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 in Columbus that 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!
This post has been updated for 2022!
Here are 10 of our favorite family-friendly Christmas Events in Columbus!
1. Village Lights
- When: December 4, 2022, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Where: throughout German Village
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.
2. Wildlights
- Dates: November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- 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
- Phone: 614-645-3400
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.
3. Conservatory Aglow
Dates: November 19, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus, Oh 43203
Phone: 614-715-8000
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. There is a Special Engagement Admission Rate for this event and members will receive half off these rates. See the link for details.
- Related: 5 Holiday Trains in Columbus
4. Bicentennial Park and Scioto Mile
- Dates: November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Hours: Dusk until dawn
- Where: 233 S. Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
- More Info: CDDC Website
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!
5. Columbus Commons and the Lazarus Windows
- Dates: November 18, 2022 – January 1, 2023
- Hours: Dusk until dawn; Festive Fridays will take place each Friday in December from 5:30 – 9:00 PM.
- Where: Columbus Commons: 160 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
- More Info: CDDC Website
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 holiday scenes!
Festive Fridays will take place each Friday in December from 5:30 – 9:00 PM featuring free hot chocolate and carousel rides!
6. Huntington Holiday Train
- When: November 30, 2022 – January 8, 2023
- Where: 96 S. Grant Ave. Columbus, OH 43215
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 November and it is usually up through New Years!
7. Holiday Train at Ohio History Center
- When: November 16, 2022 – Early January
- Where: 800 E. 17th. Ave., Columbus OH 43211
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 hosts Dickens of a Christmas where you can celebrate Christmas in the 19th century with Victorian crafts, snacks, caroling and more!
8. Think Outside the Brick
- When: October 8, 2022 – February 24, 2023
- Where: 480 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
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! (In 2022/23 there IS a holiday scene within the exhibit! See below!)
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!
9. Easton Holiday Events and Decorations
- When: beginning November 18, 2022
- Where: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219
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 18, 2022 with festivities beginning at 6:00 PM.
10. State Auto Christmas Corner
- When: Dec. 7, 2022-Jan. 3, 2023
- Hours: Daily from 6:00 – 8:00 AM; 5:00 PM – 11:30PM; until 12:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays
- Where: 518 E Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
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!
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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
Sandy Wallace
Tuesday 18th of September 2018
Hi - I was thinking of visiting the German Village on December 15, 2018 and my question is, do stores stay open late on the weekends for shoppers during the month of December or is it only for the Village Lights evening? Thanks
Jeremy
Tuesday 28th of March 2017
The Christmas lights in Columbus is so awesome. Parents from neighboring areas should try and bring their kids for this experience. :D
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