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 18, 2023 at 10 am
The “Old Fashioned Christmas” 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 18- December 1, 2023. Details here. 

Lancaster Holiday Spirit Trail

November 18 – December 31, 2023
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.

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. 

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

Heart of Christmas Craft Show

November 24 and 25, 2023 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 25-December 2, 2023
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.

Rushville Community Tree Lighting

November 28, 2023 from 7-9 pm
Rushville Community Tree Lighting! Gather beside Rushville Church (8594 Main St). The Fairfield Union Assembly Singers will perform and there will be cookies, hot cocoa, and pictures/visits with Santa!

Pickerington Holiday Gift Market

Friday, December 1, 2023 from 5-8 pm
Visit Combustion Brewery & Taproom on Friday, December 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. to enjoy the Holiday Gift Market by Olde Pickerington Farmers Market. Over 50 vendors will be set up on the second floor of Combustion Brewery & Taproom where you can shop small and local vendors as you find the perfect gifts for your holiday season. 

Pickerington Holiday Gathering

Friday, December 1, 2023 from 5-8 pm
Family friendly event with activities all around the Pickerington Village. Many participating businesses provide a place to warm up and offer free activities and treats.

Enjoy a lighted holiday stroll featuring more than a block of lighted holiday inflatables, horse-drawn wagon rides, a trolley, ice carving demonstrations, children’s crafts and holiday stories, cookie decorating for kids, live reindeer, visits with Santa and more!

There will be complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate to enjoy as well as many shops and restaurants open– including the Holiday Gift Market! Then, at 7 p.m., enjoy the lighting of the Christmas Tree at the gazebo. 

Christmas Walk at the Lancaster Camp Ground

December 1-2, 2023 from 4-8 pm (Friday) and 1-8 pm (Saturday)
Visit the Lancaster Camp Ground during the first weekend of December for the 2023 Christmas Walk.

Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of Christmas with beautiful luminaria throughout the historic grounds. Enjoy the many sights, sounds, and tastes of the holiday season, including photos with Santa, vendors, music, and more.

Advent Window Walk

December 1 – January 1, 2024

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 24 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.

Holiday Market in Baltimore

Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 1-5 pm
Join the Baltimore Famers Market for at its annual holiday market event at the beautiful Johnson Park to shop vendors from the area. When you get chilled, stop by the bonfire to warm up while carolers and musicians help to set the mood for festive shopping! 

A Christmas Carroll

Saturday, December 2, 2023, starting at 4:45 p.m.,
Visit Carroll for fun, family-friendly holiday festivities at A Christmas Carroll. There will be a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. There will also be free holiday hayrides, crafts, and treats for kids.

Lancaster WinterFest & Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 2, 2023 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. 

Santa at The Mill (Free 2-Day Event)

December 2-3, 2023

Bring your family to see Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies at The Mill Event Center. Each child will receive a gift appropriate for their age.

Register early and note the names and ages of the children you will be bringing. NOTE: Adults must register too. 

Baltimore’s Annual Lighted Holiday Parade

Sunday, December 3, 2023 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 lineup will begin at 5:00 p.m. at 220 Summers Choice Drive. The parade will kick off promptly at 6:00 p.m. 

Crossroads Nativity Festival

Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 6-8:30 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 New Year’s Eve.

Millersport Christmas Festivities and Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 6 pm

The Village of Millersport annual tree lighting is at Miller Park at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards, enjoy visits with Santa, caroling and refreshments. 

Come early for the Christmas Open House at the new LakeBound Boardwalk @ LakeBound Outfitters 12408 Lancaster St Millersport prior to the parade, 12-5pm. Food, sweets and FUN! Several vendors participating and Christmas crafts and activities for the kiddos. 

Winterlights at Alley Park

December 7-10, 2023 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.

On Sunday evening, visitors are encouraged to take a Winter Night Hike around the lake while volunteers from ATARA monitor the trail to keep folks safe. 

Candlelight Christmas Tour by the Fairfield County Heritage Association

Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 6 pm
Join the Fairfield County Heritage Association for a guided tour along candlelit streets to seven historic churches. Hear a musical program at each church. 

Buy tickets early and save the date. Order online, call 740-654-9923, or stop by the Sherman House Museum or the Fairfield Heritage office at the Georgian Museum for tickets. Adult tickets are $10 ($12 on day of); student tickets (ages 5-18) are $4.  

Other fun events: 

Lancaster Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert: December 10, 2023 from 3 pm – 5 pm

Holiday Open House at the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio: December 16, 2023 from 6 pm – 8 pm

Lancaster Community Band Holiday Concert: December 17, 2023 from 2 pm – 4 pm

Photos with Santa and Cookie Decorating at True North Coffee: December 17, 2023 from 1 pm – 3 pm

2023 Glass Town Countdown

December 31, 2023 from 9 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.

Find upcoming holiday events!