Columbus is made up with so many amazing communities that have their own traditions and 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!
- Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list
- Free and cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Your Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in Columbus
- Over 40 Holiday Art and Craft Festivals
- Turkey Trots and Holiday Races
- Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus
- Christmas Theater and Concerts in Columbus
- Breakfasts with Santa
- Photos with Santa
- Locations of Mailboxes for Letters to Santa
- Community Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
- Holiday Train Rides in Ohio: Santa Trains and Polar Express
- Free and Cheap Activities for Winter Break in Columbus
- Columbus Happy Hours
2019 Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
November Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
Cabela’s Tree Lighting and Arrival of Santa: Saturday, November 16 at 5 pm. Magical tree lighting, Decorate a stocking. Santa will be giving away a $25 Bass Pro Shops® Gift Card or blankets to 1 lucky winner every half hour! 5:30–7:30 pm. Get a free 4×6 photo with Santa between 6-8 pm.
- Santa will be available for free photos from November 17 – December 24 with a Bass Pass; hours vary based on day. There are free crafts everyday, free Santa stress toy for the first 100 kids on Mon-Thurs from 5-7 pm, and you can write a letter to Santa and receive an email from Santa. Photos with Santa are free, and the set and Santa are authentic and festive!
Holiday Cheer Kickoff Parade and Santa’s Arrival at Polaris Fashion Place: Sunday, November 17 at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. with the grand arrival of Santa and company. Welcome Santa as he marches with the Worthington Kilbourne marking band and all your favorite costume characters through the mall from the Food Hall to the Santa Set.
Main Library Holiday Open House and Topiary Park Lighting Celebration: November 20 from 6-8 pm. Join us for hands-on activities, sing-along carols and meet a very Special Guest during Main Library’s Holiday Open House. Also, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while visiting live reindeer and illuminated lanterns in Topiary Park! Indoor and outdoor activities are free and so is parking in Main Library’s garage and surrounding parking lots. Bring the whole family! Complimentary coat check and stroller parking offered.
Easton Holiday Lighting Ceremony: Friday, November 22 at 6:30 p.m. Carriage rides, holiday parade, photos with Santa, and holidays sales and activities
Sparkle Night at The Shops at Worthington Place: Saturday, November 24 from 12-7 pm. Holiday activities, Elf Hunt, cookie decorating, hot cocoa bar, special performances, character meet and greets and the very special arrival of SANTA in a mini parade led by Worthington Kilbourne Marching Band. Check the link for the huge schedule of events for the day.
Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration: Sunday, November 24, 2019 starting at 3 p.m. with family fun, Santa, tree lighting and so many events and activities
New Albany Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration: Sunday, November 24, 2019 from 2 – 6 pm. Start off at the Kids Only Holiday Shop at Heit Center for Healthy New Albany from 11 – 4 pm so the kids can pick out special gifts for their families. Bring the whole family to Market Square to enjoy ice sculpture demonstrations, carriage rides, bounce house, kids crafts, donuts, popcorn, cookies, apple cider, hot cocoa, coffee, cookie decorating, stilt walker, balloon twister, holiday dog treats, reindeer treats, kids ornament decorating, and holiday cheer from event sponsors and community partners. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater for our Ugly Sweater Contest! Stop by the Topgolf Columbus PhiGolf Golf Simulator tent to test our your swing. Be there when Santa arrives at 2 p.m. on his sleigh (fire truck)! The Tree Lighting program is at 5:30 p.m.
December Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
Worthington Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting: December 1. Enjoy carriage rides, iceless ice rink, live music, and Santa in Downtown Worthington. Head to the Village Green for carolers and the annual tree lighting at dusk.
Prairie Township Tree Lighting: December 1 from 4 – 6 pm. Crowds will enjoy a musical program and participate in the countdown to light the tree. Santa Claus will make a special appearance as well!
Holiday Hop and Hilliard Tree Lighting: December 1 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 will be activities in the park, along Main Street, at Historical Village, and Civics and Cultural Arts Center. The event is walkable, but a trolley will also be available from the Chase Bank parking lot to the Historical Village.
