Over 255 free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

Have fun in Columbus this weekend with free and cheap events! Relax at home with your family, or find plenty of things to do in Columbus!

You’ll also find fall fun, date ideas, festivals, outdoor activities, and so much more!

Some events may require advance registration, so check links. We’ll add more as we hear of them, and you can always find a complete list on our Calendar page.

If you know of a free or cheap event you think we should add for the weekend in Columbus, email us at news@columbusonthecheap.com.

You can get free daily email updates of all the free and cheap events, plus discounts on entertainment and dining, by subscribing to our daily newsletter.

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This weekend in Columbus

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus

All Day

List of free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

All Day

Restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Columbus

All Day | Central Ohio

Powell Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day

All Day | Powell Village Green Park and Municipal Building

Santa's Wonderland with free pictures with Santa

All Day | FREE | Cabela’s

Over 60 FREE things to do Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family

FREE

Hulu Black Friday-Cyber Monday deal: $1.99/month for 12 months

Virtual

Call Butterball Turkey-Talk Line for prep and cooking help

Shop Local in Columbus for the Holidays

Lights at Pastime Park in Plain City

FREE

Elf On The Shelf Scavenger Hunt at Tanger Outlets

Tanger Outlets Columbus

Find photos with Santa throughout Columbus!

New Albany Thanksforgiving 4 Miler and Kids Run

8:30 am to 10:30 am

Thanksgiving Wattle 5k, Bike Ride, Kids Run, and Adaptive event

8:30 am to 10:30 am | $15.00-40.00

The Delaware Turkey Trot 5K & Kid's Fun Run

8:30 am to 10:30 am | $10.00-44.00

Honda Federal Credit Union Pumpkin Dash 5k

9:00 am to 11:00 am | $35.00-45.00

Lights of Glenross Neighborhood Christmas Light Show

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

The best Columbus Christmas lights displays

5:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE

Columbus Commons Holiday Lights

5:00 pm | FREE

Butch Bando's Holiday Fantasy of Lights

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights

Santa's House at Cross Creek Campground

5:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Cross Creek Campground

Wonderlight's Christmas in Ohio

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Hartford Fairgrounds

Magic of Lights drive through experience at the Historic Crew Stadium

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Friday, November 25, 2022

Library Story Time in Columbus (everyday!)

All Day

Gifts of the Craftsmen Sale at Ohio Craft Museum

All Day

Sending Letters to Santa in Columbus

All Day | FREE

Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus

All Day

List of free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

All Day

Kids Eat Free (or cheap) in Columbus

All Day

Discounted and Free Museum Days in Columbus

All Day

Over 325 festivals in Columbus and Central Ohio

All Day

Santa's Wonderland with free pictures with Santa

All Day | FREE | Cabela’s

Free Fries at McDonald's on Fridays with in-app order

All Day

Girls’ Weekend Out at Oakland Nursery INSIDE & OUT

All Day | FREE

Black Friday Sale at FPC Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse

All Day | $3.00-25.00 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus

Over 60 FREE things to do Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family

FREE

Reading Fun: Story times in Columbus

Celtic Cocktail Trail in Dublin

Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio

Free food freebies, delivery and cheap eats in Columbus

The North Pole Express at Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation

$3.00-4.00 | Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc.

Hulu Black Friday-Cyber Monday deal: $1.99/month for 12 months

Virtual

Call Butterball Turkey-Talk Line for prep and cooking help

Shop Local in Columbus for the Holidays

Gifts for mail carriers and delivery drivers

Free youth workshops with Microsoft held virtually

FREE | Virtual

North Pole Adventure™ at Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Huntington Holiday Train at CML

Columbus Metropolitan Main Library

Lights at Pastime Park in Plain City

FREE

“Avian Avatars” by The Myth Makers

The Dawes Arboretum

Black Friday/Small Business Saturday Specials at Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Company

Cherry Valley Hotel Winter Glow

Cherry Valley Hotel

Annual Holiday LEGO® Exhibition at CMA

Santa Photos at Tuttle Crossing Mall

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing

Mighty Children’s Museum Ice Skating

$5.00

Guide to Ohio State Football Games and Tailgating on OSU Campus

The Ohio State University

F3 Columbus Free Workouts for Men (multiple locations)

