The holiday season is upon us, and Columbus is bursting with festive activities that won’t break the bank! Whether you’re looking to catch a tree lighting, watch a holiday parade, or snap a free photo with Santa, there’s plenty of holiday cheer to enjoy. This guide will be your go-to resource for free or budget-friendly holiday events in Columbus, updated throughout the season. Bookmark this post to stay in the loop on all the festive happenings!
FREE + Budget Friendly Holiday Events in Columbus
- Crochet a Holiday Ornament
- Saturday, November 16 from 3PM-5PM
- Shepard Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library
- Join us to crochet some beginner-level holiday decorations. Supplies will be provided, but we only have 12 hooks. If you have your own, sizes G and/or H will work. Ages 15+ and Adults are welcome.
- Make Holiday Cards for Seniors
- Monday, November 18 – Thursday, December 12
- Westerville Public Library
- Make a holiday card to bring cheer to local senior citizens. All supplies provided. Sponsored by Seeds of Caring.
- Holiday Open House
- Wednesday, November 20 from 6PM-8PM
- Main Library
- Come kick off the Holiday Season with us! We will have fun for the whole family including refreshments, crafts, live reindeer, and the launch of the Huntington Holiday Train! Join us for festive family fun with activities, hands on crafts, refreshments and musical performances. A Special Guest is coming to help launch the Huntington Holiday Train. You and your family won’t want to miss this free event celebrating the holiday season!
- Easton Town Center’s Grand Illumination
- Friday, November 22 at 6PM-9PM
- Easton Town Center
- Kick off the holiday season… the Easton way! Festivities will begin at 6PM around the Center and continue throughout the evening with live music, fun for the family, costumed characters and more bringing holiday cheer!
- Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
- Friday, November 22 – Sunday, January 5 (Sunday-Thursday 5PM-9PM | Friday-Saturday 5PM-10PM)
- Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
- Experience the magic of the holiday season in Central Ohio with millions of dazzling LED zoo lights, animated musical light shows, and festive activities at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium! Admission to Wildlights is included with your regular Zoo admission or Columbus Zoo membership. To catch a glimpse of the animals before they retreat for the evening, be sure to arrive early and enjoy the Zoo lights afterward!
- For those without a membership, use the Culture Pass at the Columbus Metropolitan Library for FREE tickets.
- Wanderlights in Downtown Columbus
- Friday, November 22 – February 16 from 5PM – 10PM, daily
- Columbus Commons – Town Street – Scioto Mile
- Winter magic abounds at Wanderlights, where over a half a million lights and special experiences will brighten the Downtown Columbus landscape. Wanderlights is more than a light display; it’s Columbus’ ultimate holiday destination. Families, couples, and solo adventurers will find joy in the holiday glow that’s totally FREE, plus one-of-a-kind holiday experiences against the backdrop of Downtown Columbus. More details here.
- City of Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
- Sunday, November 24 from 3PM-6:30PM
- Gahanna Creekside District
- The FREE event will have live entertainment, the annual tree lighting, Santa Claus, a new holiday artisan market with about 30 local vendors, a snow room, ice sculpting, and lots more for the whole fam. More details here.
- Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Open House
- Black Friday, and open noon-4 every Sat and Sun through New Year’s.
- 6471 Proprietors Rd, Worthington, OH 43085
- Join the COMRC for their annual open house starting Black Friday, and open noon-4pm every Saturday and Sunday through New Year’s. Admission is free and donations are welcome.
- Model Trains on Display
- Sunday, December 1 – Saturday, December 14 from 10AM-5PM
- Westerville Public Library
- Choo, choo! Train enthusiasts of all ages will love this display of electric model trains – some operated by hand and some by an app. Volunteer “conductors” from the Columbus Area N-Scalers will often be available to answer questions, talk about the trains, and demonstrate how to operate them.
- Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting
- Sunday, December 1 from 12PM-5PM
- Downtown Old Worthington
- Old Worthington will host its annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 1 (always the Sunday after Thanksgiving) from noon till 5:00 p.m. Bring the family to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season, including horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, live music and a photo opportunity with Santa. Local retailers will be offering special promotions and sidewalk sales. Stay after for the tree lighting ceremony!
- Winter Reading Challenge with the Westerville Library
- Sunday, December 1 – Friday, February 28
- Online (Westerville Library)
- Challenge yourself to a winter of reading for a chance to earn prizes, December 1, 2024 – February 28, 2024.
Register here.
- Illuminated Shopping in Downtown Worthington
- Wednesday, December 4 from 6PM-9PM
- Downtown Old Worthington
- Stroll the streets of beautiful Old Worthington, lit up with luminaries! The shops are open late to give you a chance to check everyone off your holiday shopping list. We’ll have horse drawn carriage rides, a DJ, and so much more!
