Community Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus

Columbus is made up with so many amazing communities that have their own traditions and special events for Christmas.

No matter where you live, you’ll get into the holiday spirit at any of these FREE Community Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus.

Go outside of your own neighborhood and explore and enjoy these fun events.  Most of these events include Christmas music, family activities, refreshments, and Santa!

2025 Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus

All events are subject to change and cancellation. We are still updating the list for 2025. Please check links to ensure nothing has changed before you attend an event.

Santa arrives at Cabelas Polaris

Sunday, November 1, 2025. Santa arrives at Cabela’s (1650 Gemini Pl) to kick off the holiday season. 

Free Photos with Santa: Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo, as well as a free digital download that can be shared on social media. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly at the store. November 2 – December 24. Appointments are available online one week (7 days) in advance on a rolling basis. More details here.

Tanger Outlets Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

Friday, November 7, 2025 from 5PM –  7 PM. 

Join us for “Santa’s Wonderland” at Tanger Outlets Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival in the Center Courtyard! Make your list and check it twice because Santa Claus is coming to town.

Capital University Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 12, 2025 at 4:30 pm. at the Mount St. Plaza. Enjoy carols, hot cocoa, and more by the fountain to enjoy the season at Capital University.

They are collecting winter hats, coats, gloves, jeans, and hygiene products for The Open Shelter. 

Easton Holiday Lighting Grand Illumination

Friday, November 14, 2025. Enjoy seasonal surprises at the Easton Grand Illumination, including millions of twinkling lights. The fun begins at 5PM, with the holiday lights turning on everywhere around Easton at 7PM.

Shop and stroll through the sidewalks of Easton Town Center with the holiday magic all around. Town Square will be illuminated with the 50 foot tree featuring a 5 foot star. You’ll also want to see the Easton Express Railway travel through tunnels and villages before it makes its way to the North Pole.

Santa Pictures begin on November 15, during regular holiday hours!

Easton Holiday Lights, Drone Show, Santa, and seasonal fun

Uptown Marysville Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting 

Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Main Street will be closed for fun and games and a Holiday Market!

Experience musical performances, dance troupes, costumed characters, horse-drawn carriage rides, Holly’s Jolly Scavenger Hunt, ornament making, and even Saint Nick himself at Santa’s Village!

The countdown begins at dusk as the switch is flipped on the City of Marysville’s Community Christmas Tree, located at Partners Park. Continue your holiday experience throughout the Historic Uptown District as many Uptown merchants, restaurants, and businesses remain open offering beverages, treats, and special discounts!

Things to Do in Marysville, Ohio – Holiday fun edition

New Albany Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration and Drone Show

Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 3 – 6 pm. 
Kick off the holiday season at the annual New Albany community Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at Market Square. Santa arrives at 3 pm!

Free family fun includes pictures with Santa, horse and carriage rides, live entertainment, photo ops, reindeer corral, and entertainers.

Mayor Spalding will lead the countdown to light the holiday tree at sunset (approximately 5:30pm), followed by a holiday drone show.

New Albany Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration & Drone Show 2025

Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration

Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 3 – 6:30 pm
Gahanna’s annual Holiday Lights Celebration promises one magical afternoon of free family fun for all ages! Held in the beautiful Creekside District, the event will feature a Holiday Stage, the Tree Lighting, a parade, AND Santa arriving by Firetruck!

2025 Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration and Creekside Park Lights Display

Annual Lighting of the Licking County Courthouse

Friday, November 28, 2025 at 6pm. The beautiful Licking County Courthouse looks AMAZING all lit up, and courthouse square is filled with larger than life Christmas displays. Enjoy a festive holiday evening of entertainment including a variety of musical guests, carols, and Santa Claus!

Come early for the Holiday Bazaar at the Canal Market District from 3 pm – 6:30 pm. Shop with over 40 vendors and pick up some Christmas gifts and amazing baked goods. Food trucks will be on site to dine from before the Courthouse lighting

Nativity at Cathedral Square (aka State Auto Christmas Corner)

The Nativity at Cathedral Square is on display at St. Joseph Cathedral (212 East Broad Street) starting Friday, November 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026.

