Columbus · OH
Things to do with kids in Columbus — December 2026
86 family events in December 2026. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page. Dates are in Eastern Time.
What’s on now in Columbus →Events
- Community
Through Dec 24
Christkindlmarkt Dublin Ohio
Riverside Crossing Park
Nov21SatOutdoorsThrough Jan 3
Conservatory Aglow 2026
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
PaidAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Tue, Dec 1 · 4:00 PM
Kids Create: Evergreen Tree Weaving
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library
FreeAges 7–11
- Arts & crafts
Through Dec 27
Short North Stage: Hairspray
Garden Theater (Short North Stage)
PaidAll ages
Nov20FriCommunityThrough Jan 3
Wildlights 2026
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
With admission
- Outdoors
Wed, Dec 2 · 1:00 PM
Winter Stories with Fairfield County Park District — Pickerington Library
Pickerington Public Library - Main Library
FreeAges 3–7
Dec3ThuTree lightingsThu, Dec 3 · 6:00 PM
Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony
Coffman Park
Free
Dec3ThuSTEM & discoveryThu, Dec 3 · 5:30 PM
LEGO Family Challenge at Downtown Newark Library
Licking County Library – Downtown Newark
All ages
- Markets and festivals
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
Christmas in the Village
Historic Downtown Canal Winchester (Stradley Place Greenspace)
Free
Dec4FriNutcracker and showsFri, Dec 4
Columbus Symphony: Holiday Pops
Ohio Theatre
Paid
- Tree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
First Friday Tree Lighting in Downtown Delaware
Downtown Delaware (corner of William and Sandusky Streets)
Free
- Sports & play
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM
Free Holiday Skating Rink in Downtown Delaware
Skating rink behind the Delaware Welcome Center
Free
- Tree 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
- STEM & discovery
Fri, Oct 23 · 8:00 PM
Perkins Observatory Friday Evening Program
Perkins Observatory
From $10All ages
- Community
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
Snow Ball Holiday Open House — Gahanna Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Gahanna Branch
Free
Dec4FriSanta visitsFri, Dec 4 · 7:00 PM
Visit Santa at the Delaware Welcome Center
Delaware Welcome Center
Free
Dec4FriCommunityFri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM
Wander Nights at Wanderlights
Columbus Commons (plus Scioto Mile and Lazarus Building stops)
FreeAll ages
- Tree lightings
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:00 PM
Westerville Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
Westerville City Hall Courtyard
- Dec4FriCommunity
Fri, Dec 4 · 10:30 AM
Winter Holiday Play Date at Downtown Newark Library
Licking County Library – Downtown Newark
- Train rides
Sat, Dec 5 · 6:00 PM
All Aboard the Polar Express! — Hilliard Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Hilliard Branch
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Downtown Lancaster WinterFest & Tree Lighting
Downtown Lancaster
- Tree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 3:00 PM
Reynoldsburg Tree Lighting
Senior Citizens Facility
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 1:00 PM
Santa Saturday
Pickerington Public Library - Pickerington Main Library
Dec5SatSanta visitsSat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM
The Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash
McCorkle Park
Paid
- Community
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Victorian Christmas Celebration
Gahanna Historical Settlement
Nov1SunCommunitySun, Nov 1 · 10:00 AM
Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
With admissionAll ages
- Dec6SunOutdoors
Sun, Dec 6 · 10:00 AM
December Community Day: Celebrate Winter at Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
With admissionAll ages
Dec6SunTree lightingsSun, Dec 6 · 3:30 PM
Hilliard Tree Lighting
Hilliard's Station Park
Free
- Santa 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
Tree Lighting
Hilliard’s Station Park
Free
Dec6SunLight displaysSun, Dec 6 · 4:00 PM
Village Lights in German Village
German Village (neighborhood streets)
Free
Dec7MonSanta visitsMon, Dec 7 · 4:00 PM
Babcock Holiday Bash with Santa (Johnstown)
Licking County Library – Johnstown (Mary E. Babcock)
- Community
Mon, Dec 7 · 10:30 AM
Magic of the Holiday with Erica Carlson — Reynoldsburg Branch
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Reynoldsburg Branch
Free
- Nutcracker and shows
Tue, Dec 8
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Palace Theatre
PaidAll ages
- Community
Tue, Dec 8 · 5:30 PM
Family Movie Night
Marysville Public Library (Main Library)
- Santa visits
Tue, Dec 8 · 4:00 PM
Festive Fun with Santa and Hanukkah Games — Franklinton Branch
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Franklinton Branch
Free
- Markets and festivals
Wed, Dec 9 · 3:30 PM
Marion-Franklin Season Celebration: WinterFest
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Marion-Franklin Branch
Free
Dec10ThuNutcracker and showsThu, Dec 10
BalletMet: The Nutcracker
Ohio Theatre
PaidAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Thu, Dec 10 · 4:00 PM
ChronoShift Escape Room
Pickerington Public Library - Pickerington Main Library
- Community
Thu, Nov 12 · 6:30 PM
JClub Parent's Nights Out (members only)
JCC of Greater Columbus
With admission
- Arts & crafts
Thu, Dec 10 · 6:30 PM
Tweens Create: DIY Hot Chocolate Snowman
Delaware County District Library - Orange Branch Library
FreeAges 9–12
- Outdoors
Tue, Oct 27 · 10:00 AM
Wild Storytime at Infirmary Mound Park
Infirmary Mound Park (Shelter #5 or James Bradley Center)
- Community
Fri, Dec 11 · 6:00 PM
