Guide to Family Friendly Holiday Events to Enjoy This Season

Family Friendly, Seasonal, Things to Do

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Written by Step Out Columbus

Published on November 15, 2023
Photo by Franklin Park Conservatory via Facebook

Looking for a long list of upcoming family friendly holiday events and activities around Columbus and Central Ohio? These events will get your whole crew in the holiday spirit – from breakfasts with Santa and Holiday-themed train rides to parades, Christmas light shows, and more, there’s lots to get excited about this season. Merry Christmas and a very Happy Holiday, from our fam to yours!

Let’s get into it.

Are we missing your event? Add it to our listings!

Things to Do

The Santa Experience

Thu, Nov 30 - Sun, Dec 24 • 10:00 am - ?

Easton • 160 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus, 43219

Central

November 18 – December 24 Various times Sunday: 12-6PM, break 2-3PM Monday – Saturday: 10AM – 9PM, breaks at 1-1:45PM, 4:45-5:30PM Christmas ...

Nightlife Events

WILDLIGHTS 2023

Thu, Nov 30 +more dates • 5:00 pm - ?

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • 4850 Powell Rd Powell, 43065

North

One of Ohio’s Favorite Holiday Traditions! The yuletide season comes alive with millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer, ...

Theater

Mr. Scrooge: The Musical

Fri, Dec 1 +more dates • 7:00 pm - ?

Riffe Center • 77 S High St Columbus, 43215

Central

December 1 - 7 :00 PM December 2 - 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7::00 PM December 3 - 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM December 8 - 10:00 AM December ...

Things to Do

Breakfast with Santa

Sat, Dec 2 +more dates • 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Admission starts at: $16

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens • 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, 43203

Central

Katie’s pancakes will be on-site flipping pancakes for you to “catch” your breakfast! Enjoy all the pancakes and sausage you can eat, real orange ...

Tours

Holiday Trolley Hop Open House

Sat, Dec 2 • 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Thurber House • 77 Jefferson Ave Columbus, 43215

Central

Get in the holiday spirit at Thurber House during this FREE pop-in family-friendly event! Join us for seasonal music, treats, arts and crafts, museum tours, ...

Things to Do

Frozen Sisters Ice Skate Performance and Meet & Greet!

Sat, Dec 9 • 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens • 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, 43203

Central

Watch the frozen sisters perform on ice, followed by a meet & greet with opportunities to get your picture taken with this famous duo! The program ...

Live Music

ELF in Concert

Sat, Dec 9 - Sun, Dec 10 • Times Vary

Admission starts at: $60

Palace Theatre • 34 West Broad St Columbus, 43215

Central

Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit ...

Things to Do

Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience

Sun, Dec 10 • 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • 4850 Powell Rd Powell, 43065

North

At the Columbus Zoo, we're dedicated to making the holidays a wonderful experience for all! Guest with sensory needs will have the chance to meet the ...

Theater

A Christmas Carol

Thu, Dec 14 +more dates • 7:30 pm - ?

Riffe Center • 77 S High St Columbus, 43215

Central

Get ready for the magic of the holiday season like never before with a unique retelling of the classic holiday tale “A Christmas Carol.” This one-woman ...

Live Music

Santa & The Symphony

Sat, Dec 16 • 11:30 am - ?

Admission starts at: $10

McCoy Center for the Arts • 100 W Dublin Granville Rd New Albany, 43054

Northeast

Sensory Friendly Performance Luis Biava, conductor The magic of the season comes alive on stage at the McCoy with the New Albany Symphony Orchestra ...

Live Music

Sensory Friendly Holiday Concert

Sat, Dec 16 • 4:30 pm - ?

Stuart’s Opera House • 52 Public Sq Nelsonville, 45764

Other

This 30-minute Sensory Friendly concert in the Lobby of Stuart’s Opera House welcomes individuals with sensory input disorders and autism spectrum disorder, ...

Are we missing your event? Add it to our listings!

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