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
November Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
Cabela’s Tree Lighting and Arrival of Santa: Saturday, November 10 at 5 pm. Magical tree lighting, Unveiling of Santa’s Wonderland®, FREE cookies and McSteven’s® hot chocolate*, Decorate a stocking. Santa will be giving away a $25 Bass Pro Shops® Gift Card to 1 lucky winner every half hour! 5:30–7PM. Santa will be available for free photos from November 10 – December 24; hours vary based on day. There are free crafts everyday, free plush 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 11 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.
Easton Holiday Lighting Ceremony: Friday, November 16 at 6 p.m. Carriage rides, photos with Santa, and holidays sales and activities
Sparkle Night at The Shops at Worthington Place: Saturday, November 17 from 6-8 pm. Fun, music, and celebration with the Tree Lighting at 6:30pm. Kids can visit and have photos taken with Santa, and there will be face painting, a balloon artist, and music.
Holiday Open Farm at Harrison Farms: Saturdays, November 17 – December 22, 2018 from 1 pm – 5 pm. Come visit The Hangar to shop the farm products, take a farm tour to meet our newest baby animals, and enjoy a delicious chocolate chip cookie (from Grandmother Harrison’s famous recipe). Feel welcome to stop by anytime between 1pm and 5pm on Saturdays from 11/17 to 12/22.
Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration: November 18 starting at 3 p.m. with family fun, Santa, tree lighting and so many events and activities
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.
Worthington Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting: November 25. 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.
Capital University Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 26 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.
Marysville Uptown Christmas Walk: November 26 from 5-8 p.m. Free, family-friendly festival featuring Santa, carriage rides, live nativity, 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.
Holiday Tours at the John and Annie Glenn Museum: Monday, November 26, 2018 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.
Reynoldsburg Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 26 at 7 pm. Sing carols, drink hot chocolate and watch the tree lighting ceremony at the Reynoldsburg City Hall.
Main Library Holiday Open House and Topiary Park Lighting Celebration: November 28 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.
Christmas at the Coffman Homestead: November 29, December 2nd, and 9th from 5-7 pm. See the historic Coffman House and homestead Thursday November 29 during the Tree Lighting ceremony, and Sunday December 2nd and 9th in conjunction with Holly Days. The Coffman House will be decorated with a Victorian Christmas theme by the Muirfield Village Garden Club. On both days, the barn will be open with a gaily-decorated sleigh offering a perfect spot for a photo.
City of Dublin Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: November 29 from 5-7 p.m.; Santa, music and more.
Gateway’s annual tree lighting, “It’s Lit”: November 30 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.!
Upper Arlington Winter Festival and Tree Lighting: November 30 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Caroling, carriage rides, bonfire with s’mores, visits with Santa and the tree lighting ceremony.
Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony: Friday, November 30 from 7-8 pm in the new Civic Green at Westerville City Hall with live holiday music, a candle lighting celebration and much more in Uptown Westerville. Santa may be available for photos (details tba)
First Friday and Holiday Tree Lighting in Delaware: November 30 from 6 – 9 p.m., featuring caroling, carriage rides, the Tree Lighting and more. Holiday Open House, Santa House, and the parade will be happening during the weekend too!
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.
December Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
Christmas on the Towne in Reynoldsburg: Saturday, December 1 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.
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!
Downtown Lancaster Winter Fest: December 1 from 12-5 pm. Free carriage rides, photos with Santa at the Santa House, kids crafts in the businesses, scavenger hunt, Tour of Trees at Fairfield County 211, holiday music, and much more! The downtown tree lighting is at 5 pm.
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.
Pataskala Main Street Christmas Cookie Walk & Lighted Parade: December 1 from 3 – 8 pm. Make a donation 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, face painting, train display, light refreshments, character experiences, caroling, music, Mead Needham Museum tour, selfie station, and Lighted Christmas Parade at 6:00 pm.
Holiday Open House in Delaware: December 1 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.
Holly Days in Dublin: December 1 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. Stay for the Tree Lighting in Historic Dublin is at 5 pm.
Granville Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour: Saturday, December 1 from 1 – 9 p.m. All day activities, plus Santa
New Albany Holiday Market & Tree Lighting Celebration: December 1 from 2 – 5:30 pm. Bring the whole family to enjoy ice sculpture demonstrations, bounce house, giant snow globe, kids crafts, donuts, popcorn, cookies, apple cider, hot cocoa, coffee, cookie decorating, stilt walker, balloon twister, holiday dog treats, reindeer treats, kids ornament decorating, Tesla Model X Light Show, and holiday cheer from event sponsors and community partners. Be there when Santa arrives at 2 p.m. on his sleigh (fire truck)! Bring the kids to the Kids Only Holiday Shop at Heit Center for Healthy New Albany. The Tree Lighting program is at 5 p.m.
Holidays in Powell: December 1, from 2 – 6 p.m. at the Village Green Park; carriage rides, crafts, Santa, and more
Grove City Christmas Celebration and Mistletoe Market: December 1 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.
Christmas Under the Clock in Plain City: December 1 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 1 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. Along with many other businesses in the Town Square, the sponsors of Comet’s Landing will also be offering some Open House activities throughout the evening, please stop in and say HI!
Downtown Lancaster Winter Fest: December 1 from 12-5 pm. Free carriage rides, photos with Santa at the Santa House, kids crafts in the businesses, elf scavenger hunt, holiday music, and much more! The downtown tree lighting is at 5 pm.
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!
Winterfest at Bicentennial Park: December 1 from 11 am – 4pm The celebration features Rayland Baxter, 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.
Bexley Holiday Hop: December 2 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 snowman hunt to win prizes. This year’s event will be capped off with the menorah lighting at Capital University and the City’s tree lighting at Drexel Circle
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
Prairie Township Tree Lighting: December 2 from 2 – 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!
Christmas Parade in Delaware: December 2 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!
Holiday Hop and Hilliard Tree Lighting: December 2 from 4-6:30 p.m. Lighting of the tree in Hilliard’s Station Park with music, visit by Santa, ice sculpting demonstrations, reindeer, cookie decorating, food trucks, face painting, wagon rides and hot chocolate! There will be activities in the park, along Main Street, at Historical Village, and Civics and Cultural Arts Center. Catch a free bus near Main St. to hop between Main St. activities and the Historical Village
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!
Village Lights in German Village: Sunday, December 2 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.
Grandview Heights Holiday Tree Lighting: December 4 from 3 – 9 p.m. Carolers, refreshments, and the tree lighting
Christmas Corner Lighting of State Auto Christmas Display and Life-Sized Nativity: Opening night December 4 from 5:30-8 pm. 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.
Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival: December 6 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!
Old Pickerington Village Holiday: December 7 from 5-8 pm. Strolling carolers, cookie decorating, storytelling, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, indoor Holiday gift market, hop on/off trolley, Gingerbread House contest, visit with Santa, lighting of the pantry lights at 6:00 pm and lighting of Pickerington’s Christmas Tree at 7:00 pm.
Party at the North Pole: December 7 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Worthington Community Center. Annual Holiday Party with family friendly DJ, crafts, games and a visit from Santa.
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.
Westerville Lions Children’s Christmas Parade: Sunday, December 9, 2018 at 2:15 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 2018 parade Grand Marshal is Otterbein University’s new President Dr. John Comerford. Proceeds from the parade and run/walk will benefit the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank and the Ohio Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.
- 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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