Save The Date: 24 Ohio Holiday Events

Bright Lights
These displays and events invite visitors to explore Christmas in the city. 

Akron
Lock 3 in downtown Akron is a social hub for the community all year, but it gets the holiday treatment with an ice rink, toasty outdoor igloos and other fun diversions as Christmas nears. The fun begins Nov. 29, and this year’s installment brings a first look at Lock 3’s reimagining, a project that began in summer 2023. 166 S. High St., Akron 44308, 330/375-2311, akronohio.gov/departments/lock_3

Cincinnati
Downtown Dazzle returns to Cincinnati’s Fountain Square for another season of family-focused holiday festivities. Each Saturday between Nov. 30 and Dec. 21, enjoy hot cocoa and ice skating during the day (check website for ice rink opening date) before a night of holiday lights and visits with Santa. 520 Vine St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/621-4400, myfountainsquare.com

Columbus (above)
Our capital city is aglow in the dazzling colors of over 500,000 lights during Columbus Commons Holiday Lights. Visitors can check out the display that includes lighted walkthrough archways and a 40-foot Christmas tree from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1. This year the lights stretch to the Scioto Mile. 160 S. High St., Columbus 43215, 614/545-4701, columbuscommons.org

Cleveland
Kick off the holidays on downtown Cleveland’s Public Square Nov. 30 with the WinterLand Tree Lighting Ceremony. During the day, enjoy ice skating as well as live music and an ice show. Once the sun goes down, the lights are switched on for the season and a fireworks display caps off the event. 50 Public Square, Cleveland 44113, 216/736-7799, winterlandcle.com

Dayton
The Dayton Holiday Festival returns to Courthouse Square Nov. 29 with the Grande Illumination of the downtown Christmas tree and the lighted, nighttime Dayton Children’s Parade featuring 100,000 lights. A downtown tradition since 1972, the festival runs throughout the month of December. 23 N. Main St., Dayton 45402, 937/224-1518, downtowndayton.org

Toledo
Enjoy a festive holiday celebration in the streets during The Blade Holiday Parade. On Nov. 16, Toledo’s Distinguished Clown Corps hosts a parade featuring marching bands, floats, firetrucks, giant balloons and, of course, Santa’s first appearance of the season in the Glass City. Parade Steps off on the corner of North Summit and Jefferson streets, Toledo 43604, 419/724-6280, theblade.com/holidayparade

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Village Happenings
These annual events bring the holiday spirit to Ohio’s history-focused destinations. 

Christmas in Zoar
Take a self-guided tour of Historic Zoar Village Dec. 7 and 8 as it’s decked out for the holidays, complete with Santa and carolers. The Christmas at Zoar event also includes extended hours at the Zoar Store, Bakery, Bimeler Museum, Gartenhaus Shop and The Stars of Zoar Co-Op. 198 Main St., Zoar 44697, 330/874-3011, historiczoarvillage.com/events/christmas

Roscoe Village’s Christmas Candlelighting Ceremony 
Coshocton’s re-creation of an Ohio canal town welcomes visitors to its annual Christmas event Dec. 7 and 14. Gather around the tree to hear carolers sing Christmas favorites as the glow of candles spreads through the crowd. Stay after to enjoy shopping or dinner in the village. 600 N. Whitewoman St., Coshocton 43812, 740/622-7644, roscoevillage.com

Sauder Village’s Merry & Bright Holiday Nights (above)
Enjoy this one-night celebration at Sauder Village in Archbold on Dec. 7. Walk under the bright lights of 1920s Main Street and enjoy activities like trolley and train rides, listen to live music, take part in craft-making, enjoy treats at the soda fountain and save time for a visit with Santa. 22611 St. Rte. 2, Archbold 43502, 419/446-254, saudervillage.org

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On Stage
These enduring shows promise to deliver a dose of holiday magic. 

A Christmas Carol in Cleveland | Nov. 23–Dec. 22
Cleveland’s Great Lakes Theater has brought Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to the stage for decades, telling it through the frame of a mother recounting the timeless tale to her children. The family-favorite production takes the stage at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre and is of a length that is suited to younger theatergoers. 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44115, 216/241-6000, greatlakestheater.org

A Christmas Carol at Ohio Star Theater | Nov. 30–Dec. 21
This theater next to Sugarcreek’s Dutch Valley Restaurant stages a new musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale of holiday redemption. A Broadway-style score by Steve Parsons and lyrics by John Popa brings new energy to the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. 1387 Old Route 39 NE, Sugarcreek 44681, 855/344-7547, dhgroup.com

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) | Dec. 13–29
The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company quickly departs from the classic retelling of A Christmas Carol and detours into a PG-13 show that touches on bits and pieces of many Christmas classics, from Charlie Brown to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 1195 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/381-2273, cincyshakes.com