Holiday Tours at the John and Annie Glenn Museum: December 2 from 5-8:30 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.
Marysville Uptown Christmas Walk: December 2 from 5-8 p.m. Free, family-friendly festival featuring Santa, carriage rides, live nativity, reindeer, holiday dancers, and the Christmas Tree Lighting in Partners Park at 6 pm. Shops will be open and many will be offering refreshment and discounts.
Grandview Heights Holiday Tree Lighting: December 3 from 3 – 8 p.m. Carolers, refreshments, and the tree lighting. Iceless ice rink starts at 3 pm; lighting ceremony events begin at 5:30 pm.
Christmas Corner Lighting of State Auto Christmas Display and Life-Sized Nativity: Opening night December 3 from 5:30-8 pm, with a performance by the Columbus Children’s Choir. Will be lit nightly at State Auto Downtown through the season, with choir performances on Fridays and Saturdays. The display is lighted daily through January 2.
City of Dublin Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: December 5 from 5-7 p.m.; Santa, music and more. The Coffman Homestead Barn will be open with a decorated sleigh that is perfect for photos.
Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival: December 5 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.; Free, family-friendly holiday festival including Santa and Mrs. Claus, the lighting of the Statehouse and trees, and more!
Pickerington Olde Village Holiday Gathering: December 6 from 5-8 pm. Strolling carolers, cookie decorating, storytelling, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, mini train rides, reindeer, live nativity, indoor Holiday gift market, hop on/off trolley, Gingerbread House contest, visit and photos with Santa (take your own for free or have one taken for a $5 donation), Lighting the Festival of Lights at the Food Pantry at 6:00 pm and lighting of Pickerington’s Christmas Tree at 7:00 pm.
Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony: December 6 from 5-9 pm in the new Civic Green at Westerville City Hall with live holiday music, a candle lighting celebration and much more in Uptown Westerville. Crafts, cookies, games, music and more. A visit with Santa and other photo opportunities will be available.
Upper Arlington Winter Festival and Tree Lighting: December 6 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Caroling, carriage rides, bonfire with s’mores, visits with Santa and the tree lighting ceremony.
Free Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons: Fridays, December 6, 13, and 20
Home for the Holidays and Holiday Tree Lighting in Delaware: December 6-8 The Home for the Holidays event and tree lighting in Downtown Delaware is from 6 – 9 p.m. on Friday, featuring caroling, carriage rides, the Tree Lighting and more. Holiday Open House, Santa House, and the parade will be happening during the weekend too!
Christmas on the Towne in Reynoldsburg: Saturday, December 7 from 10 am – 3 pm. Held the 1st Saturday of December to kick off the holiday season in Olde Towne Reynoldsburg. Local merchants open their shops with specials and give-aways for adults and kids alike. Visit with Santa Claus, stop by the Secret Santa Shop, enjoy a carriage ride through Olde Reynoldsburg, and sample many of the seasonal goodies that are offered throughout the day. Stick around the for the Lighting Ceremony and Parade (below).
Reynoldsburg Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade: December 7 at 4-6 pm. Enjoy the holiday sights, sounds, and sensations with the holiday parade, caroling, crafts, letters to Santa and the lighting of the City tree. Parade will begin at 4:00 pm starting at Cypress Alley down Main Street through Old Reynoldsburg to City Hall. After the parade make your way to City Hall for photos with Santa and his elves. The City of Reynoldsburg’s Mayor will lead the community in lighting the City’s Christmas tree at 6:00 pm.
Grove City Christmas Celebration and Mistletoe Market: December 7 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; This family-friendly festival features photos with Santa, live reindeer, Mistletoe Market and Secret Santa shop, carols, a parade, Grove City tree lighting and more.
Winterfest at Bicentennial Park: December 7 from 11 am – 4pm The celebration features live music, seasonal beer from local breweries, and Columbus food truck favorites. A portion of food truck and beer sales will be donated to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.
Holiday Open House in Delaware: December 7 from 12 – 4 p.m. Downtown businesses will offer treats and treasures, take part in the Dash for Dasher children’s scavenger hunt, and visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s House from 1-3.
