Looking for things to do in Columbus, Ohio this weekend? Here are over 90 family-friendly events happening in Columbus, and Central Ohio this weekend!
Family Friendly Events in Columbus Ohio This Weekend:
FRIDAY
9:00 AM – Family Gingerbread House Decorating at Young Chefs Academy of Gahanna – families can decorate a gingerbread house together! Everything you need will be provided in the cost.
10:00 AM – Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit the Conservatory while it’s decked out for the season! Enjoy special performances and activities and this year the event extends into the Children’s Garden!
10:00 AM – Santa Photos at Easton Town Center – get your family’s picture with Santa between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM (with 2 break periods (see link)). Get a professional 5×7 for $5 or take a photo with your own camera. Reservations are available!
10:00 AM – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at Lincoln Theatre – join Columbus Children’s Theatre for this updated musical to find the true meaning of Christmas! 1 Act with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.
10:30 AM – Popsicle Stick Ornaments with FIT4MOM Dublin at Foundations Learning Academy – make an ornament for your tree with FIT4MOM Dublin. This is a free playgroup!
11:00 AM – 12 Days of KidX: Sounds of the Season at Polaris Fashion Place – enjoy music from local choirs, dance and band groups!
12:00 PM – Visit with Santa at The Shops at Worthington Place – get your picture taken with Santa!
5:00 PM – Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons – Friday nights at Columbus Commons include free hot chocolate and carousel rides! There will also be live music! Share your pictures with #CCHolidayLights!
5:00 PM – Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo – Wildlights is included in your admission (or membership) to the Zoo and features special activities, amazing lights, light shows, Rudolph and friends in Asia Quest, Santa’s Holiday Home in the Battelle Ice Bear Outpost, Jingle Ball light display and much more!
5:00 PM – Flourish Family Fun Night at Flourish Chiropractic – enjoy cookie decorating, hot chocolate and a Christmas movie! this is a free event. RSVP through Facebook or calling.
5:30 PM – Dragon Lights Columbus – walk through an amazing display of Chinese lanterns and holiday light sculptures. Special cultural performances, food and shopping will also be available. Save money by purchasing your tickets online.
5:30 PM – Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek Campground – families can enjoy a 3 mile drive through holiday light show with over 140 LED light displays! $30/car on the weekends.
5:30 PM – Christmas Cardboard Drive In Movie at Prairie Township Community Center – the whole family can build a cardboard car and watch a Christmas movie. Register online.
6:00 PM – Holiday Carriage Rides at Easton Town Center – carriage rides are available every weekend through December 23 for $10/person. Children under 15 are free with a paying adult. Get on the carriage outside of Zara on Gramercy Street. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Sundays from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
6:00 PM – SuperGames Open Play! at SuperGames – purchase tickets the day of for this open play! First come, first served.
6:00 PM – Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides in Main Street Delaware, Inc. – free horse drawn carriage rides will be given around downtown Delaware.
6:30 PM – Kids Night Out! at Young Chefs Academy of Gahanna – drop your kids off for a hands on cooking experience! For ages 5 and up.
6:30 PM – Friday! Parents Night Out at Picassos – drop your kids off for a night of making art! Ages 5 and up.
6:30 PM – Family Night Out at Goldfish Swim School – enjoy an open swim in 90 degree water at all Goldfish Swim School locations! Cost for non-members is $5/person or $15/family. First come first served!
7:00 PM – An Ohio Christmas Carol at Columbus Performing Arts Center – this performance is based on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and is performed by the Grandview Carriage Place Players. Tickets are $5 at the door.
7:00 PM – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at Lincoln Theatre – join Columbus Children’s Theatre for this updated musical to find the true meaning of Christmas! 1 Act with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.
7:30 PM – Go Tell It! at Grace Polaris Church – enjoy live retelling of the story of Christmas featuring live music and an orchestra! Reserved seating available.
7:30 PM – The Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre – enjoy a festive performance of this holiday classic with BalletMet. This is a two act performance with an intermission.
7:30 PM – The Polar Express Movie Weekends at COSI Columbus’ Dynamic Hands-On Science Center! – watch The Polar Express on the Giant Screen Theater and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and other surprises! The Polar Express Live Science Show will start 30 minutes before each showtime.
Thank you to Goldfish Swim School for partnering with us!
