# Christmas parades and tree lightings in Columbus, 2026

> We found six Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Columbus with 2026 dates: three parades and three tree lightings and lighting nights, five free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 6 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
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## Christmas parades

- **Westerville Community Christmas Parade** at Uptown Westerville, Westerville. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 10:30 a.m. Price: Free to watch. Official page: https://www.goodforwesterville.com/christmasparade (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Brockstrong Holiday Lights Parade at Christmas in the Village** at Downtown Canal Winchester, Canal Winchester, about 15 miles southeast. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Parade 5:30pm, Santa arrives 6pm; festival 6-9pm Dec. 4-5. Price: Free. Tree lighting both nights at 6pm at Stradley Place, plus train rides, carriage rides and an iceless rink. Official page: https://www.canalwinchesterohio.gov/239/Christmas-in-the-Village (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Delaware Light the Night Christmas Parade** at Mingo Park, down Sandusky St. to Wilmer St., Delaware, about 30 miles north. When: Sun, Dec 6, 2026. Time: 6pm. Price: Free. Part of Home for the Holidays, Dec. 4-6, with a First Friday tree lighting and a free skating rink behind the Welcome Center. Official page: https://www.mainstreetdelaware.com/all-events/home-for-the-holidays/ (checked 2026-10-30)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **Dublin Tree Lighting** at City of Dublin, Dublin. When: Thu, Dec 3, 2026. Time: 6–8 p.m. Price: Not listed. Official page: https://dublinohiousa.gov/calendar-events/tree-lighting/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting** at Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215. When: Thu, Dec 3, 2026. Time: 5:30–7:30 p.m.; tree lighting 5:30–5:45 p.m. Price: Free. Santa helps light the tree in the Atrium, then there are cookies, activity tables, dancers, choirs and photos with Santa. Official page: https://www.ohiostatehouse.org/calendar/event?id=1760 (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Hilliard Tree Lighting at the Historical Village** at Hilliard Historical Village, 4162 Columbia St., Hilliard, about 12 miles northwest. When: Sun, Dec 6, 2026. Time: 3:30-6:30pm. Price: Free. Letters to Santa with Mrs. Claus, face painting, balloons and a snow-globe photo spot. Park at the west entrance of the Franklin County Fairgrounds. Official page: https://www.hilliardohiohistoricalsociety.com/events/hilliard-tree-lighting (checked 2026-10-30)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Dublin Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/events/dublin-tree-lighting-city/): next dates Dec 3, 2026
- [Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/events/ohio-statehouse-holiday-festival-and-tree-lighting/): next dates Dec 3, 2026
- [Westerville Community Christmas Parade](https://littlesweekly.com/columbus/events/westerville-community-christmas-parade-uptown/): next dates Dec 5, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in Columbus in 2026?
Westerville Community Christmas Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 10:30 a.m. (Westerville). Brockstrong Holiday Lights Parade at Christmas in the Village: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Parade 5:30pm, Santa arrives 6pm; festival 6-9pm Dec. 4-5 (Canal Winchester, about 15 miles southeast). Delaware Light the Night Christmas Parade: Sun, Dec 6, 2026, 6pm (Delaware, about 30 miles north).

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Columbus?
Dublin Tree Lighting at City of Dublin: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 6–8 p.m. Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at Ohio Statehouse: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.; tree lighting 5:30–5:45 p.m. Hilliard Tree Lighting at the Historical Village at Hilliard Historical Village, 4162 Columbia St.: Sun, Dec 6, 2026, 3:30-6:30pm.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Columbus free?
Five of the six we list are free to watch: Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting, Westerville Community Christmas Parade, Brockstrong Holiday Lights Parade at Christmas in the Village and Hilliard Tree Lighting at the Historical Village. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

### Which are best for little kids?
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: Westerville Community Christmas Parade and Hilliard Tree Lighting at the Historical Village. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).