Celebrate the joy of the season in Collinwood with our ultimate holiday guide. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this guide helps you enjoy the festive season in Collinwood.
Popular events this holiday season include the Columbus Christmas Market, a vibrant celebration featuring local artisans and festive treats that transport you to a charming European atmosphere. You can also immerse yourself in the Dayton Winter Festival, known for its dazzling light displays and engaging family activities. And the Cincinnati Yuletide Village is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a unique combination of shopping, seasonal entertainment, and delicious food. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Collinwood
- Columbus Christmas Market (Columbus)
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland)
- Cincinnati Yuletide Village (Cincinnati)
- Dayton Winter Festival (Dayton)
- A Christmas Carol at Ohio Theatre (Columbus)
- Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory (Columbus)
- A Motown Christmas at Lorain Palace Theatre (Lorain)
- Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival (Lebanon)
- Christmas Corner (Columbus)
- The Christmas Cave (Minford)
See these and even more events listed below!
Collinwood Holiday Light Displays
Dayton Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional tree lighting with over 100,000 lights.
Description:
The Dayton Holiday Festival is a family-friendly event in downtown Dayton, featuring the Grande Illumination tree lighting, a children's parade, live entertainment, and various holiday activities.
Where: Dayton | More Info: Dayton Winter Festival
Cincinnati Yuletide Village
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with light displays and live entertainment.
Description:
Cincinnati Yuletide Village is a holiday event featuring a winter fairy land, scenic holiday village, spectacular lights, live music, and festive food and drink. Visitors can wander through themed lit areas, enjoy carolers, and meet Santa and Krampus. The event also includes an open-air holiday market with unique gifts and a variety of seasonal treats.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: Cincinnati Yuletide Village
Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and live entertainment in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Franklin Park Conservatory transforms into a vibrant holiday spectacle with dazzling light displays, live entertainment, and festive activities. Wander through mesmerizing light vignettes, enjoy nostalgic 90s-themed parties, and relax in cozy igloos. Iconic ornament trees, the whimsical Whirly Tree, and the life-size gingerbread house are among the returning favorites, along with the enchanting Paul Busse Garden Railway.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Christmas Corner
What to Expect:
Historic life-sized Nativity display with nightly light displays.
Description:
State Auto's Christmas Corner is a historic holiday tradition featuring a life-sized Nativity display and festive lights at 518 E. Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio. The event includes nightly light displays and various musical performances.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Christmas Corner
A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities amidst historic exhibits.
Description:
Carillon Historical Park transforms into a vibrant holiday celebration with thousands of lights, Santa Claus, and various festive activities like the Carillon Tree of Light, Gem City Letterpress, and model train displays.
Where: Dayton | More Info: A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park
Fairfield County's Advent Window Walk
What to Expect:
Historic downtown Lancaster's nightly illuminated window display.
Description:
In historic downtown Lancaster, Ohio, Fairfield County's Advent Window Walk features illuminated windows nightly from December 1 to January 2, creating a festive holiday display.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Fairfield County's Advent Window Walk
Collinwood Holiday Markets and Shopping
Columbus Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique, handcrafted items from local artisans.
Description:
The Columbus ChristmasFair is a premier holiday market featuring 150 artisans from Ohio and surrounding states. The event showcases a diverse array of handcrafted items, including paintings, pottery, woodworking, jewelry, and glasswork. It is held at the Ohio Expo Center, Lausche Building, on November 23rd and 24th.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Columbus Christmas Market
Collinwood Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Christmas Cave
What to Expect:
Spiritual holiday celebration in an underground cave setting.
Description:
The Christmas Cave at White Gravel Mines offers a unique and spiritually enriching experience, featuring a detailed portrayal of the Savior's birth through twinkling lights, festive displays, and heartwarming holiday scenes.
Where: Minford | More Info: The Christmas Cave
Christmas at the Fort at Historic Fort Steuben
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments and festive activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Historic Fort Steuben with festive activities, crafts, and historical reenactments.
Where: Steubenville | More Info: Christmas at the Fort at Historic Fort Steuben
Cocktails with Santa, Mrs. Claus
What to Expect:
Signature cocktails and live music with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Join us for a delightful evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Collingwood Center. Sip on delicious cocktails, enjoy live music by the John Reese Trio, and mingle with the North Pole's most famous couple. The event includes a signature cocktail, charcuterie spread, and cookies. Bring your Christmas wish list and get into the holiday spirit.