5:30 am to 6:30 am | FREE

World Cup Watch Party at Lower.com field

8:00 am to 4:00 pm | Lower.com Field

The Turkey Trail Challenge

9:00 am to 2:00 pm | The Dawes Arboretum

Marcus Theatres $6 Senior Matinees on Friday

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Marcus Theatres

Holiday Horse Parade in Urbana

10:00 am to 8:00 pm | FREE

Photos with Santa at Easton

10:00 am to 9:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Easton Town Center

Create a Gingerbread House

11:00 am to 4:00 pm | $8.00-25.00 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Free falafel at Levant when you show the #FalafelFriday

11:00 am to 8:00 pm | Levant: Elevated Mediterranean Eatery

Kelton House Tours

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-7.00 | Kelton House Museum

Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Holiday Bazaar at the Canal Market District

3:00 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE

Easton Holiday Carriage Rides

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $0-10.00 | Easton Town Center

Lights of Glenross Neighborhood Christmas Light Show

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

Conservatory Aglow

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $3.00-25.00 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00

Dublin Ice Rink at Riverside Crossing

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00 | Bridge Park

Fields Family Christmas Lights

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

Celebrate the holidays at Kings Island Winterfest

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Wildlights at Columbus Zoo

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

OSU vs Michigan Tailgate kickoff at AC Hotel Downtown Columbus

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | The Ohio State University

The best Columbus Christmas lights displays

5:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE

Columbus Commons Holiday Lights

5:00 pm | FREE

Wine down with Fabulous Fridays

5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | Wyandotte Winery

Santa's House at Cross Creek Campground

5:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Cross Creek Campground

Butch Bando's Holiday Fantasy of Lights

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights

Wonderlight's Christmas in Ohio

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Hartford Fairgrounds

Magic of Lights drive through experience at the Historic Crew Stadium

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio

5:30 pm | $20.00

Annual Lighting of The Licking County Courthouse

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

"Light Up Camp" Drive-Through Light Display at Flying Horse Farms

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Flying Horse Farms

Dazzling Christmas Lights in Westerville’s Annehurst neighborhood

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Shadowbox Live Holiday Show: Holiday Hoopla

7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | $40.00 | Shadowbox Live

Shake Shack: BOGO Shakes this Fall after 8 pm

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Shake Shack – multiple locations

Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights 2019

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Gifts of the Craftsmen Sale at Ohio Craft Museum

All Day

Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus

All Day

List of free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

All Day

Over 100 Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids around Columbus

All Day

Kids Eat Free (or cheap) in Columbus

All Day

Santa's Wonderland with free pictures with Santa

All Day | FREE | Cabela’s

Girls’ Weekend Out at Oakland Nursery INSIDE & OUT

All Day | FREE

Lancaster Holiday Spirit Trail

All Day | FREE

The Nutcracker with Central Ohio Youth Ballet

$14.00-24.00 | The Midland Theatre

The Nutcracker with Movement on Main Center for Dance

$15.00-25.00

Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus

Over 60 FREE things to do Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family

FREE

My Holiday Project Vendor Market

Polaris Fashion Place

Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio

Sweetest Trail in Ohio: Butler County Donut Trail

The North Pole Express at Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation

$3.00-4.00 | Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc.

Hulu Black Friday-Cyber Monday deal: $1.99/month for 12 months

Virtual

North Pole Express at LM&M Railroad

LM&M Railroad

Shop Local in Columbus for the Holidays

Riverboxes in Dublin: Geocaching + Art

FREE

North Pole Adventure™ at Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

A Storybook Christmas Featuring A Very Brady Holiday: at Decorative Arts Center of Ohio

Ways to give during the holidays; adopt-a-family, toy drives, and more

Huntington Holiday Train at CML

Columbus Metropolitan Main Library

Lights at Pastime Park in Plain City

FREE

Oakland Nursery Dispatch Holiday Indoor Decorating Contest

FREE

Merry and Bright Bridges in Union County

FREE

Downtown Lancaster Small Business Celebration Week

FREE

Black Friday/Small Business Saturday Specials at Wolf's Ridge Brewing

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Company

Cherry Valley Hotel Winter Glow

Cherry Valley Hotel

Gift Guide: Create Memories with Experience Gifts around Ohio

Santa Photos at Tuttle Crossing Mall

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing

Mighty Children’s Museum Ice Skating

$5.00

Find photos with Santa throughout Columbus!

