20+ Winter Fun Activities in Central Ohio
This blog post is sponsored by Ohio. Find It Here. All opinions and recommendations are my own.
Tis the season to be merry, jolly, and filled with holiday cheer and fun. For me, the winter season is all about spending time with my family and close friends, cozying up with hot cocoa and toasted marshmallows, reflecting on the past year, and celebrating the holidays by keeping up with all the traditions my husband and I have made throughout the years.
During the winter holidays, we enjoy decorating our home, singing Christmas music, visiting all the different light displays across the city, and getting family photos, which should be interesting this year – since my toddler threw a tantrum the entire time.
So, if you’re looking for a few ways to celebrate the upcoming holidays with family and close friends, check out my list below.
Conservatory Aglow at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden: This family-fun outdoor experience offers themed light displays, which includes a rainbow tunnel, (that you see upon entry), a disco dance party and a musical light show in the Grand Mallway. For more information, visit their website.
Host a Bring-Your-Own-Cocktail Holiday Party: Looking to changeup your annual holiday party? Host a bring-your-own-cocktail party instead. Each guest is required to make their favorite holiday cocktail and present it to the group, and then have them be rated afterward. 10/10, I would highly recommend for your next holiday gathering, but make sure your guests coordinate an Uber or Lyft for their ride back home.
Columbus Commons Holiday Lights: Fridays in December will be a little extra festive, with free hot chocolate and carousel rides from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Plus, you’ll hear the music of the season with musicians in the park.
Huntington Holiday Train at the Main Library: This downtown holiday treasure was generously loaned to Columbus Metropolitan Library by Huntington in 2009 and is displayed in Main Library’s Grand Atrium. Bring your entire family to see the display with its trains, tracks, waterfall, tunnels, bridges, mini homes, and castle. On display at Main Library during regular library hours Nov. 21 through Jan. 8, 2023. Also, if you really want to impress your kids when you take them for a visit, check out these 10 fun facts about the holiday train.
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Don’t miss out on one of Central Ohio's favorite family holiday traditions! The yuletide season comes alive with millions of LED lights, animated musical light shows, Santa, reindeer and other holiday festivities that can only be found at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
The Scioto Mile Holiday Lights: The Scioto Mile will be aglow with holiday lighting, adding an air of festivity in downtown Columbus. Scioto Mile holiday lights will return on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and run through Monday, Jan. 2. Lights are visible from dusk until dawn each day.
Ohio Holiday Lights Trail: With 55 stops across the state of Ohio, take in the glow wherever you go this holiday season. To download the trail map of the light displays, visit this website.
Magic of Lights at the Historic Crew Stadium: New to Columbus, this magical drive-thru experience offers larger-than-life light displays that feature your favorite characters and magical moments. So, pile everyone into the car and create a new holiday tradition! Also, one carload means it’s one price for the entire family.
Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights: A locally owned and family operated holiday light show that offers three miles of 300 light displays is a must do this season. The entire drive-thru takes about 30 minutes, with plenty of time to take in all the wonder. My pro tip: Grab hot cocoa beforehand, and tune into their recommended radio station to pair the light displays with holiday music.
Worthington Tree Illumination: Are your kids looking to meet Santa? Attend this family-friendly events, where you and your kids and can meet the Saint Nick on the Southeast Village Green. Also, keep warm by grabbing some hot chocolate, and get in the holiday spirit with the rest of the Worthington community. The celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit their website.
Attend the Not Your Mama’s Craft Market to find the perfect local gift: A local handmade market, dedicated to curating the best of the best in handmade goodness in and around central Ohio. Admission is free and their next events will be held on Small Business Saturday at the BrewDog Brewery in Canal Winchester from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional dates for December 4 at German Village Lights (3 – 8 p.m.), and December 11 at BrewDog Brewery (once more) from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, follow them on Instagram for real-time updates.
Find your holiday dress at Amazon Style: Last month, Amazon opened its second storefront in the U.S., right in the heart of Easton Town Center. Shopping for clothes has never been made easier, or in a more tech-enabled environment. If you’re not ready to buy, no problem. Scan the code through your smart phone and save it for later in your Amazon cart.
Schedule and take the family photos: Whether it’s with a professional photographer or not, I highly encourage taking family photos and making it a holiday tradition. Within the past few years, this annual tradition has become important to me, because I want to remember myself being in that moment with the people that matter most. So, getting dressed up, and getting the photos taken will always happen, whether we’re all smiles or not.
Check out the Experience Columbus Holiday Gift Guide: Made your list? Checked it twice? Find perfect products, exciting experiences, and so much more for everyone on your list. This guide is categorized by personality, so start shopping today!
Shop small business with Celebrate Local: Purchase gifts from local businesses representing artisanal food purveyors, designers, artists, and farmers across the state! Located in Easton Town Center, you can start and finish your gift list all within one store. Need more ideas? Check out Made in Ohio, a website that hosts hundreds of companies and thousands of products made in the state. You can filer by category, region, and city.
Host a holiday outing with friends/co-workers: Looking to make memories with close friends, or take a break from the Zoom meetings with co-workers? Book a group reservation at Maker’s Social or AR Workshop Worthington to get festive and creative.
Enjoy the views from the top at Lincoln Social: Grab a cocktail with friends at one of Columbus’ best rooftop lounges in the city. Featuring specialty cocktails, wine, beer, and shareable plates from the kitchen, you’ll love taking in the holiday lights from this view.
Reserve a private igloo at VASO Dublin: Enjoy beautiful river views of downtown Dublin alongside delicious tapas and cocktails while socially distanced in a private outdoor heated igloo. To reserve an igloo, please contact their Private Events Coordinator by filling out the form on their website.
Experience the Wintergarden at Land Grant Brewing: Cozy up with your friends and family this winter season. These 2-hour Igloo reservations are the perfect place for your get-togethers throughout the holidays and cold winter months. Kid and dog friendly. Note that the brewery is 21+ after 8pm.
Get spirited with holiday-themed cocktails at Oddfellows: Offering a nice ambiance, friendly staff, delicious drinks, and Mikey’s Late Night Slice (right next door), Jenny from @CbusBitesNBooze recommends a visit if you’re looking for a fun and festive happy hour.
Get photos with Santa in Central Ohio: There’s something magical about sharing cookies or breakfast with Santa, which is why Columbus on the Cheap offers a list of special events/occasions across the city, where you and your family can have breakfast with Santa, as well as cookies or lunch/dinner.
Coordinate a holiday date night: The holidays can often be stressful on finances, but also one’s relationship, so don’t forget to pencil in a fun date night to balance out all the family visits and holiday photo shoots with kids. I highly recommend Chophouse 614 and FYR Short North (Columbus’ only live fire kitchen in the city).
So, what are your plans this winter season? Whatever they may be, remember to enjoy the last few days of the year doing all activities that bring you joy with the people you care about the most. For more fun, check out #OhioFindItHere at Ohio.org.