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What Should We Do This Weekend? Columbus, Ohio January 17-20, 2020, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend

Looking for things to do in Columbus, Ohio this Weekend? Here are over 40 family-friendly events happening in Columbus, and Central Ohio this weekend including Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Don’t miss 25 Free Things to do with Kids in Columbus, Ohio this Winter for more (and affordable) fun around Columbus!

Family Friendly Events in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:

FRIDAY:

9:45 AM – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at Shedd Theater – watch the famous mischievous cat performed by CATCO is Kids! There are 7 showtimes to choose from this weekend!

10:00 AM – Seasons and Stories! at Rocky Fork Metro Park – listen to stories by the fire! Ages 1-8. Warm beverages provided.

10:00 AM – Toddler Open Gym at Thompson Recreation Center – drop in for a free Open Gym time at the rec center!

11:00 AM – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at Shedd Theater – watch the famous mischievous cat performed by CATCO is Kids! There are 7 showtimes to choose from this weekend!

12:00 PM – Snapshots of the Family Farm at Gallant Farm – visit Gallant Farm to see a collection of photos from the 1930’s and 40’s. Bring your own pictures of your family farm to add to the collection!

1:00 PM – Building with Blocks at Grove City Library – drop in to build with blocks of all kinds and sizes! All ages welcome.

4:00 PM – Family Night Fridays at Tree of Life Play + Cafe – for $30 enjoy a family pass to the play area and a large 1 tipping pizza and a drink pitcher.

6:00 PM – January Parents Night Out at We Rock the Spectrum – Columbus – drop the kids off for pizza, play, games and a craft! $30 for the first child. Siblings are $20. Call to register.

6:30 PM – Family Friendly Lantern Hike at Blacklick Woods Metro Park – all ages are welcome to take a 1.5 mile lantern-lit hike.

7:00 PM – Pete The Cat at Abbey Theater At The Dublin Community Recreation Center – watch Pete the Cat as he moves in with the Bibble family! This is a 60 minute show with no intermission. Recommended for PreK and up. There are several performances this weekend.

7:00 PM – Friday Nights Unlimited Pizza Skate at Skate Zone 71 – family skate is available from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM for $10/person. That includes admission, skate rental and unlimited cheese pizza!

7:00 PM – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at Shedd Theater – watch the famous mischievous cat performed by CATCO is Kids! There are 7 showtimes to choose from this weekend!

SATURDAY:

9:00 AM – Roller Skating Lessons at Skate Zone 71 – walk-in for skating lessons for all skill levels! Fisher Price skates are available for kids. Adults are welcome too!

10:00 AM – Preschool Story Time at Grange Insurance Audubon Center – enjoy a nature-themed story time for preschoolers!

10:00 AM – Pete The Cat at Abbey Theater At The Dublin Community Recreation Center – watch Pete the Cat as he moves in with the Bibble family! This is a 60 minute show with no intermission. Recommended for PreK and up. There are several performances this weekend.

10:00 AM – Columbus Fairytale Ball at NOAH’S Event Venue – meet your favorite princesses at the ball that includes singing, dancing, crafts, a candy buffet, stories, games and more! Purchase tickets online.

10:00 AM – Saturday Morning Special: Arctic Animals at Granville Public Library – enjoy stories and songs about arctic animals. Ages 3-5 and their siblings welcome.

11:00 AM – Hawaiian Luau at Franklin Park Conservatory – enjoy a tropical oasis and make a Hawaiian lei! The Manivic’s Dance Company will perform at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Included with membership or admission.

12:00 PM – 2020 First Responder Face-Off at The Schottenstein Center – watch an exciting face-off between Columbus Fire Hockey and Columbus Police Hockey! There will be first responder displays, a performance by the Columbus Police and Fire Pipes and Drums, contests and more! 

12:00 PM – Snapshots of the Family Farm at Gallant Farm – visit Gallant Farm to see a collection of photos from the 1930’s and 40’s. Bring your own pictures of your family farm to add to the collection!

1:00 PM – Pete The Cat at Abbey Theater At The Dublin Community Recreation Center – watch Pete the Cat as he moves in with the Bibble family! This is a 60 minute show with no intermission. Recommended for PreK and up. There are several performances this weekend.

1:00 PM – Bon AppéCreek at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – feed the fish in the living stream inside the Nature Center!