Jim Brickman Comfort & Joy Tour Dec. 21 & 22
Renowned pianist Jim Brickman brings his holiday show to Cleveland’s Playhouse Square for two nights. Grab a seat at the Hanna Theatre to hear Christmas classics and original Brickman compositions with an appearance by special guest Anne Cochran. 2067 E.14th St., Cleveland 44115, 216/241-6000, jimbrickman.com

A Christmas Carol in Columbus Nov. 29 & Dec. 1 
You won’t leave this performance of the Charles Dickens classic proclaiming, “Bah humbug!” Debuting in 2023, this locally created version of the holiday tale has been reimagined for its second season with more dance numbers and beloved carols and it is suitable for all ages. 39 E. State St., Columbus 43215, 614/229-4860, capa.com

BalletMet’s The Nutcracker | Dec. 12–28 (above)
Columbus’ ballet company has been bringing this tale of pure imagination with a classic Tchaikovsky score to the stage for more than four decades, creating a beloved holiday tradition for families across the city and beyond. The two-act show is also of a good length for young ballet fans. 39 E. State St., Columbus 43215, 614/229-4860, balletmet.org

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Pop-Up Markets
These holiday-shopping experiences are as fun as they are temporary. 

Christkindl Market of Bryan | Select Nights, Nov. 29–Dec. 21 
Each winter, the city of Bryan’s Courthouse Square sets up a European-style Christmas market brimming with local goods. The square is filled with little wooden “chalets” where local artisans sell handmade goods. Activities include visits with Santa, wagon rides and more. 1 Courthouse Square., Bryan 43506, bryandevelopment.org/market

Home for the Holidays in Lakewood | Nov. 2–Dec. 27
Returning to Lakewood for its ninth year, this show pops up in a new spot each holiday season and features creations by more than 45 local makers. Check out the wide variety of products available, ranging from hand-lettered goods and jewelry to small-batch foods and coffees. 17106 Detroit Ave., Lakewood 44107, 216/633-7097, homefortheholidayslakewood.com

Sandusky Christmas Market | Weekends, Nov. 29–Dec. 14
Making its debut in 2024, the Sandusky Christmas Market brings together food, shopping and fun at Mylander Plaza in downtown Sandusky for three consecutive weekends. Shop a variety of local makers and pick up handmade holiday gifts for family and friends. 108 W. Shoreline Dr., Sandusky 44870, 419/627-5844, sanduskychristmasmarket.com

Dublin Christmas Market | Dec. 15
Visit Cameron Mitchell’s The Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin for this festive holiday market that runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. More than 60 vendors sell baked goods, locally made art and much more. Admission is free and attendees can sip as they shop thanks to a full bar. 6520 Riverside Dr., Dublin 43017, 614/937-7177

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Winter Gardens
Harvest season has passed, but these destinations are full of light and life. 

Solstice Glow | Nov. 9–Jan. 5
For nearly a century, the Khron Conservatory in Cincinnati has been delighting visitors with a glowing holiday show that offers dazzling additions to year-round displays and 3,000 poinsettias. It also incorporates a train display from Applied Imagination, which uses natural elements like twigs to craft Cincinnati landmarks for the train to wind around. cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks

Conservatory Aglow | Nov. 23–Jan. 5 (above)
See this beloved Columbus attraction in a new light when Conservatory Aglow opens at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. Visitors can explore the indoor biomes and permanent exhibits, walk through tunnels of light and see animated displays in the outdoor gardens. The conservatory is also hosting its Holiday Blooms exhibit, with hundreds of poinsettias. fpconservatory.org

Frost | Nov. 23–Jan. 5
Frost returns to the Cleveland Botanical Garden for a second year, bringing with it an immersive storybook world filled with towering evergreens, rich red poinsettias and lighted displays. The scenic gardens take on an air of whimsy, including little sprites within the plants, animal characters among the foliage and plenty of interactive experiences for kids. holdenfg.org

Christmas at Kingwood | Nov. 30–Dec. 30
This Mansfield tradition combines stunning lighted gardens with the beauty of a historic mansion. Walk the grounds under lighted tunnels and archways to see the glowing woodland gardens and festive greenhouse. Then step inside Kingwood Hall to see 24 different areas decorated to the theme of “Caroling Through Christmas,” including the foyer with a 17-foot-tall live Christmas tree. kingwoodcenter.org

Winter Wonders Walk | Select Nights, Dec. 5–21 
Walk under the canopy of native Ohio trees along the paved Parkwoods Trail at The Dawes Arboretum in Newark this holiday season. After walking the 0.8-mile trail, visit with Santa Claus and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. Special events include a sensory-friendly night on Dec. 12 and a chance to visit with live reindeer on Dec. 21. dawesarb.org

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