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
1. Batter Up! Pack Family Pancake Kits with Seeds of Caring
Kids 2-12 can help families supported by the Dublin Food Pantry enjoy a delicious breakfast together! This fun Anywhere Project starts with a virtual tour of a food pantry, where children will get an inside look and build empathy for our hungry neighbors. Then, helping hands will assemble a yummy breakfast kit that will be distributed by Dublin Food Pantry. This project is available through December 9th.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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!
5. Preschool: Turkeys at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Learn about turkeys on Friday at 9:30 AM at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center. There will be a craft, story and activities. For ages 3-5.
6. Thanksgiving Traditions at Slate Run Farm
This is a drop-in activity at the Slate Run Farm House between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Friday. Drop in to learn the history of Thanksgiving foods and traditions.
7. Friday Storytime at Blendon Woods Nature Center
This event will include stories, songs and large motor activities at Blendon Woods on Friday at 10:00 AM. Best for ages 2-5.
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. 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. This is the last weekend for discounted tickets ($5/person). After that, it will be $7/person. Or you can purchase a season pass for $7/person. Tickets are available online.
11. 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.
12. Lantern Hike at Scioto Grove Metro Park
Go on a 2-mile hike with lanterns on Friday night at 6:00 PM at Scioto Grove Metro Park.
13. Easton’s Grand Illumination
This event kicks of the holiday season at Easton! Beginning at 6:00 PM on Friday, enjoy musical performances, a visit from Santa, face painting and more! Around 7:00 PM two million lights will be lit around Easton including a thirty-foot tree at the Central Park Fountain.
14. 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.
15. Coyotes at Rocky Fork Metro Park
Learn all about coyotes and take a walk to look for evidence of them at Rocky Fork Metro Park on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
16. Fall Harvest at Sharon Woods Metro Park
Celebrate the fall harvest by tasting black walnuts, acorn flour and more while supplies last at Sharon Woods on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
17. 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.
18. Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Conservatory Aglow opens on Saturday, November 23rd at 5:00 PM and 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.
19. Carriage Rides at Easton Town Center
Carriage rides will be available at Easton Town Center on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays beginning November 23 (this Saturday). 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.
20. Owls of Darby at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Take a 2-mile hike to try to lure out owls using calls. Meet at the Indian Ridge Bulletin Board at 5:00 PM on Saturday.
21. Barnabe’s Buckeye Tree Lighting Ceremony at Young’s Dairy
On Saturday from 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM, enjoy music, holiday treats, Santa, Scarlett the Elf and Barnabe. The Buckeye tree will be lit at 6:30 PM.
22. S’mores and Furs at Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Enjoy s’mores around a campfire at Glacier Ridge Metro Park on Saturday from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM. There will also be animal furs and bones to check out! Supplies are first come, first served.
23. Turkey Display at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Learn all about turkeys at the Blendon Woods Nature Center on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
24. The Blue Pup Kick off to Christmas
This show includes the Blue and Orange Pups, Elf on a Shelf, Mrs. Claus, Santa and a meet and greet after the show. There will be mini sleigh rides, soft play, crafts and more on Sunday at the Shops of Worthington Place from 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM. Cost is $40 for a family and tickets are available online.
25. Family Concert Series at Hilliard Library
Enjoy a family-friendly concert by the Hilliard Davidson Jazz Ensemble on Sunday at 2:30 PM at the Hilliard Branch of CML.
26. Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
On Sunday from 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM enjoy free holiday activities, live performances, arts and crafts, storytime, photo ops and more at Creekside Gahanna. Santa will arrive at 6:00 PM to light the tree and set off holiday fireworks! There will be a trackless train, a Holiday Lights Market, free horse-drawn carriage rides, an ice sculpting show and more!
27. The Hip Hop Nutcracker
The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a contemporary dance version of the classic Nutcracker for all ages. This show will take place at 7:00 PM on Sunday at the Palace Theatre.
*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!*