Holiday Party at the Worthington Community Center
Worthington Community Center
All ages
- Markets and festivals
Fri, Dec 11 · 5:30 PM
Holidays at Ohio Village
Ohio Village
From $14
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 8:30 AM
Breakfast with Santa (Canal Winchester)
Canal Winchester Community Center
From $7
Dec12SatCommunitySat, Dec 12 · 12:00 PM
Family Holiday Music Bingo at West Newark Library
Licking County Library – West Newark (Emerson R. Miller)
All ages
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM
Festive Family Fun — New Albany Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - New Albany Branch
Free
- Crafts and cookies
Sat, Dec 12 · 3:00 PM
Gingerbread House Party — Whetstone Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Whetstone Branch
Free
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM
Handmade: Crafting in Early America at Gallant Farm
Gallant Farm
All ages
- Dec12SatCommunity
Sat, Dec 12 · 1:00 PM
Interactive Movie: Frozen at Downtown Newark Library
Licking County Library – Downtown Newark
- Sports & play
Sat, Nov 14 · 5:00 PM
Parents' Night Out at The Schoolhouse of New Albany
The Schoolhouse of New Albany
From $50
Dec12SatSports & playSat, Dec 12 · 6:30 PM
Parkour Party Parent's Survival Night at The Little Gym of Polaris
The Little Gym of Polaris
From $50Ages 3–12
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Dec 12 · 11:30 AM
PBJ & Jazz: Songs of the Season
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library
Free
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 6:00 PM
Santa at The Log House
Gahanna Historical Settlement (The Log House)
- Nutcracker and shows
Sun, Dec 13 · 3:00 PM
Merry Tuba Christmas: Family Concert at Hilliard Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Hilliard Branch
Free
- Community
Sun, Dec 13 · 1:00 PM
Winter Holiday Hoedown at McCammon Creek Park
McCammon Creek Park – Bicentennial Barn
All ages
- Markets and festivals
Mon, Dec 14 · 3:00 PM
Winter Wonderland at Barnett Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Barnett Branch
Free
- Arts & crafts
Tue, Dec 15 · 4:00 PM
Kids Create: Snowman Photo Frames
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library
FreeAges 7–11
- Markets and festivals
Tue, Dec 15 · 3:00 PM
Winter Wonderland at Parsons Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Parsons Branch
Free
- Crafts 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)
Nov19ThuCommunityThu, Nov 19 · 4:30 PM
Books with Bo: Read to a Therapy Dog in Grove City
Southwest Public Library: Grove City
FreeAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Thu, Nov 19 · 6:00 PM
Under the Stars (Live) at The Works SciDome
The Works - SciDome Planetarium
From $15
- Markets and festivals
Thu, Dec 17 · 4:00 PM
Winter Wonderland at Martin Luther King Branch Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Martin Luther King Branch
Free
Dec18FriNutcracker and showsFri, Dec 18 · 7:30 PM
The Hip Hop Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre
Paid
Nov28SatSanta visitsSat, Nov 28 · 8:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory - The Wells Barn
From $18
Dec19SatArts & craftsSat, Dec 19 · 11:00 AM
LEGO Block Party at the Columbus Museum of Art
Columbus Museum of Art
With admission
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Nov 21
Model Railroad Open Houses at Sandel Legacy Trail Depot
Sandel Legacy Trail (Depot)
All ages
- Nutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 19 · 3:00 PM
New Albany Symphony Holiday Spectacular
McCoy Center for the Arts
- Santa visits
Sat, Dec 19 · 11:30 AM
Santa & The Symphony: Sensory-Friendly Concert (New Albany Symphony)
McCoy Center for the Arts
Dec21MonSTEM & discoveryMon, Dec 21 · 9:00 AM
1-Day Winter Break Camps (Grades K-5) at the Columbus Zoo
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
From $95
- Dec21MonCrafts and cookies
Mon, Dec 21 · 11:00 AM
Gingerbread Builders Competition at Downtown Newark Library
Licking County Library – Downtown Newark
- Community
Through Jan 4
JClub Winter Break Camp at the JCC
JCC of Greater Columbus
From $60
- STEM & discovery
Mon, Dec 21 · 10:00 AM
STEAM Spots
Pickerington Public Library - Pickerington Main Library
All ages
- Arts & crafts
Mon, Dec 21 · 9:00 AM
Theatre360 Winter Break Single-Day Camps (K-Pop Demon Hunters, How to Train Your Dragon Jr., Disney's Descendants)
CCT Studios (Columbus Children's Theatre)
PaidAges 5–12
- Dec22TueNutcracker and shows
Tue, Dec 22 · 11:00 AM
BalletMet: My First Nutcracker
Ohio Theatre
Paid
- Dec22TueArts & crafts
Tue, Dec 22 · 10:00 AM
Winter Art Breaks at the Columbus Museum of Art
Columbus Museum of Art
With admissionAll ages
- Train rides
Tue, Dec 22 · 10:00 AM
Winter Break Family Movie: The Polar Express
Marysville Public Library (Main Library)
Free
- Arts & crafts
Tue, Dec 22 · 2:00 PM
Your Stuffie in Winter: Chalk Pastel Portrait Workshop
Delaware County District Library - Orange Branch Library
FreeAges 10–17
Dec26SatArts & craftsSat, Dec 26 · 3:00 PM
Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the Palace Theatre
Palace Theatre
PaidAll ages
- Community
Wed, Dec 30 · 11:00 AM
Magic of the Holiday with Erica Carlson — Whetstone Branch
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Whetstone Branch
Free
- New Year’s Eve
Wed, Dec 30 · 11:00 AM
Noon Year's Eve Party — Main Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library
Free
- New Year’s Eve
Through Jan 1
Glass Town Countdown New Year's Eve in Downtown Lancaster
Zane Square, Downtown Lancaster
Free
- New 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)
Dec31ThuCommunityThu, Dec 31 · 11:00 AM
Zoo Year's Eve Noon Celebration
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
With admission