December 2026Columbus · Ohio’s capital

December in Columbus with little kids.

26 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Columbus in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

26 listings · 10 free

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

11 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

1 listing

Dec 7 to Dec 13

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

1 listing

Dec 14 to Dec 20

Dec19to 20

Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory

Franklin Park Conservatory, The Wells Barn · Columbus, OH

Santa
When
Dec 19 to Dec 20
Time
8 a.m.–noon (timed arrival; arrive within 15 minutes)
Price
Non-members $26 adult, $18 child 3–12; members $24 / $16; 2 and under free (still need a reservation); Conservatory admission not included
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

5 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

8 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec1to 23

Santa at Wildlights

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell, OH

Santa
When
Nov 20 to Dec 23
Time
During Wildlights (Sun–Thu noon–9 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–10 p.m.)
Price
Included with zoo admission
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Wildlights

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell, OH

Holiday lights
When
Nov 20 to Jan 3
Time
Sun–Thu noon–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat noon–10 p.m.
Price
Included with zoo admission
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Conservatory Aglow

Franklin Park Conservatory · Columbus, OH

Holiday lights
When
Nov 21 to Jan 3
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)
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 13

Santa at Oakland Nursery

Oakland Nursery (Columbus, Dublin, Delaware and New Albany) · 1156 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH 43224 (and other stores)

Santa
When
Nov 28 to Dec 13
Time
Noon–3:30pm
Price
No charge listed
Ages
All ages
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec3to 13

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum · Dennison, OH

Santa
When
Dec 3 to Dec 13
Time
Thu–Fri 6 & 8 p.m.; Sat–Sun 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.
Price
Downtime $55–$75; Standard $60–$80; Prime Time $65–$85 (Coach/Deluxe/First); private compartments $595; +$4 fee per ticket
Ages
Everyone 1 year and up needs a seat
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

Guides

More December guides for Columbus

Santa visits in ColumbusBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in ColumbusDrive-thru and walk-through displaysEvery year in ColumbusAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Columbus

November: things to do in ColumbusEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in ColumbusFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in ColumbusFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in ColumbusIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in ColumbusBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in ColumbusHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in ColumbusParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in ColumbusKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in ColumbusParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in ColumbusPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in ColumbusBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in ColumbusChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in ColumbusWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Splash pads in ColumbusSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in ColumbusStarting prices, ages and what’s includedThis week in ColumbusDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Columbus: the FAQ

26 dated listings so far, including Dublin Tree Lighting (Dec 3), Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting (Dec 3), Bank of America Museums on Us weekend (Dec 5 and Dec 6) and Breakfast with Santa at Camp Lazarus (Dec 5). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

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 Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Columbus that weekend.

Columbus skyline