Eat Play CBUS

Inspiring Spots Within Your Reach - A Guide to Columbus Ohio

Holiday Events this Weekend

Christmas at the Market

  • All Weekend
  • Lynd Fruit Farm · Pataskala, Ohio
  • Dec. 7 – (11:00-3:00)
    – S’more campfires (either in parking lot or wagon rides
    to orchard, weather permitting)
    – Santa & FREE Kids Craft
    -AppleMania Sale & Tasting
    – Smokeout BBQ
  • Dec. 8 – Make & Take Evergreen GnomeMan Class, 2:00
    (Pre-Registration Required, call 740-927-8559
    – Christmas songs w/Trish (1:30-2:30)
    -Keyboard music (late afternoon)
    -Jam Tasting Bar (11-3)
  • Facebook Event

Winter Festival

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner and we have exciting events planned to welcome the holiday season. Join us for an evening of ice sculpting, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa and his reindeer and UA’s tree lighting ceremony. Don’t miss the Giant Human Snow Globe (located on the northeast corner of Arlington Avenue and Devon Road) for you to climb inside and capture your favorite holiday photo.

A Night in Bethlehem at Westerville Christian Church

The town of Bethlehem is coming to Westerville Christian Church! This is a free, hands-on Christmas event for the whole family. Come to the town of Bethlehem, shop at the marketplace, travel to the stable and to talk with Mary and Joseph as they welcome the Christ child. It’s the very first Christmas and you’re invited to be a part of it.

Come anytime. Plan for a 90 minute experience. This is an indoor event.

Registration is now closed, walk-ins welcome

Christmas in the Village 2019

Activities will take place on the sidewalks and streets of downtown Canal Winchester as well as inside several business establishments around the city’s municipal office building.

  • Friday, December 6th – Saturday, December 7th
  • FRIDAY NIGHT: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
  • SATURDAY NIGHT: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
  • City of Canal Winchester · 36 S. High Street Canal Winchester, Ohio

Polar Express Storytime

Wear your PJ’s and join for cookies and hot chocolate in the children’s department.

Pickerington Holiday Gathering

Join neighbors & friends for a fun night in the Village!

Activities include:
– NEW THIS YEAR: Lighted Holiday Stroll. More than a block of holiday inflatables on West Columbus Street
– 7:00 pm City Tree Lighting at the Gazebo
– Pictures with Santa at David Beckham Photography
– Hop-on/Hop-off Trolley Rides sponsored by Huntington Bank and Bus Rides sponsored Heartland Bank
– Ice Carving demonstration sponsored by Kemba Financial – designs by World Ice Champions from Frost Lion
– Reindeer Petting Area sponsored by Darlene Kuzmic, ERA Real Solutions
– Horse Drawn Wagon Rides sponsored by Chesta (2 wagons this year)
– Photo-op Giant Inflatable Snow Globe, Face Painting, Hot cocoa & coffee at the Food Pantry
– Free Children’s Crafts at the Hair Boutique and Little Tigers Preschool
– Free treat bags for kids at Monroe Salon & Spa
– Cookie Decorating for kids at Porter’s Coffee House
– Free Treats for kids and $1 charity drawing at 19 West Salon
– Pizza Special at Romeo’s during our event – $5 for a Small Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza
– Picktown Express train rides at 51 East Columbus Street
– Holiday Marketplace at Combustion Brewery in the Loft event space. Combustion will offer featured Holiday beers Naughty & Nice.
– Children’s Holiday Craft & Cake Pops at Rob Forche Orthodontics
– “Toys of the Decades” on display and for sale downstairs at 19 N Center St
– Free Children’s Games by Primrose School- upstairs at 19 N Center St
– Treats for kids at the Fire Department
– Live Nativity display by Logos Bible Church. Hot cocoa & popcorn
– Luminaries courtesy of our local Key Club students
– Children’s stories at the museum, North Pole Village display in the lower level
– Strolling carolers from Violet Baptist Church, Maranatha Church and Key Clubs from PHSC & PHSN
– Obstacle Course for kids at Violet Community Cross Fit
– Special $5 Paint & Take ornament at Picktown Art Works
– Free Drawing at The Humble Crate
– Mini Donuts and Kettle Corn for sale on the street

  • Friday, December 6th
  • 5 PM – 8 PM
  • Pickerington, Ohio · Pickerington, Ohio
    Facebook Event

Free Lazarus Santa’s Workshop

Do you remember visiting the Lazarus department store, waiting wide-eyed to sit on Santa’s lap? Mr. Claus himself will be making a comeback at the very place many Columbus residents affectionately recall making seasonal expeditions to see him: The Lazarus Building.

