Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
Family-Friendly Things to do in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:
These events are in chronological order. Ongoing events are listed first. If an event happens multiple times during a weekend, it will be listed in the order of its first occurrence, so make sure to read through the whole list! Have a great weekend!
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
1. Visits with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place
Visits with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place are available through December 24th. This year’s set theme is The Polaris Express, including a train display in Center Court. All kids who visit with Santa receive a Santa coloring book, special Santa glasses, and a Polaris Express golden train ticket. Kids 12 and under – bring your golden ticket to Pure Imagination Chocolatier and get a free hot cocoa (valid through 12/31/2025). They will also receive a ‘BELIEVE’ Santa Sleigh Bell that also serves as a Christmas tree ornament while supplies last.
2. Photos with Santa at Easton Town Center
Visits with Santa at Easton Town Center are available through December 24th. Santa’s workshop will be located in the South District next to Levi’s. Reservations and walk-up visits will both be available but reservations are strongly encouraged. Photo packages are available and you can use your own camera as well. Click the link to see times and make a reservation.
3. Sweet! Pack Cookie and Cocoa Kits with Seeds of Caring
This Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring is specially designed for kids ages 2-12! Families, classrooms, teams, and groups can spread holiday cheer by creating tasty cookie and cocoa kits for families served by People In Need of Delaware County through December 7.
4. Winter Wonderland Maze at Hoover Gardens & Gift Center
The new Winter Wonderland Maze is open daily at Hoover Gardens & Gift Center in Westerville. It is $3 per person during business hours. General hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
5. Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Wildlights begins November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026 at the Columbus Zoo! This event includes millions of LED lights, musical light shows, 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.
6. Wanderlights in Downtown Columbus
Follow this festive path beginning at Columbus Commons down Town Street and ending at Bicentennial Park! Enjoy holiday lights and special displays along the way! Lights will be lit from November 21 – February 15 from 5 – 10 pm, daily.
7. Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Conservatory Aglow opens on Saturday and runs through January 4, 2026. Hours are 5-9pm nightly and 5-10pm Fridays and Saturdays in December. Enjoy holiday light displays, outdoor games, dancing, festive igloos, the Paul Busse Garden Railway and more! Reservations are strongly encouraged.
8. Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights
Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights will be open nightly through January 4, 2026. This drive-through light show is open every day, including holidays. Hours are Sunday-Thursday: 5:30pm – 9:00pm and Friday and Saturday: 5:30pm – 10:00pm. Tickets are available online and at the gate.
9. The Science Behind Pixar at COSI
Enjoy an interactive exhibit that explores the science and technology behind the animated films of Pixar. This exhibit is open during regular business hours (generally Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.)and requires an additional charge.
Plan your trip to COSI with this blog post.
10. Season of Celebrations at COSI
Visit COSI to see 50 trees decorated by community organizations. COSI will be decorated for the holidays, including in the Progress exhibit where there will be live actors Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. There will be interactive activities, special demonstrations and hands-on activities. This celebration will go on from November 22, 2025 to January 4, 2026 during regular COSI hours and is included in admission.
11. Alice in Wonderland at WNHS Performing Arts Center
Students at Westerville-North High School will perform Alice in Wonderland on December 4th-6th. Performances are at 7:00 PM each night. Tickets are available online.
12. Wander Nights at Wanderlights
On Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM in December, explore all three Wanderlights stops in Downtown Columbus, enjoy free hot chocolate and free carousel rides, a holiday movie at the Scioto Mile Fountain, visit Santa in the Lazarus Building galleria, and take a trolley to view the butterfly light show at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Please Note: On December 5 and 6 there will be no festivities at the Scioto Mile Fountain due to WinterFest.
13. 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.
14. Winter Wonders Walk at the Dawes Arboretum
Winter Wonders Walk takes place on December 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Dawes Arboretum. Enjoy ice sculptures, a light display, food trucks, an outdoor immersive projection, live music and visits from Santa and his reindeer! Tickets must be pre-purchased.