Will be lit nightly at St. Joseph Cathedral (212 East Broad Street) through the holiday season. Events and choirs tba for 2025.

Nativity at Cathedral Square (formerly State Auto Christmas Corner)

Worthington Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting

Sunday, November 30, 2025. Enjoy carriage rides, shopping, live music, and Santa in Downtown Worthington. Head to the Village Green for carolers and the annual Worthington tree lighting at dusk. More details here.

2025 Worthington Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting

Holiday Tours at the John and Annie Glenn Museum

December 1, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Visit John Glenn’s boyhood home during the holiday season. 

Come and see what Christmas would have been like for a typical American family in 1962, the year John Glenn orbited Earth. John Glenn’s Lionel train will be running around the tree for all to enjoy and museum volunteers will be serving hot chocolate and cookies on the porch.

Grandview Heights Holiday Tree Lighting

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 3 – 8 p.m. Live performances, refreshments, crafts, and the Grandview Heights tree lighting. Iceless ice rink starts at 3 pm, Santa is available for visits starting at 5:30, and the tree will be lit up around 7:00 pm. 

Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival

Monday, December 4, 2025 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Free, family-friendly holiday festival at Ohio Statehouse including Santa and Mrs. Claus, the lighting of the Statehouse and trees, and more!

City of Dublin Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Coffman Park with Santa, music and more. See more details here.

Dublin’s Christmas Tree Lighting, Downtown Holiday fun, and Elves Scavenger Hunt

Granville Village Tree Lighting and Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour

The Village of Granville is truly a Hallmark Christmas town, so these events will give you all the holiday feels. More details here.

Granville Village Tree Lighting: Friday, December 5, 2025. Details TBA for 2025

Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour: The annual Christmas Candlelight event is on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Walk along streets lined with glimmering Christmas tree, Christmas Craft Market, Horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. This is a Hallmark-like Christmas town destination!

Pickerington Holiday Gathering

Friday, December 5, 2025 from 5 pm – 8 pm. Bring the family to Pickerington village for some holiday fun. Local businesses will offer activities and treats (and a place to warm up).

Activities include carriage and trolley rides, Lighted Holiday Stroll, live nativity, ice carving, photos with Santa, Christmas tree lighting, free treats, and more! More details and full list of activities at this link.

Pickerington Holiday Spirit: Shopping, Tree Lighting, breakfast with Santa, and more

Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, December 5, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Join Uptown Westerville for a Night of Holiday Fun for the holiday tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m., led by the Santa himself!

Guests will enjoy strolling performers, performances of Uptown Scrooge, and more. Santa and his elves will be walking around, handing out goodies.

Tree Lighting, Parades, Santa, Ice Sculptures and Holiday fun in Uptown Westerville

Upper Arlington Winter Festival, Tree Lighting, and Parade

Friday, December 5, 2025 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Caroling, carriage rides, bonfire with s’mores, visits with Santa and the tree lighting ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Details here.

Upper Arlington Winter Festival, Visits with Santa, and other holiday fun

Reynoldsburg Christmas on the Town and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, December 5, 2025 from 5:30-8 pm. Enjoy the holiday sights, sounds, and sensations with the holiday parade, caroling, crafts, letters to Santa and the lighting of the City tree at Reynoldsburg Christmas on the Town. 

Grove City Christmas Celebration, Parade, and Mistletoe Market

Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6, 2025. The Christmas celebration in Grove City kicks off on Friday with the Christmas Parade at 7PM. The Town Center tree lighting with Santa follows immediately after the parade.

The Mistletoe Market is held both days, and there will be reindeer, ice sculpting, food trucks, and more. 

Grove City Christmas Celebration, Parade, and Mistletoe Market

Home for the Holidays and Holiday Tree Lighting in Delaware

December 5-7, 2025 The Home for the Holidays event kicks off with the tree lighting in Downtown Delaware on Friday at 6:30PM, including caroling, carriage rides, and more!

