Enjoy the festive spirit of Upper Arlington with our detailed event guide. Whether you're a familiar face or a new visitor, our guide ensures you experience the holiday spirit in Upper Arlington.
Popular Events: The Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival draws the community together, illuminating the season with twinkling lights and festive cheer. Featuring live entertainment and fun activities for families, this event showcases the charm of the holidays. Columbus Zoo Wildlights transforms the zoo into a dazzling winter wonderland, with millions of lights that create stunning displays throughout the grounds. And the Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful atmosphere with local vendors, holiday crafts, and seasonal entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Upper Arlington
- Columbus Zoo Wildlights (Columbus)
- Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
- Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory (Columbus)
- Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony (Columbus)
- Short North Holiday Hop (Columbus)
- Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons (Columbus)
- Cirque De Christmas (Columbus)
- Elf Trail in the Short North (Columbus)
- The Christmas Carol (Columbus)
- Dickens of a Christmas (Columbus)
See these and even more events listed below!
Upper Arlington Holiday Light Displays
Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
What to Expect:
Free hot chocolate and carousel rides under 400,000 LED lights.
Description:
On Fridays in December, Columbus Commons transforms into a vibrant holiday scene with free hot chocolate, carousel rides, and live music amidst over 400,000 LED lights.
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 Wildlights features millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, and various holiday festivities, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Columbus Zoo Wildlights
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 destination with dazzling light displays, live entertainment, and festive activities. Wander through mesmerizing light vignettes, enjoy nostalgic 90s-themed parties, and unwind in cozy igloos. The event features iconic ornament trees, the whimsical Whirly Tree, a life-size gingerbread house, and the enchanting Paul Busse Garden Railway.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Upper Arlington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Short North Holiday Hop
What to Expect:
Pedestrian-only High Street with diverse holiday activities and local shopping.
Description:
The Short North Holiday Hop transforms High Street into a vibrant holiday celebration with street vendors, live music, and festive activities. Enjoy the High Street Holiday Market, featuring local artisans and special business experiences. Highlights include holiday tree sales, free gift wrapping, and visits from Santa.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Short North Holiday Hop
Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Worthington Christian Village
What to Expect:
Unique handmade crafts and gifts.
Description:
The Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Worthington Christian Village offers a variety of unique handmade crafts and gifts, perfect for holiday shopping. Attendees can find decorations, jewelry, and tasty treats while supporting local artisans and businesses.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Craft & Gift Show at Worthington Christian Village
Gifts of the Craftsman Sale
What to Expect:
Unique gifts handcrafted by nearly 200 artists.
Description:
The Gifts of the Craftsmen Sale at the Ohio Craft Museum features unique, handcrafted gifts from nearly 200 artists across the country, including jewelry, glassware, pottery, plush animals, and winter accessories.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Gifts of the Craftsman Sale
Upper Arlington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
What to Expect:
Seasonal music celebration with a chorus and children's choir.
Description:
The Columbus Symphony 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 with the Columbus Symphony
Cirque De Christmas
What to Expect:
World-class acrobats and aerialists performing to holiday music.
Description:
A variety show featuring world-class entertainers performing to your favorite holiday music, with awe-inspiring performances that celebrate the holiday spirit for all ages.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Cirque De Christmas
Dickens of a Christmas
What to Expect:
19th-century holiday celebration with Victorian-era activities.
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 various vendors and crafts spread around Ohio Village.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Dickens of a Christmas
Elf In Concert
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of John Debney's score.
Description:
Relive the heartwarming holiday classic "Elf" on a giant screen as the Columbus Symphony performs John Debney's wonderful score live. Buddy's journey from the North Pole to New York City is a tale of self-discovery and family.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Elf In Concert
COSI After Dark: Wizard School- Yule Ball
What to Expect:
Wizard-themed activities and treats in a festive atmosphere.
Description:
Join COSI After Dark for the Wizard School Yule Ball, where you can dance to spellbinding music, enjoy themed activities, and savor wizard-inspired treats. This event features a variety of activities including Tarot Card Readings, Caricature Artist, Live DJ, Live Rat Quidditch, and Wizarding World VR Experience.
Where: Columbus | More Info: COSI After Dark: Wizard School- Yule Ball
The Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local and national talent in a refreshed holiday classic.
Description:
CAPA and Short North Stage present a reimagined production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Ohio Theatre, featuring expanded dance and music sequences, ideal for family audiences.
Where: Columbus | More Info: The Christmas Carol
Upper Arlington Other Holiday Activities
Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday activities and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Join us for an evening of ice sculpting, horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, visits with Santa, and Upper Arlington's tree lighting ceremony. The event is held rain or shine, with some activities subject to weather conditions.
Where: Upper Arlington | More Info: Upper Arlington Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
Elf Trail in the Short North
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activity for kids with hidden elves.
Description:
In the Short North, kids under 12 can find hidden elves in participating businesses to earn stickers. Completing the trail earns a free hot beverage at Northstar Cafe or Roaming Goat Coffee.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Elf Trail in the Short North
Christmas in the Village
What to Expect:
Unique blend of community activities and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Christmas in the Village is a free annual celebration in Canal Winchester's historic downtown, featuring activities inside businesses and on sidewalks and streets. Highlights include tree lighting, iceless skating, visits with Santa, and various holiday crafts and food.
Where: Canal Winchester | More Info: Christmas in the Village
Zoo Year’s Eve
What to Expect:
Family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration with a noon countdown.
Description:
Celebrate the New Year with your family at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Zoo Year’s Eve, featuring character meet-and-greets, music, games, and a unique noon countdown.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Zoo Year’s Eve
Holiday Trolley Hop
What to Expect:
Holiday trolley tour through historic downtown Columbus.
Description:
Explore Downtown Columbus during the holiday season with the Downtown Holiday Trolley Hop, visiting various shops, museums, and festive attractions.
Where: Columbus | More Info: Holiday Trolley Hop
Downtown Lancaster Winterfest
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities with Santa and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Description:
Downtown Lancaster Winterfest is a holiday celebration featuring free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, family activities, a scavenger hunt, and holiday music.
Where: Lancaster | More Info: Downtown Lancaster Winterfest
Rudolph Run 5k
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed 5K run with Santa appearances and family activities.
Description:
The Westerville Lions Rudolph 5K Run/Walk and Holiday Fest is a family-friendly event featuring a new course at the Westerville Sports Complex. Participants can enjoy special appearances by Santa, delicious food trucks, and engaging activities for families and spectators. The event supports local organizations in the Westerville area.
Where: Westerville | More Info: Rudolph Run 5k
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Columbus (4 miles)
- Hilliard (6 miles)
- Dublin (8 miles)
- Grove City (8 miles)
- Gahanna (10 miles)
- Westerville (12 miles)
- Reynoldsburg (14 miles)
- Delaware (21 miles)
- Marysville (23 miles)
- Lancaster (31 miles)
- Newark (35 miles)
- Springfield (40 miles)
- Marion (41 miles)