Short North Holiday Hop & Artisan Street Fair

About this adventure

On the first Saturday of December, the vibrant Short North Arts District along High Street hosts its signature Holiday Hop, turning the creative corridor into a bustling, family-friendly winter celebration. Hundreds of local artists, independent makers, and holiday street performers line the sidewalks alongside neighborhood galleries opening special seasonal exhibits. Children will delight in watching street ice sculptors carve frozen masterpieces with chainsaws, meeting roving holiday elves and costumed stilt-walkers, and listening to cheerful saxophone quartets and high school carolers. Local sweet shops and artisan bakeries offer specialty hot cocoa flights, freshly glazed holiday doughnuts, and warm gingerbread treats, while families browse unique handcrafted gifts, wooden toys, and festive decor from Ohio craftspeople. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Wide concrete sidewalks with ADA curb cut ramps run the entire length of High Street; crosswalks are well-marked. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Restrooms and baby changing tables available inside the Short North public parking garages and participating family-friendly cafes. • Age Suitability: Welcoming to children of all ages, teens exploring art, and parents seeking festive community energy. • Sensory Tips: High Street is lively and energetic; quieter art galleries and pocket parks like Poplar Park offer calm resting spots away from sidewalk crowds.