Downtown Lancaster Winter Fest: December 7 from 12-5 pm. Free carriage rides, photos with Santa at the Santa House, kids crafts in the businesses, scavenger hunt, holiday music, and much more! The downtown tree lighting is at dusk.
Holiday Open Farm at Harrison Farms: Saturdays, December 7 – December 21 from 1 pm – 4 pm. Come visit The Hangar to shop the farm products, and take a farm tour to meet the animals.
Holly Days in Dublin: December 7 from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. in Historic Dublin. Family activities including 12 Elves of Dublin Hunt, kids’ crafts at various businesses, Visit with Santa Claus at Dublin Toy Emporium, Story time with Mrs. Claus and Cookie Decorating at Our Cupcakery, and more.
Granville Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour: Saturday, December 7 from 1 – 9 p.m. All day activities, plus Santa
Christmas at the Coffman Homestead: December 8 from 1-7 pm. See the historic Coffman House and Homestead for ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at Coffman Homestead. Tour the 1860s era home dressed up with decorations created by The Muirfield Village Garden Club that will reflect the beloved poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Enjoy musical entertainment, hot cider and cookies. Tickets are $5 and free for ages 5 and under. On both days, the barn will be open with a gaily-decorated sleigh offering a perfect spot for a photo.
Holidays in Powell: December 7, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Village Green Park; carriage rides, crafts, Santa, and more
Pataskala Main Street Christmas Cookie Walk & Lighted Parade: December 7 from 3 – 8 pm. Make a $10 minimum donation per family to receive a bag with which you can walk between shops collecting your goodies. Open to the first 400 families. Donations will be given to local food pantries. Food truck and/or vendors will be open for dinner. Free activities include kids crafts, letters to Santa, hot chocolate, train display, light refreshments, character experiences, caroling, music, and Lighted Christmas Parade at 6:00 pm.
Christmas Under the Clock in Plain City: December 7 from 5-8 p.m. At the Clock Tower. Wagon rides, pics with Santa, business open houses, ice sculpting, craft vendors, etc.
Sunbury Christmas on the Square: December 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. Along with Santa, Comet will be joining the visit to Sunbury. We are offering an exciting and rare photo opportunity for you and your friends and family to get your photo taken with Comet and Santa’s Sleigh, for free, between 5-8 pm! Santa will be brought to you by the Sunbury Chamber of Commerce and will be inside of the Town Hall again this year. Comet will be located just outside of the entrance to the Town hall.
Bexley Holiday Hop: December 8 from 12 – 4 pm. Hop on the Holiday Hop Express and enjoy shopping and special promotions and events through the district. Catch live entertainment, a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and a scavenger hunt to win prizes.
Westerville Lions Children’s Christmas Parade: Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 2:20 pm. The Westerville Lions Club is proud to bring this long-standing tradition to the community! The Westerville Children’s Christmas parade will step off from State St. and Electric Ave. once the last walkers have made the half-way turn in the Rudolph Run/Walk 5K. The 2019 parade Grand Marshal is former Westerville mayor and city council member Diane Fosselman (now retired).
Christmas Parade in Delaware: December 8 at 3 p.m. The parade begins at Mingo Park (500 E Lincoln Ave.) Ends at Wilmer Street. The post office will be collecting Letters to Santa at the beginning of the parade!
Village Lights in German Village: Sunday, December 8 from 5-9 p.m.; lots of holiday spirit out and about, including shopping, food, decorations, and luminaries to lead you through the Village. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, as well as lots of holiday fun.
Party at the North Pole: December 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Worthington Community Center. Annual Holiday Party with family friendly DJ, crafts, games and a visit from Santa.
BULLETED EVENTS BELOW ARE NOT UPDATED FOR 2019
- Christmas at Lynd Fruit Farm: November 24 and 25 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The Christmas Shoppe will be open and we will be selling Christmas trees! Step inside the giant Giant Snow Globe for an awesome picture. Grab a bite to eat at Woody & Lous’s Smokin’ Mac before jumping on the wagon to ride back to the S’More Camp! NOTE: There will be an additional 2 weekends of activities, TBA.
