Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
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
Family-Friendly Events in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:
As you read through this list, make note that many events are ongoing throughout the whole weekend (or entire week)! This list begins with events you can do any time and then transitions to one time events in chronological order. Have a great weekend!
1. Photos with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place
Book your visit with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place beginning Thursday November 14 through December 24. Walk-ups are also welcome.
2. Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Metropolitan Library
See the Huntington Holiday Train at Main Library from November 18, 2024 – January 18, 2025. This model train display is a sight to see! The train is running during all library business hours.
3. Think Outside the Brick at Columbus Museum of Art
Visit Think Outside The Brick, 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!
4. Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Wildlights begins November 22 through January 5 at the Columbus Zoo! This event includes millions of LED lights, musical light shows, Rudloph in 4D, meet and greet with characters, reindeer and more! Hours are Sunday – Thursday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM and Friday and Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
5. Wanderlights in Downtown Columbus
New this year in Downtown Columbus is Wanderlights! Follow this festive path beginning at Columbus Commons down Town Street and ending at Bicentennial Park! Enjoy holiday lights, a mural and special displays along the way! Lights will be lit from November 22 – February 16 from 5 – 10 pm, daily.
6. Holly Jolly Lights at The McCoy Cabin
Walk through this 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. Tickets are available online.
7. Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights
Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights opens Friday, November 22th, and will be open nightly through January 1, 2025. This drive-through light show is open every day including holidays. Sunday through Thursday hours are: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM and Friday and Saturday hours are: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM. Tickets are available online and at the gate.
8. Season of Celebrations at COSI
Visit COSI to see a grand, 40-foot tree in the COSI Atrium and 50 trees decorated by community organizations. COSI will be decorated for the holidays including in the Progress and Ocean exhibits. There will be interactive activities like Frozen Chess and Build a Snowman as well as special demonstrations and hands-on activities. This celebration will go on from November 23, 2024 to January 5, 2025 during regular COSI hours and is included in admission.
9. Photos with Santa at Easton Town Center
Get photos with Santa from November 23rd-December 24th on Level 2 across from Bibibop. Check the link for times and the option to register in advance. Walk up appointments are available but reservations are recommended. You can take your own photo or purchase a 5X7 for $10.
10. Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Conservatory Aglow runs through January 5, 2025. Hours are 5-9pm nightly and 5-10pm Fridays and Saturdays in December. Enjoy holiday light displays, outdoor games, dancing, festive igloos, a life-size gingerbread house, the Paul Busse Garden Railway and more! Reservations are strongly encouraged.
11. Oakland Nurseries Holiday Events
Check out your nearest Oakland Nurseries location for holiday events like visits with Santa, carriage rides, live reindeer, demonstrations and more! Click the link for each locations specific events and times.
12. The Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre
BalletMet presents The Nutcracker December 12-28, 2024 at Ohio Theatre. Several performance times are available throughout the weekend.
I’ve got a special for my readers for the 2024 season! Use the code TODAYNUT24 for up to $20 off any Nutcracker performance (except My First Nutcracker). Discounted tickets can be purchased online at balletmet.org or by phone at (614) 229-4848. If purchasing online, enter the promo code in the top right-hand corner before choosing a performance date. Once entered, the available dates will populate. This offer cannot be used retroactively.
13. Model Train Display at Westerville Library
Daily through December 14th, check out a model train display at the Westerville Public Library! Hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
14. Merry and Bright Holiday Weekend in Powell
Enjoy a full weekend of holiday activities in Powell! Events include a hot chocolate trail, live music, holiday photos, shopping, visits with Santa and more! Events take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check the link for details.
15. Carriage Rides at Easton Town Center
Carriage rides will be available at Easton Town Center on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays. Hours are Fridays & Saturdays: 5-9 PM and Sundays: 3-7 PM. Rides are first come, first served and are $10/person. Children under 15 ride for free with a paying adult. Board the carriage outside of Zara in the North District.
16. Festive Friday at Columbus Commons
On the first three Fridays in December from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, enjoy free hot chocolate, live music, a traveling photo booth, carousel rides, and a bar offering hot boozy beverages while enjoying the lights at Columbus Commons.
17. Winter Hike at Blacklick Woods Metro Park
On Friday from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, take a half mile hike on the Buttonbush trail. There will be twinkling lights along the trail and hot chocolate and a campfire at the Nature Center. The canopy walk and Nature Center will stay open late!