- Ohio Statehouse Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival
- Thursday, December 5 from 5:30PM-7:30PM
- Ohio Statehouse – Capitol Square Complex
- The historically-decorated Statehouse Tree will be lit between 5:30-5:45, and the holiday celebration continues inside. Enjoy cookies, activities, historical characters and mascots, and special performances from local choirs and dance studios. Get photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the Statehouse Tree. More details here.
- Create Mailing Labels for Holiday Cards
- Friday, December 6 from 1PM-3PM
- Westerville Public Library
- Save time this year! Create mailing address labels for you holiday cards using the Microsoft Excel mail-merge functionality and Avery labels. A free set of printed labels will be offered to everyone who attends. Bring your personal address book to the workshop to create your spreadsheet. You can also bring a flash drive to so you can take home your address list. Directions and assistance will be provided. Basic typing skills highly recommended.
- Festive Fridays at Columbus Commons
- Fridays, December 6, 13 and 20 from 5PM-9PM
- Columbus Commons
- On the first three Fridays in December, enjoy free hot chocolate, live music, a traveling photo booth, carousel rides, and a bar offering hot boozy beverages while wandering amongst the lights.
- Wanderlights Trolley Tour
- Fridays, December 6, 13 and 20 | 5PM-9PM
- Hop on and explore all the Wanderlights destinations, plus an extra-special stop at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to see the light show on their front lawn. This tour is free but donations to Nationwide Children’s Hospital are encouraged.
- Holiday Extravaganza in Downtown Columbus
- Saturday, December 7 – Activities from 1PM-9PM
- Santa at Lazarus from 4PM-7PM
- Columbus Commons Celebration featuring The Good Market from 4PM-9PM
- Common Thread Shopping from 4PM-9PM
- FREE Trolley Hop from 1PM-6PM
- FREE Yuletide on Gay from 3PM-9PM
- Find more details here in our blog post sharing all these fun celebrations!
- Holiday Acts of Kindness
- Saturday, December 7 (Sessions at 9:30AM, 11AM, 1:30PM, 3PM)
- Join Seeds of Caring for their annual Holiday Acts of Kindness on December 7th at the Main Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library! With support from Amazon Web Services, kids — along with their grown-ups — will dive into fun, hands-on activities to spark kindness and spread joy this holiday season. From crafting gifts for New Americans to donating essentials for unhoused neighbors, creating up-cycled gifts for mail carriers, and designing thank-you signs—there’s something for everyone to make a difference.
- Holiday Histories
- Saturday, December 7 and 14
- Ohio History Connection
- Explore winter holidays like Christmas, Kwanzaa and more through hands-on activities! Experience cultural holiday traditions and stories together with community partners, learn about what less sunlight and wintry temperatures mean for Ohio’s wildlife, catch a holiday performance and shop the Ohio History Store, local vendors and crafters to pick up those last-minute gifts!
- FREE for those with an Ohio History Membership (use code BAKER to save 10% on a membership) or use the Culture Pass for free tickets.
- WinterFest at Bicentennial Park
- Saturday, December 7 from 11AM-4PM
- Bicentennial Park, 233 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
- First taking place in 2017, WinterFest Columbus is a celebration of music, food and drink in downtown Columbus, kicking off the winter season in style. Returning to Bicentennial Park in 2024, the downtown Columbus festival is free and open to all. This family-friendly event will feature free activities for all ages, such as a mechanical reindeer, a giant snowglobe photo opportunity, cornhole and more.
- Singing with Senior Friends
- Sunday, December 8 from 3PM-4PM
- Come help Seeds of Caring spread holiday cheer at National Church Residences Stygler Commons. Families will be singing simple, kid-friendly holiday songs and guaranteeing many smiles along the way – from kids and residents alike! There will be time for crafts and socializing with our senior friends after singing. RSVP here.
- Village Lights in German Village
- Sunday, December 8 from 5PM-9PM
- Follow the luminaria and immerse yourself in a world of lights and holiday magic on the historic streets. This year, we have something special in store for you with German-inspired Striezlemarkt featuring local vendors and food trucks. You can take advantage of the special offers, discounts, and holiday treats from local shops, businesses, and restaurants that are open late just for you. And the festive surprises at every corner will get you into the holiday spirit. So, mark your calendars now and get ready to be dazzled at Village Lights!
- Holiday Party in Worthington
- Friday, December 13 from 6PM-8PM
- Worthington Community Center
- Bring your family and friends to our FREE Holiday Party—a joyful celebration for all ages! Step into a wonderland of holiday fun with activities to delight everyone:
- Meet Santa – Snap a photo or share your wish list with Santa!
- Santa’s Reindeer – Get up close with real reindeer for a magical experience.
- Holiday Carnival – Play fun games and win festive prizes.
- Craft Station – Create your own holiday keepsakes to take home.
- Holiday Dance Party – Dance to festive beats with our DJ and enjoy live performances from Columbus DanceArts Academy.
- Holiday Photobooth – Strike a pose with holiday props for perfect seasonal snapshots.
