Columbus · November 15, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Christmas and holiday events for kids in Columbus
52 tree lightings, Santa visits, light displays and holiday shows around Columbus, November 15 to New Year’s Day. 25 are free.
Don’t miss
- Nov18WedTrain rides
Wed, Nov 18 · 6:00 PM
Holiday Open House and Huntington Holiday Train Launch
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library
Free
- Nov22SunLight displays
Sun, Nov 22 · 3:00 PM
Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
Creekside Plaza (Gahanna Creekside District)
FreeAll ages
- Nov29SunChristmas
Sun, Nov 29 · 12:00 PM
Sunday Funday: Holiday Open House in Old Worthington
Downtown (Old) Worthington
Free
NovemberSun, Nov 15 – Mon, Nov 30
- Nov18WedTrain rides
Wed, Nov 18 · 6:00 PM
Holiday Open House and Huntington Holiday Train Launch
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library
Free
- Nov21SatMarkets and festivals
Sat, Nov 21 · 12:00 PM
WinterFest Columbus
Dorrian Green
Free
- Nov22SunLight displays
Sun, Nov 22 · 3:00 PM
Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
Creekside Plaza (Gahanna Creekside District)
FreeAll ages
- Nov24TueNutcracker and shows
Tue, Nov 24 · 7:00 PM
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Free Screening at the McCoy Center
McCoy Center for the Arts
Free
- Nov27FriNutcracker and shows
Fri, Nov 27 · 2:00 PM
CAPA Presents A Christmas Carol at the Ohio Theatre
Ohio Theatre
Paid
- Nov28SatSanta visits
Sat, Nov 28 · 8:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory - The Wells Barn
From $18
- Nov29SunChristmas
Sun, Nov 29 · 12:00 PM
Sunday Funday: Holiday Open House in Old Worthington
Downtown (Old) Worthington
Free
DecemberTue, Dec 1 – Fri, Dec 18
- Dec3ThuTree lightings
Thu, Dec 3 · 6:00 PM
Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony
Coffman Park
Free
- Dec4FriChristmas
Fri, Dec 4 · 10:30 AM
Winter Holiday Play Date at Downtown Newark Library
Licking County Library – Downtown Newark
- Dec4FriChristmas
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM
Free Holiday Skating Rink in Downtown Delaware
Skating rink behind the Delaware Welcome Center
Free
- Dec4FriTree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM
Holiday Gathering and Christmas Tree Lighting in Olde Pickerington Village
Olde Pickerington Village (Pickerington Elevate District)
FreeAll ages
- Dec4FriMarkets and festivals
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
Christmas in the Village
Historic Downtown Canal Winchester (Stradley Place Greenspace)
Free
- Dec4FriTree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
First Friday Tree Lighting in Downtown Delaware
Downtown Delaware (corner of William and Sandusky Streets)
Free
- Dec4FriChristmas
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
Snow Ball Holiday Open House — Gahanna Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Gahanna Branch
Free
- Dec4FriSanta visits
Fri, Dec 4 · 7:00 PM
Visit Santa at the Delaware Welcome Center
Delaware Welcome Center
Free
- Dec4FriNutcracker and shows
Fri, Dec 4
Columbus Symphony: Holiday Pops
Ohio Theatre
Paid
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM
The Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash
McCorkle Park
Paid
- Dec5SatTree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Downtown Lancaster WinterFest & Tree Lighting
Downtown Lancaster
- Dec5SatChristmas
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Victorian Christmas Celebration
Gahanna Historical Settlement
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 1:00 PM
Santa Saturday
Pickerington Public Library - Pickerington Main Library
- Dec5SatTree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 3:00 PM
Reynoldsburg Tree Lighting
Senior Citizens Facility
- Dec5SatTrain rides
Sat, Dec 5 · 6:00 PM
All Aboard the Polar Express! — Hilliard Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Hilliard Branch
- Dec6SunSanta visits
Sun, Dec 6 · 12:00 PM
Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience at the Columbus Zoo
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium – Suzie Edwards Conservation Education building
From $5
- Dec6SunTree lightings
Sun, Dec 6 · 3:30 PM
Hilliard Tree Lighting
Hilliard's Station Park
Free
- Dec6SunTree lightings
Sun, Dec 6 · 3:30 PM
Tree Lighting
Hilliard’s Station Park
Free
- Dec6SunLight displays
Sun, Dec 6 · 4:00 PM
Village Lights in German Village
German Village (neighborhood streets)
Free
- Dec7MonChristmas
Mon, Dec 7 · 10:30 AM
Magic of the Holiday with Erica Carlson — Reynoldsburg Branch
