Holidays in Fairfield County: Santa, parades, holiday celebrations, and more

There’s so much Christmas fun going on for the Holidays in Fairfield County.

From tree lightings, to holiday markets, to nativities and more, there’s always some holiday cheer to find in Lancaster and the surrounding communities of Fairfield County.

Lancaster Holiday Parade 

November 22, 2025 at 10 am
The “Santa’s Workshop” parade starts at the Columbus Street exit of the Fairgrounds and proceed south on Main Street, left on Broad, and back to the fairgrounds.

Just a short distance away in Downtown Lancaster, visitors can also enjoy seasonally-decorated window displays at local businesses as Downtown Lancaster’s Window Decorating Contest kicks off.

Downtown Holiday Window Display Contest

Stroll the streets of downtown Lancaster to vote on the best window display between November 22- December 5, 2025. Details here. 

Festival of Lights at The Fairfield County Fairgrounds

The return of the  Festival of Lights at Fairfield County Fairgrounds is something to celebrate! Throughout the season, expect visits with Santa, kettle corn, desserts, and a concession stand. $10 per car. 

Santa visits and free pictures with Santa (with car admission): November 28-29, December 5-6, 12-13, 20, 2025

Bring your letter to Santa any night during Festival of Lights and receive a letter back from Santa! Be sure to include your return mailing address. Responses may be after Christmas for letters received after December 18.

Dates: Thanksgiving through Christmas (Sunday-Wednesday, 6-9pm; Thursday-Saturday, 6-10pm). See updates on Facebook.

Heart of Christmas Craft Show

November 28-29, 2025 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at The Clum Auction Gallery

The Clum Auction Gallery has filled their 1800s log and stone barn with thousands of items. You will find the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list. You’ll even find the perfect gift for yourself! Shop while enjoying holiday music, the aroma of the season, and fresh-baked Christmas cookies. Admission is free.

Small Business Celebration Week

November 28-30, 2025
Shop small and support the local businesses of Downtown Lancaster during Small Business Celebration Week. Take advantage of week-long specials, deals, and giveaways as you gear up for the holidays.

Lancaster Holiday Spirit Trail

November 29 – December 31, 2025
Find the holiday spirit in Lancaster with app or links to holiday fun on the website. Take a drive or stroll in and around Lancaster, Ohio to see how residents and businesses are showing off their holiday spirit.

Follow the Lancaster Holiday Spirit Trail Facebook page for more information or visit the Tinsel and Traditions webpage. Downtown Lancaster.

Advent Window Walk

December 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026

Advent Window Walk is a living advent calendar in residential downtown Lancaster. For each night of December, a historic home will reveal a festive design in a newly decorated window. By Christmas Eve, the advent windows of 27 homes will be illuminated for nighttime viewing. The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio will reveal a final design on Christmas night.

The participating homes are located on Main, Wheeling, Mulberry, and King Streets (between High and Broad Streets) and High Street (between King and Main Streets).

Details here.

Baltimore’s Annual Lighted Holiday Parade

Sunday, December 7, 2025 from 6-8pm.
The Annual Lighted Holiday Parade in Baltimore kicks off on Summer’s Choice Drive, proceed north on Park Drive, turn left on 256 (East Market Street) and continue west down 256 through town, ending just past Trinity Church. The parade will kick off promptly at 6:00 p.m. 

Fontanini Nativity Display

Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in December 7, 2025 – January 4, 2026 from 6-9 pm
This annual tradition features nativities on display at Crossroads Event Center from the congregation at First United Methodist Church. Admission is free

Visit the almost life-size nativity display and experience Christmas in a unique way each holiday season. Sights, sounds, and smells place YOU in the center of the indoor nativity featuring Fontanini figures.

Open every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 6 pm to 9 pm thru December.

A Christmas Carroll

Saturday, December 6, 2025, starting at 4:45 p.m.
Visit Carroll for fun, family-friendly holiday festivities at A Christmas Carroll. There will be a Santa Parade at 4:45, tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. There will also be free holiday hayrides, crafts, and treats for kids.

Go early for the craft show from 9 am – 3 pm at Bloom Carroll High School.

Lancaster WinterFest & Tree Lighting

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. 

Millersport Christmas Festivities and Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 6 pm

The Village of Millersport kicks off the evening with a Holiday Parade at 6 pm. The parade leads to the annual tree lighting is at Miller Park, visits with Santa, caroling and refreshments. 

Winterlights at Alley Park

December 11, 12, 13, and 14, 2025 from 6 pm – 8 pm

Bundle up and walk back the lane leading to the Goslin Nature Center with Lancaster Parks and Recreation. See thousands of lights decorating the park, hear the festive music, smell the bonfires, enjoy hot chocolate while roasting a hot dog from the concessions tent.

Take a walk around the deck of the nature center to get a glimpse into the snow globe bustling with activity of Santa and his elves.

Simply Christmas in Lithopolis

December 13, 2025, 9:00 am ‐ 3:00 pm

Start out your day with a pancake breakfast by Scout Troops 214 & 7241 at Wagnalls or popping into Das Kaffee Haus. Unique holiday gifts can be found The Wagnalls Memorial, Re/MAX Apex, Law and Benson General Store, and Falers Feed Store. El Pedregal Mexican Restaurant and The Pump House Bar and Pizzeria are great options for lunch! Live music, children’s activities, and Santa Claus will be at The Wagnalls Memorial, as well as a used book sale by The Friends of the Wagnalls Memorial Library. Follow on FB for details. 

Other fun events: 

A Very Merry Stoutsville Christmas: December 13, 2025 from 1 pm – 8 pm

Downtown Christmas Stroll – Lancaster, Ohio: December 13, 2025 from 5:30 pm – 9  pm

Catch The Grinch in the Act!: December 14, 2025 at 1 pm

Santa Visits Outerbelt Brewing: December 14, 2025 from 1 pm – 3 pm. Free photos with Santa, Winter Wonderland Sip & Shop, and more.

Santa in the Village at Bremen Historical Society: December 14, 2025 from 3 pm – 5 pm

Santa at Rise Realty Co.: December 21, 2025 from 1 pm – 3 pm. Free event and take your own photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. They will have cookies and juice! Make sure to bring your letters to Santa and drop them off in their Santa Mailbox which the elves check daily!

2025 Glass Town Countdown

December 31, 2025 from 10 pm – 1 am 

Join your friends, family, and neighbors for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration! Visit historic downtown Lancaster for a family-friendly street party where you will taste fantastic food and spirits at local restaurants and pubs, watch the ascent of the giant glass globe, and light up the sky with a spectacular fireworks show!

The Glass Town Countdown celebrates the importance of glass in Lancaster’s history as the community creates a beautiful piece of glass art for this fun party. The globe is a traveling piece of art until New Year’s Eve, when it rises high above Zane’s Square and rings in the new year.

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

Find upcoming holiday events!