December 1
Pickerington Holiday Gathering Fri 5 PMOlde Pickerington
Annual Holiday Gathering featuring the Festival of Lights, the City Tree Lightning at 7:00. Free family friendly event. Visit with Santa, pet a reindeer, decorate cookies, vote for your favorite Gingerbread House, listen to Christmas stories, make a craft, watch ice carving, ride a horse-drawn wagon or the circulating trolley, check out the live nativity and the indoor gift market, and much more.
Winter Festival Fri 6 PM
Family friendly evening of caroling, carriage rides, bonfire with s’mores, visits with Santa, live reindeer, bonfire with s’mores and UA’s tree lighting ceremony. The event is free to attend. There is a nominal fee some activities. Cash only.
First Friday “Home for the Holidays” Fri 6 PMMain Street Delaware, Inc. · Delaware
Head downtown (Delaware) this First Friday to celebrate the holidays. They’ve decked the halls, so bring your Christmas Cheer! All events are free of charge. Join other families and feel the sense of love and community all night with live reindeer, carolers, free carriage rides, ice skating, a magnificent tree light, and a special visit from Santa and the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan!
Downtown Holiday Wine Tasting Fri 6 PMThe Hills Market Downtown · Columbus
At this event, you will get 10 tastings for $15. The wine sampled at this event is all between $20 – $50 a bottle, and we only sell 100 tickets and then no more! On top of tasting some of the best Champagnes and high end reds out there, they will have our chef’s bar full of the classic foods of the holidays! Roasted Turkey and Gravy, our Housemade Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Honey Roasted Ham and more will be available for everyone to enjoy! Local breweries will be there with festive beers to sample, and local food and gift vendors will be there to help you figure out the best appetizers, snacks and gifts for your special gatherings!
Westerville Tree Lighting Ceremony Fri 7 PM
Kick off the holiday season with family and friends at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in the new Civic Green at Westerville City Hall. The evening will be filled with live holiday music, a candle lighting celebration, hot chocolate provided by the Westerville Noon Rotary Club and Santa Claus will also be available for photos after the official ceremony outside the Westerville Division of Police. The event is free and open to the public.
It’s Lit! – Gateway’s Annual Tree Lighting Fri 7:30 PMGateway – University District · Columbus
‘Tis the season to get holly, jolly and alcoholly! “It’s Lit”, the third annual Holiday Tree Lighting in the Gateway Plaza isn’t your Grandma’s holiday party… this seasonal celebration will ring in good cheer and good beer! Plus, enjoy winter-themed drink specials and festivities at our surrounding bars. Make sure to wear your favorite ugly sweater and enjoy Yuletide tunes courtesy of Charles Erickson, because we are gonna shimmy and shake down the chimney ALL night long! Event kicks off at 730 pm in the Gateway Plaza and World of Beer, followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 8pm.
December 2
Breakfast with Santa Sat 8 AMPolaris Fashion Place · Columbus
California Pizza Kitchen hosts Breakfast with Santa, a time for families to meet and greet with Santa. Cost is $8 per person, please RSVP with exact cash or check at Guest Reception on the Upper Level across from JCPenney.
The Santa Race 5k and Little Reindeer Dash Sat 9 AMCreekside Gahanna · Gahanna
The Santa Race 5k and Little Reindeer Dash is a Central Ohio Community Tradition held each year in Gahanna, Ohio. This event is part of the Holiday Lights Celebration hosted by the Gahanna Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Made LOCAL Marketplace Holiday Show #2 Sat 9 AMMade Local Marketplace · Powell
Head to Bridgewater Banquet Center from 9am-4pm for the second of two Made LOCAL Marketplace Holiday Shows and SHOP LOCAL from over 100 Ohio makers!!
Cereal and Pajama Party – Zoom: Family Film Festival Sat 9 AMWexner Center for the Arts · Columbus
All ages welcome! Begin the weekend by staying in your PJs and heading off to Zoom for free cereal before watching cartoons on the big screen! Hosted by Heirloom Café. Parents, if you have any questions about the activities and their content, please contact Jean Pitman, youth and community programs manager, at (614) 292-4614 or jpitman@wexarts.org. We can’t wait to see you!
