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. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. All Aboard Family Storytime at Main Library
Enjoy railroad stories, choo-choo songs and tips for kindergaten readiness at this Family Storytime at Main Library on Friday at 10:30 AM. Can’t make Friday, they will have the same story time on Saturday at 11:00 AM and Sunday at 1:30 PM. It’s a great time to visit the train display in the lobby!
12. Snowflake Making at Quarry Trails Metro Park
Learn about snowflakes and make one to decorate the lobby at Quarry Trails Park Office on Friday at 4:00 PM.
13. Uptown Ice Sculpture Tour
Admire over 30 ice sculptures around Uptown Westerville beginning Friday at 5:00 PM, until they melt!
14. 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.
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. 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.
17. Winter Wonder Walks At The Dawes Arboretum
On December 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.
18. 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.
19. Meet & Greet with Santa and His Reindeer at Franklin Park Conservatory
Visit with Santa and his reindeer at Conservatory Aglow on Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Included with your special engagement admission.
20. Polar Express Pajama Party at Dublin Toy Emporium
Get your ticket for a magical party at Dublin Toy Emporium on Friday from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
21. Madeline’s Christmas at Abbey Theater
Enjoy a musical adaption of Madeline’s Christmas at Abbey Theater on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Dec. 21 & 22 at 1 & 4 p.m. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Tickets are available online.
22. Hidden Gnomes Hunt at Quarry Trails Metro Park
Search for hidden gnomes throughout Quarry Trails Metro Park on Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM. Find a ranger to claim your prize!
23. Magic of the Holidays at Dublin Library
Watch a magic show with Sedgie the Hedgie that also includes balloon twisting on Saturday at 10:00 AM at the Dublin Branch of CML.
24. Cozy Winter Story Hour at The Bibliophile Candle Co
Kids will enjoy this magical morning of storytelling and crafts on Saturday at 11:00 AM. There will be hot chocolate, a winter bookmarks craft and stories. 10% off purchases during this time! Great for ages 4-10.
25. An Afternoon with Author Jessica Fries-Gaither
Meet local author Jessica Fries-Gaither at Cover to Cover on Saturday at 1:00 PM. Hear from her latest non-fiction book Wild Wonderings, ideal for ages 6 and up.
26. Winter Crafts at Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Make beautiful snowflakes at Blacklick Woods Nature Center from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday.
27. 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.
28. Winter Solstice Celebration at Grange Insurance Audubon Center
This event includes free activities like winter-themed crafts, hot cocoa and cookies, guided lantern walks, poetry by the fire and live music on Saturday from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM at Grange Insurance Audubon Center.
29. The Magical Polar Experience at Palace Theatre
This interactive event includes a showing of the movie The Polar Express, live musical performances, a visit to the North Pole, a visit from Santa and more! It takes place on Saturday at 7:00 PM.
30. LEGO with Santa at Bricks and Minifigs Powell
Visit and build LEGO with Santa at BAM Powell on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
31. Tree Cookie Decorating at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Paint on small slabs of cut tree limbs at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. All ages welcome.
32. Urban Strings Concert at Franklin Park Conservatory
On Sunday at 2:00 PM enjoy a concert by Urban Strings at Franklin Park Conservatory. Included in admission/membership.
33. Sponsor a Child Entering Foster Care with Seeds of Caring
Calling all caring kids! We need your help assembling first-night care bags for toddlers entering foster care. With our partner, Alicia’s Closet, we’ll give kids something to call their own and help ease their transition during the first hours in an unfamiliar place. Holiday breaks are coming soon, providing lots of time for this Anywhere project. We’re collecting bags through Jan. 19!
*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!*