Help Goldfish Swim School Provide Sweet Dreams & Stories December 1-21
This holiday season Goldfish Swim School is encouraging you to help provide Sweet Dreams & Stories for children throughout our community. This month Goldfish Swim School Dublin, Westerville and Lewis Center are partnering together to help provide pajamas and hard cover books to children who may not have access to a literacy rich environment at home.
From December 1 to 21 Goldfish Swim School is accepting donations for two deserving local organizations: Brightside Academy and Run The Race/Brian Muha Memorial Foundation serving at risk children on the near west side and inner-city Columbus.
If you are interested in donating, please bring one or both of the following items to Goldfish Swim School in Dublin, Westerville or Lewis Center.
- A new pair of pajamas for children ages three months to 12 years
- A hard cover or chapter book for children ages three months to 10 years
For more information about Goldfish Swim School, please call 614-407-3474 or visit https://dublin.goldfishswimschool.com https://westerville.goldfishswimschool.com, https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/lewis-center/
Want to sponsor What Should We Do This Weekend? Click here.
SATURDAY
8:00 AM – 1 Year Anniversary! PARTY TIME! at Third Way Cafe – this full day of celebration includes Explorers Club Food Truck, holiday card making, 30% off all books, $1 of all drinks and more!
8:30 AM – Breakfast with Santa at Prairie Township Community Center – this event has two seatings, 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM and includes breakfast and visits with Santa! Register online.
9:00 AM – Family Gingerbread House Decorating at Young Chefs Academy of Gahanna – families can decorate a gingerbread house together! Everything you need will be provided in the cost.
9:00 AM – Christmas In The Garden at Hoover Gardens & Gift Center – each weekend in December you can shop for a Christmas tree and other gifts while enjoying cookies and hot chocolate. There will also be ornament painting!
9:00 AM – Visit with Santa at Ohio Herb Education Center – visit with Santa, write a letter to Santa, make and take gifts in Mrs. Claus’ parlor. $5/craft or photo.
9:30 AM – The Polar Express Movie Weekends at COSI Columbus’ Dynamic Hands-On Science Center! – watch The Polar Express on the Giant Screen Theater and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and other surprises! The Polar Express Live Science Show will start 30 minutes before each showtime.
9:30 AM – Saturday Studio Art: Holiday Card Making at Art with Anna – kids ages 4 and up can make holiday cards! Register online.
10:00 AM – Storytime at Grange Insurance Audubon Center – enjoy a nature themed story time for preschoolers!
10:00 AM – Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit the Conservatory while it’s decked out for the season! Enjoy special performances and activities and this year the event extends into the Children’s Garden!
10:00 AM – WALK IN Wood Slice Ornaments at AR Workshop Grove City – walk in between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM to decorate wood slice ornaments. $5 each! All ages welcome!
10:00 AM – Sensitive Santa at We Rock the Spectrum – Columbus – this sensory friendly time includes open play, cookie decorating, ornament making and 1 on 1 time with Santa. $20 for the first child, $35 max. Register in advance.
10:00 AM – All Aboard for Railroad Fun at Sandel Legacy Trail – this is a monthly model railroad open house where you can watch trains and meet model railroaders. This is a free event.
10:00 AM – Santa Photos at Easton Town Center – get your family’s picture with Santa between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM (with 2 break periods (see link)). Get a professional 5×7 for $5 or take a photo with your own camera. Reservations are available!
10:00 AM – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at Lincoln Theatre – join Columbus Children’s Theatre for this updated musical to find the true meaning of Christmas! 1 Act with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.
10:00 AM – PBJ & Jazz: Songs of the Season with Dave Powers and Friends at Lincoln Theatre – this event features a kid-friendly jazz concert plus a PB&J sandwich, juice and a cookie for the kids. $5 per person $20 max per family.
11:00 AM – 12 Days of KidX: Sounds of the Season at Polaris Fashion Place – enjoy music from local choirs, dance and band groups!
11:00 AM – All Natural Cookie Decorating at Stratford Ecological Center – learn to decorate cookies with all natural ingredients! $35/pair Register online. For kids 8 and up.
12:00 PM – Merry on Main: Skating Rink Grand Opening at Partners Park – this “iceless” skating rink will be open through January 1, 2019! The grand opening event includes a visit with Santa, a giant snow globe, special performances, carriage rides and more!
