Whether you have kids off of school, extra vacation days, family in town or just want to squeeze in as much holiday festivity as possible, this list will keep you busy over Winter Break!
This list begins with holiday events and things you can do any time during Winter Break and then ends with one-time events and family-friendly New Year’s Eve parties in Columbus! There will not be a separate What Should We Do This Weekend? list until the first weekend of January.
Happy Holidays and thank YOU so much for reading and following my blog! I’m so grateful for my readers and the opportunity to share about the things that make Columbus great! I wish you all a Happy New Year!
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
Things to do in Columbus Any Time During Winter Break:
Drive Through Holiday Lights Displays Around Columbus
Click the link above for a list of 15 drive through holiday lights displays within driving distance of Columbus! Pick one or ten and have a festive night out!
Complete the Elf Trail in the Short North
From Nov. 29 -Dec. 31, 2024 kids under 12 can look for elves hidden on the shelves of three participating businesses to earn stickers. Grab a trail card from a participating Short North business or print at home here. Redeem your completed Elf Trail card for a prize.
Related: 7 of the Most Festive Things You Can Do This Holiday Season in Columbus
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
This event at the Columbus Zoo 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 through January 5th.
Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights
Butch Bandos Fantasy of Lights 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.
Read More: 16 Drive Through Christmas Light Displays Near Columbus
WonderLight’s Christmas
Now through January 5th, load up the car and head out for a majestic ride through WonderLight’s Christmas in Ohio! 1 million LED lights synchronized to Christmas music and open every night including holidays! See link for tickets and pricing! In order to reduce wait times, reservations are recommended.
Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Conservatory Aglow 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.
Huntington Holiday Train Display In Downtown Main 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.
Related: 25 Things to do in December in Columbus, Ohio
Twinkling Lights at Select Metro Parks
Enjoy the twinkling lights displays at Battelle Darby Creek, Blacklick Woods, Highbanks, Homestead and Inniswood Metro Gardens during the month of December from dark – 8:00 PM each night.
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.
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.
Carriage Rides at Easton Town Center
Carriage rides will be available at Easton Town Center on Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays. 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.
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.
Holiday Lights at Creekside Gahanna
Walk through Creekside Gahanna to enjoy a dazzling light display featuring more than 300,000 lights! Lights will be on nightly at dark through January 7th.
Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink
This temporary ice rink is right near the Dublin Link pedestrian bridge and will be open for skating on Friday nights and on Saturday and Sunday! Extended holiday hours are: Dec. 23, 26-30: noon–10 p.m., Jan. 2-4: noon–10 p.m.. Jan. 5: noon–8 p.m.
Natvity at Cathedral Square
In 2023, this larger-than-life nativity was donated by State Auto to The Museum of Catholic Art and History and is now located at St. Joseph’s Cathedral at 212 E. Broad St. in downtown Columbus, OH. The nativity will be lit nightly through January 6, 2025. There is a parking lot behind the St. Joseph Cathedral. The link above will take you to their Facebook page so you can stay in the know about upcoming events!
Related: 10 of our Favorite Columbus Christmas Traditions
Merry on Main – Ice Skating at Partners Park
Head to Marysville for iceless ice skating through January 5, 2025. Skating and skates are free! Check the link for specific times.
Holidays at Ohio History Center
Visit this holiday train display at Ohio History Center that features a Polar Express Train and various holiday scenes. You can see this train display in the backyard of the Lustron House during regular business hours. The rest of the building is decorated for the holidays, especially the Lustron House!
Winter Art Breaks at Columbus Museum of Art
The Columbus Museum of Art will offer Winter Art Breaks every Thursday and Friday, December 19–January 3 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM. This is a drop-in event where there will be creative activities for families and teens. These are included with admission!
Kwanzaa 614 Celebration
This is a 7-day celebration of family, community and culture hosted by Ohio History Connection and TAWI Family Village. Celebrations occur between December 28th and December 29th at Ohio History Center and on other dates at various locations around Columbus! See the link for all the details.
Winter Break Roller Skating at Skate Zone 71
The are skating options for every day of Winter Break including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Click the link for the daily schedule.
Winter Break Roller Skating at United Skates of America
There are skating options nearly every day of December. Check the link for what’s happening on each day!
Family-Friendly New Year’s Celebrations that are NOT on December 31st:
Noon Year’s Eve Party at Hilliard Library
Celebrate the New Year on Monday, December 30th from 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM with activities and a countdown at noon!
Noon Year’s Eve Party at Whetstone Library
Celebrate the new year with crafts and activities beginning at 11:30 AM on Monday, December 30th. There will be a countdown at 12:00 noon.
New Year’s at Noon at The Works
This family-friendly celebration takes place on Saturday, December 28th from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM and includes alka seltzer rockets, firework painting and paper sparklers.
Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Columbus (December 31, 2024):
Noon Year’s Eve Celebration At COSI
On Tuesday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at COSI there will be a dance party, special activities, science demonstrations and a celebratory countdown at noon. Included in general admission.
Noon Year’s Eve At Franklin Park Conservatory
On Tuesday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM make a party hat, play games and do a final countdown to 2024 at 12:00 Noon and then again at 1:00 PM! Included in admission.
Zoo Year’s Eve Celebration At Columbus Zoo And Aquarium
Tuesday, December 31st starting at 11:00 AM is the Columbus Zoo’s Zoo Year’s Eve Celebration! This event will feature character ambassadors, music, activities and a countdown to New Year’s at noon! This event is included in general admission.
Noon Year’s Eve at Hilliard’s Station Park
This event includes a family-friendly DJ, balloon hats and wands, noisemakers and an appearance from the Fire Department. The event takes place from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. Surrounding local businesses will have additional activities.
Noon Year’s Eve Skate at Skate Zone 71
On Tuesday from 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM kids can enjoy a countdown to the new year. $19 Admission includes Skate Rental Slice of Pizza, Small Drink, Noise Makers, and a Countdown at 1:00 PM.
Noon Year’s Eve at Delaware County District Library
Enjoy a countdown to noon on Tuesday, December 31 from 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM! There will be crafts, activities and more!
Noon Year’s Eve Skate Party At United Skates of America
$15 admission includes skate rental, 20 game credit card, noisemakers and a mock countdown. The event takes place from 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM. They will also have a family meal special available.
*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!*