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Reynoldsburg Branch
Free
- Dec7MonSanta visits
Mon, Dec 7 · 4:00 PM
Babcock Holiday Bash with Santa (Johnstown)
Licking County Library – Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
- Dec8TueSanta visits
Tue, Dec 8 · 4:00 PM
Festive Fun with Santa and Hanukkah Games — Franklinton Branch
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Franklinton Branch
Free
- Dec8TueNutcracker and shows
Tue, Dec 8
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Palace Theatre
PaidAll ages
- Dec9WedMarkets and festivals
Wed, Dec 9 · 3:30 PM
Marion-Franklin Season Celebration: WinterFest
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Marion-Franklin Branch
Free
- Dec10ThuChristmas
Thu, Dec 10 · 6:30 PM
Tweens Create: DIY Hot Chocolate Snowman
Delaware County District Library - Orange Branch Library
FreeAges 9–12
- Dec10ThuNutcracker and shows
Thu, Dec 10
BalletMet: The Nutcracker
Ohio Theatre
PaidAll ages
- Dec11FriChristmas
Fri, Dec 11 · 6:00 PM
Holiday Party at the Worthington Community Center
Worthington Community Center
All ages
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 8:30 AM
Breakfast with Santa (Canal Winchester)
Canal Winchester Community Center
From $7
- Dec12SatChristmas
Sat, Dec 12 · 12:00 PM
Family Holiday Music Bingo at West Newark Library
Licking County Library – West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)
All ages
- Dec12SatCrafts and cookies
Sat, Dec 12 · 3:00 PM
Gingerbread House Party — Whetstone Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Whetstone Branch
Free
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 6:00 PM
Santa at The Log House
Gahanna Historical Settlement (The Log House)
- Dec13SunChristmas
Sun, Dec 13 · 1:00 PM
Winter Holiday Hoedown at McCammon Creek Park
McCammon Creek Park – Bicentennial Barn
All ages
- Dec14MonMarkets and festivals
Mon, Dec 14 · 3:00 PM
Winter Wonderland at Barnett Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Barnett Branch
Free
- Dec16WedCrafts and cookies
Wed, Dec 16 · 4:00 PM
DIY Christmas Ornaments at Raymond Branch Library
Marysville Public Library - Raymond Branch
Free
- Dec16WedSanta visits
Wed, Dec 16 · 6:00 PM
Meet Santa at West Newark Library
Licking County Library – West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)
- Dec18FriNutcracker and shows
Fri, Dec 18 · 7:30 PM
The Hip Hop Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre
Paid
Christmas breakSat, Dec 19 – Fri, Jan 1
- Dec19SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 19 · 11:30 AM
Santa & The Symphony: Sensory-Friendly Concert (New Albany Symphony)
McCoy Center for the Arts
- Dec19SatNutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 19 · 3:00 PM
New Albany Symphony Holiday Spectacular
McCoy Center for the Arts
- Dec21MonCrafts and cookies
Mon, Dec 21 · 11:00 AM
Gingerbread Builders Competition at Downtown Newark Library
Licking County Library – Downtown Newark
- Dec22TueTrain rides
Tue, Dec 22 · 10:00 AM
Winter Break Family Movie: The Polar Express
Marysville Public Library (Main Library)
Free
- Dec22TueNutcracker and shows
Tue, Dec 22 · 11:00 AM
BalletMet: My First Nutcracker
Ohio Theatre
Paid
- Dec30WedNew Year’s Eve
Wed, Dec 30 · 11:00 AM
Noon Year's Eve Party — Main Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library
Free
- Dec31ThuNew Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM
Noon Year's Eve
Pickerington Public Library - Sycamore Plaza Library
- Dec31ThuNew Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM
Noon Year's Eve Party at Johnstown Library
Licking County Library – Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
- Dec31ThuNew Year’s Eve
Through Jan 1
Glass Town Countdown New Year's Eve in Downtown Lancaster
Zane Square, Downtown Lancaster
Free
Nothing matches that filter in Columbus. Try another one.
For organizers
Hosting a tree lighting, Santa visit or holiday show in Columbus?
List it on Grassy Knees and it can show up on this Christmas page, in the metro’s weekend picks and in the app. Free to post until Oct 31.
How this list works
Tree lightings, Santa visits, light displays, Nutcrackers, menorah lightings and Noon Year’s Eve parties, beyond your own block. This page collects every event and program in our Columbus listings whose title names Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Santa, holiday lights, the New Year or the like, dated between November 15 and January 1. 52 are still ahead. Each one opens its listing page, which links to the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. Dates are in Eastern Time.