Oh my goodness! I can’t believe it’s time to start planning our holiday! These are our absolute favorite, tried-and-true holiday events in Columbus:

1.) Shop ’til you drop and then take a carriage ride around Easton Town Center while gawking at their absolutely beautiful Christmas tree!

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2.) It doesn’t get much better than the Columbus Zoo’s Wildlights display!

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3.) Don’t miss State Auto’s historic Christmas Corner – a life-size nativity scene!

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4.) See The Nutcracker presented by BalletMet at the Ohio and Capitol Theatres.

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5.) Experience Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, a 3 mile drive-thru light show, at Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds.

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6.) Lazarus lovers: Take the kiddos to see Santa at his workshop in the old Lazarus building on Saturday, December 1 from 11am-5pm!

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7.) After you see Santa at Lazarus, pop on over to the Columbus Commons for free Carousel rides, hot chocolate, and face painting on December 1 from 11am-5pm. At 5pm, Columbus Common’s Holiday Lights will officially turn on! See more than 320,000 LED lights dazzle in the park, thanks to AEP. From 11am-4pm on December 1, you also can experience WinterFest at the nearby Bicentennial Park. 

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8.) Go tree shopping! Check out choose & cut Christmas tree farms like Mr. Tree Farm in Blacklick, Timbuk Farms in Granville, or Cackler Farms in Delaware. You can search for a farm near you here.

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9.) Step into Chinese culture and experience silk lanterns, traditional performances, and tasty food at the Dragon Lights!

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10.) Sit back and enjoy the 4 hour BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley ride, taking in the best lights Columbus has to offer! Included in the tour is a 1 hour stop at Columbus Zoo’s Wildlights!

11.) Okay, so this one isn’t technically in Central Ohio, but it MUST be mentioned! Venture out of town to Clifton to see the Clifton Mill‘s lights! You won’t regret it 🙂

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What did I miss? Anything else that you LOVE in Central Ohio during the holidays? Leave a comment, below!