Holiday & Seasonal
Seasonal and holiday family fun
2026 Veterans Day Ceremony
Honor Veterans Day with meaningful perspectives on service at the National Veterans Memorial.
New Concord Veterans Day Program
Honor veterans with cake, music, and a speaker at the Glenn Museum, plus a free tour.
Santa's Mailbox
Kids mail letters to Santa at Bob Crane Community Center during this festive holiday tradition.
Grand Illumination
Easton Town Center transforms into a glittering holiday wonderland with lights, music, and family fun.
Family Night - Letters to Santa
Kids write and decorate letters to Santa at a festive community center gathering.
Spooky S’mores
Roast marshmallows and enjoy spooky fun outdoors at Glacier Ridge this fall.
Navratri & Diwali Celebration
Experience Hindu culture with music, dance, and traditions at this Navratri & Diwali celebration.
Holiday Kids Maker Market Event
Kids craft and create at a holiday maker market in Westerville.
Boo at the Zoo
A spooky members-only family celebration at Columbus Zoo with Halloween activities and fun.
Holiday Tree Lighting at The Joseph
Holiday tree lighting with Columbus Symphony musicians & Santa visit in the Short North.
Main Library Holiday Open House
Holiday open house with crafts, hot chocolate, live reindeer, and the Huntington Holiday Train launch.
Wildlights 2026
Millions of twinkling holiday lights transform the Columbus Zoo into a magical winter wonderland.
Holiday Hoopla
Festive sketch comedy and live music celebrating the holidays at Shadowbox Live.
Family Holiday Event
Seasonal holiday celebration at Columbus Zoo—festive decorations, activities, and animal encounters.
10th Annual Ohio Made Holiday Market | Columbus' Biggest Handmade Shopping Party
Columbus' biggest handmade holiday market at Hollywood Casino—unique gifts for everyone.
Family Event
Holiday fun at Columbus Zoo through January 3—perfect for the whole family.
Winter at the Zoo
Seasonal winter activities and holiday celebrations at Columbus Zoo through early January.
FREE Wanderlights
Free holiday light display with over half a million twinkling lights at Columbus Commons.
Holiday Wreath Workshop
Create a festive holiday wreath with live greenery—family craft fun with materials included.
WinterFest Columbus
Winter celebration along the Scioto Mile with holiday cheer and seasonal fun.
Holiday Lights Celebration
Outdoor holiday lights celebration—a festive community gathering.
Photos with Santa - OSU Santa
Buckeye-themed Santa photos at Easton Town Center—perfect for OSU-loving families.
Holiday Tree Lighting
Visit Santa, meet The Nutcracker, enjoy samples & treats at Littleton's Market's holiday tree lighting in Columbus.
Love Actually In Concert
Watch *Love Actually* on the big screen with a live orchestra at Palace Theatre.
Holiday Craft Fair
Shop handmade holiday crafts and seasonal décor at a festive indoor fair for gift-giving.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Free Screening
Free screening of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at McCoy Center for the Arts with holiday spirit and concessions.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Free Screening
Free screening of *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* at McCoy Community Center—bring the family & support local charity.
Day-Off Classic Cartoons
Classic cartoons on the big screen at Avalon Theatre—perfect for Thanksgiving break!
Thanksgiving Traditions
Experience living history and Thanksgiving traditions at Slate Run Farm.
Letters to Santa
Write and mail letters to Santa at Grove City Museum & Welcome Center.
Grove City Nutcracker Hunt
All-day Nutcracker-themed scavenger hunt around Town Center—perfect for holiday fun.
A Christmas Carol
Classic holiday tale performed live at the historic Ohio Theatre over Thanksgiving weekend.
Christmas Together with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and CeCe Winans
Holiday concert featuring Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith & CeCe Winans at Schottenstein Center.
Model Railroad Open House
Annual holiday model train exhibition with animated layouts and Thomas the Tank Engine.
Turkey Trek
A festive autumn walk or nature trek with a Thanksgiving theme at Blendon Woods.
A Christmas Carol
Classic holiday tale at Ohio Theatre—a festive theatrical tradition for families.
Holiday Market
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy free hot chocolate at a festive holiday market.
Not So Silent Night
A hilarious holiday show at Shadowbox Live where a DJ takes Christmas Eve requests with sketches and songs.
Sunday Funday: Holiday Open House
Downtown holiday celebration with carriage rides, live music, Santa photos & local shops.
Tree Illumination
Community holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Village Green.
Sensory-Friendly Snowflake Castle
Sensory-friendlySensory-friendly holiday castle perfect for kids and families with sensory sensitivities.
Swim with Santa
Holiday swim fun with Santa—a festive family water experience.
Snowflake Castle
Festive holiday castle in Westerville—a whimsical seasonal attraction for all ages.
Holiday Brass Columbus
Holiday brass concert brings festive seasonal music to First Community Church.
Holiday Cheer Tour
Guided holiday tour through Short North's festive lights, window displays & seasonal charm.
An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
Festive acoustic holiday concert with indie folk band Over the Rhine.
Holiday Pops with the Columbus Symphony
Festive symphony concert with lights and holiday music at Ohio Theatre.
Wonderment
CDT's family-friendly holiday musical inspired by The Snow Queen at Lincoln Theatre.
CCT's Mr. Scrooge
A lively 60-minute musical take on A Christmas Carol with ghosts, laughs, and festive spirit.
Yuletide on Gay Street
Winter street festival with ice sculptures, seasonal music, and festive cheer downtown.
Columbus Winterfair
Holiday gift shopping and festive vendor market at the Ohio Expo Center.
Tree Lighting
Community holiday celebration with tree lighting, music, and carousel rides.
Wander Nights at Wanderlights
Free festive weekends in December with carousel rides, hot chocolate, Santa photos, and holiday market.
Holiday Open House (FREE)
Free holiday pop-in with seasonal music, treats, and crafts at Thurber House.
Short North Holiday Hop
Pedestrian-only holiday celebration in Short North with interactive art, performances, and hands-on activities for families.
43rd Annual Hollyfest Arts & Crafts Show Presented by the Hilliard Area Chamber of Commerce
Browse handmade gifts and crafts at the 43rd annual Hollyfest Arts & Crafts Show near Columbus.
Uptown Scrooge: Abridged!
Interactive holiday comedy where the audience joins the action in this wild twist on A Christmas Carol.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's festive rock spectacular brings Christmas magic to life at Nationwide Arena.
Hanby House Holiday Open Houses
Tour the holiday-decorated Hanby House, home of "Up on the Housetop" composer Ben Hanby, during festive open houses.
Christmas in Zoar
Experience Christmas traditions at Historic Zoar Village with live music, wagon rides, and a tree lighting.
Merry Market at Bridge Park
Holiday market with local shopping, live music, and photos with Santa at Bridge Park.
Zoar Christmas Tours
Tour Historic Zoar Village during the Christmas season and learn about German and American holiday customs.
An 1815 Johnston Christmas
Step back to 1815 and celebrate Christmas as the Johnston family did—dinner, tour, and historic program included.
More events outside the Columbus area
1 event farther afield.