Your ultimate holiday resource for Gahanna is here! Explore our guide for all the top festive events and activities. Whether Gahanna is your everyday reality or your dream destination, this guide brings festive fantasies to life.
One highlight of the holiday season is the Wildlights at Columbus Zoo, where dazzling light displays illuminate the grounds, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Nearby, the Holiday Trolley Hop offers a charming way to traverse local attractions, complete with seasonal decorations and an inviting ambiance. And the beloved Dickens of a Christmas brings the Victorian era to life with costumed performers and festive markets that capture the spirit of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Gahanna
- Wildlights at Columbus Zoo (Powell)
- Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory (Columbus)
- Castle Noel (Medina)
- Dickens of a Christmas (Columbus)
- Holiday Trolley Hop (Columbus)
- Elf In Concert (Columbus)
- Hip Hop Nutcracker (Columbus)
- Ballet Western Reserve presents The Nutcracker (Youngstown)
- Joy of Christmas Holiday Light Show (Columbiana)
- Downtown Lancaster Winterfest (Lancaster)
See these and even more events listed below!
Gahanna Holiday Light Displays
Joy of Christmas Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light show with Santa's Ice Castle and gingerbread house displays.
Description:
The Joy of Christmas Light Show in Columbiana features sparkling displays, Santa's Ice Castle, and gingerbread house displays. Enjoy hot chocolate, popcorn, and other treats while taking photos with Santa. Special events include Hay Ride, Petting Zoo, and Senior Night.
Where: Columbiana | More Info: Joy of Christmas Holiday Light Show
Medina County Fairgrounds Holiday Light Display
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light display with festive decorations and holiday-themed scenes.
Description:
The Medina County Fairgrounds presents a spectacular drive-through holiday light display featuring vibrant and intricate light displays, festive decorations, and a variety of holiday-themed scenes. The event is open from November 29 to December 29, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where: Medina | More Info: Medina County Fairgrounds Holiday Light Display
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 experience.
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
Gahanna Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Celebration at North Market Downtown
What to Expect:
Holiday tunes and face painting with Santa.
Description:
Join North Market Downtown for a festive holiday celebration featuring DJ Raymond T Vinyl, free face painting, and special deals from local merchants like American Nut Company, Black Radish Creamery, and Bubbles Tea & Juice Company.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Celebration at North Market Downtown
Christmas in the Valley
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday market with diverse vendor offerings.
Description:
Christmas in the Valley is a community celebration featuring a holiday market where vendors showcase unique products, a festive singalong, and a holiday-themed 5K race. The event includes various sponsorship levels and activities for all ages.
Where: Valley City | More Info: Christmas in the Valley
Gahanna Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Downtown Lancaster Winterfest
What to Expect:
Free horse-drawn carriage rides and visits with Santa.
Description:
Downtown Lancaster Winterfest features free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, family activities, a scavenger hunt, and holiday music.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Downtown Lancaster Winterfest
Letters to Santa at The Ohio Railway Museum
What to Expect:
Special guest delivers letters to Santa in festive attire.
Description:
At The Ohio Railway Museum, children can thoughtfully craft their Christmas lists during a special event where creativity and holiday cheer abound. A special guest, dressed in festive attire, ensures these precious letters are delivered directly to Santa, adding an extra touch of magic to the experience.
Where: Worthington | More Info: Letters to Santa at The Ohio Railway Museum
Hip Hop Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Contemporary dance spectacle blending hip-hop and Tchaikovsky's music.
Description:
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance spectacle that reimagines the classic ballet with hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky's timeless music. Directed by Jennifer Weber, this event features a powerhouse cast of dancers, a DJ, a violinist, and MC Kurtis Blow. It tells the story of Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they battle mice and visit the land of sweets, celebrating love, community, and the holiday season with innovative digital graffiti and visuals.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Hip Hop Nutcracker
Dickens of a Christmas
What to Expect:
Victorian-era holiday traditions and character interactions.
Description:
Dickens of a Christmas at the Ohio History Connection transports visitors back to a 19th-century holiday celebration with Victorian-era crafts, decorations, caroling, cooking demonstrations, and character interactions. Meet Santa Claus and other characters while exploring vendors and crafts around town.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Dickens of a Christmas
Elf In Concert
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of John Debney's score to the holiday classic "Elf."
Description:
Relive the heartwarming holiday classic "Elf" as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra performs John Debney's score live to picture on a giant screen. Buddy's journey from the North Pole to New York City is brought to life in this festive concert event.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Elf In Concert
The Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Unique retelling of Dickens' classic with expanded dance and music sequences.
Description:
CAPA in collaboration with Short North Stage brings to life the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, on the Ohio Theatre stage. This original production features expanded dance and music sequences, deepening the traditional elements that have made the Dickens tale a holiday favorite for generations. Created from the ground up right here in Columbus, the show is ideal for family audiences and features local and national talent.
Where: Columbus | More Info: The Christmas Carol
Ballet Western Reserve presents The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with live orchestra.
Description:
Ballet Western Reserve presents The Nutcracker, a timeless holiday classic featuring Clara, Toy Soldiers, the Mouse Queen, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, accompanied by the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and the famous Tchaikovsky score.
Where: Youngstown | More Info: Ballet Western Reserve presents The Nutcracker
Gahanna Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Trolley Hop
What to Expect:
Free trolley rides to multiple downtown locations with diverse holiday activities.
Description:
The Downtown Holiday Trolley Hop in Columbus offers free trolley rides to various merchants and cultural institutions, featuring live music, children's crafts, steaming hot chocolate, and scrumptious treats. This event promises an array of attractions, including an indoor holiday market and appearances by beloved holiday characters.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Trolley Hop
COSI After Dark
What to Expect:
Adults-only event with themed activities and craft beer.
Description:
COSI After Dark is an evening event series exclusively for adults ages 21+, featuring different themes each month. Enjoy entertainment, activities, games, and unique experiences at COSI without kids, all while savoring delicious food and craft beer.
Where: Columbus | More Info: COSI After Dark
Elf Trail in the Short North
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday trail for kids with hidden elves.
Description:
In the Short North Arts District, kids under 12 can embark on the Elf Trail, finding hidden elves in participating businesses to earn stickers. This activity culminates in a free hot beverage at participating shops.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Elf Trail in the Short North
Memories of Christmas Past
What to Expect:
Vintage Christmas decorations in period rooms.
Description:
The Mahoning Valley Historical Society's 16th Memories of Christmas Past exhibit at the Arms Family Museum features seven period rooms decorated with vintage Christmas artifacts, showcasing the holiday traditions of the past.
Where: Youngstown | More Info: Memories of Christmas Past
Castle Noel
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday exhibits with extensive movie props and costumes.
Description:
Castle Noel in Medina, Ohio, is a year-round Christmas attraction featuring an extensive collection of Hollywood Christmas movie props and costumes, including iconic displays from New York City department stores. The attraction also includes interactive experiences like Santa's Chimney Squeeze and the Santa Slide, as well as a Disney Room with Snow White windows and Elsa and Anna costumes.
Where: Medina | More Info: Castle Noel
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Reynoldsburg (6 miles)
- Columbus (7 miles)
- Westerville (8 miles)
- Upper Arlington (10 miles)
- Dublin (14 miles)
- Grove City (15 miles)
- Hilliard (15 miles)
- Delaware (22 miles)
- Newark (25 miles)
- Lancaster (26 miles)
- Marysville (30 miles)
- Marion (41 miles)