Looking for things to do in Columbus, Ohio the week of Thanksgiving? If you have family in town and/or a few days off of work and are looking for something to do, check out this list of 70 events and things to do during Thanksgiving week in Columbus!
If there’s a chance you’ll need to walk (or skate) off an extra piece of pie (or two) or get bickering family members out of the house….tuck this list away! And have a happy week of thankfulness! (As always, please double-check the link for exact details, dates and times!)
There will not be an additional list of events for the weekend of November 29-Dec 1! This is the list!
Things to Do Any Time Thanksgiving Week and Weekend in and Near Columbus, Ohio:
1. Conservatory Aglow is happening at Franklin Park Conservatory! This is a special engagement event and reserving tickets is highly recommended.
2. Wildlights is in full swing all weekend at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! Tickets can be purchased in advance.
3. Visit LEGOLAND Columbus Discovery Center at Easton Town Center. LEGOLAND will be open every day this week except Thanksgiving Day!
4. Drive through Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, a holiday light display at Alum Creek Park Campground any night through January 1, 2025.
5. Drive through WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio at Hartford Fairgrounds to see over 1 million synchronized LED lights! Open every night from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Reservations are strongly encouraged.
6. Christmas at the Castle, a Kingdom of Lights! at Landoll’s Mohican Castle features over 150,000 lights, a Christmas tree, holiday music and visits from Santa! This event will be $10.00 per car on Friday & Saturday nights, free Sunday-Thursday nights. This event begins on Friday, November 29, 2024. Advance tickets are available.
7. Take a road trip to visit the PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Included with general admission.
8. For many people this is the week to get their Christmas Tree! Pick a farm or tree lot from this list of Christmas Tree Farms in Columbus and Beyond!
9. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can take a Holiday Carriage Ride at Easton Town Center!
10. Clifton Mill Lights opens the day after Thanksgiving! Gates open at 5:00 every night and the display runs through December 30, 2024! (Tip: take cash to get through the gate quicker and avoid a convenience fee.)
11. Take Photos With Santa At Polaris Fashion Place. See link for times and reservations. Walk up visits are available, too!
12. Dazzling Christmas Lights in Westerville begin on November 24!
13. Take a trip to Cleveland for the Wild Winter Lights Drive Through in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
14. Visit the Lucy Depp Park Light Show in Powell beginning Black Friday!
15. Visit the Wanderlights at Columbus Commons! They will be lit from November 22 – February 16
5 – 10 pm, daily.
16. After you visit Columbus Commons, continue the Wanderlights trail on Town Street and the Scioto Mile!
17. See the Holiday Lights at Creekside Gahanna enjoying over 300,000 lights!
18. Visit the Huntington Holiday Train Display In Downtown Main Columbus Metropolitan Library. November 18, 2024 – January 18, 2025 visit the main library in downtown Columbus to see the Huntington Holiday Train Display. This is a must see for all train lovers during the holiday season!
19. Enjoy The Santa Experience At Easton Town Center. Take a photo with your own camera or purchase one on the spot. See link for tickets times and pricing of event. Reservations are encouraged.
20. Kids can write a Letter to Santa through December 16 at the Grandview Public Library. Drop your letter in the library’s special mailbox or at the mailbox at Grandview Heights Parks & Recreation.
21. Visit Season of Celebrations at COSI. The museum will be transformed into a winter wonderland from November 23, 2024 – January 5, 2025. There will 50 community-focused trees decorated by local organizations, special programming and food options and much more!
22. Visit Think Outside the Brick at Columbus Museum of Art, the annual LEGO display at the Columbus Museum of Art by Ohio LEGO Users’s Group. There will be a museum-wide scavenger hunt, a LEGO brick-building zone and more! This exhibit is included in admission. Don’t forget Sundays are free!
23. Walk through Holly Jolly Lights at The McCoy Cabin, an outdoor lights display, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM through December 24. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available for purchase. This is the last weekend for discounted tickets ($5/person). After that, it will be $7/person. Or you can purchase a season pass for $7/person. Tickets are available online.
24. Attend the Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Open House on Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM to see a model train layout and kids can run a Thomas Train!
