What Should We Do This Weekend? Columbus, Ohio, November 15-17, 2019
Looking for things to do in Columbus, Ohio this Weekend? Here are over 45 family-friendly events happening in Columbus, and Central Ohio this weekend!
As we head into the upcoming holidays, take a look at our 10 of Our Favorite Columbus Christmas Traditions to start marking your calendar for holiday fun!
Family Friendly Events in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:
FRIDAY:
9:00 AM – Play with Purpose at Tree of Life Play + Cafe – bring in a donation of new hats, gloves or scarves for the Good Tidings Winter Wear store at SON Ministries through December 6 and get 50% off regular priced admission to Tree of Life Play + Cafe.
9:00 AM – It’s a Wonderful Window Contest in Old Worthington – visit the retailers of Old Worthington to view the holiday-themed store windows that will be on display through the new year!
10:00 AM – Photos with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place – get your photo taken with Santa during mall hours from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (1:30 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday).
10:00 AM – Gingerbread Competition at Franklin Park Conservatory – the youth and group stage is open now if you would like to enter the Gingerbread Competition at Franklin Park Conservatory! Drop your submission off between November 9-14th.
10:00 AM – Toddler Open Gym at Thompson Recreation Center – drop in for a free Open Gym time at the rec center!
3:00 PM – Huge LEGO Sale in Pickerington – shop a huge LEGO pop up sale featuring used LEGO sets, bricks by the pound, minifigures and more!
5:00 PM – Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Wildlights takes place at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM to close and features millions of LED lights, animated light shows, Rudolph and Friends, Santa, a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 4-D theater short and much more!
5:00 PM – Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit the Conservatory decorated for the holidays! This year is the biggest show yet and extends into the Children’s Garden and the Grand Mallway! Visit The Pool in the Grand Mallway for an interactive art display! This nightly event runs from November 15, 2019 to January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. There is a special engagement rate for this event and members receive 50% off.
5:30 PM – WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio at National Trail Raceway – this new event features a 2-mile car ride through more than a million LED lights, all synchronized to music! The show happens rain or shine every evening, including holidays, from November 15 to January 5 from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
5:30 PM – Opening Night at Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights – Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights is celebrating 20 years with 30 new displays this year! This drive through light show is 3 miles long and features 160 light displays! The show runs rain or shine, November 15, 2019 – January 1, 2020 from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM Sunday – Thursday and 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday.
6:00 PM – November Parents Night Out at We Rock the Spectrum – Columbus – drop your kids off for a Parent’s Night Out! The evening will include a pizza dinner, snack and lots of fun! $30 for the first child, $20 for siblings. Call to reserve your spot.
6:30 PM – Deck the Halls Tree Lighting Celebration at Tanger Outlets, Columbus – welcome Santa and usher in the holiday season with music, hot cocoa, cookie decorating and more!
7:00 PM – Disney’s Frozen JR. at Columbus Children’s Theatre – this is a regional premier of Disney’s Frozen Jr featuring the songs your kids love plus new songs! This is a 1 act musical that lasts 1 hour with no intermission. Appropriate for all ages.
A BIG thank you to WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio for sponsoring this post!
Santa’s not the only one coming to town!! “WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio”, a drive-through Christmas light show, will be coming to National Trail Raceway in Hebron this holiday season!
This family-friendly event will feature a 2-mile car ride through more than a million LED lights, all synchronized to music! Giant Christmas trees, floating snowflakes, shooting stars, dancing candy canes, and (a favorite of children of all ages) three enchanting tunnels of light will illuminate the night! Guests will be able to watch the lights dance around them to traditional and newer, rocking Christmas music from the warmth of their own vehicle.
This dazzling Christmas display will be offered rain or shine every evening, including holidays, from November 15 to January 5! The cost of admission is affordable at $7 per person and children 3 years old and under are FREE! You can also purchase a “Carload Pass” for vehicles with up to seven passengers for just $30!
Learn more at www.christmasinohio.com!
SATURDAY:
9:00 AM – Play with Purpose at Tree of Life Play + Cafe – bring in a donation of new hats, gloves or scarves for the Good Tidings Winter Wear store at SON Ministries through December 6 and get 50% off regular priced admission to Tree of Life Play + Cafe.
10:00 AM – Preschool Storytime! at Grange Insurance Audubon Center – enjoy a nature themed story time at the Nature Center!
10:00 AM – Disney’s Frozen JR. at Columbus Children’s Theatre – this is a regional premier of Disney’s Frozen Jr featuring the songs your kids love plus new songs! This is a 1 act musical that lasts 1 hour with no intermission. Appropriate for all ages.
10:00 AM – COSI Workshop: Dino Digs at Granville Public Library – kids ages 3-5 can learn all about dinosaurs, enjoy hands on activities and more! Register online.
10:00 AM – Photos with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place – get your photo taken with Santa during mall hours from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (1:30 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday).
10:45 AM – Kid-Fun-Club at Worthington Farmers Market – drop your child off at Paulettes Palace and Production during the Worthington Indoor Farmer’s Market for an hour of singing, dancing, crafts, story time and more! There will be visits from your favorite characters. You must register in advance.
11:00 AM – Taste of Fall at Lynd Fruit Farm – sample fall favorites at the Market at Lynd Fruit Farm!
