Get Festive at the 10th Annual Downtown Holiday Trolley Hop in Columbus

Get ready to mark your calendars and embrace the holiday spirit, everyone! I’m excited to share that the Annual Downtown Holiday Trolley Hop is back for its 10th consecutive year, and it’s all set to dazzle us on December 2, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. This is going to be an EPIC day!

If you’re looking for the perfect way to kick off the holiday season, this event is an absolute must-attend. Imagine free trolley rides, bustling merchants, and an array of cultural institutions, all coming together to create a festive atmosphere in the heart of Downtown Columbus.

This year’s Trolley Hop promises an assortment of delights for all ages. From live music and children’s crafts to steaming hot chocolate and scrumptious treats, there’s no shortage of merry moments to be had. Keep your eyes peeled for special appearances by some beloved holiday characters, adding an extra dose of magic to the event.

One of the most exciting updates this year is the addition of a route to the Santa Extravaganza at the Lazarus Building and Shops at Common Thread on 3rd Street. Be sure to take advantage of the extended hop until 6 p.m. to catch the enchanting holiday lights display at the Columbus Commons.

Starting points for the hop are the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Branch and the Warehouse District, both offering convenient parking options. You won’t want to miss out on exploring the lineup of participating merchants and organizations, each contributing to the vibrant spirit of the event.

Participating Merchants and Organizations

• Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Library, 96 N. Grant Ave.
  • The Huntington Holiday Train will be displayed in the Main Library’s Grand Atrium. The library’s gift shop, where you can find gifts for book lovers, will be open.
  • Carnegie’s Cafe on site.
  • Restrooms Available
  • Parking Available

• Topiary Park & Museum Shop, 480 E. Town St.
  • Holiday store, children’s craft, cookies & cocoa.
  • Restrooms Available 
• Loving Realtors/Loving Castle, 529 E. Town St.
  • Holiday lights, seasonal treats, take your own picture with Santa and the Grinch!
• Kelton House Museum & Garden, 586 E. Town St.
  • Free tours available and holiday pop-up shop, light refreshments. 
  • Restrooms Available
  • Parking Available
• Thurber House, 77 Jefferson Ave.
  • Free guided tours of Thurber House, arts and crafts, musical entertainment, seasonal drinks and treats, and bookstore sale.
  • Restrooms Available 
  • Parking Available 
• Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.
  • Free general admission for Trolley Hop riders. Come see “Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO®” and explore CMA with a LEGO gallery hunt. Art making in Open Studio will be available until 3:30 pm and is free with admission. Museum shop offers unique holiday gifts for those hard-to-please loved ones! 
  • Shokko Cafe on site.
  • Parking Available
  • Restrooms Available
• Warehouse District, 238 E. Spring St.
  • Pop-up indoor Holiday Market (222 Neilston St.) featuring local creatives, artisans, bakers, and more! 
  • Parking Available.
• Golden Hobby Shop, 549 E. Franklin Ave.
  • The shop will be filled with fabulous gift and decorating items for the holidays. And there’ll be an ornament making craft for kids.
  • Restrooms Available 
  • Parking Available

• Lef Floral & Botanical, 243 N. 5th St.
  • Holiday giftware and live fresh winter greens for sale. 
  • Restrooms Available
• Blockfort, 162 N. 6th St.
  • In addition to viewing their art gallery, Blockfort will be offering a full building raffle, live DJ, and photo station.
  • Individual artists will have their studios open to sell their artwork.
  • Restrooms Available
• Phoenix Rising Printmaking Coop, 243 N. 5th St.
  • Take home your own holiday print with an interactive print making activity for the whole family! 
  • Restrooms Available
• Wickit Candle Shop, 415 E. Broad St.
  • Free face painting for kids, chips, soda and water, plus 20% off all items in store!
  • Restrooms Available
• Common Thread Shops, 249 – 275 S. 3rd St.
  • Find local and national fashion brands, unique accessories and lifestyle goods in this cluster of boutique shops. 
• Museum of Catholic Art & History, 257 E. Broad St.
  • State Auto donated their Nativity Scene which is on display at St. Joseph Cathedral, across the street at 212 E. Broad St.
  • The museum, which features nearly 500 Nativities from different cultures around the world and a Santa, will be open and includes an entrance fee.

• The Santa Extravaganza, Lazarus Building, 50 W. Town St.
  • Mr. Claus will be at the historic Lazarus Building galleria for photo ops along with a hullabaloo of holiday activities for the whole family including arts and crafts, face painting, letters to Santa, Secret Santa shopping and more!
  • Restrooms Available

• Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St.
  • An annual tradition, enjoy the 13th year of festive lights at Columbus Commons from Friday, November 17 through Monday, January 1, every day from 5 pm until 10 pm. Come see more than 400,000 LED lights dazzle in the park.
  • Parking Available (Commons Garage)

Let’s not forget the vital role of the Discovery Special Improvement District  (DSID), the driving force behind the organization of this year’s Trolley Hop. Their commitment to safety, homeless outreach, graffiti removal, economic research, community engagement, and creative place making help create and maintain a safe, vibrant, diverse, and walkable Downtown. With that being said, this event also wouldn’t be possible without the generous support from sponsors like State Auto,  the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation (CDDC), and the Discovery District Civic Association. Their contributions showcase the collaborative spirit that makes this event a true celebration of our community.

Things to Note about the trolly  

• Trolleys will be stationed at 3 starting locations (Warehouse District, Topiary Corner, and Main Branch Library).
• Trolleys will depart from stops at 1:15 PM and return to their original starting locations by 6:00 PM. This means that the last Trolleys will run at about 5:45 PM.
• Trolleys will depart from each stop after unloading/loading passengers and are expected to arrive at stops every 15-20 minutes depending on number of passengers and traffic conditions.
• Trolleys will continually loop through the route. 
• There will be clear signage at each stop for pick-up and drop off. 
• It is recommended to park at either the Main Library or Warehouse District stops, but many other stops have parking available should you choose to start elsewhere in the route. 
• Most stops are a short walk away from one another if you need to leave the Trolley or return to your parking location. Please be mindful of the weather and walking distance for smaller children. 
• After 4 PM, trolleys will begin traveling to the Common Thread Shops on Third St, The Columbus Commons, and the Lazarus Building
• Programs with maps will be distributed on the Trolleys and will be available at each stop. 
• There will be volunteers on the Trolleys providing narration and answering any questions you may have. 

Tip: You don’t have to register, but, if you do register on their Eventbrite page, will be entered in a raffle to win FREE tickets to Elf the Musical and The Nutcracker! There will be one winner per show; winners will be contacted via email, so be on the lookout! 

Make sure to save the date and join me because this is going to be a day full of magic in Downtown! Let’s come together to support local businesses, create lasting memories, and revel in the joy of the holiday season.