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The holidays are right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than to attend one of the many events that Columbus has to offer!
Stroll through a holiday market to find unique and locally made gifts, enjoy one of the many kid-friendly events or grab the whole family for an afternoon of fun. There really is so much to do this season! I will make sure to add and update events as they pop up in the coming weeks.
**Some events/activities listed may have age restrictions, pre-event sign-up requirements or associated costs. Please make sure to check each website (linked below) for the most accurate and up-to-date information.**
HOLIDAY MARKETS
OHIO MADE HOLIDAY MARKET | NOV. 18-19
The Ohio Made Holiday Market is November 18th and 19th at Hollywood Casino, featuring 80-plus vendors from right here in Ohio. Friday’s event — which takes place from 4-10pm — is for adults 21 and up only. Saturday’s event is open to all ages, with early access shopping from 9am-12pm and general admission shopping from 12-5pm. The entire event is ticketed.
NOT YOUR MAMA’S CRAFT MARKET | NOV. 20
Not Your Mama’s Craft Market will be at The Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin from 11am-4pm on November 20th for their first market of the holiday season. Shop from 80-plus makers, who are sure to find gifts for everyone on your list! Admission and parking are free.
IVORY BARN’S BLACK FRIDAY/SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY WEEKEND | NOV. 25-27
The Christmas at Ivory Barn Weekend will showcase vendors specializing in vintage furniture, home goods and farmhouse decor. This event will take place from 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday and from 12-4pm on Sunday.
NOT YOUR MAMA’S CRAFT MARKET | NOV. 27
Not Your Mama’s Craft Market will be at BrewDog in Canal Winchester on November 27th from 11am-4pm. There will be over 50 makers filling BrewDog’s Beer Museum, so grab a drink and get started on your holiday shopping this Black Friday weekend! Admission and parking are free. Dogs are welcome!
NOT YOUR MAMA’S CRAFT MARKET | DEC. 4
The biggest Not Your Mama’s Craft Market — with over 100 handpicked makers — will take place at the German Village Lights Festival. Experience this unique shopping event inside the Schiller Park Rec Center from 3-8pm, then stroll through the rest of German Village for even more holiday fun. Admission and parking are free.
NOT YOUR MAMA’S CRAFT MARKET | DEC. 11
Check out Not Your Mama’s Craft Market at BrewDog in Canal Winchester on December 11th from 11am-4pm. Shop from a variety of handmade business, try some craft beer and even visit with Santa and his reindeer. Admission and parking are free. Dogs are welcome!
HOLIDAY MARKET AT BRIDGE PARK | DEC. 17
The Holiday Market at Bridge Park will take place at North Market with some of your favorite vendors for last minute holiday shopping from 9am-1pm.
POLARIS MAKERS MARKET HOLIDAY EVENT | DEC. 17-18
The Polaris Makers Market Holiday Event will be at Polaris Mall Saturday, December 17th, and Sunday, December 18th, during regular mall hours. It is free to attend and shop these one of a kind finds from Ohio makers.
KID-FRIENDLY EVENTS
VISIT WITH SANTA
|| BRIDGE PARK
Visit with Santa at Bridge Park in Dublin on December 17th from 12-3pm. Take a free photo with Santa and drop off your letters at the North Pole Mailboxes.
|| EASTON TOWN CENTER
You can visit with Santa at Easton starting November 19th until December 24th! Times vary by day and include breaks. You’ll find Santa at the North Pole, located in Easton’s South District near J. Crew. Reservations are recommended. Photos start at $5 or you can use your own camera/phone.
|| POLARIS MALL
Visit with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place starting November 11th until Christmas Eve. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 11am-7pm and Sundays from 12-6pm. You can make a reservation ahead of time online, though walk-ins are also welcome.
For children with special needs and their families, Polaris Mall will offer Sensitive Santa hours on Sunday December 4th and 11th from 10am-11:30am. During this time there will be reduced sensory stimuli to create a calming environment and experience. Reserve your time slot online.
|| LAZARUS BUILDING
The Lazarus building downtown will host a free Santa Extravaganza on Saturday December 3rd from 1-5pm. There will be photos with Santa, face painting, crafts and window displays to check out!
FUN FOR ALL AGES
CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS
Visit a Christmas tree farm! There are a lot of farms around Columbus, just make sure to check the website or even call before you go to verify that trees are available, what types, operation hours and payment options. Visit Pick Your Own Christmas Tree for a breakdown of lots by county.
ICE SKATING
Ice skating is always fun during the holidays! Chiller Ice Rinks has several locations around the city or check out the OSU Ice Rink on Ohio State’s campus. Public skate times will vary by day, and make sure to factor in the cost of admission and skate rentals if you need them!