HOOT 81: Holiday HOOT Sat 10 AMGateway Film Center · Columbus
HOOT programming is G-rated and intended for children ages 1-8, featuring lobby activities, kid-friendly shorts from around the world, live music from popular local kids’ band The Shazzbots, and our own Dance Cam, where kids and their families can watch themselves bust a move on the big screen. HOOT is always free with a canned good donation to The Open Shelter and will become Holiday HOOT at a special time on December 2!
2017 Grove City Christmas Celebration Sat 10 AMGrove City Ohio Government · Grove City
From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., in historic Town Center, Grove City will be filled with activities including shopping, visits with Santa, live entertainment, a parade and much more. The Grove City Community parade steps off at 7 p.m. after the parade wraps up, Santa returns to help Mayor Richard L. “Ike” Stage and City Council members light the community tree in the George Edge Music Park on Broadway.
Kid Friendly Workshop-Paint a Gingerbread House Sat 11 AMHoover Gardens & Gift Center · Westerville
In this kid friendly workshop, your kids will paint a gingerbread house. The cost of this workshop is $20 per child, payable at the end of the class and includes all material. Please RSVP as space is limited!
WinterFest Sat 11 AMBicentennial Park Scioto Mile · Columbus
The first annual WinterFest will be a celebration of giving featuring local and national musical acts, seasonal ales from hometown breweries and favorite dishes from Columbus food trucks. A portion of food truck and beer sales will be donated to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. CD102.5, The Alternative Station, is the promotional partner for WinterFest. Nationally acclaimed producer, DJ, and Columbus native RJD2 will headline the Bicentennial stage. Local artists Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons and Doc Robinson round out the day’s performances. Food trucks include Paddy Wagon Food, The Cheesy Truck, Tortilla Street Food, Mixing Bowl Asian Grill, Pitabilities, Buckeye Donuts, Rolling Soul and Los Potosinos Mexican Food Truck of Columbus. In addition to WinterFest, the Scioto Mile will be aglow with thousands of twinkling lights beginning November 17 adding an air of festivity to downtown Columbus.
Pet Portraits with Santa Sat 1 PMPetco · Westerville
Strike a pose – with or without your pet – and take photos with Santa while helping homeless pets in need! Your favorite Petco store partners will transform into Santa’s helpers for a digital photo experience featuring your pet with Santa. 100% of your $9.95 donation goes to homeless animals through our “All for Holiday Homes” fundraiser.
Historic Dublin Holly Days Sat 1 PMHistoric Dublin · Dublin
Great Hallelujah Tour of Churches Sat 2 PMFirst Congregational Church UCC · ColumbusGet in the holiday spirit with a festive tour of downtown churches! Downtown Columbus is home to many historically and architecturally significant churches representing the finest in craftsmanship and ecclesiastical design. On this walking tour of four stalwart churches – you will enjoy seasonal music at each with introductions from WOSU Classical 101 Host Christopher Purdy. Learn the rich architectural history of each church from Columbus Landmarks experts. Understand how the churches work to meet the needs of their dynamic congregations and the greater neighborhood, while being caretakers of some of Columbus’ most important and challenging buildings.
December 3
Run, Santa, Run! 5K Sun 9:30 AMEaston Town Center · Columbus
Sign up for the “Run, Santa, Run!” 5K! The Santa 5K will benefit the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, where families of seriously ill children being treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and other area hospitals, find a home-like environment to rest and enjoy meals. Also, runners who turn in a toy at the Gahanna Second Sole location leading up to the race will receive a raffle ticket per toy for a free pair of sneakers. And, as a bonus, Bar Louie will give 20 percent of proceeds on Dec. 3 to the Columbus RMH from those who go there to eat post-race.