1:00 PM – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at Shedd Theater – watch the famous mischievous cat performed by CATCO is Kids! There are 7 showtimes to choose from this weekend!

2:00 PM – Middle Grade Book Club at Beanbag Books – students in grades 5-8 can join in on a discussion of the book Words on Fire. There will be snacks and an activity.

2:00 PM – Happy Birthday Martin at Martin Luther King Jr. Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library – this birthday celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. will feature storyteller, Lyn Ford.

2:30 PM – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at Shedd Theater – watch the famous mischievous cat performed by CATCO is Kids! There are 7 showtimes to choose from this weekend!

3:00 PM – Pete The Cat at Abbey Theater At The Dublin Community Recreation Center – watch Pete the Cat as he moves in with the Bibble family! This is a 60 minute show with no intermission. Recommended for PreK and up. There are several performances this weekend.

4:00 PM – Forts, Fire & Fun at Blacklick Woods Metro Park – build a lot and a fire in the natural play area. Ages 4-15.

6:00 PM – Family Movie Night at Pataskala Public Library – this free movie night will feature a screening “Abominable”. There will be free popcorn and drinks. Wear your pajamas!

SUNDAY:

12:00 PM – Snapshots of the Family Farm at Gallant Farm – visit Gallant Farm to see a collection of photos from the 1930’s and 40’s. Bring your own pictures of your family farm to add to the collection!

1:00 PM – Pete The Cat at Abbey Theater At The Dublin Community Recreation Center – watch Pete the Cat as he moves in with the Bibble family! This is a 60 minute show with no intermission. Recommended for PreK and up. There are several performances this weekend.

1:00 PM – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at Shedd Theater – watch the famous mischievous cat performed by CATCO is Kids! There are 7 showtimes to choose from this weekend!

2:00 PM – Dice and Doughnuts at Community Grounds: Coffee & Meeting House – play a game and enjoy donut specials from Tupelo! Feel free to bring your own game!

2:00 PM – Teeth, Jaws, and Claws at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park – Dale Gnidovec from OSU’s Orton Geological Museum will be talking about “The Carnivorous Dinosaurs and Why Birds Are Dinosaurs.” All ages are welcome.

2:00 PM – Tracks and Signs at Blendon Woods Metro Park – take a 2 mile hike to look for animal tracks and signs. All ages.

2:30 PM – Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat at Shedd Theater – watch the famous mischievous cat performed by CATCO is Kids! There are 7 showtimes to choose from this weekend!

3:00 PM – Pete The Cat at Abbey Theater At The Dublin Community Recreation Center – watch Pete the Cat as he moves in with the Bibble family! This is a 60 minute show with no intermission. Recommended for PreK and up. There are several performances this weekend.

3:00 PM – Frozen Fun at the Palace at Paulettes Palace & Productions – enjoy a Frozen-themed palace, dress up, singing and dancing, stories, crafts, a grande coronation and more! Ages 3.5 – 7. Register in advance!

MONDAY (Martin Luther King Jr. Day):

9:00 AM – School’s Out Camps at Sunbury Urban Farm – kids Kindergarten and up can spend the day enjoying an outdoor activity, forest free play, snack and more on their day off of school. Register online.

9:30 AM – Calling All Kids: Critter Scene Investigation at Three Creeks Metro Park – investigate and solve wildlife mysteries at Crooked Alley KidSpace.

10:00 AM – Free Admission to the Columbus Zoo – in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, admission to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium will be free on Monday from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Parking is $10 or free for members.

10:00 AM – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the Ohio History Center – Ohio History Center will be open for special hours on MLK Jr. Day! Enjoy special programing focusing on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s life and legacy from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

11:00 AM – Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration at Worthington United Methodist Church – enjoy a musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this community celebration featuring local artists. There will be a luncheon following. Canned food items are being requested to donate to the Worthington Resource Pantry. This is a free event. 

11:00 AM – Calling All Kids: Critter Scene Investigation at Three Creeks Metro Park – investigate and solve wildlife mysteries at Crooked Alley KidSpace.

12:00 PM – MLK Day Open House at the King Arts Center – enjoy musical and live theatrical performances, learn about the civil rights movement, enjoy art activities and more at the King Arts complex. 

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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!*