12:00 PM – Scarlet and Gray Meet with Ohio State Women’s Gymnastics – enjoy a free gymnastics meet with a meet and greet afterwards. Parking is free, too!
12:00 PM – Meet and Greet Santa at Gordon Food Service of Dublin – meet and greet Santa this weekend only!
12:00 PM – Visit with Santa at The Shops at Worthington Place – get your picture taken with Santa!
1:00 PM – Holiday Weekend at Sticky Fingers Ice Cream Parlor – this celebration includes hot chocolate floats and unique holiday flavors!
1:00 PM – Family Fun Day in Uptown Westerville – enjoy family friendly events throughout Uptown Westerville.
1:00 PM – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at Lincoln Theatre – join Columbus Children’s Theatre for this updated musical to find the true meaning of Christmas! 1 Act with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.
1:00 PM – Santa House at Strand Theatre – visit with Santa and take your own picture!
2:00 PM – The Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre – enjoy a festive performance of this holiday classic with BalletMet. This is a two act performance with an intermission.
2:00 PM – Cute Christmas T-Shirts at Michaels Stores – buy a T-shirt and Michaels will provide all of the supplies needed to decorate it!
2:30 PM – Go Tell It! at Grace Polaris Church – enjoy live retelling of the story of Christmas featuring live music and an orchestra! Reserved seating available.
3:30 PM – The Polar Express Movie Weekends at COSI Columbus’ Dynamic Hands-On Science Center! – watch The Polar Express on the Giant Screen Theater and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and other surprises! The Polar Express Live Science Show will start 30 minutes before each showtime.
3:30 PM – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at Lincoln Theatre – join Columbus Children’s Theatre for this updated musical to find the true meaning of Christmas! 1 Act with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.
5:00 PM – Complimentary Holiday Photos at Easton Town Center – get a complimentary professional photo at the Central Park Fountain.
5:00 PM – Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo – Wildlights is included in your admission (or membership) to the Zoo and features special activities, amazing lights, light shows, Rudolph and friends in Asia Quest, Santa’s Holiday Home in the Battelle Ice Bear Outpost, Jingle Ball light display and much more!
5:30 PM – Dickens of a Christmas at Ohio Village – enjoy a 19th century holiday celebration in the spirit of Charles Dickens. There will be characters from A Christmas Carol, Santa Claus, holiday crafts, carolers, and more!
5:30 PM – The Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre – enjoy a festive performance of this holiday classic with BalletMet. This is a two act performance with an intermission.
5:30 PM – Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek Campground – families can enjoy a 3 mile drive through holiday light show with over 140 LED light displays! $30/car on the weekends.
5:30 PM – Dragon Lights Columbus – walk through amazing Chinese light sculptures and interactive light displays, enjoy cultural performances, food and shopping.
6:00 PM – Holiday Carriage Rides at Easton Town Center – carriage rides are available every weekend through December 23 for $10/person. Children under 15 are free with a paying adult. Get on the carriage outside of Zara on Gramercy Street. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Sundays from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
6:00 PM – Cookies with Santa! at Coffee Connections of Hilliard, LLC – decorate a cookie and visit with Santa! $1.50/cookie.
7:00 PM – An Ohio Christmas Carol at Columbus Performing Arts Center – this performance is based on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and is performed by the Grandview Carriage Place Players. Tickets are $5 at the door.
7:30 PM – Go Tell It! at Grace Polaris Church – enjoy live retelling of the story of Christmas featuring live music and an orchestra! Reserved seating available.
7:30 PM – The Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre – enjoy a festive performance of this holiday classic with BalletMet. This is a two act performance with an intermission.
SUNDAY
9:00 AM – Family Gingerbread House Decorating at Young Chefs Academy of Gahanna – families can decorate a gingerbread house together! Everything you need will be provided in the cost.
9:30 AM – The Polar Express Movie Weekends at COSI Columbus’ Dynamic Hands-On Science Center! – watch The Polar Express on the Giant Screen Theater and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and other surprises! The Polar Express Live Science Show will start 30 minutes before each showtime.
10:00 AM – Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit the Conservatory while it’s decked out for the season! Enjoy special performances and activities and this year the event extends into the Children’s Garden!
