Upcoming holiday fun in Hilliard

Hilliard, Ohio is located just west of Downtown Columbus, and is an area rich with festivals, fun events, parks, and more.

Hilliard is home to the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 2 public pools, a Community Center/Senior Center, Splash Pad at Hilliard Station Park, and over 27 parks and 41 miles of multipurpose trails.

You’ll also find unique attractions like an authentic 1800s Historical Village, the only U.S. Early Television Museum, First Responders Park, more than 41 miles of outdoor trails and the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Facility. 

There are plenty of fun outdoor activities in Hilliard all year round!

Scroll down to see our calendar listing of all of the fun events coming up in Hilliard!

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Hilliard DORA

A DORA is a designated outdoor refreshment area where residents age 21+ may purchase and carry alcohol. Old Hilliard’s designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) runs year round now. DORA hours are be noon-9 p.m., everyday.

Special events in Hilliard

(scroll down to see the calendar listing of all of the upcoming events)

Holidays in Hilliard

Letters to Santa

Drop off letters to Santa at Hilliard Station Park. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive a return letter from Santa. The red Santa mailbox is located at the corner of Main and Center streets.

Holiday Hop and Hilliard Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 4-6:30 p.m. Lighting of the tree in Hilliard’s Station Park with holiday music, visit by Santa and the elves, ice sculpting demonstrations, reindeer, cookie decorating, food trucks, face painting, holiday train and carriage rides and hot chocolate!

There are activities in the park, along Main Street, and Historical Village. The event is walkable, but a trolley will also be available from the Chase Bank parking lot to the Historical Village.

Mrs. Claus and elves will be in the schoolhouse with children writing letters to Santa and many other activities including village tours, balloon twister, face painting, holiday music and more. FREE admission (donations welcome)

Convenient, free parking is available at the Franklin County Fairgrounds and at the lot at Madison and Wayne streets.

Hilliard Holiday Sip, Shop & Stroll

December 12, 2024 from 6 pm – 9 pm
Hilliard will be full of merriment, holiday cocktails, delicious food, and local shopping! Grab a couple friends and the Sip, Shop & Stroll map for an evening to remember. While exploring the various sipping options and retail offerings, fill up your Shop Local Passport to earn a fun prize and entries into amazing giveaways!

Santa in the Train Station

Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 2 PM – 5 PM, at the Historical Village train station.

Children can share their Christmas list with Santa at the Historical Village train station, horse drawn wagon rides, music in the chapel and hot chocolate & donuts available, FREE admission (donations welcome)

More upcoming fun in Hilliard…

Spring in Hilliard

Historical Village at Weaver Park

The Hilliard Ohio Historical Society Historical Village is open on Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 1pm to 5pm, May 4th to September 29th, 2024. The Village is located in Weaver Park in Hilliard at 4162 Columbia Street

Visit and explore the log cabin, one room schoolhouse, caboose, Hilliard’s original train station and other buildings from Hilliard’s past.  The museum has several new displays along with newly expanded displays and a new gift shop.

Parking is free, close to the Village and the tours are free; donations are appreciated. Docents are available to share the history of the buildings and the area. Details here.

Earth Day Recycling Event

Saturday, April 13, 2023 from 10 am – 1 pm

Go Green Hilliard is planning a community Earth Day recycling event on Saturday, April 13 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia Street, Hilliard. Help us keep Hilliard “green” by recycling this Earth Day!

Enter the fairground at Northwest Parkway to drop off recycling. See details about what can be recycled here.

Touch a Truck at Hilliard’s Station Park

May 10, 2024 from 10 am – 12 pm. This Children’s event features interactive fun with Big Trucks, Cars, Machines, Police and Fire Vehicles.  Touch-A-Truck takes place at Hilliard’s Station Park (corner of Center and Main Streets in Old Hilliard). Details.

Police Memorial Ceremony

On May 19, the City of Hilliard holds a Peace Officers Memorial Day service at First Responders Park to honor all Ohio police officers killed in the line of duty. The ceremony marks the anniversary of the loss of Hilliard Officer Sean Johnson, whose end of watch occurred on May 19, 2016.