Where: Campbell | More Info: Cocktails with Santa, Mrs. Claus
An Impromptu Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Improvised retelling of A Christmas Carol based on audience suggestions.
Description:
An Impromptu Christmas Carol is a unique retelling of Charles Dickens' classic story, where audience suggestions determine the performance, making each show uniquely different.
Where: Campbell | More Info: An Impromptu Christmas Carol
Harry Potter Yule Ball
What to Expect:
Unique retelling of Charles Dickens' Christmas Classic with audience suggestions.
Description:
The Harry Potter Yule Ball transforms the Grand Hall into an unforgettable night with a fundraiser for BC Educational Center, featuring a unique retelling of Charles Dickens' classic story with audience suggestions influencing the performance.
Where: Campbell | More Info: Harry Potter Yule Ball
A Christmas Carol at Ohio Theatre
What to Expect:
Unique adaptation with expanded dance and music sequences.
Description:
A Christmas Carol at the Ohio Theatre is a reimagined production of the holiday classic, featuring expanded dance and music sequences, and more of your favorite Christmas carols. This original production is ideal for family audiences and deepens the traditional elements that have made the Dickens tale a holiday favorite for generations. Created with local and national talent, it brings the timeless story to life in a distinctive way.
Where: Columbus | More Info: A Christmas Carol at Ohio Theatre
Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
What to Expect:
High-energy rock opera with pyrotechnics and lasers.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings their all-new, dazzling spectacle to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse with pyrotechnics, lasers, and incredible storytelling, celebrating the 20th anniversary of "The Lost Christmas Eve" and featuring the band's greatest hits.
Where: Cleveland | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
A Motown Christmas at Lorain Palace Theatre
What to Expect:
Live performance of Motown hits and holiday classics by renowned vocalists.
Description:
A Motown Christmas at Lorain Palace Theatre features an all-star lineup of vocalists and musicians from legendary Motown outfits, delivering iconic hits and holiday classics with impeccable harmonies, flashy outfits, and dazzling choreography.
Where: Lorain | More Info: A Motown Christmas at Lorain Palace Theatre
Dave Koz and Friends at Connor Palace Theater
What to Expect:
Jazz-infused holiday concert with special guests.
Description:
Dave Koz and Friends celebrate the 27th anniversary of their longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour at Connor Palace. The event features fresh renditions of timeless Christmas classics, a Chanukah medley, and hits from each artist's respective catalogues. Special guests include saxophonist Vincent Ingala, guitarist Adam Hawley, and vocalist Rebecca Jade, reuniting with long-time musical partner Jonathan Butler.
Where: Cleveland | More Info: Dave Koz and Friends at Connor Palace Theater
Wizard of Winter at Lorain Palace Theatre
What to Expect:
A rock opera celebrating Christmas with a blend of rock, pop, and ballads.
Description:
The Wizards of Winter brings their musical intensity and stage theatrics to Lorain Palace Theatre with a fun-filled Christmas Holiday Rock Experience. This 11-member ensemble, featuring members who have performed with Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Def Leppard, and Broadway veterans, performs their Holiday Rock Opera titled "Christmas Dream." The show weaves a story based on their latest album "Christmas Dream" and their self-titled CD "Magic Winter," boasting soaring vocal harmonies, precision string instrumentation, powerful percussion, and stunning keyboard work.
Where: Lorain | More Info: Wizard of Winter at Lorain Palace Theatre
Holiday Pops from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
What to Expect:
Classical music and choral performances celebrating the holiday season.
Description:
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops at the Ohio Theatre, featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus and Columbus Children's Choir performing beloved holiday songs and carols.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Pops from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Collinwood Other Holiday Activities
Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional horse-drawn carriage parades with candlelight procession.
Description:
The Lebanon Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival is a traditional holiday event featuring two parades: a daylight parade at 1 PM and a candlelight parade at 7 PM. The festival includes gift and food vendors, Christmas carolers, Paso Fino Horse Demonstrations, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Lebanon | More Info: Horse Drawn Carriage Parade & Festival
Memories of Christmas Past Exhibit
What to Expect:
Historic holiday decor and artifacts in period rooms.
Description:
The Memories of Christmas Past exhibit at the Arms Family Museum in Youngstown, Ohio, features seven period rooms decorated with vintage Christmas artifacts, showcasing various ways Christmas is celebrated from European to Mid-Century Modern influences.