18. Winter Wonder Walks At The Dawes Arboretum
On December 13, 14, 20 and 21 from 6 – 9pm., The Dawes Arboretum will open its doors to the public for Winter Wonder Walks! This 1-mile walk will highlight all of nature’s splendor this time of year with the bonus of having beautiful lights filling the trees. This event requires pre registration. See link for tickets, times and pricing.
19. Santa’s Workshop at Columbus Children’s Theatre
Participate in an interactive adventure that includes a hands-on journey through Santa’s Workshop, crafts and activities, live music, treats and more! Times are Fridays from 6 PM – 9 PM, Saturdays from 10 AM – 9 PM and Sundays from 1 PM – 6 PM through December 22, 2024.
20. The Nutcracker presented by New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre
Join the New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre for a family-friendly performance of The Nutcracker on Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM or 7:00 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available online.
21. Madeline’s Christmas at Abbey Theater
Enjoy a musical adaption of Madeline’s Christmas at Abbey Theater on Dec. 13, & 20 at 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 15, 21 & 22 at 1 & 4 p.m. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Tickets are available online.
22. Zoom: Family Film and Book Festival at the Wex
This festival takes pace all weekend with family-friendly events, screenings, tours and cake and ice cream! Events begin on Friday at 7:00 PM with a documentary featuring 3 picture-book authors, Little Kid Flicks at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning and cake and ice cream at 10:00 AM.
23. Holiday Market at North Market Bridge Park
This holiday market takes place On Saturday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and includes vendors, a live DJ, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus (until 11:30 AM), holiday cocktails and more at North Market Bridge Park.
24. Holiday Hop at Broad and Westmoor
Shop pop-up vendors, get goodies from Slice of Heaven Bakery, enjoy food trucks, ornament painting, books and more on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
25. Merrysville at Marysville Public Library
This event on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM includes crafts, visits with Santa, cookie decorating, a book sale and more!
26. Columbus Children’s Theatre Presents: Holiday Traditions at Main Library
This free event celebrates diverse holiday traditions with sing-alongs and interactive stories for families on Saturday at 11:00 AM at Main Library in downtown Columbus.
27. Who-ville in Uptown Westerville
Enjoy Who-ville characters, crafts, activities and more on the lawn of Hanby Elementary School on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
28. Family Christmas Party with The Grinch at Loose Rail Brewing
On Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM enjoy the Family Christmas Party at Loose Rail Brewing with pictures with The Grinch, cookie kits, an ornament station, a Grinch movie marathon, hot chocolate bar and more! Tickets are available online.
29. Christmas at Carfagnas
This free event on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM includes free cookie decorating, free samples, photos with Santa, and specials at Carfagna’s.
30. Boone Jenner Autograph Signing at Polaris Fashion Place
On Saturday from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Polaris Fashion Place get a free autograph from Blue Jackets player Boone Jenner. One autograph per person.
31. Not So Silent Night at Shadowbox Live
This family-friendly performance features the story of a DJ taking requests and dedications on Christmas Eve. The show is filled with heartwarming, holiday songs. The show will be performed on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 PM through December 22, 22024. Tickets are available online.
32. Holiday Histories at Ohio History Center
Holiday Histories is a new seasonal event at the Ohio History Center! It will take place on Saturday from 6–9 p.m. with hands-on activities like crafts, hands-on experiences discovering the wild world of Ice Age Ohio, local vendors, a Jingle Bell dance party and more! Tickets are available online.
33. Rockin’ Christmas Concert at Westerville Nazerene
This concert will include live music, holiday classics, cookies, and pictures with Santa! This event is free and will take place on Saturday and Sunday at 7:00pm.
34. Holiday LEGO Ornament Build at Standardized Brewing
Join BAM Powell at Standardized Brewing to build 2 LEGO ornaments. Your ticket also includes 1 drink ticket, and unlimited hot cocoa. Tickets available online for anytime between 12-2pm on Sunday.
35. Orange Johnson Christmas Open House
On Sunday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, visit the Orange Johnson House in Worthington to tour the house and enjoy live music.
*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. Inclusion of an event on this list is not considered an endorsement. Please use your best judgement when attending public events and consult your doctor if you have questions regarding the safety level of a public event. Read my disclaimer here. Enjoy what you do today!*