25. Make ART with HEART! Holiday Crafts with Seeds of Caring. Start your season of giving with a fun and creative kids’ service opportunity from Seeds of Caring! This free, do-anywhere activity starts with an age-appropriate discussion guide to help children ages 2-12 learn about intergenerational relationships. Then kind kids will spread smiles by making holiday crafts and cards for seniors living in National Church Residences all around Ohio. Participate any time through December 8!
26. During Pay Your Age Bulk Week at Bricks and Minifigs Powell, You will pay your age for a small bulk bag (original value $25)! Kids age 5 and under pay only $5. Age 6 and up (and yes, this includes adults) will pay their age with a max of $17!
Columbus Area Events on Monday, November 25, 2024:
27. Go on a Toddler Turkey Trot at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
28. Learn about Fossils at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
29. Enjoy Half-Price Skate at United Skates of America
Columbus Area Events on Tuesday, November 26, 2024:
30. Pick up a dog for a Thanksgiving Holiday Sleepover! at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and offer them a home through the holiday! This is a first come, first served opportunity! Walk-ins only!
31. Go for a bike ride around Glacier Ride Metro Park at their Wheel Before the Big Meal event.
32. Attend a free screening of A Christmas Story at Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts and watch the movie A Christmas Story at the McCoy Center! This is a free event on Tuesday at 7:00 PM but it is requested that you bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation for the Thanks For Giving 4 Miler.
Columbus Area Events on Wednesday, November 27, 2024:
33. Attend Thanksgiving Groovin Eve at Skate Zone 71.
34. Enjoy a Sweet Treats Family Story Time at Main Library.
35. Go on a slow paced hike at Tots on Trails at Blacklick Woods Metro Park. (While you’re there, climb up to the canopy walk!)
36. Learn the Ropes of rock climbing at Scioto Audubon Metro Park. Equipment and instruction are provided. Open to all ages.
37. Get your Christmas Tree at the Saint Mary School Annual Christmas Tree Sale beginning Wednesday until they sell out! They will be closed on Thanksgiving but open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
38. Enjoy building with LEGO at Standardized Brewing at the LEGO Free Build hosted by Bricks and Minifigs Powell.
Columbus Area Events on Thursday, November 28, 2024, THANKSGIVING DAY:
Happy Thanksgiving!
39. Run the Chase Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot!
40. Participate in the Free Family Turkey Trot hosted by Davidson Rd. Primary Care in Hilliard.
41. Experience opening night at the Festival of Lights at Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
42. Enjoy a Thanksgiving Skate at Skate Zone 71 with arcade games, cafe specials, laser tag and more from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
43. Take a break from the kids with a Adult Night Skate at Skate Zone 71 from 9:00 PM to 12:00 AM!
Columbus Area Events on Friday, November 29, 2024, BLACK FRIDAY:
Black Friday doesn’t have to mean shopping! Check out shopping ideas plus these other fun things to do!
44. Enjoy Indoor Amusements at the farmhouse at Slate Run Farm.
45. Go on one of these Opt Outside Hikes at Columbus Metro Parks
46. Shop Black Friday – Record Store Day at Lost Weekend Records
47. Attend Holiday Homecoming Storybook Village at The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology on Friday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Enjoy a gingerbread extravaganza! There will be crafts, activities, gingerbread decorating and more! You can also check out their Annual Glass Sale when you visit!
48. Take a trip to the Dayton Holiday Festival Grand Illumination & Parade. Starting at 3:00 PM visit Downtown Dayton for their annual holiday festival, grand illumination and parade! So much fun for everyone at this family friendly event! Everything from tree lighting, parade, live entertainment, gingerbread house contest, horse drawn wagon rides, kids holiday village and more!
49. Attend the Holiday Horse Parade In Monument Square District Urbana. This event starts at 4:00 PM and includes a tree lighting, carriage rides, lighted horse parade, food trucks and more!
50. Attend Holiday In The City:Grand Illumination In Downtown Springfield. At 5:00 pm visit Downtown Springfield for Holiday In The City: Grand Illumination. Santa will be there to light up the city, live music, ice skating and more!