Officer Johnson was the first Hilliard officer killed in the line of duty since the department’s creation in 1957. The public is encouraged to come pay their respects during this free event at First Responders Park.

Hilliard Historical Society Open House

Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. 

Free admission, free tours, family fun, and so much more. Visit the newly renovated museum and restored caboose. Starts at Norwich Pavilion, snacks & drinks available, open to the public, FREE admission (donations welcome). Details here.

Located at Hillard Historical Village in Weaver Park, 5274 Norwich St. Hilliard, OH 43026

Hilliard Farm Market

Tuesdays, May 21-September 3, 2024 from 4-7 p.m., at Hilliard United Methodist Church (5445 Scioto Darby Rd. Hilliard). Click here for the updates and food truck options, if available.

Summer in Hilliard

Hilliard Splash Parks

The Hilliard’s Station Park and Clyde “Butch” Seidle Community Pool splash pads open to the public on May 18, 2024. The CBSCP splash pad will close as a free amenity when the pool opens on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend

Both splash pads operate post-pool season through the end of September. 

Swimming in Hilliard

Hilliard is home to two community swimming pools. Day passes and memberships available for 2024.

Hilliard Family Aquatic Center

Opens Memorial weekend, closes in late August
Hilliard Family Aquatic Center features slides, lazy river, multiple pools, zero depth entry kids area splash pad
3850 Veterans Memorial Dr., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$15. Daily visitors must register for a RecTrac account and obtain visitor pass key fobs prior to entering the facilities. Account registration can be done online or at the Hilliard Community Center and must be done prior to visiting the pool. Online account registration may take up to three business days for activation
Membership: Prices start at $25 (seniors)
Website: link

Clyde “Butch” Seidle Community Pool

Opens Memorial Weekend – Labor Day weekend
4450 Schirtzinger Rd., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$15. Daily visitors must register for a RecTrac account and obtain visitor pass key fobs prior to entering the facilities. Account registration can be done online or at the Hilliard Community Center and must be done prior to visiting the pool. Online account registration may take up to three business days for activation
Membership: Prices start at $25 (seniors)
Website: link 

Celebration At The Station

Free live music at Hilliard’s Station Park in Old Hilliard on Thursdays June – August, 2024 from 6:30 pm – 9 pm.

Concerts occur during Hilliard’s DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area). Adults 21+ can enjoy adult beverages outdoors in the designated outdoor refreshment area from 12 – 9 p.m. daily.

June 6 – Devin Henry
June 13 – 4th Day Echo
June 20 – RockHouse
June 27 – Long Play
July 11 – Alan Carl
July 18 – Audio Graffiti
July 25 – Dave Matthews Tribute Band
Aug. 1 – CowTown Inc
Aug. 8 – Trailer Park Ninjas
Aug. 15 – Conspiracy

*No concert July 4

Lunch Time Live!

Kick off your weekend early by enjoying lunch time concerts on select Fridays this summer at Weaver Park. A food truck will be available or pack a picnic.

Fridays, June 7, 28, and Aug. 2 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Motivation At The Station

Motivation at the Station runs from June through August. Work out and have fun on Saturday mornings in the summer with our yoga and fitness series. Featuring local instructors, this event is great for your body and mind. Free classes start at 8 a.m. and are 50 minutes long.

Participants must register in advance. (use keyword search for Motivation to find the available dates and to register).

Hilliard Arts Council Summer Concert Series

June – Sept tba 2024. This Sunday evening concert series features an eclectic mix of performers and music styles. The concerts are free to the public and usually occur in front of the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center.

The concerts are held during Hilliard DORA, which allows you to enjoy alcoholic beverages outside within a designated zone (read more about DORA above). Bring food and your beverage of choice from DORA participating establishments, or purchase from limited concessions available for purchase.

Click here for full concert schedule. 

Hilliard Arts Council Summer Concert Series

Sprouts Night Out

June 9 and July 28, 2024. Families can enjoy a fun summer night with live music, kids activities, and food trucks at Hilliard’s Station Park. Registration is required.

