Celebrate the season with Holidays 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 Open House Weekend

November 20 and November 21, 2021

Join the Uptown merchants to kick off the holiday season with a holiday open house weekend. Select businesses will feature snacks and/or non-alcoholic beverages. Spend over $25 at participating businesses and get entered into a raffle for one of ten/$25 gifts cards!

Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, December 3, 2021 at 5 – 8 pm. Join Uptown Westerville for a Night of Holiday Fun. There won’t be an official ceremony for the lighting of the tree, but visitors can stop by throughout the evening as they are dining, sipping and shopping in the historic heart of Westerville.

Visit the holiday tree at Westerville City Hall (21 S. State St.) and expect to encounter carolers, costumed characters, live music, a performance by the talented dancers at Generations Performing Arts Center, special lighting displays and more throughout the night.

Be on the lookout for Santa as he joins Mayor Kathy Cocuzzi in greeting visitors and handing out special souvenirs along State Street in the historic area.

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

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

Photos with Santa with Pearlescent Luxury Portraits

Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 2-4 pm
Come to the studio in Uptown Westerville and meet Santa. Get a 4×6″ souvenir print with Santa too! 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

Pet Photos with Santa

Saturday, December 4, 2021
Bring you pet to Captivating Canines for a photo with Santa (call to reserve a spot)! 12 East Main Street, Westerville, OH 43081

Model Trains on Display at the Westerville Public Library

December 4-12, 2021
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: December 4-12 from 10am-6pm.
No registration required. For all ages.

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

Sunday, December 5, 2021 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.

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 from 7 pm – 9 pm
Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 7 pm – 9 pm
Saturday, December 11, 2021 12 pm – 4 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

Thursday, December 9, 2021 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.

Uptown Merchants Snack and Stroll – Ugly Sweater with the DORA

Friday, December 10, 2021 from 12:00pm-5:00pm
Select Uptown Merchants will feature snacks and non-alcoholic beverages and/or snack. Shop at participating businesses and spend over $25 to get entered into a raffle for one of ten/$25 gifts cards raffled off! Wear your Ugly Sweater as you shop and enjoy the Uptown Westerville DORA!

The “One Westerville” Concert at City Hall

Friday, December 10, 2021 from 6-6:30 pm
Join us in front of City Hall in Uptown Westerville as the three Westerville High School Choir ensembles join for the “One Westerville” concert. Jazz Central (WCHS), The Notables (WNHS), and Soundsation (WSHS) will be singing songs of the season that we all know and love!

Uptown Ice Sculpture Tour

Friday, Dec 17 – Tuesday, Dec 21, 2021

Enjoy holiday themed ice sculptures throughout Uptown. Begins December 17th at 5pm and lasts until they melt!

Wreaths Across America

Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Otterbein Cemetery

Post 7883 is sponsoring Wreaths Across America at Otterbein Cemetery in Westerville on Dec 18th, 2021. See how you can sponsor a wreath and participate!

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Uptown

Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
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!

Noon-Lite Madness at Westerville Community Center

December 31, 2021. Celebrate New Year’s Eve preschool style with crafts and entertainment, and a countdown at Noon to celebrate the New Year. $10 per child; registration required. Activity #408604-01

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