So much holiday fun in Hilliard; tree lighting, Santa, and more

Hilliard, Ohio is located just west of Downtown Columbus, and is an area rich with festivals, fun events, parks, and more.

Hilliard is home to the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 2 public pools, a Community Center/Senior Center, Splash Pad at Hilliard Station Park, and over 27 parks and 41 miles of multipurpose trails.

You’ll also find unique attractions like an authentic 1800s Historical Village, the only U.S. Early Television Museum, First Responders Park, more than 41 miles of outdoor trails and the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Facility. 

photo: Destination Hilliard

There are plenty of fun outdoor activities in Hilliard all Spring and Summer. 

Scroll down to see our calendar listing of all of the fun events coming up in Hilliard!

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Hilliard DORA

A DORA is a designated outdoor refreshment area where residents age 21+ may purchase and carry alcohol. Old Hilliard’s designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) runs year round now. DORA hours are be noon-9 p.m., everyday.

photo: Destination Hilliard

Holidays in Hilliard

Letters to Santa

Nov. 28 – Dec. 16, 2022. Drop off letters to Santa at Hilliard Station Park. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive a return letter from Santa. The red Santa mailbox is located at the corner of Main and Center streets.

Holiday Hop and Hilliard Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 4-6:30 p.m. Lighting of the tree in Hilliard’s Station Park with holiday music, visit by Santa and the elves, ice sculpting demonstrations, reindeer, cookie decorating, food trucks, face painting, holiday train and carriage rides and hot chocolate!

There are activities in the park, along Main Street, and Historical Village. The event is walkable, but a trolley will also be available from the Chase Bank parking lot to the Historical Village.

Mrs. Claus and elves will be in the schoolhouse with children writing letters to Santa and many other activities including village tours, balloon twister, face painting, holiday music and more. FREE admission (donations welcome)

Convenient, free parking is available at the Franklin County Fairgrounds and at the lot at Madison and Wayne streets.

Santa Calls

Dec. 9, and Dec. 14, 2022. Santa calls are a popular choice for children who want to hear Santa’s voice while adding in a personal touch for your child. When registering, select a day and time, and Santa will call your child within that time frame.

Calls will be personalized as parents will be required to answer a few questions at the time of registration to help personalize the message.

$3 for residents, $5 for non-residents. Register here. 

Santa in the Train Station

Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 2 PM – 5 PM, at the Historical Village train station.

Children can share their Christmas list with Santa at the Historical Village train station, horse drawn wagon rides, music in the chapel and hot chocolate & donuts available, FREE admission (donations welcome)

Sensory Santa

Saturday, December 18, 2022 from 1 pm – 4 pm

Santa has reserved a special time to visit in a small, quaint room for friends with special sensory needs at Hilliard Rec Center.
Please register for one 10-minute time slot. Registrants may take their own photos as they visit with Santa. Sensory Santa visits cost $5.

Upcoming events in Hilliard

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Friday, December 9, 2022

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Past Events in Hilliard (tba 2023)

Spring and Summer in Hilliard

Earth Day

Join the City of Hilliard and the Environmental Sustainability Commission for Earth Day every April at the Community Center, 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive. Enjoy activities for kids and opportunities to learn about composting, the importance of bees to our environment, energy efficiency, conservation and more. During the event, there are three collections going on: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Community Computer Alliance Technology, and Styrofoam.

Touch a Truck at Hilliard’s Station Park

Friday, May 13, 2022 from 10 am – 12 pm. This Children’s event features interactive fun with Big Trucks, Cars, Machines, Police and Fire Vehicles.  Touch-A-Truck takes place at Hilliard’s Station Park (corner of Center and Main Streets in Old Hilliard) 

Hilliard Farm Market

Tuesdays, May 24-September 6 from 4-7 p.m., at Hilliard United Methodist Church (5445 Scioto Darby Rd. Hilliard). Click here for the updates and food truck options, if available.

Swimming in Hilliard

Hilliard is home to two community swimming pools. Day passes and memberships available for 2022.

Hilliard Family Aquatic Center

Opens May 28
Hilliard Family Aquatic Center features slides, lazy river, multiple pools, zero depth entry kids area splash pad
3850 Veterans Memorial Dr., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$10, All guests must register for a two-hour time slot in advance. Time slot registration for members opens two weeks in advance. Time slot registration for non-members opens 48 hours in advance. Bring your own chairs and water!
Membership: Read all rules and regulations before purchasing. 
Website: link

Clyde “Butch” Seidle Community Pool

Opens May 28
4450 Schirtzinger Rd., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$10, All guests must register for a two-hour time slot in advance. Time slot registration for members opens two weeks in advance. Time slot registration for non-members opens 48 hours in advance. Bring your own chairs and water!
Membership: Read all rules and regulations before purchasing. 
Website: link 

Celebration at the Station summer concert series

Free live music at Hilliard’s Station Park in Old Hilliard on Thursdays from June 2 – August 11 during Hilliard’s DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area) from 6:30 pm – 9 pm. 