11:00 AM – Nature Crafts at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – make crafts with materials found in the wild! All ages welcome.
11:30 AM – Free MEALS for KIDS! at Hilltop YMCA – free meals will be available for kids until 12:30 PM.
1:00 PM – Disney’s Frozen JR. at Columbus Children’s Theatre – this is a regional premier of Disney’s Frozen Jr featuring the songs your kids love plus new songs! This is a 1 act musical that lasts 1 hour with no intermission. Appropriate for all ages.
2:00 PM – Maple Sugaring at Sycamore Plaza Library – learn about the process of turning tree sap into maple syrup! Bring the Farm to You will teach you the history of sugaring and demonstrate how it all happens! Register online or by calling.
- Related: Two Fun Libraries for Columbus Kids
3:00 PM – Disney Movie Saturday at Westland Area Library – kids ages 12 and under can watch a classic Disney movie!
4:00 PM – Disney’s Frozen JR. at Columbus Children’s Theatre – this is a regional premier of Disney’s Frozen Jr featuring the songs your kids love plus new songs! This is a 1 act musical that lasts 1 hour with no intermission. Appropriate for all ages.
5:00 PM – Santa’s Arrival at Cabela’s – visit with Santa, make a free craft, enjoy giveaways, tree lighting, hot chocolate and more! Visit the link for info on how to see Santa.
5:00 PM – Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit the Conservatory decorated for the holidays! This year is the biggest show yet and extends into the Children’s Garden and the Grand Mallway! Visit The Pool in the Grand Mallway for an interactive art display! This nightly event runs from November 15, 2019 to January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. There is a special engagement rate for this event and members receive 50% off.
5:00 PM – Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Wildlights takes place at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM to close and features millions of LED lights, animated light shows, Rudolph and Friends, Santa, a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 4-D theater short and much more!
5:30 PM – For Families: Lantern Stroll at Highbanks Metro Park – carry a lantern on a 1 mile hike! Bring your own lantern or use one of the limited lanterns available. Ages 5 and up.
5:30 PM – WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio at National Trail Raceway – this new event features a 2-mile car ride through more than a million LED lights, all synchronized to music! The show happens rain or shine every evening, including holidays, from November 15 to January 5 from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
5:30 PM – Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds – Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights is celebrating 20 years with 30 new displays this year! This drive through light show is 3 miles long and features 160 light displays! The show runs rain or shine, November 15, 2019 – January 1, 2020 from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM Sunday – Thursday and 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday.
6:00 PM – Family Movie Night at Pataskala Public Library – watch The Lion King at this free, family-friendly event. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and soft drink provided!
SUNDAY:
9:00 AM – Toddler Time! at Get Air Pickerington – kids under 46 inches are welcome to jump during these special hours (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM).
9:00 AM – Play with Purpose at Tree of Life Play + Cafe – bring in a donation of new hats, gloves or scarves for the Good Tidings Winter Wear store at SON Ministries through December 6 and get 50% off regular priced admission to Tree of Life Play + Cafe.
9:00 AM – Kids Yoga & Storytime at Cover to Cover Bookstore – join GoYoga for games, storytelling and physical activities. $10/child, ages 5-8.
1:00 PM – Santa’s Holiday Kickoff Parade at Polaris Fashion Place – join Santa and the Worthington Kilbourne Marching Band for a parade to kick off the season! Your favorite costume characters will also be in attendance!
1:30 – – Photos with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place – get your photo taken with Santa during mall hours from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (1:30 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday).
2:00 PM – Level Up Kids Paint Day at Level One Bar + Arcade – kids can paint a Mario themed masterpiece plus play arcade games! Register online.
2:00 PM – Autumn Adventures at the Natural Play Area at Blendon Woods Metro Park – enjoy fall-themed activities in the Natural Play Area!
2:30 PM – Disney’s Frozen JR. at Columbus Children’s Theatre – this is a regional premier of Disney’s Frozen Jr featuring the songs your kids love plus new songs! This is a 1 act musical that lasts 1 hour with no intermission. Appropriate for all ages.
3:00 PM – Sunday Stories at Homestead Metro Park – listen to stories about animals that live in Ohio and meet some animal friends! Ages 6 and under.
5:00 PM – Owls at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – take a 1 mile hike and lure in owls by using calls. All ages.
5:00 PM – Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit the Conservatory decorated for the holidays! This year is the biggest show yet and extends into the Children’s Garden and the Grand Mallway! Visit The Pool in the Grand Mallway for an interactive art display! This nightly event runs from November 15, 2019 to January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM. There is a special engagement rate for this event and members receive 50% off.
5:00 PM – Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Wildlights takes place at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium from November 15, 2019 – January 5, 2020 from 5:00 PM to close and features millions of LED lights, animated light shows, Rudolph and Friends, Santa, a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer 4-D theater short and much more!
5:30 PM – Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds – Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights is celebrating 20 years with 30 new displays this year! This drive through light show is 3 miles long and features 160 light displays! The show runs rain or shine, November 15, 2019 – January 1, 2020 from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM Sunday – Thursday and 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday.
5:30 PM – WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio at National Trail Raceway – this new event features a 2-mile car ride through more than a million LED lights, all synchronized to music! The show happens rain or shine every evening, including holidays, from November 15 to January 5 from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
*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!*