In addition to cellphone photos with the big man and some of our favorite characters, your little elves can kick-start the holiday season with face painting and crafts led by the OSU Urban Arts Space.

But that’s only the beginning! Head over to Columbus Commons to enjoy the 400,000+ LED light display starting at 5:00 pm. Continue the celebration with free carousel rides, hot chocolate and holiday music!

Holiday Character Breakfast

Visit Gahanna’s popular annual Holiday Character Breakfast returns with a pancake breakfast, a performance by GHLS Theater Department, kids crafts and much more! (Note: Everyone entering must purchase a ticket, and all children must be accompanied by a paying adult.)

Three seating times: 8:15 am, 9:30 am and 10:45. am. Buy tickets here: https://gahannaconventionvisitorsburea.thundertix.com/events/160921

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 8 AM – 12 PM
  • New Life Church, 3690 N Stygler Rd, Gahanna, Ohio 43230
    Facebook Event

Visits with Santa

Join us the first two Saturdays in December to see our favorite jolly old elf. The Ohio Herb Center is the perfect place to get your cherished holiday pictures taken with the big guy! After your pictures, make and take home some festive treats. Then visit the gift shop where you can do some shopping while you wait for your photos. There is no better way to get into the holiday spirit.

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 9 AM – 1 PM
  • Ohio Herb Center 110 Mill St, Gahanna, Ohio 43230
    Facebook Event

Cheryl’s 2019 Annual Holiday Party

  • Schedule of events:
    • 10 AM – noon: Visit with Santa! #santalovescheryls
    • Noon – 1PM: Frost a cookie with Mrs. Claus
  • All day:
    • Secret Santa Shop– Little ones, bring your lists and our special elf will help you shop! Prices range from $2 – $15 per gift! Pssst, your gifts will fit in the freezer until Christmas….
    • 48 cookies only $29.99 (regularly $59.99)
    • Doughballs, cut-out dough, & frosting tubs 50% off
    • Come see our NEW Holiday gifts and cookies, enter raffles, & other surprises!
  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 10 AM – 4 PM
  • Cheryl’s Cookies and Brownies, 646 McCorkle Blvd, Westerville, Ohio 43082

North Market Holiday Market

Join North Market merchants, farmers, and makers on the first Saturday in December for a festive holiday market! Shop both inside the Market House and outside on the plaza! North Market merchants will be open from 9:00am – 7:00pm with their usual offerings PLUS holiday specials and gifts! Local makers and farmers will be on site outdoors from 8:00am – 1:00pm.

  • Entertainment & Activities:
    • Terrance Charles will be playing his saxophone from 9:00am-12:00pm
    • Santa Claus – FREE for the kiddos to visit, say hello, and get your selfie with Santa! (Santa will be strolling throughout the Market.)
    • Kids’ craft: FREE Make and Take Christmas Ornament!
    • Hot Mulled Wine will be available for purchase
    • Enter to win $10K in doors and windows for your home from Renewal by Andersen! and more!
  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 8 AM – 1 PM
  • North Market, 59 Spruce Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

2019 Grove City Christmas Celebration

Visitors shop at Town Center businesses and Heart of Grove City Mistletoe Market locations; including City Hall, Grove City Brewing Company and Plum Run Winery; from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for seasonal, creative gift items, artwork, decorations and delicious treats to enjoy or share with others while strolling through town. Don’t miss the Secret Santa shop located in the Grove City Museum, for children to purchase gifts for loved ones.

Check out the entire list of events here.

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 10 AM – 8 PM
  • Grove City Ohio Government 4035 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio 43123

Santa Stop Playdate

Join us for a morning of holiday cheer. We will have plenty of Open Play, cookie decorating, ornament making and 1:1 time with Santa. Each family will be able to meet with Santa in a quiet room where your child(ren) can interact with Santa and have a photo opportunity.