10:00 AM – Christmas In The Garden at Hoover Gardens & Gift Center – each weekend in December you can shop for a Christmas tree and other gifts while enjoying cookies and hot chocolate. There will also be ornament painting!
11:00 AM – Santa Photos at Easton Town Center – get your family’s picture with Santa between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM (with 2 break periods (see link)). Get a professional 5×7 for $5 or take a photo with your own camera. Reservations are available!
11:00 AM – Sunday Family Funday at The Draft Room – this event includes free crafts for the kids and drink specials for the adults! Broke Johnny Food Truck will be on site as well!
12:00 PM – Dickens of a Christmas at Ohio Village – enjoy a 19th century holiday celebration in the spirit of Charles Dickens. There will be characters from A Christmas Carol, Santa Claus, holiday crafts, carolers, and more!
12:00 PM – 1 Year Anniversary Party at We Rock the Spectrum – Columbus – celebrate 1 year with We Rock The Spectrum with food, crafts, face painting and open play! $12/child.
12:00 PM – The Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre – enjoy a festive performance of this holiday classic with BalletMet. This is a two act performance with an intermission.
12:00 PM – Meet and Greet Santa at Gordon Food Service of Dublin – meet and greet Santa this weekend only!
12:00 PM – Visit with Santa at The Shops at Worthington Place – get your picture taken with Santa!
12:00 PM – Santa Stops At Rocket Fizz To Celebrate 4 Years! at Rocket Fizz Columbus, OH – celebrate Rocket Fizz’s 4th birthday with Birthday Cake Soda and Birthday Cake Taffy – AND a visit from Santa!
12:30 PM – Mrs. Claus and her Frozen Friends Princess Camp – meet Mrs. Claus and her Frozen Friends at this event that includes singing, dancing, stories, crafts, dress up and a surprise guest! Purchase tickets online.
1:00 PM – Holiday Weekend at Sticky Fingers Ice Cream Parlor – this celebration includes hot chocolate floats and unique holiday flavors!
1:00 PM – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at Lincoln Theatre – join Columbus Children’s Theatre for this updated musical to find the true meaning of Christmas! 1 Act with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.
2:00 PM – An Ohio Christmas Carol at Columbus Performing Arts Center – this performance is based on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and is performed by the Grandview Carriage Place Players. Tickets are $5 at the door.
2:00 PM – A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage at Palace Theatre – watch a live adaptation of A Charlie Brown Christmas on the stage at Palace Theatre! Featuring your favorite Peanuts characters and the classic Vince Guaraldi score.
2:30 PM – Go Tell It! at Grace Polaris Church – enjoy live retelling of the story of Christmas featuring live music and an orchestra! Reserved seating available.
3:00 PM – Holiday Carriage Rides at Easton Town Center – carriage rides are available every weekend through December 23 for $10/person. Children under 15 are free with a paying adult. Get on the carriage outside of Zara on Gramercy Street. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM and Sundays from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
3:30 PM – The Polar Express Movie Weekends at COSI Columbus’ Dynamic Hands-On Science Center! – watch The Polar Express on the Giant Screen Theater and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and other surprises! The Polar Express Live Science Show will start 30 minutes before each showtime.
3:30 PM – The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical at Lincoln Theatre – join Columbus Children’s Theatre for this updated musical to find the true meaning of Christmas! 1 Act with no intermission. Recommended for all ages.
5:00 PM – Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo – Wildlights is included in your admission (or membership) to the Zoo and features special activities, amazing lights, light shows, Rudolph and friends in Asia Quest, Santa’s Holiday Home in the Battelle Ice Bear Outpost, Jingle Ball light display and much more!
5:00 PM – A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage at Palace Theatre – watch a live adaptation of A Charlie Brown Christmas on the stage at Palace Theatre! Featuring your favorite Peanuts characters and the classic Vince Guaraldi score.
5:30 PM – Dragon Lights Columbus – walk through amazing Chinese light sculptures and interactive light displays, enjoy cultural performances, food and shopping.
5:30 PM – The Nutcracker at Ohio Theatre – enjoy a festive performance of this holiday classic with BalletMet. This is a two act performance with an intermission.
5:30 PM – Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek Campground – families can enjoy a 3 mile drive through holiday light show with over 140 LED light displays! $30/car on the weekends.
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*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!*
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