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!

2024 Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus

All events are subject to change and cancellation. We are still updating the list for 2024. Please check links to ensure nothing has changed before you attend an event.

Santa arrives at Cabelas Polaris

Sunday, November 2, 2024. 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.

Capital University Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 13, 2024 at 5 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. Plus, 22nd. St. Cookies will be selling cookie dough for purchase; proceeds support their business and the local teens who are employed.

Tanger Outlets Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

Friday, November 15, 2024 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.

Easton Holiday Lighting Grand Illumination

Friday, November 22, 2024. Enjoy seasonal surprises at the Easton Grand Illumination, including millions of twinkling lights. The fun begins at 6PM, 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.

Holiday Carriage Rides start November 23, and Santa Pictures begin on November 23, during regular holiday hours!

Easton Holiday Lights, Carriage Rides, Santa, and seasonal fun

New Albany Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

Sunday, November 24, 2024 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, reindeer corral, and entertainers. Mayor Spalding will lead the countdown to light the holiday tree at sunset (approximately 5:25pm).
 
Beverages and food available for purchase from Market Square restaurants and food trucks. The New Albany Library is hosting a Holiday Letter Writing Workshop from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Drop your letters to Santa in the red mailbox at the library for special delivery to the North Pole!

Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration

Sunday, November 24, 2024 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!

2024 Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration and Creekside Park Lights Display

Annual Lighting of the Licking County Courthouse

Friday, November 29, 2024 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 29, 2024 – January 6, 2025.

Will be lit nightly at St. Joseph Cathedral (212 East Broad Street) through the holiday season. Events and choirs tba for 2024.

Nativity at Cathedral Square (formerly State Auto Christmas Corner)

Worthington Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 1, 2024. 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.

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: On December 1, 2024, gather together to kick off the holiday season with the official lighting of the Granville Christmas Tree at 5:00 pm. The tree is located at the median on Broadway west of Main. Cookies and hot cocoa will be provided. 

Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour: The annual Christmas Candlelight event is on Saturday, December 7, 2024. 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!

Holiday Hop and Hilliard Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 1, 2024 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)

It’s a Wonderful Life in Thornville

December 1, 2024 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.

Crafts & Story Time 3pm – 4:15pm at the Library
Live Christmas Music in Thornville UMC 4pm – 6pm
Parade Kicks off at 5pm (Line-Up 3:30p -4:30p at Thornville Elementary)
Cookies & Hot Chocolate at Grace Lutheran
Tree Lighting at The Masonic Lodge at 5:30pm
Live Nativity at Trinity Church of Christ at 6pm

City of Dublin Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 5, 2024 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

 

Uptown Marysville Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting 

Monday, December 2, 2024 from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

Participating Uptown Marysville businesses will have special extended hours to help you get a start on your holiday shopping. The MORA will be in effect, so grab a drink and mingle!

Visitors enjoy live reindeer, children’s activities, dance troupes, carolers, and musical performers, costumed characters, horse-drawn carriage rides, door prizes, and even photos with Saint Nick himself at Santa’s Village!

The annual tree lighting for the 30 foot Christmas Tree at Partners Park is at 6 pm. Many business will stay open with special activities and sales. 

Marysville Holiday Season: holiday lights, ice skating, and more

Holiday Tours at the John and Annie Glenn Museum

December 2, 2024 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 3, 2024 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 5, 2024 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!

Pickerington Holiday Gathering

Friday, December 6, 2024 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 6, 2024 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.

Ice Sculptures and other Holiday fun in Uptown Westerville

Upper Arlington Winter Festival, Tree Lighting, and Parade

Friday, December 6, 2024 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 6, 2024 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 6 and Saturday, December 7, 2024. 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 6-8, 2024 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 7, 2024 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

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. 

2024 Downtown Columbus Holiday Trolley Hop

Holiday Hop in the Short North

Saturday, December 7, 2024 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 7, 2024 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 Main Street Christmas Cookie Walk and Lighted Parade

Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 3 pm – 6 pm. Choosing Joy is the theme for the annual Main Street Christmas Christmas Cookie Walk, presented by the Pataskala Lions Club.

Open to the first 800 families. Tickets are $20 per family. Proceeds will be split between the Storehouse for Jesus Food Pantry and the Kids Eat Free Program.

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.

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 7, 2024 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 7, 2024 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. 

Sunbury Christmas on the Square

Saturday, December 7, 2024 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 7, 2024

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 7, 2024 at 5:30 pm

Join The Johnstown Children’s Conservation League for the Santa Parade, followed by the “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” holiday event and tree lighting.

Santa Parade and I’ll Be Home For Christmas Downtown Celebration. 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 7 & Saturday, December 14, 2024

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 7th 10am-4pm
• Saturday, December 14th 10am-4pm
• Saturday, December 21st through Tuesday, December 24th 10am-4pm

Orange Township Holiday event

December 8, 2024 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 8, 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm for the festive Bexley Christmas Tree Lighting. 

Enjoy performances by Jeffrey Mansion Preschool, Bexley Middle School Choir, and the High School Vocal Ensemble Choir, along with hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes. 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 8, 2024 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

 

Old Time Christmas at the Orange Johnson House

Sundays, December 15, 2024 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 3, 2023. Hop on the Jolly Trolley to shop sales and specials to support local Clintonville businesses.