Black Friday Sale at Thurber House online

Thurber House

Guide to Ohio State Football Games and Tailgating on OSU Campus

The Ohio State University

F3 Columbus Free Workouts for Men (multiple locations)

6:00 am to 8:00 am

FIA Females in Action Fitness Group: Wyman Woods Park in Grandview Heights

8:00 am to 9:00 am | FREE

Walk with a Doc

8:30 am to 9:30 am | FREE | Highbanks Metro Park

Columbus Hungry Turkey Run 5k/10k

9:00 am to 10:30 am | $37.00-75.00 | Genoa Park

TBDBITL Skull Sessions before OSU football games

9:00 am to 10:30 am | St. John Arena at Ohio State University

Granville Indoor Farmers Market

9:30 am to 12:00 pm

Yoga Workshop for Parents and Kids at Eldon and Elsie YMCA

10:00 am to 11:00 am | FREE

Birdwatching for Beginners

10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Essentials Giveaway for those in need

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | FREE

Paul Busse Garden Railway

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Photos with Santa at Easton

10:00 am to 9:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Easton Town Center

Santa Train at Hocking Valley Scenic Railway

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | $16.00-21.00 | Hocking Valley Scenic Railway

Open Paint Party at Brush Crazy

11:00 am to 7:00 pm | Brush Crazy

The Holiday Market Series at Columbus

11:00 am to 8:00 pm | FREE | Polaris Fashion Place

Kelton House Tours

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-7.00 | Kelton House Museum

Santa Pictures at Oakland Nursery locations

12:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE

Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Dublin Ice Rink at Riverside Crossing

12:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00 | Bridge Park

Holiday Performances at Franklin Park Conservatory

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-25.00 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Land-Grant Brewing Co. Tours

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm | Land-Grant Brewing Company

Christmas Parade in Cambridge: Santa’s Workshop

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Christmas in Veterans Park & Candlelight Christmas at the Webb House

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | FREE

Easton Holiday Carriage Rides

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $0-10.00 | Easton Town Center

Lights of Glenross Neighborhood Christmas Light Show

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

Conservatory Aglow

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $3.00-25.00 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00

Fields Family Christmas Lights

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

Wildlights at Columbus Zoo

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The best Columbus Christmas lights displays

5:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE

Columbus Commons Holiday Lights

5:00 pm | FREE

Santa's House at Cross Creek Campground

5:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Cross Creek Campground

Butch Bando's Holiday Fantasy of Lights

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights

Wonderlight's Christmas in Ohio

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Hartford Fairgrounds

Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio

5:30 pm | $20.00

"Light Up Camp" Drive-Through Light Display at Flying Horse Farms

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Flying Horse Farms

Dazzling Christmas Lights in Westerville’s Annehurst neighborhood

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Shadowbox Live Holiday Show: Holiday Hoopla

7:30 pm to 9:30 pm | $40.00 | Shadowbox Live

Shake Shack: BOGO Shakes this Fall after 8 pm

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Shake Shack – multiple locations

image: Easton Town Center

Sunday, November 27, 2022

Gifts of the Craftsmen Sale at Ohio Craft Museum

All Day

Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus

All Day

List of free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

All Day

Over 100 Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids around Columbus

All Day

Kids Eat Free (or cheap) in Columbus

All Day

Marcus Theatres Sunday Passport: 4 movies for $20

All Day

Santa's Wonderland with free pictures with Santa

All Day | FREE | Cabela’s

Girls’ Weekend Out at Oakland Nursery INSIDE & OUT

All Day | FREE

The Nutcracker with Central Ohio Youth Ballet

$14.00-24.00 | The Midland Theatre

The Nutcracker with Movement on Main Center for Dance

$15.00-25.00

Indoor and Outdoor Ice Skating in Columbus

Over 60 FREE things to do Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family

FREE

Get tech savvy: Free Apple Workshops

FREE

My Holiday Project Vendor Market

Polaris Fashion Place

Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio

RSVP now! Polar Express, Santa Trains, and Christmas Train Rides in Ohio

The North Pole Express at Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation

$3.00-4.00 | Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation Inc.