- Capital University Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 25 from 4-8 pm. Enjoy the iceless skating rink starting at 4 pm. The tree lighting is at 6 pm with refreshments, cookie decorating and the opportunity to have your picture taken with Santa. Donations of hats, scarves and gloves will be given to The Open Shelter and First English Lutheran Church. https://www.facebook.com/CapitalSCE/
- Gateway’s annual tree lighting, “It’s Lit”: December 6 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Join Great Lakes Brewing Company, Warhol & WALL ST., and I, Too, Sing America: The Harlem Renaissance at 100 as we sample #ChristmasAle, sip seasonal cocktails, hang special ornaments, break out the Kissletoe Arch, and hip-hop along to variations of our favorite yuletide tunes with Rawest4mation, an eclectic group of local performers! The party starts at 5:30p.m. in the back beer garden/plaza area. Coffee Connections of Hilliard, LLC will be on-site with their mobile cart, offering hot non-alcoholic drinks and an array of sweets while The District PourHouse will have food and drink specials to round out the festivities. The 24ft tree will officially LIGHT UP at 6:30p.m.!
- German Village Garten Club Tree Lighting: November 30 from 7-9 pm. The traditional lighting of the trees in Frank Fetch Park complete with Santa and hot chocolate.
- Cheryl’s Annual Holiday Party: December 1 from 10 am – 6 pm. Visit with Santa from 10 am – noon, frost a cookie with Mrs. Claus from noon – 2 pm. All day, enjoy the Secret Santa Shop, were little ones can bring their lists and a special elf will help them shop (prices $1-$10). Pssst, your gifts will fit in the freezer until Christmas. There will be special deals on cookies and fun Christmas gifts too!
- Santa Parade and Home for the Holidays in Johnstown: December 1 and December 2. On Saturday, enjoy the Cookie Walk at the United Methodist Church at 9 am -12 pm and Munchin at the Manger at the American Legion Hall 9-12pm. On Sunday, December 3, evening events will kick off with the Santa Parade at 6pm with musical and dance performances to follow. Area shops will be open with fun activities and free carriage rides downtown for the family!
- Short North Holiday Hop Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration: December 1 from 12 – 9 p.m. Shop from local artisans, crafters, and makers during the Holiday Hop Pop Up Shop at the Holiday Headquarters (located at 780 N. High St). Get your photo taken with Santa at the Holiday Headquarters from 12 – 4 p.m. See the District Tree Lighting in Poplar Park with hosts Nina West and NBC4’s Monica Day. Find out how to earn a $50 parking meter card with the Short North Arts District Holiday Trail.
- Holiday Hop in the Short North: December 1 from 12 – 10 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, along with the Tree Lighting and Santa!
- Old Time Christmas at the Orange Johnson House: December 2, 9, and 16 from 2-5 pm. Enjoy federal-style tradition, light refreshments, and musical performances in the sitting room. Free admission with food donation to the Worthington Resource Pantry
- HolidayVille in Clintonville: December 2 from 12 – 4 p.m. Neighborhood party with shopping, holiday cheer, and the Jolly Trolley to transport you between stores!
- Firefighters for Kids Toy Drive at Worthington Fire Department: December 8 and 15 from 8 am – 3 pm. Drive through and drop off new and unwrapped toys and/or canned goods. Donations can be dropped off 24/7 before Christmas Eve. 6500 N. High Street. Donated toys need to be new and unwrapped. They can be for children of all ages, however there is a particular need for toys for teenage boys and girls. Cash or check donations are also welcomed. The toys will be distributed to central Ohio area children who might otherwise go without this holiday season.
- Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list
- Free and cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Your Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in Columbus
- Over 40 Holiday Art and Craft Festivals
- Turkey Trots and Holiday Races
- Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus
- Christmas Theater and Concerts in Columbus
- Breakfasts with Santa
- Photos with Santa
- Locations of Mailboxes for Letters to Santa
- Community Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
- Holiday Train Rides in Ohio: Santa Trains and Polar Express
- Free and Cheap Activities for Winter Break in Columbus
- Columbus Happy Hours
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