The holidays bring fantastic energy to Central Ohio. From tree lightings in Worthington and Grandview Heights to German Village’s luminaria-lined streets and a brand-new Christkindlmarkt in Dublin, communities across the region have their own ways of celebrating.
Whether you’re looking for holiday lights in Columbus, Christmas markets, family-friendly activities, or festive things to do around Central Ohio, here are some of the events worth putting on your calendar for the 2026 holiday season.
November 2026 Holiday Events in Central Ohio
Easton Grand Illumination
November 13 | Easton Town Center, Columbus
The holiday season kicks off at Easton Town Center with Grand Illumination on November 13.
Where: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus
Wanderlights
November 20, 2026 – February 14, 2027 | Downtown Columbus
Wanderlights brings a walkable holiday light experience to the heart of Downtown Columbus, stretching through Columbus Commons, West Town Street and Bicentennial Park.
Where: Columbus Commons and the surrounding downtown area
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo
Beginning November 20 | Powell
One of Central Ohio’s best-known holiday traditions returns to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium with millions of lights and seasonal displays throughout the zoo.
Where: 4850 W. Powell Road, Powell
Christkindlmarkt Dublin
November 21 – December 24 | Riverside Crossing Park, Dublin
New for 2026, Christkindlmarkt Dublin brings a traditional German-style Christmas market to Riverside Crossing Park, with wooden market huts, artisan gifts, seasonal foods, Glühwein and holiday entertainment.
Where: 6694 Riverside Drive, Dublin
WinterFest Columbus
November 21 | Dorrian Green
Kick off the winter season Downtown with WinterFest Columbus at Dorrian Green. The annual community celebration takes place along the Scioto Mile.
Where: 50 S. Belle Street, Columbus
Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
November 22 | Creekside Park
Gahanna welcomes the holidays with its annual celebration at Creekside Park.
Where: 117 Mill Street, Gahanna
New Albany Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa Skate
November 22 | Rose Run Park
New Albany celebrates the season with its Holiday Tree Lighting and Santa Skate at Rose Run Park.
Where: 6300 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany
Worthington Holiday Open House & Tree Illumination
November 29 | Old Worthington
Old Worthington gets into the holiday spirit with its annual Holiday Open House and Tree Illumination, bringing the celebration to High Street and the surrounding historic district.
Where: Old Worthington
December 2026 Holiday Events in Columbus & Central Ohio
December 1–3
Holiday in the Heights Tree Lighting
December 1 | Grandview Heights
Grandview Heights kicks off December with its annual tree lighting at Pierce Field.
Where: 1160 W. First Avenue, Grandview Heights
Christmas Open House at the Historic Hanby House
December 1 | Westerville
Step inside one of Westerville’s historic landmarks for a seasonal open house at the Hanby House.
Where: 160 W. Main Street, Westerville
Sleigh Bell Sips
December 2 | Franklin Park Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory adds an adults-oriented evening to the holiday calendar with Sleigh Bell Sips.
Where: 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus
Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting
December 3 | Downtown Columbus
Celebrate the season at Capitol Square with the Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 1 Capitol Square, Columbus
Dublin Tree Lighting
December 3 | Coffman Park
Dublin’s holiday celebrations continue with the community tree lighting at Coffman Park.
Where: 5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin
December 4–6: A Big Holiday Weekend Around Columbus
If you’re looking for one weekend to pack with holiday activities, December 4–6 is one of the busiest of the season, with markets and neighborhood celebrations happening throughout Central Ohio.
Columbus Winterfair
December 4–6 | Ohio Expo Center
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, Winterfair brings hundreds of professional artists and makers to the Bricker Building for three days of holiday shopping.
Where: 717 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus
Grove City Christmas Parade & Mistletoe Market
December 4 | Grove City
Grove City combines two holiday favorites with its Christmas Parade and Mistletoe Market in the Town Center.
Where: Grove City Town Center
Pickerington Holiday Gathering & Tree Lighting
December 4 | Pickerington
Olde Pickerington Village hosts its Holiday Gathering and Tree Lighting from 5 to 8 p.m.
Christmas in Downtown Delaware
December 4 | Delaware
Downtown Delaware joins the festivities with a holiday celebration centered around Sandusky Street and the historic downtown area.
Short North Holiday Hop
December 5 | Short North Arts District
Holiday Hop fills High Street with an afternoon and evening of local shopping, art and holiday activity from noon to 8 p.m.
Merry Market at North Market Bridge Park
December 5 | Dublin
Make a day of holiday shopping in Dublin with Merry Market at North Market Bridge Park. The market runs from noon to 3 p.m., making it easy to pair with a visit to Christkindlmarkt Dublin nearby.
Where: 6750 Longshore Street, Dublin
Village Lights
December 6 | German Village
One of our favorite German Village traditions returns on December 6. Village Lights transforms the historic neighborhood for an evening of shopping, music, festive food and thousands of glowing luminarias.
Vutech | Ruff is proud to be a Signature Sponsor of Village Lights 2026, supporting a celebration that showcases so much of what makes German Village special.
German Village Makers Market
December 6 | German Village
While you’re in the neighborhood for Village Lights, stop by the German Village Makers Market for another opportunity to shop local.
Where: 1108 City Park Avenue, Columbus
More Holiday Shopping & Markets Around Columbus
Beyond the major tree lightings and neighborhood celebrations, there are plenty of opportunities to shop small throughout December.
Clintonville Farmers Market Holiday Market returns on December 5, 12 and 19, giving shoppers several chances to find seasonal and locally produced goods.
Franklinton Fridays + 400 Market takes place December 11 from 5:30 to 10 p.m., bringing another holiday shopping night to Franklinton.
Additional markets and pop-ups are expected throughout Columbus as the holidays approach, so check individual event organizers before heading out for the latest schedules and locations.
Celebrate the Holidays Close to Home
One of the things we love most about Central Ohio is that no two communities celebrate the season quite the same way.
You can walk beneath the lights Downtown, browse a German Christmas market in Dublin, watch the tree light up in Worthington, shop local in the Short North or spend an evening walking the brick streets of German Village.
For Vutech | Ruff, these traditions are also a reminder that where you live is about much more than the house itself. It’s the parks, businesses, gatherings and neighborhood traditions that turn a place into a community.
We hope this guide helps you get out and enjoy a little more of Central Ohio this holiday season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Central Ohio Holiday Events in 2026
What are some of the best holiday events in Columbus in 2026?
Popular events include Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo, Wanderlights Downtown, Village Lights in German Village, Winterfair at the Ohio Expo Center, and the Short North Holiday Hop.
Are there Christmas markets in Columbus and Central Ohio?
Yes. The 2026 season includes Christkindlmarkt Dublin, Merry Market at North Market Bridge Park, Columbus Winterfair and several neighborhood holiday markets.
When is Village Lights in German Village in 2026?
Village Lights takes place Sunday, December 6, 2026 in German Village. Vutech | Ruff is a Signature Sponsor of this year’s celebration.
When does Christkindlmarkt Dublin open?
Christkindlmarkt Dublin is scheduled for November 21 through December 24, 2026 at Riverside Crossing Park in Dublin.
Where can I see holiday lights around Columbus?
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo, Wanderlights in Downtown Columbus and the luminarias during Village Lights in German Village are three options for holiday lights around Central Ohio.