Want to skate outside!? Check out the Ice Skating Rink at Bridge Park starting December 17th on the east side of the Dublin Link pedestrian bridge.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS
|| WINTERFEST
Enjoy WinterFest in Bicentennial Park on Saturday, December 3rd, from 11am-4pm. There will be live music, beer on tap, seasonal cocktails and food trucks.
|| PLAYS, MUSICALS AND OTHER EVENTS AT THE THEATER
Go to the theater! CAPA — Columbus Association for the Performing Arts — has several venues with holiday shows, including but not limited to:
- The Santa Clause – Free Screening at the McCoy Center on Tuesday, November 22nd
- A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage at the Palace Theater on Sunday, November 27th
- White Christmas The Musical at the Garden Theater from December 1st-January 1st
- The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theater from December 8th-24th
- Straight No Chaser at the Palace Theater on Friday, December 9th
- Elf The Musical at the Palace Theater from December 13th-18th
HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND CEREMONIES
|| WILDLIGHTS AT THE COLUMBUS ZOO
The Columbus Zoo’s Wildlights will kick off on November 18th and continue until the end of the holiday season on January 1st. Hours are Sunday-Thursday 5-9pm and Friday-Saturday 5-10pm. Wildlights will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, however.
|| COLUMBUS COMMONS DOWNTOWN
Enjoy the holiday lights at Columbus Commons every day from November 18th through January 1st from 5-11pm. On Fridays in December there will be extra festivities including music, carousel rides and hot chocolate from 5:30-9pm.
|| SCIOTO MILE
The Scioto Mile will be gleaming with more than 250,000 lights starting November 23rd. Walk along the river from Bicentennial Park to Broad Street to take it in all season long!
|| EASTON LIGHTING CEREMONY
The Grand Illumination at Easton Town Center is November 18th from 6-9pm. There will be lots of family-friendly fun throughout the night, with the illumination taking place at 7pm.
|| TANGER OUTLETS TREE LIGHTING
Tanger Outlets Deck the Halls Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on November 19th from 6-8pm, with hot chocolate, holiday treats, ornament decorating and carolers. Santa will arrive at 6:15pm.
|| BEXLEY TREE LIGHTING
The City of Bexley’s Annual Tree Lighting starts at 4pm on December 4th. There will be cookies, hot chocolate, music and visits with Santa.
|| DUBLIN TREE LIGHTING
The City of Dublin’s Annual Tree Lighting is Thursday, December 1st from 5-7pm at Riverside Crossing Park. Kick off the holiday season with ice skating, music, drinks and more!
|| GERMAN VILLAGE – VILLAGE LIGHTS
German Village’s Village Lights event takes place December 4th from 5-9pm. Businesses will be open late with holiday specials, along with music and other surprises.
|| GAHANNA TREE LIGHTING
The Gahanna Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 20th from 3-6:30pm will include a lots of family-friendly fun, live entertainment, the tree lighting and Santa.
|| GROVE CITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
The Grove City Christmas Celebration is a fun filled weekend event! Starting Friday December 2nd from 4-9pm families can enjoy a holiday market, Christmas parade and tree lighting. The fun continues on Saturday December 3rd from 9am-7pm with more holiday activities in historic Town Center.
|| HILLIARD TREE LIGHTING
The City of Hilliard’s Annual Tree Lighting will be December 4th from 4-6:30pm. Activities include horse and carriage rides, petting zoo, cookie decorating, train rides, food and music.
|| NEW ALBANY TREE LIGHTING
The New Albany Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on November 20th from 2-6pm with activities for kids, food and music.
|| POWELL TREE LIGHTING
The City of Powell Tree Lighting is December 3rd at 6pm during their Holidays in Powell event. There will be shopping, carriage rides, food, carols and photos with Santa.
|| REYNOLDSBURG TREE LIGHTING
Reynoldsburg’s Holiday Tree Lighting will take place on December 3rd from 4-6pm at Huber Park. Enjoy a parade, live music, hot chocolate, carolers, children’s games and more at this free event.
|| SUNBURY TREE LIGHTING
Sunbury’s Christmas on the Square event will take place on December 3rd from 4-8pm. Take part in one of the many activities that will be offered including carriage rides, visits with Santa and tons of other family-friendly events.
|| UPPER ARLINGTON TREE LIGHTING
Upper Arlington’s Winter Festival will be December 2nd from 6-8:30pm with carriage rides, a tree lighting, visits with Santa and a bonfire.
|| WESTERVILLE TREE LIGHTING
Westerville’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place December 2nd from 6-9pm with local shopping, food, performers and more.
|| WORTHINGTON TREE LIGHTING
The Worthington Tree Lighting Ceremony is November 27th from 5:30-6pm. Enjoy a visit with Santa and hot chocolate. And make sure to check out the Holiday Open House event beforehand from 12-5pm for shopping, carriage rides, Santa, live music and more!