As the holiday season approaches, we know how essential it is to keep the kiddos entertained without emptying your pockets. So, we’ve compiled a list of 30 free activities and places to visit in Columbus during the Christmas break. Be sure to give us a follow on Instagram where we’ll be sharing more and more over the holiday break!
1. Columbus Commons Holiday Lights: Even if Christmas is over, the lights are still up at the Columbus Commons! Pack some hot cocoa from home and wander around the Columbus Commons to see more than 400,000 LED lights in the heart of Downtown Columbus. There is also one more Festive Friday on 12/22 – more details here!
2. A Wildlights Adventure at the Columbus Zoo: Experience the enchantment of Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and use the Columbus Metropolitan Library Culture Pass for free tickets. Check out this post to see which branches have these tickets.
3. Winter Wonderland at Blendon Woods: The Nature Center at Blendon Woods Metro Park has transformed into a beautiful indoor wonderland, brimming with the sights and sounds of the season, including TONS of decorated trees! There are TONS of free activities happening all month long, see more details here from Eat Play Cbus.
4. Huntington Holiday Train at Columbus Library: Check out the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s annual holiday train at their main branch. The Huntington Holiday Train has delighted people of all ages since 1992. Reminder, there is free parking at this branch for one hour.
5. Jingle Bells and Caroling in Your Neighborhood: Spread the holiday cheer by organizing or joining a neighborhood caroling group. It’s a fantastic, free way to connect with your community and something that we should really bring back in 2023!
6. Cozy Movie Nights at Home: Create a winter wonderland at home with holiday movies, popcorn, and all the festive feels. My personal recommendation is to start with How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey) followed by The Santa Claus, and end with a new (but old) favorite The Rise of the Guardians.
7. Twinkling Lights at Highbanks Metro Park: We really are spoiled with our metro parks here in Columbus! Right by the nature center, you will find a short trail of Christmas lights, some tuned to music. Nature walks are not only free but also a breath of fresh air.
8. Handmade Ornaments Extravaganza: Gather the family for a craft day, creating personalized ornaments using simple supplies that you already have at home. This is my favorite website for fun holiday crafts!
9. Holiday Mad Libs: Encourage your little writers to craft their own holiday stories. It’s a free and imaginative activity that keeps their minds buzzing and it’s also hilarious. Just google “free holiday mad libs” if you need a little help to get started.
10. Bird Watching Bonanza: Set up bird feeders in your backyard and identify the various bird species that flock to your winter wonderland. Better yet, visit one of our many metro parks (yes, again!) to check out the many birds who thrive there.
11. DIY Cookie Decorating Party: Transform your kitchen into a festive bakery and let the kids unleash their creativity by decorating holiday cookies. Use my favorite cheap recipe for icing, just a mix of powdered sugar and milk!
12. Visit the State Auto Christmas Corner: State Auto’s Christmas Corner, including its historic life-sized Nativity display, has returned to 518 E. Broad Street for the 91st year. Check out their website for special performances throughout the month!
13. Illuminate Your Evening at Topiary Park: Experience the magic of living art at Topiary Park in downtown Columbus. The sculptures take on a whole new charm under the holiday lights.
14. Family Game Night Extravaganza: Bring out the board games, card decks, and puzzles for a cozy and entertaining family game night at home. You could also mix it up with a video game contest, winner picks dinner!
15. Check out the Ice Sculptures in Westerville: Uptown Westerville Merchants will host their 10th Annual Ice Sculpture Tour! Bring the whole family and walk up and down the streets in Uptown to enjoy this free event! Don’t wait too long! The Ice Sculptures are on display until they melt!
16. Give Back a Bit This Season: ‘Tis the giving season! Choose a service project from Seeds of Caring to show kindness and gratitude with your kiddos. Check out all their current events here.
17. Head to the Library for Some New Books: We have some AMAZING libraries here in Columbus. Grab your crew and head to your favorite branch (shoutout Westerville and Worthington… and Downtown Columbus) and pick out several new books to bring home and read together.
18. Attend the Winter Solstice Celebration at the Grange Audubon Center: Enjoy an evening of seasonal activities including yoga, guided lantern walks/scavenger hunts, poetry reading by the indoor fire, changing of the center’s seasonal bird, hot chocolate bar/cookies, live harp music, a sip & paint and making snow! This event is FREE but RSVP here.
19. Enjoy a Day at the Columbus Museum of Art: There are two ways to enjoy the Columbus Museum of Art for FREE! You can visit on Sundays, it’s always free thanks to a generous donor. Or you can check out a pass for up to 8 people using the Culture Pass. More details here.
20. 12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt: Make your way to 12 Historic Dublin spots to find each elf and get your card signed or stamped! Collect them all and return your completed card at any participating business before December 23rd to be entered to win the grand prize basket. More details here.
21. Enjoy Free Music + a Museum: We love museums in our family and the Ohio Statehouse is a great one! During the holiday season, there is also choir concerts happening throughout December. Check out the full list here and then make your way around the Ohio Statehouse.
22. Wander Downtown Worthington: Downtown Worthington is just the CUTEST. During the holidays, they are dressed to the nine’s with beautiful window displays and plenty of photo ops. You can even win a $200 gift card when you share your photos thanks to FC Bank. More details here.
23. DIY Snow Globe Crafting: Engage the kids in creating their own winter wonderland with personalized DIY snow globes. Use recycled jars and ingredients at home to make this a FREE craft! Details here on how to make it.
24. Indoor Holiday Scavenger Hunt Challenge: Create a holiday-themed indoor scavenger hunt for the kids. It’s a fun and interactive way to keep them entertained. This is one of my favorite activities. Here is an idea to get you started!
25. Hunt for Nutcrackers in Grove City: Historic Grove City is the cutest and during the holidays, it gets even more adorable. Hunt for nutcrackers throughout the downtown area and maybe stop in their library too because it’s awesome. Print the PDF here or check out this website to see where you can pick one up.
26. Take a Stroll Through the Short North Pole: There is so much fun happening in the Short North during December! Kiddos can enjoy the Elf Trail at 12 different businesses then turn in their card at Northstar for a free hot cocoa or apple cider. Learn more here.
27. Check out the Wexner Center for the Arts: Did you know it’s now free to visit the Wexner Center for the Arts?! Plus, it’s right next to Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum which is awesome and also free!
28. Go to Cookies & Claus on 12/20: Head to Polaris Fashion Place for their Cookies & Claus KidX Event! They will have Mrs Claus, Buddy the Elf, and Jovie characters entertaining kids with singing Christmas songs, reading Christmas books, and helping with cookie decorating. Make sure to visit with Santa before or after the event in Center Court – reservations can be made in advance here: https://tinyurl.com/bddjbd6n
29. Check out Some Dino Fossils: The Orton Geological Museum on Ohio State Campus is super cool and FREE. If you have a Dino lover, take a visit to see fossils, rocks, minerals, and more.
30. Grab Some Friends for Some Arcade Games: 16-Bit is such a fun place to spend time with friends! There are multiple locations and it is free to play arcade games. Grab a few friends and head to your closest location.
There you have it, a fantastic list of 30 free activities and places for families in Columbus during the Christmas break. Enjoy the holiday season, and may it be filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments!
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