Lunch Time Live

June 3 & Aug. 5 at 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Weaver Park

Kick off your weekend early by enjoying lunch time concerts this summer. A food truck will be available or pack a picnic.

Free Fitness with Motivation at the Station

Saturdays, June 4 through August 13 (except July 2). The classes are open to all fitness levels and are 50 minutes long. Bring a mat, towel, or a blanket, plus water. 

7 – 7:50 a.m. High intensity fitness classes with SHED Fitness
8 – 8:50 a.m. Yoga with Mat Happy Yoga

Class are canceled if temperature is below 45 degrees at the time of class. Participants must register in advance. (use keyword search for Motivation to find the available dates and to register).

photo: Destination Hilliard

Hilliard Arts Council Summer Concert Series

June 12 – Sept 4, 2022. This Sunday evening concert series features an eclectic mix of performers and music styles. The concerts are free to the public and usually occur in front of the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center.

The concerts are held during Hilliard DORA, which allows you to enjoy alcoholic beverages outside within a designated zone (read more about DORA above). Bring food and your beverage of choice from any of the 13 DORA participating establishments, or purchase from limited concessions available for purchase.

Click here for full concert schedule. Concerts are held at 7 pm from June 12 – September 4. 

Sprouts Night Out

Families can enjoy a fun summer night with live music, kids activities, and food trucks from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hilliard’s Station Park. Registration is required.

Sunday, June 12, 2022
Sunday, August 7, 2022

Historical Society Art Show

June 25, 2022 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at Weaver Park, 4100 Columbia St. Featuring local artists with original art. Food and drink available. Free admission, but donations are welcome. Rain Date Sunday, June 26th, 2022.

They are accepting artists and craftsmakers for the Art show – find details on the website to sign up!

Freedom Fest

July 2, 2022. Independence Day is an all day-celebration in Hilliard. Festivities include parade, followed by Freedom Fest at Municipal Park, with live music, food trucks, and games for kids and adults. Stick around for the spectacular fireworks show after dusk. Details tba for 2022.

Independence Day Parade

Monday, July 4 at 9:30 a.m. The annual parade starts at Franklin County Fairgrounds, continuing through Old Hilliard. Register for the parade on July 4 at the parade website.

Adult Recess

July 16, 2022; 6:30-9 p.m. at Hilliard’s Station Park. Unwind, re-energize, and challenge a friend to a fun game at the first-ever Adult Recess. This event is for adults only.

Franklin County Fair

July 18-24, 2022: At the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Admission to the Fair is $10. Most attractions and performances are FREE with admission (excluding select Grandstand events, rides, games and food). There are discount days, presale tickets, and more ways to save money – check them out here!

Get the Scoop!

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 12 pm – 2 pm. Beat the summer heat with free ice cream from Graeter’s, family activities, a craft, and more at the splash pad. All participants must register.

National Night Out

August 2, 2022. Every August, Hilliard Division of Police hosts the community for National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. The event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention, as well as encourages community and police interaction.

Hilliard Sunflower Field Raising Funds for Refugees

The City of Hilliard planted a 4-and-a-half acre sunflower field on Scioto Darby Road, west of Municipal Park, and it’s blooming through Sept. 18, 2022.

Bring your scissors and wander the field to cut your own stems. The project was created to bring awareness about and raise funds to support international refugees from all countries. In addition to serving as the City of Hilliard’s official flower, sunflowers are the national flower of Ukraine, making them the perfect fit for this initiative.

Park across the street at Latham Park (4125 Cosgray Road) or in the lot near the west entrance of Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park (3800 Veterans Memorial Drive). Cross Scioto Darby Road at a crosswalk.

To support the cause, make donations at the Community Center and the Senior Center (3800 Veterans Memorial Drive) weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (credit cards or checks) or by donating directly on WebTrac’s “Planting Seeds of Love” donors page (credit cards only). A QR code to donate can also be found on a sign at the field.

Read more here.

Fall Fun in Hilliard

Fall is the BEST season in Ohio, so get outside and enjoy the cool weather and beautiful colors before everything turns cold and gray. Head to Hilliard to check out some of the fun activities going on this fall!

Walking Tour of Old Hilliard

Saturday, September 3, 2022, 10 AM & 2 PM, Starts at the Historical Society Library, 5274 Norwich St. Fee is $10 per person. Rain date: Sunday, September 4th.

Old HilliardFest Street Festival

Saturday, September 10, 2022. Celebrating Hilliard, the annual event features vendors, food trucks, crafts, and live music. 

