Everything you need for the holidays in Columbus is in our guide. Discover all the best festive events and activities. For Columbus old souls and fresh faces alike, our guide is your ticket to winter wonderland adventures.
Experience the dazzling display at the Columbus Zoo Wildlights, where millions of twinkling lights illuminate the zoo, creating a magical atmosphere for families. The Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony offers a delightful blend of festive music and joyful performances that capture the spirit of the season. And the Short North Holiday Hop is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring art, unique shopping experiences, and local festivities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Columbus
- Columbus Zoo Wildlights
- Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
- Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
- Short North Holiday Hop
- The Christmas Carol
- Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
- Cirque De Christmas
- Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival (Upper Arlington)
- Elf Trail in the Short North
- My First Nutcracker
See these and even more events listed below!
Columbus Holiday Light Displays
Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
What to Expect:
Enhanced evening experience with live music and festive activities.
Description:
On Fridays, Columbus Commons transforms into a vibrant gathering place with over 400,000 LED lights, free hot chocolate, carousel rides, live music, and roaming photo booths.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
Columbus Zoo Wildlights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium presents Wildlights, featuring millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, and various holiday festivities. Visitors can explore the zoo's attractions, including animal exhibits and holiday activities like the Smores Experience and craft beer tastings.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Columbus Zoo Wildlights
Sensory Friendly Lights Stroll at the Zoo
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly holiday light experience with reduced background sounds.
Description:
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium offers a Sensory-Friendly Light Stroll during Wildlights, providing a less stimulating holiday light experience with limited background sounds, smaller crowds, and access to sensory kits and a calming room.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Sensory Friendly Lights Stroll at the Zoo
Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and live entertainment in a lush biome setting.
Description:
Franklin Park Conservatory transforms into a vibrant holiday spectacle with dazzling light displays, live entertainment, and cozy festive igloos. Wander through mesmerizing vignettes, enjoy nostalgic 90s-themed parties, and explore the Ahlum & Arbor Arctic Terrace. Highlights include iconic ornament trees, the whimsical Whirly Tree, 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
Columbus Holiday Markets and Shopping
Elf Trail in the Short North
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activity with hidden elves.
Description:
The Elf Trail in the Short North is an interactive holiday activity where kids under 12 must find hidden elves in participating businesses to earn stickers. Completed trail cards can be presented for a free Northstar Hot Chocolate or Hot Apple Cider.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Elf Trail in the Short North
Short North Holiday Hop
What to Expect:
Pedestrian-only High Street with a diverse holiday market.
Description:
The Short North Holiday Hop transforms High Street into a vibrant pedestrian-only experience, featuring a High Street Holiday Market with dozens of street vendors, live music, and special business experiences. Visitors can shop local artisans, enjoy holiday fashion, and participate in various activities like tree sales and gift wrapping.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Short North Holiday Hop
Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Worthington Christian Village
What to Expect:
Unique handmade treasures by local artisans.
Description:
The Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Worthington Christian Village offers a variety of unique handmade crafts and gifts, including decorations, jewelry, and tasty treats. This event provides an excellent opportunity to support local artisans and businesses while finding special items for everyone on your list.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Worthington Christian Village
Gifts of the Craftsman Sale
What to Expect:
Showcase of unique, handcrafted gifts by nearly 200 artists.
Description:
The Gifts of the Craftsman Sale at the Ohio Craft Museum features unique, handcrafted gifts by nearly 200 artists, including jewelry, glassware, pottery, plush animals, and winter accessories.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Gifts of the Craftsman Sale
Clintonville Arts Guild Holiday Show
What to Expect:
Free admission and parking with a portion of proceeds going to the Whetstone Community Center.
Description:
The Clintonville Arts Guild Holiday Show features over 30 sales booths with individual member artists and a gallery offering selected work. The event includes paintings, jewelry, fiber arts, ceramics, and fused glass, making it an excellent opportunity to find unique holiday gifts and support local artists.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Clintonville Arts Guild Holiday Show
Columbus Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
What to Expect:
Seasonal music and choir performances.
Description:
The Columbus Symphony presents a holiday celebration at the Ohio Theatre, featuring the Columbus Symphony Chorus and Columbus Children's Choir, with special guests performing beloved holiday songs and carols.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
The Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Reimagined production with expanded dance and music sequences.
Description:
CAPA and Short North Stage present a reimagined production of A Christmas Carol at the Ohio Theatre, featuring local and national talent, expanded dance and music sequences, and special services like audio description and sign interpretation.
Where: Columbus | More Info: The Christmas Carol
My First Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly ballet performance for young children.
Description:
My First Nutcracker is a shortened, one-hour ballet performance designed for young audiences. It features kid-approved crafts, a calming area, comfortable seating, and friendly character introductions. The show is sensory-friendly with house lights dimmed and reduced noises, allowing children to move around and explore the lobby and hallways without distractions.
Where: Columbus | More Info: My First Nutcracker
Cirque De Christmas
What to Expect:
World-class acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists performing to a captivating musical score.
Description:
A variety show featuring world-class entertainers performing to favorite holiday music, with awe-inspiring performances and nostalgic charm for all ages.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Cirque De Christmas
Columbus Other Holiday Activities
Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Ice sculpting and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Description:
Join us for an evening of ice sculpting, horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, visits with Santa, and Upper Arlington's tree lighting ceremony at Mallway Park.
Where: Upper Arlington | More Info: Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
Christmas in the Village
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities in a historic downtown setting.
Description:
Christmas in the Village is a free annual storybook Christmas celebration in Canal Winchester's historic downtown, featuring tree lighting, visits with Santa, iceless skating, reindeer meet-and-greets, and various activities and crafts.
Where: Canal Winchester | More Info: Christmas in the Village
Zoo Year’s Eve
What to Expect:
Unique New Year's Eve countdown at noon.
Description:
Celebrate the New Year with a family-friendly countdown at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Meet Zoo Character Ambassadors, enjoy music and activities, and create your New Year's Re-Zoo-lution.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Zoo Year’s Eve
Huntington Holiday Train
What to Expect:
Interactive miniature train display with various features.
Description:
The Huntington Holiday Train is a beloved downtown holiday treasure that has delighted people of all ages since 1992. This impressive 600-square-foot display features multiple miniature trains running on over 280 feet of track, surrounded by trains, tracks, tunnels, bridges, and castles.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Huntington Holiday Train
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Upper Arlington (4 miles)
- Grove City (7 miles)
- Gahanna (7 miles)
- Hilliard (10 miles)
- Reynoldsburg (10 miles)
- Dublin (11 miles)
- Westerville (12 miles)
- Delaware (24 miles)
- Marysville (27 miles)
- Lancaster (27 miles)
- Newark (32 miles)
- Springfield (43 miles)
- Chillicothe (43 miles)
- Marion (44 miles)