Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
Please double check the link and/or call to make sure events are still happening! Lots of things are changing during this time and this information may change after it is published!
1. Photos with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place
Get your kids photo with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place. The visit is free, there is a charge if you want to purchase photos. You can also schedule a time in advance. Visit times will be available November 12 – December 23, 2021. (The link says November 15th, but you are actually able to schedule beginning November 12th.)
Related: 7 of the Most Festive Things You Can Do This Holiday Season in Columbus
2. Help Seeds of Caring Collect 150 Gingerbread House Kits
ATTENTION caring grown-ups and kids: Seeds of Caring needs you to flex those empathy muscles! Our goal is to provide one gingerbread house kit for each child at Columbus Early Learning Center by November 22. That means 150 packages of holiday cheer for these young people! Sign up today for this Anywhere project and complete before 11/22. We appreciate you!
3. Art in the Park at Homestead Metro Park
Meet at the Nature Center on Friday between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM to do an art project, all supplies provided!
4. Olentangy Winterfest at New Hope Church
This event includes a pancake dinner with Santa, sleigh rides, holiday ornament making, sleigh rides, a coloring contest, balloon artist, holiday shopping and more! Pre-register online. This event takes place on Friday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
5. WonderLight’s Christmas at Hartford Fairgrounds
This holiday lights drive through features over 1 million LED lights synchronized to Christmas music. The show runs November 12, 2021 – January 9, 2022 and is open every night of the week. Reservations required.
Related: WonderLight’s Christmas Glows with Over One Million LED Lights!
6. Seasonal Krafts on Saturday at North Market Bridge Park
Kreation’s Play Kafé will be hosting several craft options including hot chocolate bombs, DIY S’mores, Snowman Melts and more! Text or call to reserve your spot!
Related: 5 Super Fun Playgrounds in Dublin, Ohio
7. March Through Time at Ohio History Center & Ohio Village
This event takes place at Ohio History Center on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and includes hands on activities, reactors and activities that will allow you to travel throughout time learning about the military history of America.
8. Roller Skating Lessons at Skate Zone 71
All ages can learn to skate on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Admission includes lesson, skate rental and a skating session from 11:00 – 11:30 AM.
9. PBJ & Jazz: New Basics Brass Band at Lincoln Theatre
Enjoy a kid-friendly jazz concert featuring New Basics Brass Band on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Cost is $5/person or $20/family.
10. Japanese Crafts Market
Shop a Japanese Craft Market benefitting Nationwide Children’s Hospital on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Tensuke Market.
11. Author Marcy Campbell Storytime and Book Signing at Upper Arlington Public Library
Attend a reading and discussion about Marcy Campbell’s book SOMETHING GOOD on Saturday at 10:30 AM. This book tackles the difficult topic of hate speech for school aged kids. Limited seats available at the time of publishing.
Related: 5 Magical Children’s Bookstores You Must Visit in Central Ohio
12. Rock Hall Virtual Fam Jam
Skip the Saturday morning cartoons and rock out online for free with the kids in this engaging program brought to you by Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame EDU team on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Columbus-based kindeROCKen invites you to continue the fun Mon., Nov. 15th (National Drummers Day) at Recreations Outlet in Powell for a “Learn & Play” session w/ Music Royale. This event kicks off its annual Food for Strings Drive benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Top donors win great prizes!
13. Little Bees Pottery: Autumn Owl Plate at Busy Bees Pottery & Arts Studio
Kids ages 18 months to 5 years can create an autumn owl late using their fingerprints! This class takes place on Saturday at 11:00 AM. Tickets are available online.
14. Family Game Night @ North Market Bridge Park with Market Bar + Kreation’s Play Kafé
Head to North Market Bridge Park for a family night out including tabletop games, food and drink! Get tickets online for this event on Saturday from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
15. Hilliard Veterans Day Parade
The parade steps off on Sunday at 2:00 PM from the Franklin County Fair Grounds and makes its way through Hilliard and concludes with a short ceremony at Veterans Memorial at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.
*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!*