Hilliard 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at First Responders Park

September 11, 2022. The community is invited to join Hilliard Division of Police and Norwich Township Fire each Sept. 11 at First Responders Park as we remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Pennsylvania. Details here.

The First Responders Park, in the center of Old Hilliard, memorializes those who died on 9/11 and pays tribute to the 403 First Responders who died making the ultimate sacrifice for their community.

In 2010, a delegation of 20 individuals representing the City of Hilliard, Hilliard Police Department, The Norwich Township Fire Department, and the Hilliard community made the two day round-trip from Hilliard to New York City to escort home seven tons of steel from the World Trade Center.

This memorial features granite walls inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives, a reflecting pool, personalized pavers, a monument honoring fallen officers, and a metal sculpture made from the steel of the World Trade Center.

Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show

Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Makoy Center, 5462 Center St, Hilliard. 
This large show will feature artists and crafters selling their original handmade items at this beautiful venue!

Admission is $3 to the public, children under 12 are free! A portion of proceeds will benefit local non-profit, Charity Newsies.

photo: Destination Hilliard

Hilliard Fall Festival

Sunday, September 18, 2022 from 1-4 pm at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park. Fall Festival welcomes the change of season with family fun!

With food trucks, inflatables, games and crafts, pumpkin picking, petting zoo, pony rides, and even a hayride, it’s an event that’s perfect for all ages! 

Heritage Day presented by the Hilliard Historical Society

October 1, 2022 from 11 am – 4 pm. Go back in time to the 1800’s during Heritage Day at Weaver Park. See the 1800’s period costumes as traditional crafters and artisans such as blacksmiths, broom makers and Civil War re-enactors bring the 1800’s to life. Village tours.

Visit the restored buildings on the grounds of historic Weaver Park, an 1850 period village. The historical buildings and museum will be open for tours and historical crafts and skills such as broom making, rope making, blacksmithing and bee keeping will be showcased.

Take antique car rides for $1.00, and have your photograph taken in the jail cell for a fee of $5.00. There will also be food, drink and special events as part of Heritage Day.

Artists Row is new this year! Local artist’s and crafter’s will be displaying and selling their creations including: Paintings, Leather Goods, Photography, Macrame, Children’s Books, Cross Stitchery, Wood Works, Corn Husk Dolls, String Art, Caricature Drawings, Crochet, Steam Kitty Games plus many more.

Scarecrow Spooktacular 2022

Check out scarecrows all over Hilliard with the Scarecrow Spooktacular from October 17 to November 1, 2022. Find over 30 scarecrows! This fun event is FREE – go at your own pace! Find the map on the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce website.

Franklin County Engineer’s Office Touch-and-Ride-a-Truck

October 20, 2022 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, Ohio. Franklin County Engineer Cornell R. Robertson is thrilled to announce the return of the FCEO Touch-And-Ride-A-Truck, held at a new location at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.

This Halloween-themed event is designed to give kids an opportunity to interact and learn about various equipment and vehicles. 

Haunted Village

Friday, October 21, 2022, 6 PM – 9 PM
Saturday, October 22, 7 PM – 10 PM, at the Historical Village, Halloween tours, wagon rides. Food and drinks available.
Admission: $5 per person, kids five and under are FREE.

Drug Take Back Day

Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Hilliard Division of Police is joining other communities on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Day.

Residents can use a simple drive-thru service at the police department, located at 5171 Northwest Parkway, to drop off their unwanted or expired medications in pill form. The disposal service is free and anonymous for consumers, with no questions asked.

HPD also has a prescription drug drop-off box located in the lobby of the Safety Services Building for residents to bring in unwanted medications in pill or capsule form throughout the year.

Halloween Haunt

Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Trick or treat at participating businesses located in Downtown Hilliard! Kids are encouraged to wear costumes, and there will be scattered free activities along the way. You can also participate in an electronic scavenger hunt of skeletons!

This event is presented by Destination Hilliard.

Haunted Fields Trunk or Treat at Hilliard Soccer Complex

Saturday, October 29, 2022 from 5 pm – 7 pm. Enjoy a night of fun and community. There will be a trunk or treat trail for all, food trucks, activities and more.

Hilliard Historical Village is Open for Tours

Every Saturday and Sunday, beginning April 2 through October 30, 2022 from 1pm to 5pm the Historical Village in Weaver Park is open for public tours. Tours are free, donations welcome. Read more here.

4100 Columbia St, Weaver Park, Hilliard

Beggar’s Night

Monday, October 31, 2022 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Each year, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission sets the Trick or Treat date for cities in central Ohio.

When Halloween, Oct. 31, falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, Trick or Treat is held on the Thursday before Oct. 31.

Veterans Day Parade

Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm. ​

The parade will proceed will proceed from the Fairgrounds, head South on Avery/Main Street, West on Cemetery Road to Scioto Darby Road and South on Veterans Memorial Drive, where it will conclude with a short ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.