# Christmas break with kids in Columbus, 2026

> What to do with kids in Columbus over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus six dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 4 places’ holiday hours; 15 dated outings
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/christmas-break/
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/llms.txt

## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1

- **Columbus Zoo and Aquarium**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day not posted. Their page says: “The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open every day of the year with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.” Source: https://www.columbuszoo.org/hours-and-rates (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Franklin Park Conservatory**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day not posted. Their page says: “The Conservatory is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.” Source: https://www.fpconservatory.org/plan-a-visit/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Columbus Museum of Art**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Closed on January 1, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, December 24, 25, and 31, and all Mondays.” Source: https://www.columbusmuseum.org/plan-your-visit (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Get Air Columbus**: Christmas Eve Closed 5–10 p.m.; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day not posted. Their page says: “Thursday, December 24, 2026: Closed 5:00 PM–10:00 PM · Christmas Eve Friday, December 25, 2026: Closed all day · Christmas Day” Source: https://getairsports.com/columbus/ (checked 2026-10-21)

## Christmas Eve

- **Santa Photos at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing** at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, OH 43016. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0526 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink** at Riverside Crossing Park, lower plaza, Downtown Dublin. When: Nov 21 – Mar 14. Price: $15 a person, skate rental included (same price if you bring your own). Opens Saturday, Nov 21 at 5 p.m. for the 2026–27 season and runs through March 14. A small outdoor rink (3,200 sq ft) by The Dublin Link bridge; it closes when the ice is unsafe, including rain or temps near 60. Official page: https://dublinohiousa.gov/recreation-services/parks/sledding-and-ice-skating/ (checked 2026-10-23)

## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30)

- **Wildlights** at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: Sun–Thu noon–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat noon–10 p.m. Price: Included with zoo admission. Train ride, reindeer, free carousel and Yule Tide boat ride. Official page: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Conservatory Aglow** at Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, OH. When: Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (closed Thanksgiving, Dec 2–3, Dec 24–25). Time: Sun–Thu 5–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5–10 p.m. through December. Price: Special-engagement ticket; reserve from Mon Oct 26 at 11 a.m. (strongly recommended). 100-foot light tunnel, life-size Candyland, igloos, garden railway. Good indoor option in bad weather. Official page: https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/conservatory-aglow/ (checked 2026-10-23)
- **Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights**, Delaware, OH. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: See site. Price: Cars/vans/SUVs: Mon–Thu $20; Fri–Sun and holidays $30; tickets sold at the show. Santa's House (run by a former neighboring campground) is not part of this show. Official page: https://butchbandosfantasyoflights.com/pricing-purchase-tickets (checked 2026-10-18)
- **WonderLight's Christmas** at Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Road, Hartford, OH 43013. When: Nightly Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, including holidays. Time: 5:30–10 p.m. Price: $35 per car; $50 limos and activity vans. 1M+ LEDs synced to music on car radio; no RVs or vehicles over 25 ft. Official page: https://www.wonderlightschristmas.com/ohio (checked 2026-10-18)

## New Year’s Eve and Day

- **Zoo Year's Eve Noon Celebration** at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: Doors 11 a.m.; countdown to noon; ends 12:30 p.m. Price: Included with zoo admission or membership. Zoo character ambassadors, music and activities, then the rest of the zoo opens at noon. Official page: https://www.columbuszoo.org/events/zoo-years-eve-noon-celebration (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Main Library** at Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Library, 96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215. When: Wed, Dec 30, 2026. Time: 11 a.m.–noon (Wednesday, Dec 30). Price: Free. Held a day early, on Dec 30, which helps families whose New Year's Eve is already booked. Kids do crafts and activities before counting down to noon. It's open to toddlers through age 11. Official page: https://events.columbuslibrary.org/event/17562306 (checked 2026-10-28)
- **Noon Year’s Eve at Franklin Park Conservatory** at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon; countdowns at 11am and noon. Price: Included with admission. Make a party hat, play games and dance, then count down to noon with a bubble stomp. Countdowns are included in admission. Official page: https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/noon-years-eve/ (checked 2026-10-29)
- **Noon Year's Eve at Pickerington Library** at Pickerington Public Library – Sycamore Plaza, Pickerington. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–1pm. Price: Free. Face painters, balloon twisters, crafts and games lead up to a big balloon drop at noon. A dance party with light refreshments follows. Official page: https://pickeringtonlibrary.libnet.info/event/17595210 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Noon Year's Eve Party at Johnstown Library** at Licking County Library, Johnstown branch (Mary E. Babcock), Johnstown. When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: 11am–noon. Price: Free. Festive crafts and music, then a countdown to welcome 2027. Snacks may be served, and the library can't promise they're free of tree nuts or soy. Official page: https://events.lickingcountylibrary.org/event/noon-years-eve-party-36556 (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Wildlights** at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: Sun–Thu noon–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat noon–10 p.m. Price: Included with zoo admission. Train ride, reindeer, free carousel and Yule Tide boat ride. Official page: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Conservatory Aglow** at Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus, OH. When: Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (closed Thanksgiving, Dec 2–3, Dec 24–25). Time: Sun–Thu 5–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5–10 p.m. through December. Price: Special-engagement ticket; reserve from Mon Oct 26 at 11 a.m. (strongly recommended). 100-foot light tunnel, life-size Candyland, igloos, garden railway. Good indoor option in bad weather. Official page: https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/conservatory-aglow/ (checked 2026-10-23)
- **Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights**, Delaware, OH. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: See site. Price: Cars/vans/SUVs: Mon–Thu $20; Fri–Sun and holidays $30; tickets sold at the show. Santa's House (run by a former neighboring campground) is not part of this show. Official page: https://butchbandosfantasyoflights.com/pricing-purchase-tickets (checked 2026-10-18)
- **WonderLight's Christmas** at Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Road, Hartford, OH 43013. When: Nightly Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027, including holidays. Time: 5:30–10 p.m. Price: $35 per car; $50 limos and activity vans. 1M+ LEDs synced to music on car radio; no RVs or vehicles over 25 ft. Official page: https://www.wonderlightschristmas.com/ohio (checked 2026-10-18)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
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## FAQ

### What’s open on Christmas Day in Columbus with kids?
Of the four places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Museum of Art and Get Air Columbus are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.

### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in Columbus?
Open with posted hours: Get Air Columbus (Closed 5–10 p.m.). On the calendar: Santa Photos at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing and Riverside Crossing Park Ice Rink.

### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Columbus?
None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.

### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in Columbus?
On the calendar for Jan 1: Wildlights, Conservatory Aglow, Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights and WonderLight's Christmas. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

### Where can kids go sledding or snow tubing near Columbus?
Scioto Park sledding hill (Dublin). All of them need snow, so check the park’s status page first.

### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Columbus?
Wildlights, Conservatory Aglow, Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights and WonderLight's Christmas. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

### How do you check these holiday hours?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).