As the Holiday season approaches, I’m always reminded to keep the spirit of Christmas alive for the family. However, finding that perfect holiday tradition is sometimes a challenge in the bustle of the season. I love taking our family out on Christmas adventures and we wanted to share some of our new family favorites so you can make your season bright and have some holiday fun. Here’s our ultimate guide of Christmas activities we love to do in Dublin, Ohio.
Dublin’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Tree Lighting at Riverside Crossing Park: December 1st, 2022, 5 pm-7pm
The City of Dublin will mark the official start of the 2022 holiday season by hosting the Riverside Crossing Park Night of Lights on Thursday, Dec 1, 2022
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM pm.
Grab a cup of hot chocolate and experience Dublin’s Tree Lighting, featuring Santa and other special guests, on Thursday, December 1, 2021.
A display of 40,000 sparkling LED lights will illuminate Riverside Crossing Park. Residents are encouraged to drive down to Bridge Park to see the lights and the City’s 30-foot illuminated tree.
Letters to Santa
Santa invites children of all ages to send him your holiday wishes! Download the festive form here or click the image below, fill it out, and send your personalized letter direct to the Jolly Old Elf!
Enjoy seasonal activities and entertainment including writing letters to Santa, crafts, roaming holiday stilt walkers, character appearances, and an ice rink.
Riverside Crossing Park will be lit each evening until Sunday, January 3, for the public to enjoy.
Location: The City of Dublin will mark the official start of the 2022 holiday season by hosting its annual Tree Lighting Thursday, Dec. 1. This free event will be held in Riverside Crossing Park, located at 6635 Riverside Dr.
Time: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Explore Historic Dublin while looking for Elves and shopping local
Where can you go and get the old-world charm coupled with holiday cheer? Holly Days, located in Old Dublin, will give your family the opportunity to stroll the festively decorated streets and find holiday enjoyment for everyone.
12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt begins during the Holly Days event. Honestly, this is one of the cutest ideas for you to participate in during the holiday season. You get to have a little fun and can shop small and local as you go! We’d love to see what you find on your elvish journey!
The 12 Elves of Dublin
- There are 12 little Elves -hiding all over Historic Dublin!
- Enjoy this free, family-friendly event and hunt for 12 playful elves in the local stores.
- Pick up your entry card and begin your hunt at any of the participating businesses listed below.
- Each time an elf is discovered, have your card signed. Then return your completed card to any of the 12 locations for a chance to win a Grand Prize Basket!
- You can enjoy this event from Dec 4st -December 23rd during regular business hours for each location.
- The Grand Prize drawing will take place on December 29th.
- Ok! Get started by going to one of the locations below to get your card!
Biologico Beauty ~ BoHo 72 Boutique~Dean Insurance Group~Dublin Toy Emporium~Extravagifts~Cutler Real Estate~Johnson’s Real Ice Cream~Our CupCakery~Starbucks~Terra Gallery~Winan’s Chocolates and Coffees~The Close Connection
Holly Days~ Family Fun Saturdays in Historic Dublin.
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: November 18 – January 1
Christmas music is playing, hot cocoa is ready to sip, and the carousel will be waiting for your family to ride, making the zoo lights a top family holiday event! This is one of our family favorites.
Sparkling Spruce: The 42-ft. LED-powered tree. This 21-century tree presents the shows “Candela: The Evolution of Light” and “Holiday Cheer” it features a light and sound display to delight visitors of all ages. Shows every 30 minutes.
Santa’s Holiday Home at Battelle Ice Bear Outpost: This all-new experience will allow you to talk with Santa while socially distanced, and you can capture a photo of the kiddos looking out a window at Santa and his sleigh and reindeer. There is no cost to see Santa b, ut reservations are encouraged. Santa will be available for photos and to hear the kids’ wishlists through December 23
Animated Musical Light Shows around Conservation Lake featuring music of the Christmas season. Enjoy the show every 30 minutes, starting at 5:45 pm.
Character Christmas Show
4D Theater Experiences: (additional fees apply) Polar Express
NEW: S’mores Experience – Gather around a fire and roast your own marshmallow to create your own holiday treat. Advanced purchase is recommended as space is limited.
Rudolph and Friends in Asia Quest: Rudolph, Bumble, and Hermey the Elf will be waiting for you to take photos!
RIDES:
12 Days of Christmas 🎅 Express Train Ride: $2 per rider Carousel Rides south of Shores Park: $2 per person Camel Rides: Heart of Africa will be closed, but the camels will be giving rides through the season. $7 per ride
Sounds of the Season Local bands, chorals, and groups will fill the Lakeside Theater with Holiday cheer at 7:00 pm on select nights. Check the Columbus Zoo Website for the schedule
Jolliest of Holidays Craft Beer Celebration Every Thursday through Saturday evenings during Wildghts season, guests can enjoy a pay-as-you-go event sipping craft beer, ciders, and seltzers from 25 different breweries
Check the website for dates and times
Location:
4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065
Hours:
Sun-Thurs. 5:00–9:00 pm
Fri-Sat. 5:00–10:00 pm
An Old Fashioned Christmas at the Fletcher Coffman Homestead
2022: as of the update, I don’t see a date, but I will keep looking for one.
Peeking in the windows of the 1860s home as you stroll up to the door creates a spark of Christmas joy! The spark will roar into full-blown holiday cheer as your take in the twinkle of candles, breath in the aroma of hot cider, and enjoy the sounds of the season.
Start your evening off with a tour of the 1860s-era home dressed up with decorations that will reflect the beloved poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. As you stroll through the house, enjoy the refreshments and clasp a mug of warm apple cider.
Before you leave, make time to visit the barn and capture a memory with a photo of the gaily decorated sleigh. It is a perfect spot for that family photo you’ve wanted to capture! I think this is the most Instagram-able spot in Dublin.
Location:
6659 Emerald Parkway
Dublin, OH 43017
Wreath’s Across America: December 17th
Setting a wreath upon one of our veteran’s honored places of rest is a way we give back to the community. We have service members in our family and we are grateful for the opportunity to give back to the families of those who have served.
Dublin’s Grand Leprechauns invite you to join them as they honor the men and women in Dublin Cemetery who served our country. This year the featured speaker will be Maj. General (ret.) Stephen E. Markovich and the program will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. There will be wreaths available at the cemetery for anyone wishing to place a wreath and you can do so after the ceremony on December 18th.
Location:
Dublin Cemetery
Have I saved the best for last? Quite possibly! Our family finds such joy in heading out to find the perfect Christmas tree for our home! Why not couple that tree shopping with seeing Santa and strolling through the Holiday Village? Enjoying the sounds and smells of the season while searching for the best tree is an incredible family adventure.
- A Santa will be on location Saturdays & Sundays from 12 noon – 3:30 pm starting Saturday, November 26 – December 11.
- While visiting Santa, please enjoy his magical wonderland!
- The Reindeer will visit on December 11 from 12 – 3 pm! This is sure to be a favorite with the family!
Stop in for cookies and hot cocoa with Santa and take your time shopping for the stately tree that will grace your home over the holiday season.
Location:
4261 West Dublin-Granville Road
Dublin, OH 43017 | p: 614-874-2400
You can learn more on the Oakland Nursery website
Purchase Brandy Gleason’s books
Gleason Family Approved Activities!
100 Things to Do in Ohio’s Amish Country Before You Die
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No matter what holiday activities you choose to do, make them memorable! This is the BEST time of the year to create new family traditions because it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Happy Holidays and Adventures,
The Gleason’s
Want to enjoy some Hot Chocolate while you’re out exploring? Read about our Hot Chocolate Trail in Dublin, Ohio