COLUMBUS, Ohio—This holiday season, Experience Columbus is inviting visitors and residents alike to check off their holiday "yes list." Twinkling lights? Check. Cozy seasonal treats and festive cocktails? Check. Holiday shopping, unforgettable dining and neighborhoods decked out for the season? Check, check and check. 
 
Named one of Lonely Planet's best offbeat winter trips and one of the best Midwest cities to visit in winter by Thrillist, Columbus offers countless ways to celebrate the season. Raise a glass to holiday cheer at Land-Grant Brewing Co., named one of USA TODAY's Best Bars in America, or Cobra, winner of Best U.S. Restaurant Bar at the 2026 Spirited Awards. And with Food & Wine recognizing Columbus as one of America's Next Great Food Cities, there's no shortage of memorable meals to add to the list. 

“This time of year, we're all making lists, from holiday shopping and groceries to wish lists and even New Year's resolutions, but we want to inspire people to make a different kind of list that's less about what needs to get done and more about what brings them joy,” said Sarah Townes, ECI, Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer for Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. "From festive traditions to unexpected discoveries, Columbus has something for every holiday ‘yes’ list. " 

Say “Yes” to New Holiday Experiences 

Columbus Holiday Bingo Trail: New this year, visitors and residents are invited to explore 25 festive experiences with Experience Columbus' free digital Holiday Bingo Trail, available now through Dec. 31. Complete five squares in a row—across, down or diagonally—to get Bingo and earn a cozy “CBUS Cheer” Columbus beanie, redeemable at the Columbus Welcome Center in the Short North Arts District. 
 
Columbus Clippers Holiday Lights: A new holiday tradition is coming to Huntington Park in the Arena District. Starting Nov. 14 through Dec. 31, the ballpark will transform into a winter wonderland featuring more than 1.5 million twinkling lights, a 44-foot Christmas tree, visits with Santa, holiday train rides, curling and fire pits with s'mores. 
 
Christkindlmarkt Dublin: Get a taste of Europe without leaving Central Ohio at Dublin's brand-new, authentic European-style Christmas market. From Nov. 21–Dec. 24, Riverside Crossing Park near the Dublin Link in Bridge Park will transform into a festive gathering place filled with holiday cheer. Shop seasonal gifts, enjoy festive food and drinks and go ice skating. Admission is free, with purchases and activities available for an additional cost. 


Say “Yes” to Festive Holiday Traditions

Experience Columbus' 2026 Columbus Gift Guide, presented by Santa 95 
Find the perfect gift while supporting local businesses with Experience Columbus' seventh annual Columbus Gift Guide, launching Nov. 12. This curated shopping resource features more than 60 Columbus-area businesses organized into six easy-to-browse categories: Apparel, Beauty & Wellness, Food & Beverage, Home, Toys, Books & Pets, and a new Sports category celebrating Columbus' teams and sports culture.   

Holiday Markets and Neighborhood Celebrations 
Shop more than 120 artisans at Merry Market at Bridge Park (Dec. 5) or explore fine art and handcrafted gifts at Columbus Winterfair, celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Ohio Expo Center (Dec. 4-6).  
 
Two beloved neighborhood traditions also return Dec. 5-6. Holiday Hop (Dec. 5) transforms the Short North Arts District into its largest vendor market of the year, featuring more than 150 artisans, special offers at local businesses, live performances and hands-on art experiences. The following evening, Village Lights (Dec. 6) brings holiday magic to German Village, illuminating its historic brick streets with thousands of luminaries alongside carolers, seasonal treats and festive shopping. 
 
Visitors can also find holiday gifts at Easton, Polaris Fashion Place and the Columbus Welcome Center in the Short North Arts District. 

Dazzling Holiday Lights 
Take in millions of colorful lights at Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (Nov. 20–Jan. 3), explore illuminated gardens at Conservatory Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (Nov. 21–Jan. 3) or stroll through downtown during Wanderlights (Nov. 20–Feb. 14), featuring free, sparkling displays stretching from Columbus Commons to Bicentennial Park.  
 
For more seasonal magic, create lasting family memories with a drive through the locally owned and family-operated Butch Bando's Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park (Nov. 20-Jan. 3), or explore a mile-long illuminated trail and enjoy nightly visits with Santa Claus during Winter Wonders Walk at The Dawes Arboretum (Dec. 10–12 and 17–19). 
 
Holiday Performances 
Make it a festive night out with BalletMet's The Nutcracker (Dec. 10-27), the Columbus Symphony's Holiday Pops (Dec. 4-6) and A Christmas Carol (Nov. 27-29) at the Ohio Theatre. Other seasonal performances include A Drag Queen Christmas, hosted by Columbus' own Nina West (Nov. 25), Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical (Dec. 8-13) and The Hip Hop Nutcracker (Dec. 18) at the Palace Theatre.  
 
For more information on how to celebrate the holidays in Columbus and start checking off your holiday "yes list," visit ExperienceColumbus.com/Holidays. Share your adventures using #yesColumbus and #CbusHolidayBingo. 
 
About Columbus 
Did you know Columbus was named a top family travel destination for 2026 by AFAR, one of Food & Wine’s next great American food cities and a top 10 best big city in the U.S. according to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 and 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards? Yes, Columbus. Columbus is bold, welcoming and forward-thinking. Home to world-class museums and attractions, historic and unique neighborhoods like the Short North Arts District, historic German Village and the Arena District — where four professional sports teams live on one street — Columbus has so much to offer. Visitors can learn what awaits in the 15th largest city in the country and Ohio’s capital by visiting www.ExperienceColumbus.com and following Experience Columbus on Instagram: @ExperienceColumbus, Facebook: @ExperienceColumbus, Threads: @ExperienceColumbus and TikTok: @ExperienceColumbus.  

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Media Contacts:  
Leah Berger, APR, ECI: lberger@experiencecolumbus.com | 614-222-6145 
Cameron Walker, ECI: cwalker@experiencecolumbus.com | 614-222-6146