Holiday Open House, photos with Santa, and the parade will be happening during the weekend and through the month too! Read more about the holiday season in Delaware.

Tree lighting, Santa, and Christmas in Downtown Delaware

Winterfest at Bicentennial Park

Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 11 am – 4pm The celebration features live music, seasonal beer from local breweries, and Columbus food truck favorites.

All ages will enjoy winter-inspired games and activities for all ages, including a snow globe photo opportunity and mechanical reindeer. Read more here.

Winterfest at Bicentennial Park in Downtown Columbus: live music, local food/drink, and holiday cheer

Holiday Hop in the Short North

Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Enjoy the Holiday version of Gallery Hop in the Short North, with special holiday flair and events. It’ll be a full day of fun of holiday fun, shopping, tastes, sights, and sounds.

Downtown Lancaster WinterFest

Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 12 pm – 5:30 pm. Celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Downtown Lancaster with WinterFest and Tree Lighting. Make memories and enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, family activities, a scavenger hunt, holiday music, and much more!

The tree lighting starts at 4:45 p.m. at the bandstand. Find more details here.

Pataskala Cookie Walk and Lighted Parade

Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 3 pm – 6 pm. Choosing Joy is the theme for the Old Town Holiday Cookie Walk and Lighted Christmas Parade.

Walk through downtown Pataskala, collecting 2 dozen cookies along the way. The completed Boarding Pass can be turned in for a special prize. Families will enjoy character experiences and free activities along the route. Cookie Walk details tba.

The Pataskala Lions Annual Lighted Christmas Parade follows the Cookie Walk at 6 pm. 

Christmas Kickoff in Obetz

The season kicks off in Obetz on Saturday, December 6, 2025 in Lancaster Park with the Tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 pm. Santa will be there for photos, and there will be hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy. Ice skating may be available; weather depending. 

There will be lots of holiday lights throughout Obetz for the season, including downtown Obetz, Lancaster Park and Veterans Park, and Historic Church.

Christmas in Obetz: Tree lighting, Santa, Holiday lights, and more

Holidays in Powell and Annual Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 12 pm – 7 pm.

Shop in the boutiques and dine at the local restaurants or from food trucks. Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is in effect in downtown Powell, so grab a beverage at participating locations as you walk around town and enjoy the experiences.

The event features photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus (registration required), Santa’s Gift Shop with handmade items, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony and more. See details here. 

Holidays in Powell Tree Lighting and Festivities

Sunbury Christmas on the Square

Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 4 – 8 p.m. Christmas on the Square in Sunbury activities – Shop the Craft & Gift Fair and enjoy holiday activities before the lighted Christmas parade. The tree lighting will be on the Square after the parade, followed by visits and pictures with Santa. 

Route 42 Holiday Hop and Christmas Under the Clock in Plain City

December 6, 2025

9 am – 12 pm: Route 42 Holiday Hop with Santa at Plain City Hardware|
4 pm – 7 pm: Christmas Under the Clock in Plain City at the Clock Tower.  Wagon rides, pics with Santa, business open houses, vendors, and more, with the tree lighting ceremony
7 pm: Santa Parade through the Village

See more holiday events in Plain City, including lights at Pastime Park, Santa Pictures, and Santa’s Mailbox.

Lights at Pastime Park and Christmas in Plain City

Santa Parade and Tree Lighting in Johnstown

Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 5:30 pm

Join The Johnstown Children’s Conservation League for the Santa Parade, followed by the holiday event and tree lighting.

The annual Santa Parade begins at 5pm. Parade route is Right on N Main St. Left on Maple ends at Organ St..

After the Parade join Santa in the town square! He will be in the Santa House that evening until 8pm.
Visit the local businesses, enjoy food trucks, family games, hot cocoa, Santa secret shops for kids, and the tree lighting ceremony at 8 pm.