Where: Youngstown | More Info: Memories of Christmas Past Exhibit
Decorative Arts Center of Ohio Exhibit
What to Expect:
Contemporary fine crafts exhibition by Ohio Designer Craftsmen.
Description:
The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio features contemporary fine crafts from Ohio Designer Craftsmen's "Best of 2024" exhibition, showcasing clay, glass, metal, wood, fiber, and mixed media works by 22 Ohio artists.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Decorative Arts Center of Ohio Exhibit
Mighty Ice Rink at Mighty Children's Museum
What to Expect:
Free admission to the ice rink with special holiday events.
Description:
The Mighty Ice Rink at the Mighty Children's Museum offers free admission to the ice rink all season long, with special events including visits with Santa, holiday carolers, and more. Located in the Pump House parking lot of Yoctagee Park, this event is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the holiday season together.
Where: Chillicothe | More Info: Mighty Ice Rink at Mighty Children's Museum
A Taft Holiday Tradition
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with house-made sweets and seasonal tea.
Description:
The Taft Museum of Art offers a variety of holiday traditions, including delightful teas, unique holiday displays, and festive art activities. Enjoy house-made sweets and scones alongside seasonal tea selections while musicians perform holiday melodies in the background. The museum also hosts free Family Fundays with music, art-making, and gallery engagements.
Where: Cincinnati | More Info: A Taft Holiday Tradition
Christmas at the Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction
What to Expect:
World's largest indoor train display with holiday-themed attractions.
Description:
At EnterTRAINment Junction, create a holiday tradition with your family by visiting the World's Largest Indoor Train Display. Explore the Expo Center filled with amazing Christmas displays and special holiday trains. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with holiday scenes, reindeer, and snowmen throughout the display.
Where: West Chester | More Info: Christmas at the Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction
Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library
What to Expect:
Miniature train display with natural element buildings.
Description:
The Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library features miniature trains, tracks, tunnels, bridges, and replicas of historic German homes and castles, all crafted from natural elements like leaves, bark, pine cones, and moss. The display includes a 6-foot-tall cathedral, an 8-foot-tall castle, and a waterfall that pumps 600 gallons of water an hour.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library
Hayes Train Special at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library
What to Expect:
Interactive model train display with Victorian holiday scene.
Description:
The Hayes Train Special at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library features an intricate model train display winding through a Victorian holiday scene. Interactive buttons allow visitors to control various aspects of the trains' movements, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Hayes Train Special at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library
Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony & A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour
What to Expect:
Historic village setting with traditional holiday activities.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Historic Roscoe Village with a festive Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony and A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour. Enjoy holiday shopping, dining, and family-friendly activities like visits with Santa, strolling carolers, and complimentary hot-mulled cider and cookies. The ceremony features a 35-foot Christmas tree lighting, a special story, and beautiful music.
Where: Coshocton | More Info: Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony & A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour
Tannenbaum Trail
What to Expect:
Self-driving tour with complimentary wine tastings and ornaments.
Description:
Explore Northeast Ohio's Vines & Wines Trail over four weekends, visiting wineries for complimentary appetizers, wine samples, and ornaments for an 18-inch Christmas tree.
Where: Various | More Info: Tannenbaum Trail
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Cleveland Heights (3 miles)
- Glenville (3 miles)
- Euclid (3 miles)
- South Euclid (4 miles)
- Shaker Heights (6 miles)
- Cleveland (8 miles)
- Maple Heights (10 miles)
- Garfield Heights (10 miles)
- Willoughby (10 miles)
- Lakewood (13 miles)
- Parma (13 miles)
- Solon (13 miles)
- Mentor (14 miles)
- Rocky River (15 miles)
- Parma Heights (15 miles)
- North Royalton (19 miles)
- Westlake (19 miles)
- North Olmsted (21 miles)
- Strongsville (22 miles)
- Hudson (23 miles)
- Avon Lake (24 miles)
- Avon (25 miles)
- North Ridgeville (26 miles)
- Brunswick (26 miles)
- Stow (28 miles)
- Cuyahoga Falls (30 miles)
- Kent (30 miles)
- Elyria (31 miles)
- Lorain (33 miles)
- Medina (33 miles)
- Akron (33 miles)
- Barberton (38 miles)
- Wadsworth (38 miles)
- Green (43 miles)
- Warren (45 miles)