Freedom Fest

July 6, 2024 Held on the first Saturday in July, Hilliard’s celebration of our Independence Day is one of the biggest days in Hilliard!

Kick off the Freedom Fest festivities in Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park with live music by a national artist, food trucks, inflatables and games for kids and adults.  Stick around for the spectacular fireworks show after dusk. Details for Freedom Fest here.

Independence Day Parade

July 4 at 9:30 a.m. The annual parade starts at Franklin County Fairgrounds, continuing through Old Hilliard. Register for the parade on July 4 at the parade website.

Franklin County Fair

July 15-21, 2024: At the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Admission to the Fair is $10. Most attractions and performances are FREE with admission (excluding select Grandstand events, rides, games and food).

There are discount days, presale tickets, and more ways to save money – check them out here!

Get the Scoop

Wednesday, July 24 from Noon-2 p.m. at Hilliard’s Station Park
Beat the summer heat with free ice cream, fun family games, the splash pad, and more!

Magic In the Park

Tuesday, July 30. 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Weaver Park
Bring the magic to you with Sedgie the Hedgie and Magic Nate. Grab your blanket and enjoy an evening full of magic in the park with Erica Carlson Entertainment and more. Strolling magic and balloon twisting will be provided.

National Night Out

August tba. (National Night Out is Aug 6 nationwide) Every August, Hilliard Division of Police hosts the community for National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. The event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention, as well as encourages community and police interaction.

Parent Recharge: Back to School Edition

Wednesday, Aug. 21. Noon-2 p.m. from Hilliard’s Station Park
Cost: $10 for plant project
The kids are back to school, and moms get to play! Splash in the park and enjoy the DORA while not wrangling kids or listening to crying, fighting, and begging for snacks! Make a succulent planter and enjoy specials from Downtown Hilliard businesses.

Fall Fun in Hilliard

Fall is the BEST season in Ohio, so get outside and enjoy the cool weather and beautiful colors before everything turns cold and gray. Head to Hilliard to check out some of the fun activities going on this fall!

9/11 Rememberance Ceremony

September 11, 2024. The community is invited to join Hilliard Division of Police and Norwich Township Fire each Sept. 11 at First Responders Park as we remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Pennsylvania. Details here.

The First Responders Park, in the center of Old Hilliard, memorializes those who died on 9/11 and pays tribute to the 403 First Responders who died making the ultimate sacrifice for their community.

Hilliard Fall Festival

Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 1-4 pm at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.  With food trucks, inflatables, games and crafts, pumpkin picking, petting zoo, pony rides, and even a hayride, it’s an event that’s perfect for all ages! Find details. 

Pumpkin Float and Flick at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park

September 21, 2024 from 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm

Enjoy the park after the sun sets and the pumpkins are launched in the pond. Walk on the lantern-lit trail and enjoy some hot chocolate before we end the evening watching “Transylvania.”

Bring your lawn chair, blankets, picnic, and pre-carved pumpkin (no more than 5 pounds), or carve your own at the pumpkin carving station, to float in the pond. 

Please register if you plan to bring a pumpkin to donate to the event. This event is FREE!

Scarecrow Spooktacular

Check out scarecrows all over Hilliard with the Scarecrow Spooktacular from October 1-31, 2024. Find over 30 scarecrows! This fun event is FREE – go at your own pace! Find the map on the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce website.

Halloween Haunt

Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Trick or treat at participating businesses located in Downtown Hilliard! Kids are encouraged to wear costumes, and there will be scattered free activities along the way. You can also participate in an electronic scavenger hunt of skeletons!

This event is presented by Destination Hilliard.

Beggar’s Night

Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Each year, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission sets the Trick or Treat date for cities in central Ohio.

When Halloween, Oct. 31, falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, Trick or Treat is held on the Thursday before Oct. 31.

Trick or Treat in Columbus and Central Ohio

Veterans Day Parade

November 10, 2024 at 2 pm. The parade will proceed will proceed from the Fairgrounds, head South on Avery/Main Street, West on Cemetery Road to Scioto Darby Road and South on Veterans Memorial Drive, where it will conclude with a short ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.

See details on Facebook.