The cost is $20 for the first child and a family max of $35.

This event is private, requires registration and a non refundable deposit ($10 per child). Call the gym to register at 614-396-8773

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 10 AM – 12 PM
  • We Rock the Spectrum – Columbus 1250 E Powell Rd, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035

WinterFest

Join us for the third annual WinterFest, a celebration of giving featuring local and national musical acts, seasonal ales from hometown breweries and favorite dishes from Columbus food trucks.

Bicentennial Stage Schedule:

11 a.m. – George Barrie Band
11:45 a.m. – The Vindys
12:30 p.m. – George Barrie Band
1:15 p.m. – The Vindys
2:30 p.m. – Ben Miller Band

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 11 AM – 4 PM
  • Bicentennial Park Scioto Mile – 233 South Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215
    Facebook Event

Historic Dublin Holly Days

Kick off the season with Holly Days in Historic Dublin, a Free Family Event!

  • Visit with Santa -Dublin Toy Emporium
  • Live Ice Carving demonstration in Bri Hi Square
  • Free Kids Crafts and Activities
  • Live Art and Craft Demonstrations -Terra Art Gallery
  • Meet Buddy the Elf and Jovie at Extravagifts
  • Letters to Santa with Mrs Clause- Our CupCakery
  • Gingerbread House Display-proceeds benefit the ACS
  • Coast Wine House-Open House
  • Open House and Holiday Specials-Boho 72 Boutique
  • The 12 Elves of Dublin Hunt begins
  • Strolling Carolers , Holiday Shopping!
  • Tree lighting @ 5pm
  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 1 PM – 5 PM
  • Historic Dublin 1 N High St, Dublin, Ohio 43017
    Facebook Event

Holidays in Powell

Admission to the event is free and includes crafts, activities and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Guests must in line by 5 p.m. to visit with Santa Claus. Join Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Mayor Jon Bennehoof at 6 p.m. in Village Green Park as they illuminate the City’s Christmas Tree.

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 2 PM – 6 PM
  • City of Powell Local Government, 47 Hall St, Powell, Ohio 43065
    Facebook Event

Santa’s Coming to Town

Bring your camera and take a picture of your little ones with Santa while they discuss their holiday wishes. Children can also make a holiday craft and visit wit Rosie the Comfort Dog from Atonement Lutheran Church. TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for this event. Tickets are free but must be picked up from the Youth Services Desk beginning Saturday, November 30 at 10 am. Tickets are handed out on a first-come first-serve basis.

One ticket required per family. Program is provided by the Grandview Parks and Recreation Department and the Library.

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 11 AM – 1 PM
  • City of Grandview Heights, Ohio · Grandview Heights, Ohio
    Facebook Event

Jack Hanna’s Home for the Holidays featuring Santa Paws

Come out during the day and be a part of Santa Paws, our annual enrichment activity that keeps the animals in the holiday spirit by giving them specially wrapped, approved treats for the animals. You can also get into the spirit of the season by bringing any of the approved enrichment gifts and in return, you will receive one FREE admission to the Wildlights this evening. So if you have four people in your party, be sure to bring four enrichment items. The approved enrichment list can be found here on our website: https://bit.ly/336vhqy, just be sure to click the “Zoo Wish List” tab.

And of course, don’t miss the man in khaki, Jungle Jack Hanna, take the stage for three special performances with his animal friends at the outdoor Surfin’ Safari Stage during Wildlights.

Show Times: 6:00 p.m, 7:15 p.m and 8:30 p.m.

  • Saturday, December 7th
  • 10 AM – 10 PM
  • Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – 4850 Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
    Facebook Event

Elf: The Musical

Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity.  Great for families with young children as its run time is about an hour and fifteen minutes. Plan to stay for the Christmas party with Buddy and Santa after the show.

Tickets are $10. Purchase here.

