10 of Our Favorite Columbus Christmas Traditions

These are 10 Holiday and Christmas events we make sure not to miss every year! If you’re looking to start some family-friendly Christmas traditions around Columbus, start here!

Every year I feel slightly overwhelmed by all of the Holiday events I really don’t want to miss. A few years ago, I sat down and wrote them out on a calendar. And THAT is pretty much where the idea for this blog began! 😉

Now we’ve come full circle and, though there are probably hundreds of holiday events going on around Columbus, today I am sharing 10 things my family loves doing at Christmastime in Columbus!

Here are 10 of our favorite family-friendly Christmas Events in Columbus!

1. Village Lights

Hands down, this is my favorite Columbus tradition of the entire year. Wow, did I really just say that? I did. I look forward to this probably more than anything else. I honestly don’t know how much my kids like it, but there are free cookies and hot chocolate, so I haven’t heard any complaints!

The streets of German Village are lit with luminaries and restaurants, shops, and even a few private homes along the route are open late with special deals, free goodies and live music! Designated parking areas and shuttles are available.

Look for shopping at StrietzelMarkt on the Platz. Santa and his Elves will be at the Actors’ Theatre Schiller Amphitheater stage! Santa will be on hand for storytelling and photos.

When: December 5, 2021, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: throughout German Village

• Related: 7 of the Most Festive Things You Can Do in Columbus This Holiday Season

2. Wildlights

You have to see Wildlights! The light shows are spectacular and the zoo becomes an (even more) magical place for about 6 weeks leading up to New Year’s Day! The first time we ever attempted to go to Wildlights, there was so much traffic that by the time we got there it was too late for my 1 yr old and we just drove right on by the entrance and back on home!

Weekends are very busy, so if you can, I suggest trying a week day evening and arriving before 5:00 PM! If you’re a member, you can also avoid the crowds by catching the Member Preview held in mid November.

When:November 19, 2021 – January 2, 2022
Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM Sundays – Thursdays, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM Fridays and Saturdays (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Where: 4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065

• Related: The 5 Best Gift Memberships for Columbus Kids

3. Conservatory Aglow

Conservatory Aglow offers special holiday decorations, performances and evening hours at Franklin Park Conservatory. Throughout the season live music and special events are scheduled and the Conservatory is decorated beautifully (that goes without saying)!

There are lights throughout inside and outside and it’s breathtaking! During this season, Franklin Park Conservatory is open until 9:00 PM. There will be special family-friendly activities happening all through the season!

Decorations now expand into the Grand Mallway. This year there will be a Special Engagement Admission Rate for this event and members will receive half off these rates. See the link for details.

When: November 20, 2021 – January 9, 2022, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43203

• Related: 5 Holiday Trains in Columbus

4. Bicentennial Park and Scioto Mile

Throughout the holiday season, the Scioto Mile is awash in light – Christmas lights, that is! The park will be full of lights towards the end of November!

When: November 24, 2021 – January 3, 2022
Hours: Dusk until dawn
Where: 233 S. Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215

• Related: Christmas Tree Farms in Columbus and Beyond

5. Columbus Commons and the Lazarus Windows

When you’re at Bicentennial Park, make plans to walk a few blocks to Columbus Commons where the park will be filled with holiday displays and lights! Just across the street (at the corner of High and Town) in the old Lazarus building, the windows are filled with scenes from the 12 Days of Christmas! 

When: Dates for 2021 unconfirmed
Where: 160 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215

• Related: Tried and True Gift Ideas for Young Boys

6. Huntington Holiday Train

Main Library is home to the Huntington Holiday Train and every year this amazing display is set up during the holiday season! The library typically begins set up of the train in mid November and it is usually up through New Years!

When: November 21, 2021 – January 9, 2022
Where: 96 S. Grant Ave. Columbus, OH 43215

• Related: 10 Things to be Excited About at New Main Library!

7. Holiday Train at Ohio History Center

If you happen to have kids that like trains, there is a also holiday train set up at the Ohio History Center. Granted, it’s not quite as elaborate as the Huntington Train, but since we’re members at Ohio History Center, this one is still a no-brainer for me and two boys who love trains! We don’t miss it!

For four weekends in November and December, Ohio Village will host Dickens of a Christmas where you can celebrate Christmas in the 19th century with Victorian crafts, snacks, caroling and more!

When: Late November – Early January (It will arrive in 2021 but the exact date is not yet known.)
Where: 800 E. 17th. Ave., Columbus OH 43211

• Related: MEGA Train List for Central Ohio and Beyond

8. Think Outside the Brick– delayed until spring of 2021

This exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art isn’t necessarily holiday themed, but it is definitely a holiday tradition in Columbus! If you have kids on Christmas break, this would be a great reason to take them to the Art Museum!

The LEGO replica of Columbus is awesome and we love to visit at this time! There are usually blocks for free building in the Big Idea Gallery, too!

Admission is free on Sundays and on Thursday nights you “pay what you want” from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM!

• Related: See more pictures from our visit here!

When: November 23, 2019 – January 17, 2020 (Unconfirmed for 2020.)
Where: 480 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215

9. Easton

We always enjoy going to Easton at Christmastime – and not just to do our Christmas shopping! There is a life-sized nativity and a humongous Christmas tree (an all-new, 56 ft tree covered in 28, 680 RGB LED’s arrived in 2017!)!

There are carriage rides, live music performances and the Grand Illumination lighting ceremony takes place on November 19, 2021 with festivities beginning at 6:00 PM.

When: beginning November 19, 2021
Where: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219

• Related: 5 Tasty Kid-Friendly Restaurants at Easton Town Center

10. State Auto Christmas Corner

Christmas Corner is something we love to do close to Christmas Eve! You can walk through a life-sized nativity following the Christmas story!

There are choirs scheduled on weekend evenings through and free hot chocolate (donations accepted!) will be available on those evenings!  There are ample parking lots designated for viewing this display!

When: December 1, 2021 – January 1, 2022
Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM and until 12:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays
Where: 518 E Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215

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I hope that whatever you chose to do, you have a special season with your family!

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ICYMI: Top 10 Things to do with Your Kids in Columbus, Ohio

Need even more ideas? Try 100 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio