn caroling wagon to select a fresh cut Christmas tree.

Santa House on Main Street in Delaware, Ohio (December 4-5, December 11-12, December 18-19; click on the link for times and details)

Elf Jr. the Musical at Dublin Scioto High School (December 4-6)

Holiday Pops performed by Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Dec 4th-6th)

Living Christmas Trees at Grace Polaris Church (December 4-6 & December 10-13) 100 singers, 40 piece orchestra, live animals, cast of hundreds and special effects. Geared for ages 6 and up.

Scrooge by Shadowbox Live (Saturdays and Sundays November 29- December 27)

Holiday Hop/Gallery Hop in Short North

Christmas Candlelights at Roscoe Village in Coshocton (December 5, 12, 19 with different tour times) Step back in time to the 1800’s to see what holiday life was like in the past.



December 6

Breakfast with Santa: OHS Breakfast with Santa

Holiday in the Village presented by the Shawnee Hills Chamber of Commerce (December 6 from noon to 4 pm) FREE hayrides with Rudolph and other characters, Santa at Cedarbrook and Straders Garden Center, handcrafted items for sale and FREE trolley rides between Cedarbrook and Straders.

Holidayville in Clintonville (December 6 from 12-4pm) Hop on and off two trolleys as they take you to various businesses in Clintonville. Visit Santa at Mozart’s at noon, live entertainment and free cookie decorating. Businesses compete in a holiday storefront decorating contest where you can vote on the winner by using the hashtag #holidayville2015.

Westerville Children’s Christmas Parade (December 6 at 12:45 pm) Brooksedge Blvd to Schrock Road to State Route 3

Oakland Nursery (November 28-December 20 on Saturdays and Sundays) Each location has different events so check with each store for their activities. Some things you may expect are: horse drawn carriage rides, Santa, visit by a reindeer, live music, food sampling and more.

Holiday Nature Crafts for Kids at Highbanks Metro Park (1:00-3:00 pm) Make crafts and sip hot chocolate. Free

‘Tis the Season at Slate Run Living Historical Farm (1:00-3:00 pm) Stroll around the farm, make an ornament and string popcorn.

Dwight Lenox Holiday Show at the Abbey Theater in Dublin (3 pm) Jazz singer belts out some of the greatest Christmas songs to get you in the spirit.

Christmas Open House at Hanby House (December 1 7-9 pm, December 5-6 from 1:30-4:30 pm) Tour the historic home of Benjamin Hanby (the conductor of “Up on the Housetop”), holiday decorations and refreshments.

Marysville Christmas Parade in Uptown Square (December 6 at 2 pm) Watch floats and bands stroll down the streets.

Village Lights presented by Schmidt’s in German Village (Sunday, December 6 from 5-9 pm) FREE: Visit the historic streets of German Village to discover a world of lights and holiday magic. Follow the luminaries from shop to shop as you start your shopping. Find unique experiences along the way! Our businesses are open late with holiday specials and you’ll find festive surprises around every corner. Grab a shuttle van to and from parking at the north and south ends of the Village. This map is your guide to the event German Village Event.

Elf Jr. the Musical at Dublin Scioto High School (December 4-6)

Holiday Pops performed by Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Dec 4th-6th)

Living Christmas Trees at Grace Polaris Church (December 4-6 & December 10-13) 100 singers, 40 piece orchestra, live animals, cast of hundreds and special effects. Geared for ages 6 and up.

Scrooge by Shadowbox Live (Saturdays and Sundays November 29- December 27)



December 7

Snowflake Castle at Everal Barn in Westerville (December 7-12) *Tickets are selling out quickly! $5 includes making your own wooden toy with elves, picture and meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Daily happenings:

12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt: (Daily through December 5th) FREE

Alum Creek Tree Lighting– Drive through light show and Santa House (November 20, 2015 – January 3, 2016)

Wildights at the Zoo (November 20, 2015 – January 3, 2016)

Segway Holiday Lights Tour 2015 (daily from December 4- December 23 6:00 & 8:15 pm)

Holiday Lights at the Columbus Commons (Nov 24-Jan 4 from dusk until 11 pm) Over 300,000 lights decorate the park. Walk across the street to the Lazarus Building to see the window displays. After December 4th check out the lights at The Scioto Mile.

Holiday Carriage Rides at Easton (weekends from November 20- December 23) Pick up location is right outside of Eddie Bauer on Gramercy Street. Cost is $10 a person with anyone under 15 free with a paying adult.

Huntington Holiday Train (through December 31 at the Capital Square Huntington Bank) This is the 600 square foot train display that is normally set up at the main library. Check the bank website or call for hours.

The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mills – 3.5 million Christmas lights illuminate the mill, gorge, trees, river and bridges. (Starts the day after Thanksgiving and runs nightly through December 31).

The Christmas Ranch (in Morrow, Ohio – north of Cincinnati) 1 million lights set to synchronized music (Opens November 27-December 31, 2015)

Mr. Scrooge by Columbus Children’s Theatre (November 27- December 20) 60 minute show, recommended for ages 4 and older.

As always, confirm any events directly with the business or organization as events may change or be canceled. Be sure to check out The BEST Christmas Activities in Columbus Part One, Columbus Christmas Activities Round 2 and Ways to Give and Volunteer in Columbus for even more going on in Cbus. Happy Holidays!