Hulu Black Friday-Cyber Monday deal: $1.99/month for 12 months

Virtual

North Pole Express at LM&M Railroad

LM&M Railroad

Shop Local in Columbus for the Holidays

Art in Public Places in Dublin

FREE

Kids Eat FREE at Moe's Southwest Grill on Sundays!

North Pole Adventure™ at Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

Huntington Holiday Train at CML

Columbus Metropolitan Main Library

Lights at Pastime Park in Plain City

FREE

Downtown Lancaster Small Business Celebration Week

FREE

Cherry Valley Hotel Winter Glow

Cherry Valley Hotel

Annual Holiday LEGO® Exhibition at CMA

Santa Photos at Tuttle Crossing Mall

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing

Mighty Children’s Museum Ice Skating

$5.00

Black Friday Sale at Thurber House online

Thurber House

Free Sundays at CMA

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Columbus Museum of Art

Ben's Friends: food and industry virtual support group

11:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE

Santa Train at Hocking Valley Scenic Railway

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | $16.00-21.00 | Hocking Valley Scenic Railway

Kelton House Tours

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-7.00 | Kelton House Museum

Santa Pictures at Oakland Nursery locations

12:00 pm to 3:30 pm | FREE

Take a train ride at The Ohio Railway Museum

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | $7.00-9.00 | Ohio Railway Museum

Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Photos with Santa at Easton

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $0-5.00 | Easton Town Center

Dublin Ice Rink at Riverside Crossing

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $1.00 | Bridge Park

The Holiday Market Series at Columbus

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Polaris Fashion Place

Sunday Funday in Worthington: Holiday Open House

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

Worthington Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting

12:00 pm to 6:30 pm | FREE

Boards & Brews Sundays

12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Taft’s Brewing Company

Uptown Scrooge Holiday Walking Performance in Westerville

12:30 pm to 3:00 pm | $15.00-30.00

Family - Open Paint at Brush Crazy

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Sunnyside Elf Workshop at COhatch Worthington

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm | $25.00

Holiday Performances at Franklin Park Conservatory

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-25.00 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Live music from New Albany High School Music Department at Oakland Nursery New Albany

2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | FREE

Shadowbox Live: Not So Silent Night

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Shadowbox Live

Paint Pouring Workshop at Brush Crazy

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Easton Holiday Carriage Rides

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm | $0-10.00 | Easton Town Center

Sunday at the Movies: Inside Out

4:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE | Upper Arlington Public Library – Main

Granville Village Tree Lighting

5:00 pm to 6:00 pm | FREE

Wildlights at Columbus Zoo

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Lights of Glenross Neighborhood Christmas Light Show

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

Conservatory Aglow

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $3.00-25.00 | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00

Fields Family Christmas Lights

5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE

The best Columbus Christmas lights displays

5:00 pm to 11:00 pm | FREE

Columbus Commons Holiday Lights

5:00 pm | FREE

Butch Bando's Holiday Fantasy of Lights

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm | Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights

Santa's House at Cross Creek Campground

5:30 pm to 9:30 pm | Cross Creek Campground

Wonderlight's Christmas in Ohio

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Hartford Fairgrounds

Magic of Lights drive through experience at the Historic Crew Stadium

5:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio

5:30 pm | $20.00

Dazzling Christmas Lights in Westerville’s Annehurst neighborhood

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Shadowbox Live: Not So Silent Night

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm | Shadowbox Live

Shake Shack: BOGO Shakes this Fall after 8 pm

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Shake Shack – multiple locations

What are you doing this weekend in Columbus?

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