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 68 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 28-Dec 30! 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 4, 2026.
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 28, 2025. 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. Watch the Town Square Tree Show at Easton Town Center, which features special tree light shows every five minutes from 5-11PM daily.
10. Clifton Mill Lights opens the day after Thanksgiving! Gates open at 5:00 every night and the display runs through December 30, 2025! (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 28!
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 in downtown Columbus! They will be lit from November 21 – February 15
5 – 10 pm, daily.
16. See the Holiday Lights at Creekside Gahanna enjoying over 300,000 lights!
17. Visit the Huntington Holiday Train Display In the Downtown Main Columbus Metropolitan Library. November 28, 2025 – January 8, 2026 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!
18. Enjoy Take Photos with Santa 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 the event. Reservations recommended.
19. Kids can write a Letter to Santa through December 18 at the Grandview Public Library. Drop your letter in the library’s special mailbox or at the mailbox at Grandview Heights Parks & Recreation.
20. Visit Season of Celebrations at COSI. The museum will be transformed into a winter wonderland from November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026. There will 50 community-focused trees decorated by local organizations, special programming and food options and much more! (In 2025, this exhibit has moved to the 2nd floor.)
21. Walk through the Winter Wonderland Maze during business hours at Hoover Gardens and Gift Center. $3/person.
22. 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. Tickets are $7/person and kids 3 and under are free.
23. 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.
24. During Pay Your Age Bulk Week at Bricks and Minifigs Powell and Bricks and Minifigs Westerville, You will pay your age bulk LEGO bricks! Here are the details: for a small bulk bag = pay your age, max of $17, medium bulk bag = double your age, max of 17X2 ($34), Large bulk bag = triple your age, max of 17X3 ($51). Kids 5 and under pay $5 for small, $10 for medium and $15 for large! Limit one per customer per day, November 23 – 30, 2025.
25. Help bring holiday cheer to seniors! In this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, children ages 2 to 12 will make holiday cards and crafts for seniors supported by Besa’s WISH holiday drive. This project is ongoing: Families and groups can participate any time through Dec. 7.
Columbus Area Events on Monday, November 24, 2025:
26. Make your own sundial! Adventure 101: DIY Sundial at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
27. Enjoy Thanksgiving Happy Hour Skate at United Skates of America
28. Attend a Pajama Story Time at Old Worthington Library.
Columbus Area Events on Tuesday, November 25, 2025:
29. Enjoy Thanksgiving Happy Hour Skate at United Skates of America.
30. Attend the Sweet as Pie Toddler Storytime at Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Library.
31. Go for a bike ride at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park during their Wheel Before the Big Meal event.
32. Enjoy a Fall Fun Puppet Show at the Whetstone Library.
33. 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!
34. Attend a free screening of The Polar Express at Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts! This is a free event and no ticket is required 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.
35. Attend a Pajama Storytime at Northwest Library.
Columbus Area Events on Wednesday, November 26, 2025:
36. Enjoy Thanksgiving Happy Hour Skate at United Skates of America
37. Go on a Turkey Scavenger Hunt at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
38. 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!)
39. Attend the Stranger Things Public Skate at Skate Zone 71.
40. Go on an Owl Prowl at Blendon Woods Metro Park.
41. Another opportunity for the Sweet As Pie Storytime at Main Library!
42. Drop in for Fall Crafts and Games at Westerville Public Library.
43. Take a free tour of Anthony Thomas Candy Company from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM. No appointment needed.
44. Watch Fantastic Mr. Fox at The Wex. At 2:30 p.m., the Wexner Center for the Arts will host a special screening of Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, the visionary director’s first animated feature, based on the beloved Roald Dahl children’s book.
Columbus Area Events on Thursday, November 27, 2025, THANKSGIVING DAY:
Happy Thanksgiving!
45. Run the Chase Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot!
46. Participate in the Free Family Turkey Trot hosted by Davidson Rd. Primary Care in Hilliard.
47. Shake Off Your Turkey Public Skate at Skate Zone 71.
48. 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 28, 2025, BLACK FRIDAY:
Black Friday doesn’t have to mean shopping! Check out shopping ideas plus these other fun things to do!
49. Find a good deal at the Black Friday Book Sale at the Whitehall Library (this event goes through Sunday!)
50. Another opportunity for the Sweet As Pie Storytime at Main Library!
51. Go on the Opt Outside Hike at Quarry Trails Metro Park.
52. Shop Black Friday – Record Store Day at Lost Weekend Records
53. Create a Gingerbread House at Franklin Park Conservatory (reservations required).
54. Attend Holiday Homecoming at The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology on Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM for snow science, crafts, visits with Santa and more!
55. Take a trip to the Dayton Holiday Festival Grand Illumination & Parade. Starting at 4:00 PM visit Downtown Dayton for their annual holiday festival, grand illumination and parade!
56. Attend the Holiday Horse Parade In Monument Square District Urbana. Activities begin at 10:00 AM and include shopping, a tree lighting, carriage rides, a lighted horse parade, food trucks and more!
57. Attend Holiday In The City:Grand Illumination In Downtown Springfield. Santa will be there to light up the city, and there will be live music, fireworks, ice skating, rides and more!
58. Attend the Holiday Bazaar Market and Licking County Courthouse lighting in Newark.
59. Watch A Christmas Carol performed live at Ohio Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
60. Shop BLACK FRIDAY Record Store Day at Used Kids Records.
61. 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 29, 2025:
62. Another opportunity for the Sweet As Pie Storytime at Main Library!
63. 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.
64. 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, and Christmas Tree sales!
65. Attend the Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art to think and make like artists! 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.
66. Spend Saturday Afternoon with Young Adult Author Mindy McGinnis at Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers.
67. Watch A Christmas Carol performed live at Ohio Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights
Columbus Area Events on Sunday, November 30, 2025:
68. Watch A Christmas Carol performed live at Ohio Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
69. 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, and Christmas Tree sales!
70. 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.
71. Sundays are free at the Columbus Museum of Art!
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!*
Family-Friendly Events This Weekend in Columbus, Ohio: November 21-23, 2025
Wednesday 19th of November 2025
[…] you’re planning ahead, I’ve got my list of 68 Things to do Thanksgiving Week in Columbus ready for […]
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.