51. Shop the Holiday Bazaar at Canal Market District in downtown Newark, Ohio on Friday from 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM. Afterwards you can attend the Licking County Courthouse lighting!
52. Watch A Christmas Carol performed live at Ohio Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Performances are at 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and at 2:00 PM on Sunday.
53. Shop BLACK FRIDAY Record Store Day at Used Kids Records.
54. Attend the Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Open House on Friday, Saturday or Sunday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM to see a model train layout and kids can run a Thomas Train!
Columbus Area Events on Saturday, November 30, 2024:
55. Participate in the Columbus Hungry Turkey Trot on Saturday for a 5K, 10K, 1/3 marathon and kids dash to benefit the Delaware County Humane Society.
56. Attend the Christmas Open House at Hoover Gardens & Gift Center which takes place on Saturday and Sunday and includes visits from the Grinch, ornament painting, cookies, hot chocolate and Christmas Tree sales!
57. Register in advance to help feed the animals and do Morning Chores at Slate Run Farm!
58. Enjoy Indoor Amusements at Slate Run Farm.
59. Go on a 4-mile Gobble Hobble at the Battelle Darby Creek Cedar Ridge Area.
60. Go on a 2-mile Turkey Trek to look for turkeys at Blendon Woods Metro Park.
61. At Turtle Time you can meet and learn about turtles at Blacklick Woods.
62. Attend the Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art to explore Fantastic Fabrics! Drop in between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Sensory hour is from 10:00–11:00 AM. Open Studio is included in admission.
63. Watch A Christmas Carol performed live at Ohio Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Performances are at 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and at 2:00 PM on Sunday.
64. At Santa’s Workshop at Columbus Children’s Theatre you can participate in an interactive adventure that includes a hands-on journey through Santa’s Workshop, crafts and activities, live music, treats and more!
65. Kids can Make and Take two gifts at Dutch Mill Greenhouse.
66. Shop Uptown Marysville and pick up a Passport at the corner of 5th and Main for a chance to win prizes! Families can create their own ornament, too.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Columbus Area Events on Sunday, December 1, 2024:
67. Watch A Christmas Carol performed live at Ohio Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Performances are at 7:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and at 2:00 PM on Sunday.
68. Attend the Christmas Open House at Hoover Gardens & Gift Center which takes place on Saturday and Sunday and includes visits from the Grinch, ornament painting, cookies, hot chocolate and Christmas Tree sales!
69. Attend the Old Worthington Holiday Open House from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This event includes horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, live music and photos with Santa! There will be special promotions and sidewalk sales at the local businesses. Stick around for the Worthington Tree Illumination that takes place at 5:30 pm.
70. Skate with Olaf on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM at United Skates of America.
71. Franklin County residents get in free during Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory.
72. Get pics with Santa at the Holiday Wonderland Market at Understory.
Need more ideas? Try 100 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio
Plan your holiday fun! Browse these blog posts for the best family-friendly holiday events in Columbus!
- 7 of the Most Festive Things You Can Do in Columbus This Holiday Season
- 10 of Our Favorite Columbus Christmas Traditions
- 16 Drive Through Christmas Lights Displays Near Columbus, Ohio
- 5 Best Membership Gifts for Columbus Kids
- Christmas Tree Farms in Columbus and Beyond
- 5 Holiday Trains in Columbus, Ohio
- 25 Things to do in Columbus in December
- 14 Free Holiday Attractions in Columbus, Ohio
*Please be aware, information is gathered from multiple community sources. Times, dates and locations are subject to change. There may be a fee to participate in a featured activity. Please call ahead or check links to confirm activities. Enjoy what you do today!*
Kim
Tuesday 21st of November 2017
So many fun things! Makes me wish we weren't out of town this week!
Shannon
Tuesday 21st of November 2017
Holy cow! You’ve been busy. This is the most impressive list!
Mary from Mission to Save
Monday 20th of November 2017
WOW, wow, wow! What a list! And some things I have never heard of before, so thank you!!
Lindsay
Monday 20th of November 2017
Wow!! This is perfect. We have lots of free time this weekend.
Malini
Monday 20th of November 2017
What an amazing list, Julie!!!!!!! I can't remember what I did before you started providing us these awesome round up lists!