  • Sunday, December 8th
  • 3 PM
  • Warhawk Performing Arts Center, 7118 Mount Royal Ave, Westerville,OH 43082-8393 
    Facebook Event

Christmas Parade 2019

The annual Home for the Holidays Parade will be on Sunday, December 8, stepping off at 3 p.m. from Mingo Park. The parade route heads west on E Lincoln Avenue, then turns left to walk south on N Sandusky Street. It continues through the downtown square, where WSYX ABC 6 Journalist Tom Bosco will be our emcee, announcing each parade entry. The parade ends at the corner of S Sandusky Street and Wilmer Street, near the Ohio Wesleyan University campus.

Make sure you bring your letters to Santa! The U.S. Postal Service will be collecting these from the crowd to ensure they make it safely to the North Pole.

Gingerbread House Decorating

We will offer classes during the months of November and December for you and your family to come in and decorate a house. Start a new family tradition or continue the tradition with Mrs. Turbo’s Cookies.

We provide everything you need to make a beautiful and fun gingerbread house. Including:

  • A prefab house
  • All candy and decorations
  • Royal icing
  • The space to do it!! (More importantly we clean up 🙂 and….
  • Hot chocolate of course!

You only need to bring your imagination and fun! Classes fill up fast so don’t wait! Reservations are required and payment is required at time of reservation. $35 per house. Check out our Facebook Events or Eventbrite to book your house today!

Santa Clause is Coming to FORTIN IRONWORKS!

ell Santa how good you’ve been and receive a small gift. Complementary hot cocoa with marshmallows, tea, and coffee will be served. As a thank you to our community this event will be FREE from your friends at Fortin Ironworks. Feel free to take photos while you are visiting with Santa and enjoy the most unique shopping experience in Columbus. Before and after the event on December 8 we will be having treats to purchase from our friends at Short North Piece of Cake.

Bexley Chamber Holiday Hop

Meander along Main Street and North Cassady to enjoy free activities, holiday craft-making, and discounts at participating businesses. The BEAT bus will transport visitors along Main St. and up the Cassady Corridor. This year’s event will be capped off with the City’s tree lighting at Drexel Circle.

The annual Scavenger Hunt is back! Find the hidden elf at any participating business to receive a stamp in your Holiday Hop Passport. Collect eight or more Passport stamps and return your Passport to Johnson’s Real Ice Cream to be eligible to win one of three fabulous raffle baskets filled with gift cards from area businesses! Winners will be notified at the end of the day. Need not be present to win.

More info here – http://www.bexleyareachamber.org/fw-event-slug/holiday-hop-2k19/

Christmas on the Farm

Come and see the animals and the farm decked out for Christmas!! We will have horse drawn wagon rides, hot chocolate bar, cookie decorating, reindeer food making, write your letter to Santa and drop it in our special mailbox and SEE SANTA IN PERSON!!! You can also get your picture taken with Santa in his special sleigh!!! The event is FREE but we will gladly accept a donation which will be given to the Union County Humane Society. Stop by for an hour or just a few minutes.

Westerville Christmas Children’s Parade

Celebrate the Holidays at the Westerville Christmas Children’s Parade. Members from The Real Ohio Ghostbusters, The Dayton Ohio Ghostbusters, The Black Swamp Ghostbusters will join The Columbus Ghostbusters. Members will be walk alongside Ectos from each group, including our new Ecto GMC and new Ecto 110.

  • Sunday, December 8th
  • 2:30 PM – 4 PM
  • Westerville, Ohio · Westerville, Ohio

Village Lights

Visit the historic streets of German Village to discover a world of lights and holiday magic. Village Lights is the holiday-kickoff experience!

Follow the luminaries from shop to shop as you begin checking off your holiday gift list. Our businesses are open late with holiday specials and you’ll find festive surprises around every corner.

Kick off your shopping at StrietzelMarkt on the German Village Society Meeting Haus Platz. You’ll find vendors, ice carving is back from Rock on Ice, music by The Mighty Troubadors, mulled wine and more.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be arriving at 5:45 PM at the Actors’ Theatre Schiller Amphitheater in Schiller Park! Make sure you are there for their grand entrance and stick around for photos and stories with the world’s jolliest couple.

Don’t forget about the kick-off of 12 Elves in Dublin + all the pop-up markets this weekend, perfect to finish up your holiday shopping!

Join the Newsletter