It’s time to break out your holiday gear – Santa is here! Santa and his sleigh may be hard to spot on his big day, but there are plenty of opportunities to sneak in some photos with him this season. Grab your kiddos and head over to these spots to snap a picture with the season's headliner.
Columbus Santa Sightings
Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s Polaris:
Nov. 4-Dec. 24
1650 Gemini Pl.
Stop by Cabela’s and snap a free photo with Santa this year. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa while they enjoy the festivities. Make sure you book an appointment before you come, which can be done seven days in advance online. www.cabelas.com
Polaris Fashion Place:
Nov. 16- Dec. 24
1500 Polaris Pkwy.
Head to Center Court for a chance to see Santa, presented by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. You can even skip the mall traffic by buying photo packages and reserving photo slots in advance. On Dec. 3 and 10, Sensitive Santa at Polaris Mall will also provide a relaxed environment for children with autism or other sensory needs to enjoy a visit with Santa. www.polarisfashionplace.com
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium:
Nov. 17- Jan. 7
4850 Powell Rd.
Experience bright lights and jolly sights at the Columbus Zoo’s 35th Wildlights. Take a detour from the millions of lights and visit The Santa Experience, where you can take a photo with Santa and give him your wish list. www.columbuszoo.org
Easton Town Center:
Nov. 18- Dec. 24
160 Easton Town Ctr.
On Friday, Nov. 17, Easton’s Grand Illumination will light up the season and set the stage for an array of holiday festivities. Santa will make his debut on Friday, and in the days following. Shoppers can stop by the North Pole in Easton’s North District for photos. www.eastontowncenter.com
Oakland Nurseries:
Nov. 25- Dec. 10
Columbus, New Albany, Delaware and Dublin Garden Center
On Saturdays and Sundays from noon-3:30 p.m., stop by Santa’s Wonderland. While you visit the jolly red giant, enjoy horse drawn carriage rides, reindeer visits and all kinds of holiday fun. www.oaklandnursery.com
Community Santa Sightings
New Albany’s Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
Nov. 19, 2-6 p.m.
Market Square, 200 Market St.
Dublin’s Tree Lighting Event
Nov. 30, 5-7 p.m.
Coffman Park, 5200 Emerald Pkwy.
Westerville’s Holiday Tree Lighting
Dec. 1, 6-9 p.m.
City Hall Courtyard, 21 S. State St.
parks.westerville.org/programs
Grove City Christmas Celebration
Dec. 1, 7-8 p.m. and Dec. 2, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.
Grove City Town Center, 3378 Park St.
Upper Arlington’s Winter Festival
Dec. 1, 6-8:30 p.m.
Mallway Park, 2096 Arlington Ave.
More Christmas in Columbus
Camera shy but still looking to indulge in holiday fun? Here are some more events to fill your calendar with Christmas cheer!
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo
Nov. 17-Jan. 7
4850 Powell Rd., Powell
Experience holiday lights alongside your favorite furry friends with the 35th Anniversary of Wildlights! Get your cheer on with light shows, train rides, reindeer encounters and numerous Christmas attractions throughout the zoo.
Conservatory Aglow
Nov. 18-Jan. 7
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad St.
Franklin Park Conservatory's scenic walkways come to life this season with thousands of eye-catching light displays. Catch a winter wonderland full of festive lights, music, ice skating, live entertainment and more.
Festive Fridays
Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 5-9 p.m.
Columbus Commons,
Enjoy free hot chocolate and carousel rides each Friday of December at Columbus Commons. While you sip on cocoa or your favorite holiday cocktail, delight in Christmas carols and classic holiday tunes throughout the park.
Downtown Holiday Trolley Hop
Dec. 2, 1-6 p.m.
Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Branch, 96 S. Grant Ave. & Warehouse District, 256 E Neilston St.
Hop over to Downtown Columbus and explore local merchants in a festive fashion. Enjoy free trolley rides to small businesses and local attractions around the area, such as the the Columbus Metropolitan Library, The Santa Extravaganza in the Lazarus Building and more!
Dickens of a Christmas
Dec. 2-17
Ohio Village, 800 E 17th Ave.
Experience the holidays like they did in the olden days with a 19th century Christmas celebration. Meet the characters of Christmas, enjoy arts and crafts and learn about why this season remains the most wonderful time of the year.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Dec. 22-23
Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St.
Spend your final days before Christmas singing with the sugarplums! Experience holiday classics like never before with this modern circus performance, featuring eye-popping displays and music that will have you dancing into the big day.
Megan Brokamp is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
