Santa’s Workshop, Ice Sculptures, and other Holiday fun in Uptown Westerville

Find holiday fun throughout the season in Uptown Westerville. From Santa sightings, to tree lightings, local shopping and more, there’s a lot going on this holiday season!

Uptown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA)

When you visit Uptown Westerville, you can enjoy the Uptown shopping district and a drink on Thursday, Friday evenings from 5 pm – 10 pm and Saturdays from 12pm – 10pm. Beer, wine, & cocktails can be consumed inside DORA boundaries by purchasing drinks from participating DORA establishments.

You can take DORA drinks in most retail establishments and on the streets within the boundaries, but you can’t take drinks from one liquor establishment into another. See full details about Westerville Uptown DORA.

Uptown Merchants Snack & Stroll

November 20, 2022

Join the Uptown merchants to kick off the holiday season with a Snack & Stroll. Over a dozen Uptown Westerville merchants are participating in this event to bring you drinks, delicious snacks, and chances to win raffles with qualifying purchases. Details here.

Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, December 2, 2022 at 5 – 8 pm. Join Uptown Westerville for a Night of Holiday Fun.

Westerville holiday tree lighting ceremony returns to the City Hall courtyard (21 S. State St.), 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. See details here.

Shop the Uptown shops and restaurants for the holidays – check out the Uptown Gift Guide for ideas.

PLEASE NOTE: State Street will close between East Park and West Home Streets from 5:30-9 p.m.

See other holiday events on Uptown Westerville Inc.’s website.

Model Trains on Display at the Westerville Public Library

December 4-17, 2011
Choo, choo! Train enthusiasts of all ages will love this display of electric model trains – some operated by hand and some by an app.
On Display in Meeting Rooms A & B from 10am-6pm.

Volunteer “conductors” from the Columbus Area N-Scalers will often be available to answer questions, talk about the trains, and demonstrate how to operate them. No registration required. For all ages. Details here.

Annual Westerville Children’s Christmas Parade and Rudolph 5k Run/Walk

Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. The race begins and ends on State St (State Route 3) just south of County Line Rd near St. Paul Catholic Church in Westerville. Sign up here.

The Westerville Lions Rudolph Run/Walk 5K is a family-encouraged 5K event which will kick off the Westerville Lions Children’s Christmas Parade (taking place directly after the race). Costumes encouraged.

The parade route runs from Westerville South High School, up State St, to St. Paul Church. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance in the parade as well. The parade steps off as the last participants finish the Rudolph Run.

Christmas Open House at Hanby House in Westerville

During the holiday season, tour the home of Benjamin Hanby, composer of the Christmas carol “Up on the Housetop”. Enjoy continuous live music in the parlor, hot cider and cookies. Details here.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 7 pm – 9 pm
Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 7 pm – 9 pm
Saturday, December 10, 2022 10 am – 2 pm

Admission:Adult: $3, Senior: $2.50, Child (5-17): $1, Ohio History Connection Member: Free

Hanby House, 160 West Main St., Westerville, OH 43081

Evening at the North Pole at Westerville Community Center

Friday, December 9, 2022 from 6-7:30 p.m. Santa’s elves will serve a light meal with a special dessert and beverages. Santa will share great stories from the North Pole! Christmas crafts and a sing-a-long will get everyone in the holiday spirit! Ages 8 and under with parent, $15 per child; $10 per adult, free for under 1. Pre-registration required.

Registration required (almost full); no walk-ins! Details here.

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Uptown

Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Uptown Westerville
Santa and Mrs. Clause are shopping local! Find them throughout Uptown to let Santa know what you this year for Christmas and take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Details.

21 South State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081

Pet Photos with Santa Paws

Saturday, December 10, 2022
Bring you pet to Captivating Canines for a photo with Santa (call to reserve a spot)! Get 20 edited photos via email for $20. Details here.

12 East Main Street, Westerville, OH 43081.

Santa’s Workshop at Westerville Community Center

December 16-17, 2022 (multiple times)

Kids can get ready for the holidays with festive songs, a holiday books, and reindeer games. There are handmade projects to wrap and give to loved ones. Most sessions children will attend with ONE parent or caregiver.

Registration required, no walk-ins. Program # 601006. Registration and details.

Uptown Ice Sculpture Display

Friday, Dec 16, 2022

Enjoy up to 30 lighted holiday themed ice sculptures throughout Uptown. Begins December 16th, and lasts until they melt, presented by the Uptown Merchants

21 South State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081

Photos with Santa with Pearlescent Luxury Portraits

Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 10 am – 12 pm

Come to the studio in Uptown Westerville and meet Santa. Visit with Santa and a 4×6″ souvenir print are $18. Cookies and hot cocoa. Extra 4×6″ photos are only $6, so Grandmas can have their own copies too! Register here.

Pearlescent Portraits, 14 North State Street, Westerville

Noon-Lite Madness at Westerville Community Center

December 31, 2022. Celebrate New Year’s Eve preschool style with crafts and entertainment, and a countdown at Noon to celebrate the New Year for kids ages 3-5. $10 per child; registration required. Activity #408604-01. Details here.

Looking for all of the holiday fun in Columbus? Check out these pages!