Ohio Winter Fun: December Park Programs

Winter Warmers
It’s time to embrace the arrival of the snowy season. Check out these family-oriented outdoor and nature-related events happening this month at Ohio park systems. 

Dec. 1: Aullwood Winter Luminary Walk • Aullwood Garden MetroPark • Dayton 
Kick off the month with this evening walk through luminaria-lined pathways leading to the main house where visitors enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. 6–8:30 p.m., metroparks.org

Dec. 2: Get to Know Your Trails • Side Cut Metropark • Toledo
Join a Toledo Metroparks naturalist on a hike highlighting the flora and fauna of this park along the Maumee River. Noon–1 p.m., metroparkstoledo.com

Dec. 4: Preschool in the Gardens: Winter and Watercolor • Inniswood Metro Park • Westerville
Sip hot chocolate and create a winter watercolor, after taking a short walk for inspiration, of course (ages 3­–5). 11 a.m. & 1 p.m., metroparks.net

Dec. 5: What’s Happening on the Farm • Possum Creek MetroPark • Dayton
Learn how life on the farm changes during the winter months, including how different animals adapt to the weather (ages 2–5). 10–11 a.m., metroparks.org

Dec. 6: Winter in the Woodlands • California Woods Nature Preserve • Cincinnati
Enjoy a luminaria-lit trail on a self-guided walk through the forest at night. The festivities include cookie decorating and crafts. 6–8 p.m., cincinnatiparks.com

Dec. 7: A Holiday Evening at Carriage Hill • Carriage Hill MetroPark • Dayton
Take a candlelit stroll through the farm and experience life as it was in the 1880s with holiday music, parlor games and more. 6–8:30 p.m., metroparks.org

Dec. 8: Old-Fashioned Holiday • Vermilion River Reservation • Vermilion 
Experience an 1860s holiday, complete with costumed actors, horse-drawn carriage rides, hearthside cooking demonstrations, live holiday music and more. 2–6 p.m., metroparks.cc

Dec. 10: Winter Tree ID • West Creek Reservation • Parma 
Learn how to identify trees in the winter from a Cleveland Metroparks naturalist before taking a hike to test your new skills. 12:30–2 p.m., clevelandmetroparks.com

Dec. 11: Wildlife Folklore • Cascade Valley Metro Park • Akron 
Learn the truth behind wildlife myths (like the erroneous assertion that bats are blind) while hiking the Oxbow Trail. 2–3:30 p.m., summitmetroparks.org

Dec. 12: Full Cold Moon Hike • Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park • Galloway 
Take a stroll through 4 miles of forests and fields during the evening of a full moon. 5–8:30 p.m., metroparks.net

Dec. 13: Seasons and Stories: Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter • Rocky Fork Metro Park • Westerville
Gather for stories about animals and nature, followed by a 1-mile hike on a paved trail and warm drinks (ages 6 and under). 10 a.m., metroparks.net

Dec. 14: Christmas in Ash Cave • Hocking Hills State Park • South Bloomingville
Enjoy a lighted walk to Ash Cave, followed by fireside refreshments, Christmas carolers and decorating a Christmas tree for wildlife. 5–7 p.m., parks.ohiodnr.gov

Dec. 15: Ugly Holiday Sweater Hike • Wellington Reservation • Wellington
Wear an ugly, holiday-inspired sweater to get in the spirit of this Lorain County Metroparks hike. 1–3 p.m., metroparks.cc

Dec. 16: Bird Monitoring • Oakwoods Nature Preserve • Findlay
Birders of all skill levels are welcome to learn more about observing birds in their natural habitat. 9–11 a.m., hancockparks.com

Dec. 17: Preschoolers: Winter in the Woods • Blendon Woods Metro Park • Westerville
Gather at the Nature Center to learn the different ways animals survive winter: hibernation, migration and waiting it out (ages 3–6). 9 & 11:30 a.m., metroparks.net

Dec. 19: Lantern Walk • F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm • Akron 
Enjoy a short, lantern-lit walk through the woods, followed by a campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows. 6–7 p.m., summitmetroparks.org

Dec. 20: Kick Off the Holidays • Mill Stream Run Reservation • Strongsville 
Kick off the holidays at The Chalet with fun winter activities, including toboggan rides, crafts, a photo booth and prize wheel. 6–9 p.m., clevelandmetroparks.com

Dec. 21: John Glenn Astronomy Park • Hocking Hills State Park • Logan 
View the night sky in one of the few areas of Ohio where it can be seen in a near-pristine state. Open 24 hours, explorehockinghills.com

Dec. 22: ’Tis the Season • Slate Run Living Historical Farm • Canal Winchester 
Celebrate the holiday season with a walk around the farm, as well as crafts like making an ornament and stringing popcorn. 1–3 p.m., metroparks.net

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Skate • RiverScape MetroPark • Dayton
Create a holiday tradition at this outdoor ice-skating rink that offers beautiful scenery, warming stations and hot chocolate. 11 a.m.–5 p.m., metroparks.org

Dec. 25: Holiday Walk • Wildwood Preserve Metropark • Toledo
Celebrate Christmas Day with a peaceful walk in the woods, followed by sassafras tea in the Window on Wildlife. 3–4:30 p.m., metroparkstoledo.com

Dec. 26: New Moon Lantern Stroll • Blendon Woods Metro Park • Westerville
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with a peaceful, lantern-illuminated hike through the forest. 5 p.m., metroparks.net

Dec. 27: Humor Hike • Sand Run MetroPark • Akron
Laugh along with other hikers while walking Dogwood Trail during this trek featuring nature jokes and riddles. 1–2:30 p.m., summitmetroparks.com

Dec. 28: Stargazing • Stonelick State Park • Pleasant Plain
Take in the beauty of the night sky in winter through a variety of telescopes guided by volunteers from the Cincinnati Observatory. 6–11:45 p.m., parks.ohiodnr.gov/stonelick

Dec. 29: Coffee, Cocoa & Birds • Blendon Woods Metro Park • Westerville
Enjoy a cup of coffee or hot cocoa while watching birds through the Nature Center viewing window. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., metroparks.net 

Dec. 31: Christmas Bird Count • Glacier Ridge • Plain City
Join others in searching for birds to collect information for the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count. 8–11 a.m., metroparks.net 

Editor’s Note: Most activities listed are free, but some may require a small fee or advance registration. Further information about each of these events can be found at the websites listed. We advise confirming program dates and times haven’t changed before traveling.  

How to Get Tickets for the Polar Express: Both the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and Dennison Railroad Depot Museum offer excursions based on author Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book. But if you’re trying to secure tickets now, you’re may up with a lump of coal (although Dennison still had tickets as of mid-November). Your best bet is to buy a membership at your railroad of choice while we’re all still wearing shorts. Dennison railroad tickets go on sale to members May 1 and to the public July 1. Cuyahoga Valley railroad members at the “brakeman” level can buy tickets starting in September with sales opening to the public in early October. Those who volunteer 20 hours with the Cuyahoga Valley railroad also get the chance to buy early. cvsr.org, dennisondepot.org

Ohio Winter Fun: Sleigh Rides | Tobogganing, Tubing & Snowshoeing | Outdoor Ice-Skating | Christmas Tree Farms | December Park Programs