Cram The Cruiser Toy Drive Sun 1 PMGrove City UMC · Grove City
In the spirit of holiday giving, the City of Grove City and Grove City Division of Police help us make Christmas wishes come true for children under the care of Franklin County Children Services (FCCS). From 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3, all are invited to the third annual Cram the Cruiser with toys for those in need. Stop by the Grove City United Methodist Church, 2684 Columbus Street, to donate money or new, unwrapped toys to support and bring joy to children this holiday season. Drive through or stop by to visit with Santa and get a photo or enjoy festive goodies.
1st Annual Orange Township Holiday Celebration is from 4pm – 6pm at Township Hall. There will be crafts, snacks, games, music, letters to Santa, meet Santa and kickoff event with a tree lighting ceremony.
Hilliard Holiday Hop & Tree Lighting Sun 5 PM
Start off the Holiday season in Old Hilliard at the Holiday Hop and Annual Tree Lighting Event! There will be a ton of activities such as balloon twisting, face painting, food tucks, letters to santa, free hot chocolate, christmas tree stilt walkers, ice sculpting and more!
Krampus Walk 2017 Sun 4 PMThe Magical Druid · Columbus
Come dressed up and meet at the corner of Dunedin and High at The Global Gallery (3535 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214) to join in on the 3rd annual Krampus Parade. They will start at the old site at Boline Apothecary and then we will process down to The Magical Druid at 3165 N. High St. Parking is on street through out Clintonville and you will be walking down the sidewalk on the west side. If you would rather be a spectator then line up on high street. Please obey traffic laws and bring rattles, drums and noise makers. Their intent is to use the spirit of Krampus to remove the negative and evil and usher in the yuletide season. Event is family friendly and we welcome kids of all ages to dress up and join in on the fun.
Holiday Plant Talk Sun 10:30 AMFranklin Park Conservatory · Columbus
Join Fred Hower at the Franklin Park Conservatory on Sunday, December 3rd for a holiday version of Plant Talk Radio. Fred will be answering your gardening questions from audience members at Franklin Park Conservatory starting at 10:30.
Westerville Children’s Christmas Parade Dec 3, 2:30 PM · Westerville Sertoma
The 9th Annual Sertoma Rudolph Run 5K Run/Walk will begin at St. Paul’s Church at 2pm. Runners Rudolph runners and walkers will run south and turn around on State St. at Electric Ave. and be moving alongside the parade. The parade will line up on Electric Ave. and will step off onto State St. once the runners have made the turn.
Pup Pics With Santa Sun 2 PM
Grab your furry friend & join us for some tail waggin’ holiday fun! Santa will be on site ready for his photo op with your pup! They’ll also have cookies and cocoa, a paw print ornament station, a silent auction with goodies for humans & doggos, and more! The first 100 pooches to arrive will snag some free goodies from our new “A Winter’s Tail” line, now available in Target!
100% of proceeds will be donated to helping humans and pups in Puerto Rico.
100% of proceeds will be donated to helping humans and pups in Puerto Rico.
Weekend Events
Holiday Pops Dec 1 – Dec 3Columbus Symphony · Columbus
Winterfair – Columbus, OH Dec 1 – Dec 3Ohio Expo Center & State Fair · Columbus
Holiday Open House Dec 2 – Dec 3Hoover Gardens & Gift Center · Westerville
Holiday Carriage Rides 12/1-12/3Dec 1 – Dec 3Easton Town Center · Columbus
A Heritage HolidayDec 1 – Dec 2Heritage Park Groveport Ohio
On-Going Events
WildlightsNov 17 – Jan 1 Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell
Central Ohio’s favorite family holiday tradition—Wildlights, efficiently powered by AEP Ohio— has returned to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! This year’s event offers more holiday fun with the addition of their friends Rudolph and Bumble. Check out the Facebook page to get more info on times, dates, special events and more!
Ohio Lantern Festival Nov 17 – Jan 8
Celebrating Chinese culture, you will see 33 sets of exquisite silk lanterns, traditional performances, and unique Chinese handicraft demonstration! They are open nightly from 5p – 1op.
State Auto’s Christmas Corner includes a historic life-sized Nativity display with nightly Choir performances on Friday and Saturday. Check out the schedule here. The official lighting is at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, featuring a performance by the Columbus Children’s Choir.
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