Families, friends and couples from the Appalachian parts of the United States love to experience Christmas in many different ways. Whether it is a single Christmas tree, thousands of lights, Christmas parades, Christmas parties, lighting up the John Deere tractor as a Christmas decoration in the front lawn or any number of winter things to do, most everyone likes to see something new and unique they have never seen before. Below are several of the most festive winter events in Ohio that you’ll want to visit.
Gahanna Holiday Events. On the second Friday of November, the winter events begin as the Gahanna Holiday Lights! Parade marches down Granville and Mill streets in Olde Gahanna. Some parade entrants you can expect to see are: floats by locals and professionals, marching bands, horses and of course you can’t forget all the holiday lights. On Saturday, the residents of Gahanna gather at Creekside Park for the lighting of the 30-foot tree and Winter Wonderland. During the opening ceremony, the mayor will be speaking along with announcing who will be “flipping the switch” at the lighting ceremony. Admission is free.
For more information, call 614-418-9114.
Holidazzle Illuminated Parade & Festival. The Holidazzle Illuminated Parade is set to begin at 7 p.m. the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The parade route will include Thorne Avenue, Locust Street, Farquhar Avenue and West Main Street. Winter festival parade entrants will include Christmas trees, golf carts, horses, electric scooters, costumes, marching bands and tractors. And what kind of a Christmas festival wouldn’t have the ever popular Santa Claus? Visit the website to view a countdown clock to the winter event. Other winter festival things to do include eating great winter foods, drinking hot cocoa, seeing Santa, playing carnival games, seeing lots and lots of Christmas lights and much more.
Window Wonderland. For those spending winter in Ohio or who will just be visiting the area will need to detour their route to downtown Wooster. Th traditional Window Wonderland Christmas event has residents anxiously awaiting the day the windows are unveiled to the public. Winter events such as this one are a dying breed. You will not be able to find many Christmas festivals like this one, so take advantage while you can. Other winter activities to expect include lighting of the children’s Christmas tree, mimes in the streets, caroling, musicians playing Christmas music, carriage rides and much more. Windows can be viewed throughout the month of December. For more information, call 330-262-6222.
Dickens Victorian Village. Located in Cambridge, Ohio, Dickens Victorian Village begins its winter event beginning the 1st of November and running through the beginning days of January (A full 10-week Christmas event!). The village is dressed to portray “all Dickens all the time.” From historic buildings to tea served at Mrs. Cratchit’s Kitchen, the events have been scheduled at different times throughout the months so you’ll want to check for the best days to get the most out of your trip. Visit Rotary Square to be blown away by the life-size (on a smaller scale) Victorian Dickens Village taken straight from the pages of Charles Dickens himself. While in the village, visit the National Museum of Cambridge Glass and join in the festivities at Mr. Fezziwig’s Ball. For more information about this winter festival or to set up a group tour, call 866-334-6446.
The Christmas Ranch. Located at 3205 South Waynesville Road in Morrow, Ohio, The Christmas Ranch hosts the “Gift of Lights” display that is equipped with over 350,000 lights synchronized to music. The Christmas event will lead you through giant animated Christmas trees, a 135-foot animated drive-thru tunnel, an animated toy factory, a 100-foot walk-thru tunnel, a visit with Santa, stroll around the grounds, and take a wagon ride through the ranch to soak up all the holiday enchantment the Christmas Ranch has to offer. When you feel a bit cold, mosey into the barn to warm yourself with some hot cocoa. Admission is $12 per vehicle or take a bus load and pay $1.50 per person ( $15 minimum). The Christmas Ranch winter event begins the day after Thanksgiving and runs until the last day of December. It is open every evening of the week. The only day they will be closed is Christmas Day.