It’s getting into that time of year where there is a lot going on. Sometimes it can be hard to choose which holiday events you have time for.
Christmas tree lightings are a fun, family-friendly way to spend an evening in the holiday spirit. Most come alongside community events, often including visits with Santa Claus, hot cocoa, and other winter favorites.
So get your calendars out and get ready, because it’s officially the holiday season!
Easton’s Grand Illumination
Friday, November 14, 2025
Join Easton as it comes alive with twinkling lights, holiday music, and family fun at the Grand Illumination. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., enjoy strolling costumed characters, festive photo opportunities, and delicious treats from local vendors. At 6 p.m., live music from Whirlybirds begins, and Santa arrives around 7 p.m. to light the 56-foot tree and two million lights throughout the Town Square.
New Albany Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration and Drone Show
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Kick off the holiday season at Market Square with Santa arriving at 3 p.m. Free family fun includes pictures with Santa, horse and carriage rides, live entertainment, photo ops, a reindeer corral, and entertainers. Mayor Spalding will lead the countdown to light the holiday tree at sunset (around 5:30 p.m.), followed by a holiday drone show.
Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Held in Creekside District from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Gahanna’s Holiday Lights Celebration features a Holiday Stage, tree lighting, parade, and Santa arriving by firetruck. This free event promises magical family fun for all ages.
Hilliard’s Annual Tree Lighting
December 7, 2025
Kick off the holidays in Downtown Hilliard. The evening of festivities includes tons of free activities for the whole family, including a holiday train, petting zoo, face painting, horse and carriage rides, tree lighting, and more.
Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4, 2025
The City of Dublin will mark the start of the 2025 holiday season by hosting its annual Tree Lighting Thursday, December 4. The event is free and open to the public. This year, it will be held in Coffman Park. There will be caroling, dance performances, ice sculpting, letters to Santa, reindeer, and so much more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive to light the tree at 6:15 p.m.
Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
December 5, 2024
Looking for a classic, traditional event? Check out the Holiday Festival at the Statehouse, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Festive activities will include music, refreshments, activity tables, dance performances and more. Get a taste of history as historical characters and modern dignitaries greet guests, and of course, there will be an appearance by the man from up north himself, Santa. This event is free and open to the public.
Pickerington Village Holiday Gathering
December 5, 2025
Starting at 5 p.m., Pickerington will host a free, family-friendly Holiday Gathering. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, a petting zoo, kiddie train rides, and more. The gathering will also offer the opportunity to get a photo with Santa, which is free if you take your own. The tree lighting will commence at 6:30 p.m.
Holiday Fun in Uptown Westerville
December 5, 2025
Enjoy an evening of holiday festivities in Uptown Westerville on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Santa will light the tree at 7 p.m. and merchants and restaurants will be open for holiday shopping and dining. The kids will especially love the tree lot on East Main Street, where you can find the perfect tree for your home.
Winter Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 5, 2025
Join the City of Upper Arlington for their Winter Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony. The festival will go from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Events will include the lighting of the UA’s holiday tree (at 7:30 p.m.), Horse-drawn carriage rides, visit with Santa, live reindeer display, ice sculpting demonstrations, and more.
Reynoldsburg Annual Tree Lighting
December 5, 2025
Head to the Reynoldsburg Senior Center in Reynoldsburg for their annual Tree Lighting event. It’s free to attend, featuring a parade, live music, hot chocolate, carol singers, children’s games, and of course, the tree lighting ceremony! The celebration lasts from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Grove City Christmas Celebration
December 5, 2025
On December 5, the Grove City Christmas Parade will begin at 7 p.m., with Santa guiding the parade straight into downtown to light the tree. Visitors can come between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to enjoy the Mistletoe Market where they can buy great arts, crafts, and other items from local vendors.
Holidays in Powell Tree Lighting
December 6, 2025
Downtown Powell will transform into the North Pole during this year’s Holidays in Powell. Affectionately called the “North Powell”, the event will run from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Take the kids to the Municipal Center where they can visit with Santa and get a photo. Afterward, the tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. in Village Green Park.
Village Lights
December 7, 2025
German Village will once again host its annual (and spectacular) event, Village Lights. The event will go from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include a storytime with Santa, shopping, drinks, and hundreds of mesmerizing luminaries lighting up the streets of German Village.
Bexley Tree Lighting
December 7, 2025
The Christmas tree at Drexel Circle will be all lit up, kicking off the holiday festivities in Bexley. This family-friendly event starts at 5 p.m. with performances by the Bexley 8th grade Choir and the High School Vocal Ensemble Choir. There will be hot chocolate, cookies, and candy canes before Bexley’s Mayor Kessler lights the tree with Santa Claus.
