Create your holiday itinerary in Columbus! Our guide features all the best festive events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face in Columbus or seeing it fresh, our guide is your key to holiday cheer.
One highlight of the season is the enchanting Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo, where millions of lights illuminate the surroundings, creating a magical atmosphere for families. Another notable attraction is the Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory, showcasing stunning plant displays adorned with colorful lights that enhance the beauty of nature during winter. And the Short North Holiday Hop is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a lively evening of shopping, dining, and local entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Columbus
- Wildlights at Columbus Zoo (Powell)
- Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
- Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
- Columbus Winterfair
- Short North Holiday Hop
- Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival (Upper Arlington)
- Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
- Winterfest Columbus
- Ohio-Made Market
- A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park (Dayton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Columbus Holiday Light Displays
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo features millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, and various holiday festivities, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere.
Where: Powell | More Info: Wildlights at Columbus Zoo
Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and live entertainment in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Step into a holiday celebration at Franklin Park Conservatory, where 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 Ahlum & Arbor Arctic Terrace. Enjoy iconic ornament trees, the whimsical Whirly Tree by Tork Inc., a life-size gingerbread house, and the enchanting Paul Busse Garden Railway with its magical train display.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with live music and free hot chocolate.
Description:
At Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons, stroll through the park and enjoy over 400,000 LED lights, free hot chocolate, and carousel rides while local bands play nearby.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
Segway Holiday Lights Tour
What to Expect:
Holiday lights tour on Segways through downtown Columbus.
Description:
Glide through downtown Columbus on a Segway while listening to holiday music and viewing the city's festive lights along the Scioto Mile, Arena District, and Columbus Commons.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Segway Holiday Lights Tour
A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with extensive light displays and historical activities.
Description:
Carillon Historical Park transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with thousands of lights, live music, and festive activities. Visit Santa, enjoy historic crafts, and explore the park's 65-acre campus filled with holiday cheer.
Where: Dayton | More Info: A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park
Christmas Corner
What to Expect:
Historic life-sized Nativity display and festive lighting.
Description:
State Auto's Christmas Corner is a historic holiday tradition featuring a life-sized Nativity display and festive lighting at 518 E. Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Christmas Corner
Columbus Holiday Markets and Shopping
Short North Holiday Hop
What to Expect:
Pedestrian-only winter celebration with a High Street Holiday Market.
Description:
The Short North Holiday Hop transforms High Street into a vibrant pedestrian-only winter celebration, featuring a High Street Holiday Market with dozens of creative vendors, live music, hot chocolate, and special business experiences. The event offers an immersive atmosphere with tree sales, gift wrapping, and festive activities.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Short North Holiday Hop
Columbus Winterfair
What to Expect:
Unique handcrafted items and gourmet market offerings.
Description:
Columbus Winterfair is an arts fair featuring unique handcrafted items by 375 artists, including jewelry, glass, paintings, photographs, and ceramics. The event also includes a Gourmet Marketplace with finely crafted soaps, lotions, chocolates, and dips.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Columbus Winterfair
Ohio-Made Market
What to Expect:
Exclusive shopping experience with early access to exceptional local products.
Description:
The Ohio Made Holiday Market at Hollywood Casino Columbus features over 80 local makers offering unique, handmade products in a festive and electrifying atmosphere.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Ohio-Made Market
Columbus Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
What to Expect:
Seasonal music celebration with heavenly voices.
Description:
The Columbus Symphony presents Holiday Pops, a festive concert featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus and Columbus Children's Choir performing beloved holiday songs and carols at the Ohio Theatre.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
Memories of Christmas Past Exhibit at Arms Family Museum
What to Expect:
Annual exhibit featuring all-new holiday displays.
Description:
The Memories of Christmas Past exhibit at the Arms Family Museum showcases a collection of holiday artifacts and traditions, offering a glimpse into the past with each new display.
Where: Youngstown | More Info: Memories of Christmas Past Exhibit at Arms Family Museum
Columbus Other Holiday Activities
Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Ice sculpting demonstrations and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Description:
Join us for an evening of ice sculpting, horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, visits with Santa, and UA's tree lighting ceremony at Mallway Park. The event is held rain or shine, with some activities subject to change based on weather conditions.
Where: Upper Arlington | More Info: Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
Winterfest Columbus
What to Expect:
Family-friendly event with mechanical reindeer, giant snowglobe photo opportunity, and cornhole.
Description:
WinterFest Columbus is a free annual event in downtown Columbus featuring local seasonal craft beer, live music, and some of Columbus' best food trucks, offering a variety of outdoor winter activities for all ages.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Winterfest Columbus
COSI
What to Expect:
Themed adult-only events with unique activities and experiences.
Description:
COSI After Dark is an evening event series exclusively for adults ages 21+, featuring different themes each month. It includes entertainment, activities, games, and experiences that cannot be found at any other visit to COSI. Guests can explore the building, enjoy delicious food, craft beer, and themed cocktails while experiencing COSI without kids.
Where: Columbus | More Info: COSI
Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library
What to Expect:
Miniature train display with natural materials and historic replicas.
Description:
The Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library features miniature trains, tracks, tunnels, bridges, and replicas of historic German homes and castles. The display includes over 280 feet of track, 50 pounds of artificial snow, and natural materials like leaves, bark, pine cones, and moss. It is a family-friendly attraction that has delighted visitors of all ages since 1992.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library
Christmas at the Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with extensive train displays and interactive attractions.
Description:
At Christmas at the Junction, families can explore the World's Largest Indoor Train Display, visit the Expo Center for amazing Christmas displays and special holiday trains, and enjoy a festive atmosphere with seasonal decorations and attractions like the Reindeer stables and Elf Workshop.
Where: West Chester | More Info: Christmas at the Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction
Homemade, Handmade & Artist-Made Christmas
What to Expect:
Unique, handmade ceramics created by visitors.
Description:
Art & Clay on Main offers a variety of handmade and artist-made ceramics, including holiday-themed pieces. Visitors can select from a wide range of ever-evolving stock, paint their chosen ceramics, and enjoy the process of creating unique, personalized art. The studio also features a coffee shop with locally roasted coffee and a traditional European barista menu.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Homemade, Handmade & Artist-Made Christmas
Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony & A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour
What to Expect:
Historic village setting with candlelighting ceremony and lantern tour.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Historic Roscoe Village with a Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony and A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour. Enjoy strolling carolers, complimentary hot-mulled cider and cookies, and a festive atmosphere. Explore the village's historic homes and shops, and participate in guided living history tours to learn about different ethnic holiday traditions.
Where: Coshocton | More Info: Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony & A Roscoe Christmas Lantern Tour
Hayes Train Special at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums
What to Expect:
Interactive model train display through a detailed Victorian holiday scene.
Description:
The Hayes Train Special at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums features an intricate Victorian holiday scene with interactive buttons allowing visitors to control model trains.
Where: Fremont | More Info: Hayes Train Special at Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums
Holiday Open House at Fort Meigs
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with historical activities and decorations.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Fort Meigs with festive music, refreshments, and hands-on activities. See the fort decorated for the holidays and experience winter festivities in early America. Enjoy unique holiday gifts from the museum store and participate in activities like bonfires, storytellers, historic games, toy soldier painting, and more.
Where: Perrysburg | More Info: Holiday Open House at Fort Meigs
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Franklin (21 miles)
- Greenwood (30 miles)
- Greenfield (41 miles)
- Indianapolis (41 miles)
- Plainfield (43 miles)
- Lawrence (44 miles)