Historic Roscoe Village Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony

Saturday, December 6 & Saturday, December 13, 2025

Enjoy a visit with Santa, hear strolling carolers, enjoy complimentary hot-mulled cider and cookies, roasted chestnuts and other holiday festivities.

At 6:00pm Roscoe Village begins celebrating the holiday season at the main stage with the Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony. Experience the Village holiday tradition of the Christmas tree lighting and the joy of an old fashion tradition. Admission and parking are free. Details here. 

 A Roscoe Christmas Tour

Journey back in time with our NEW self-guided Christmas tour. Discover how the holiday season was celebrated in the 1800s! 

• Saturday, December 6th 10am-4pm
• Saturday, December 13th 10am-4pm
• Saturday, December 20th through Wednesday, December 31st 10am-4pm

Discovery District Trolley Hop

Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 1-6 p.m.

The Trolley is back in 2024 to take participants on rides to visit various merchants and cultural institutions on the eastern part of Downtown.

The whole family will enjoy the seasonal delights and there will be free trolleys running continuously from 1-6 p.m. through the District with fun stops for activities, crafts, tours and shopping to help you stuff stockings.

This year’s hop has two starting locations: the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Branch at 96 S. Grant Ave. and the Warehouse District at 256 E Neilston St. Parking is available at both locations. Additional parking is available at the Columbus Commons Garage, 55 E. Rich St. See more details. 

Downtown Columbus Holiday Trolley Hop

Holiday Hop and Hilliard Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 3:30-6:30 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.

It’s a Wonderful Life in Thornville

December 7, 2025 from 3 pm – 6 pm 

The Village of Thornville is ready for a day of holiday activities ending with the tree lighting and live nativity. Details here.

3p to 4:15 – Crafts at Thornville Library
3p to 7p – Carraige Rides by CNR Carriage rides
4p to 6p – Live Music at Thornville UMC
4:00pm – Cookies & Hot Chocolate at Grace Lutheran
5:30pm – LIGHTED Parade (line-up 4pm – 5pm)
6:00pm – Tree Lighting
6:45pm – Live Nativity at Trinity United Church of Christ

Orange Township Holiday event

December 7, 2025 from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Enjoy holiday fun in North Orange Park. Free Hot chocolate and cookies, tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, train rides, and more! Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Delaware People In Need! See details on Facebook. 
7560 Gooding Blvd, Delaware

Bexley Holiday Tree Lighting

Head to the district on Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm for the festive Bexley Christmas Tree Lighting. 

The fun and festivities start at 5:00 pm with performances by the Bexley 8th grade Choir, and the High School Vocal Ensemble Choir. We’ll have hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes before Mayor Kessler lights the tree with Santa Claus. Santa will be staying after the tree is lit for kids to meet with him!

Village Lights in German Village

Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 5-9 p.m. Lots of holiday spirit out and about in German Village, including shopping, food, decorations, and luminaries to lead you through the Village. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there.

Follow the luminaries for Village Lights in Historic German Village

Christmas Open House at the Orange Johnson House

Sundays, December 14, 2025 from 1 pm – 4 pm. Enjoy federal-style tradition, light refreshments, and musical performances in the sitting room decorated for the Christmas season at the Orange Johnson House.

Free admission with food donation to the Worthington Resource Pantry. 

(Info for 2024 will be updated when available)

HolidayVille in Clintonville

December 7, 2025. Hop on the Jolly Trolley shuttles from 12 pm- 3 pm to shop sales and specials to support local Clintonville businesses. Stick around the more fun in the area: 

• 2:00 pm: Columbus Krampus Walk (from Global Gallery to Magical Druid)
• 2:30 pm:Clintonville Community ChoirConcert at North Broadway UMC
• 3:00 pm: Clintonville Community Band Concert at Whetstone High School
• 6:00 pm: Clintonville Treelighting Festival at Whetstone Rec and Library
• 7:00 pm: Christmas Concert at Calvary Baptist Chu