15. Mr. Scrooge at the Riffe Center
December 5-23, enjoy a kid-friendly adaptation of A Christmas Carol performed by Columbus Children’s Theatre. This is a 60-minute musical geared toward ages 4-12. There are several performances over the weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
16. Grove City Town Center Christmas Parade
The Grove City Christmas Parade begins at 7:00 PM on Friday at Park Street & Broadway and the tree lighting will take place promptly after the parade.
Check out this list of things to do in Grove City!
17. Scioto PTO Santa Breakfast and Craft Fair
On Saturday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, shop from over 50 craft vendors and enjoy breakfast sponsored by IHOP, crafts and games for kids. Kids can get photos with Santa from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Tickets are available online.
18. Santa and Reindeer Meet & Greet at The Union Bank Company
This free, family-friendly celebration on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM will feature live reindeer, complimentary professional photos with Santa Claus, hot cocoa and Christmas cookies and fun holiday activities for children of all ages. They will also be collecting donations for People In Need of Delaware County at this event. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item, a new or gently used coat, or an unwrapped toy to help support local families this holiday season.
19. WinterFest Columbus
Head to Bicentennial Park in downtown Columbus for WinterFest Columbus, taking place on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. There will be food and beverages for purchase, live music, seasonal craft beer and cocktails, food trucks and free activities for all ages, including a mechanical reindeer, a giant snowglobe photo opportunity, cornhole and more.
20. Day of Discovery in the Discovery District
On Saturday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM spend a day in the Discovery District of downtown Columbus. Pick up a holiday passport and check out stops along the way featuring holiday drinks, artist demonstrations, hands-on experiences, vendor markets, and more.
21. Holiday Hop in the Short North
On Saturday from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, enjoy a pedestrian-only Holiday Hop in the Short North. This festive evnet will include The High Street Holiday Market featuring over 100 vendors, live performances, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a community-made mural experience, ice sculpting and more.
Check out these 10 fun things to do in the Short North!
22. Santa Family Fun Day at Great Lakes Hyundai
Get a free photo with Santa at Great Lakes Hyundai of Dublin on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. There will be a free gift for every child, live performances and activities for kids.
23. Columbus Ski/Snowboard Expo & Warren Miller’s SNO-CIETY
This family-friendly event includes a showing of Warren Miller’s SNO-CIETY, a film featuring Olympians, urban riders and local ski legends. It also includes a ski and snowboard expo, and door prizes. The event begins at 2:30 PM on Saturday at Phoenix Theatres Lennox Town Center.
24. Christmas Under the Clock in Plain City
On Saturday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, kick off Christmas in Uptown Plain City with the tree lighting ceremony, pictures with Santa, live music, food truck, carriage rides and local shopping. The tree lighting takes place at 5:00 PM. After the event, Santa’s Parade will take place at 7:30 PM.
Browse this list of things to do in Plain City!
25. Light the Night at Evans Farm
Light up the night at Evans Farm on Saturday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Enjoy a twinkling outdoor market filled with music, carolers, cozy fire pits, local shopping, and festive family fun beginning at 4:00 PM. There will also be food trucks, hot chocolate and drinks. Holiday Choirs begin at 5:30 with the annual tree lighting at 6:00 PM.
26. Christmas Kickoff and Parade in Obetz
On Saturday from 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM celebrate the holidays in the city of Obetz. There will be a parade, Christmas characters, free ice skating, carolers, pictures with Santa and more.
27. Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory takes place the first Sunday of every month. Residents of Columbus and Franklin County receive free General Admission. Identification is required. Hours this Sunday are 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The conservatory closes at 4:00 PM this Sunday to prepare for Conservatory Aglow, which is a separate event and not included in Community Day.
28. LEGO & Santa at Bricks & Minifigs Powell
Enjoy a LEGO free play with Santa at Bricks & Minifigs Powell on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
29. Hilliard Tree Lighting
The annual Tree Lighting in Downtown Hilliard takes place on Sunday from 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM. The event includes family-friendly activities, live performers, horse and carriage rides, face painting, reindeer, a petting zoo and a trolley that will take you between destinations.
Read about all the activities there are to do in Hilliard!
30. Village Lights in German Village
This festive event on Sunday from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM in German Village includes luminarias lining the streets, vendor markets, specials at local businesses, free treats, photo ops, live performers, visits with Santa and more all over the neighborhood.
*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!*