- Model Train Display – Explore a detailed display brought to life by the Central Ohio Model Railroad Club—perfect for train enthusiasts!
- This festive event is packed with holiday cheer and memory-making fun. Mark your calendar, bring your loved ones, and let’s celebrate the season together!
- Visit with a Snow Plow (Outside)
- Friday, December 13 from 10AM-11AM
- Hanby Park
- Explore a snow plow from Genoa Township. Ask questions about snow removal and learn about the different parts of the truck.
- Family Games & Crafts: Winter Crafts
- Sunday, December 15 from 2PM-4PM
- Westerville Public Library Meeting Rooms A+B
- Drop-in and enjoy games and winter crafts for the whole family.
- Christmas Open House at the Orange Johnson House
- Sunday, December 15 from 1PM-4PM
- Orange Johnson House – 956 High Street in Worthington
- The Worthington Historical Society invites you to visit “An Old Time Christmas” at the Orange Johnson House while it is decorated for the Christmas season. Casey Cook will play the Trondlin Fortepiano in the sitting room from 1:30 – 3:30 pm. Once again, the Society will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Worthington Resource Pantry. In lieu of an admission cost, we invite guests to donate one or more items to this valuable community program. While members receive complimentary visits all year long, we extend the invitation to donate items to our Society community as well. Please join us for an enjoyable afternoon of music and holiday merriment!
- KidX Cookies & Claus at Polaris Fashion Place
- Thursday, December 19 from 5PM-6:30PM
- Join us at Polaris Fashion Place for our KidX Cookies & Claus Event! We’ll have Mrs Claus and Santa’s Elves characters entertaining kids while singing holiday songs, reading Christmas books, and helping with cookie decorating. Make sure to visit with Santa before or after the event in Center Court! Event is free to attend – and will be located in Center Court right near Photos with Santa. Free kids face painting at this event! KidX Events are sponsored by Destination Delaware and Aqua-Tots.
- Winter Art Breaks at Columbus Museum of Art
- Every Thursday and Friday, December 19–January 3 10:00 AM–1:00 PM Sensory hour is from 10:00–11:00 AM
- Columbus Museum of Art
- Unleash your creativity during winter break at My CMA Studio’s Winter Art Breaks! Explore fun materials and let your imagination run wild. Open to all ages and included with admission. This is free with a membership or the Culture Pass through the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
- Ice Sculpture Tour
- Friday, December 20 from 5PM-10:30PM
- Uptown Westerville
- Uptown Merchants will host their 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!
Bonus: Holiday Themed Activities at Home
- DIY Christmas Movie Night – Gather family favorites, make popcorn, and watch classics like Home Alone, The Polar Express, or The Grinch!
- Homemade Ornament Crafting – Use household items like paper, string, and glue to create your own tree ornaments. For a more “keepsake” option, make these cinnamon baked ornaments – I still have some from my childhood 30 years later!
- Bake Cookies & Have a Decorating Contest – Use pantry ingredients to bake sugar cookies and let everyone show off their decorating skills.
- Christmas Scavenger Hunt – Hide holiday-themed items around the house for a festive scavenger hunt. If you have an Elf, this is a fun activity for them to “bring.”
- Read Christmas Stories Together – Cozy up with holiday books or read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Here are a few of our other favorite Christmas books and here and here.
- Hot Cocoa Bar – Set up a station with marshmallows, whipped cream, and cinnamon for a special treat.
- Create Handmade Christmas Cards – Craft cards using paper, markers, and stickers to send to loved ones or those in need.
- Build a Blanket Fort and Watch Holiday Cartoons – Bring the cozy factor up by watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman.
- Sing Carols at Home – Host a mini karaoke night with classic Christmas carols.
- Make Paper Snowflakes – Decorate windows or the tree with homemade snowflakes.
- Christmas Puzzle Night – Work on a puzzle as a family, preferably with a holiday theme.
- Storytelling by the Fireplace (or Virtual Fireplace) – Take turns sharing favorite Christmas memories or make up holiday stories.
- Create a Time Capsule for Next Christmas – Collect items, notes, and photos to open next year.
- Holiday Bingo Night – Print or create your own bingo cards with Christmas-themed words or pictures.
- Holiday Lights Walk – Bundle up and take a stroll around the neighborhood to see holiday decorations and lights.
- Christmas Caroling – Gather family or friends to go caroling around the neighborhood (make it extra special with hot cocoa after).
- Leave Secret Holiday Treats for Neighbors – Drop off homemade cookies or treats with a little note, ringing the doorbell and leaving before they see you.
Keep the Holiday Cheer Going!
We’ll keep updating this list as more events are announced, so be sure to check back throughout the holiday season. Columbus is full of opportunities to make magical memories, even on a budget. If you know of a free or budget-friendly Christmas event happening in the area, drop a comment or send us a message to help spread the word!
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