9 listings in Columbus, OH: free family activities, kids' programs and storytimes. Each one checked against its official source, every catch spelled out.
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Park daily 6:30am–8pm, nature center 9am–6pm (Oct–Mar)
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Nature Center · Columbus
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park covers 7,358 acres of forest, prairie and wetland, and bison have been reintroduced to roam two enclosed pastures; the Darby Creek Greenway trail runs between them. The nature center is open 9am–6pm October–March and the park 6:30am–8pm. Metro Parks lists no entry fee.
Oct–Mar: Tue–Thu and Sun 9am–5pm; Fri–Sat 9am–sunset
Slate Run Living Historical Farm · Columbus
Step back to the 1880s at Metro Parks' Slate Run Living Historical Farm near Canal Winchester. Costumed staff and volunteers do the daily chores, you can tour the restored 1856 farmhouse and barn, and see pigs, geese, turkeys and Percheron horses. Admission is free. October–March hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 9am–5pm; Friday and Saturday 9am to sunset (closed Mondays). From January to March some buildings close and activities are limited.
Southeast Village Green, Old Worthington · Columbus
Worthington lights its holiday tree on the Southeast Village Green on Sunday, November 29, 2026 at 5:30pm, with hot chocolate and a visit from Santa and his reindeer. Come early for the Worthington Partnership's Holiday Open House in Old Worthington, noon–5pm. Free.
The City of Dublin starts the holiday season with its free Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6–8pm in Coffman Park: photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, caroling, a trackless train, stilt walkers, holiday characters, dance performances, letters to Santa, games and a petting zoo. The 1860s Coffman Homestead is open for tours, decorated for the holidays. Hot chocolate, refreshments and dinner items are for sale.
Hilliard's annual Tree Lighting fills Downtown Hilliard and Weaver Park with free festive fun on Sunday, December 6, 2026, 3:30–6:30pm: horse and carriage rides, stilt walkers, balloon twisters and more. A free trolley runs between Hilliard's Station Park, Main Street and the Historical Village at Weaver Park, and parking is free at the Franklin County Fairgrounds and the Madison and Wayne street lots.
The Worthington Community Center throws a free Holiday Party on Friday, December 11, 2026, 6–8pm: visits and photos with Santa, his reindeer at the front door, carnival games with prizes, a candy craft station, model trains, a photo booth, a dance party and holiday art crafts.
Ohio State's Chadwick Arboretum celebrates the arrival of winter on Thursday, December 17, 2026, 4–7pm in the Lane Ave Gardens: an open fire, roasted chestnuts and hot cocoa, luminary-lit gardens and a meditative labyrinth. From 4pm until dusk, free 30-minute guided tours of the conifer collection leave about every 10 minutes from the trellis area. Free and open to everyone; parking in the Agricultural Administration lot costs $3 an hour.
Verified Oct 28 · chadwickarboretum.osu.edu
No catch
Always free 2 listings
Kids & familyFree (worth about $150)Eligibility applies
Columbus Metropolitan Library's Culture Pass for Franklin Park Conservatory admits two adults and six children once within seven days. Check it out in person with your library card at the Driving Park, Martin Luther King or Shepard branch; passes can't be reserved and supplies are limited.
Verified Oct 28 · columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Columbus Metropolitan Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations
Kids & familyFree (worth about $120)Eligibility applies
Columbus Metropolitan Library (Main Library and 13 branches)
Columbus Metropolitan Library's Culture Pass gets up to six people of any age into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium free. Check one out in person with your library card at the Main Library or the Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard or Whitehall branch. Passes can't be reserved and supplies are limited. Use it the day you check it out or the next day. It doesn't cover parking, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club or The Wilds.
Verified Oct 28 · columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Columbus Metropolitan Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations · Parking not included
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