Holidays in Fairfield County: Santa, parades, holiday celebrations, and more

There’s so much Christmas fun going on for the Holidays in Fairfield County.

From tree lightings, to holiday markets, to nativities and more, there’s always some holiday cheer to find in Lancaster and the surrounding communities of Fairfield County.

Lancaster Holiday Parade 

November 23, 2024 at 10 am
The “The Spirit of Christmas” parade starts at the Columbus Street exit of the Fairgrounds and proceed south on Main Street, left on Broad, and back to the fairgrounds.

Just a short distance away in Downtown Lancaster, visitors can also enjoy seasonally-decorated window displays at local businesses as Downtown Lancaster’s Window Decorating Contest kicks off.

Downtown Holiday Window Display Contest

Stroll the streets of downtown Lancaster to vote on the best window display between November 23- December 6, 2024. Details here. 

Festival of Lights at The Fairfield County Fairgrounds

The return of the  Festival of Lights at Fairfield County Fairgrounds is something to celebrate! Throughout the season, expect visits with Santa, kettle corn, desserts, and a concession stand. $10 per car. 

Santa visits and free pictures with Santa (with car admission): November 29-30, December 7, 14, 20, 21, 2024. 

Bring your letter to Santa any night during Festival of Lights and receive a letter back from Santa! Be sure to include your return mailing address. Responses may be after Christmas for letters received after December 18.

Dates: Thanksgiving through Christmas (Sunday-Wednesday, 6-9pm; Thursday-Saturday, 6-10pm). See updates on Facebook.

Heart of Christmas Craft Show

November 29 and 30, 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at The Clum Auction Gallery

The Clum Auction Gallery has filled their 1800s log and stone barn with thousands of items. You will find the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list. You’ll even find the perfect gift for yourself! Shop while enjoying holiday music, the aroma of the season, and fresh-baked Christmas cookies. Admission is free.

Small Business Celebration Week

November 29-December 1, 2024
Shop small and support the local businesses of Downtown Lancaster during Small Business Celebration Week. Take advantage of week-long specials, deals, and giveaways as you gear up for the holidays.

Lancaster Holiday Spirit Trail

November 30 – December 31, 2024
Find the holiday spirit in Lancaster with app or links to holiday fun on the website. Take a drive or stroll in and around Lancaster, Ohio to see how residents and businesses are showing off their holiday spirit.

Follow the Lancaster Holiday Spirit Trail Facebook page for more information or visit the Tinsel and Traditions webpage. Downtown Lancaster.

Advent Window Walk

December 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025

Advent Window Walk is a living advent calendar in residential downtown Lancaster. For each night of December, a historic home will reveal a festive design in a newly decorated window. By Christmas Eve, the advent windows of 28 homes will be illuminated for nighttime viewing. The Decorative Arts Center of Ohio will reveal a final design on Christmas night.

The participating homes are located on Main, Wheeling, Mulberry, and King Streets (between High and Broad Streets) and High Street (between King and Main Streets).

Details here.

Baltimore’s Annual Lighted Holiday Parade

Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 6-8pm.
The Annual Lighted Holiday Parade in Baltimore kicks off on Summer’s Choice Drive, proceed north on Park Drive, turn left on 256 (East Market Street) and continue west down 256 through town, ending just past Trinity Church. The parade will kick off promptly at 6:00 p.m. 

Fontanini Nativity Festival

Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in December 2024 from 6-9 pm
This annual tradition features nativities on display at Crossroads Event Center from the congregation at First United Methodist Church. Admission is free

Visit the almost life-size nativity display and experience Christmas in a unique way each holiday season. Sights, sounds, and smells place YOU in the center of the indoor nativity featuring Fontanini figures.

Open every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 6 pm to 9 pm thru December.

Holiday Market in Baltimore

Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 1-5 pm
Join the Baltimore Famers Market for at its annual holiday market event at the beautiful Johnson Park to shop vendors from the area. When you get chilled, stop by the bonfire to warm up while carolers and musicians help to set the mood for festive shopping! 

A Christmas Carroll

Saturday, December 7, 2024, starting at 4:45 p.m.,
Visit Carroll for fun, family-friendly holiday festivities at A Christmas Carroll. There will be a Santa Parade at 4:45, tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. There will also be free holiday hayrides, crafts, and treats for kids.

Go early for the craft show from 9 am – 3 pm at Bessie Benson Park

Lancaster WinterFest & Tree Lighting

Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 12 pm – 5:30 pm. Celebrate the holiday season in the heart of Downtown Lancaster with WinterFest and Tree Lighting. Make memories and enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, family activities, a scavenger hunt, holiday music, and much more!

The tree lighting starts at 4:45 p.m. at the bandstand. 

Millersport Christmas Festivities and Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 6 pm

The Village of Millersport kicks off the evening with a Holiday Parade at 6 pm. The parade leads to the annual tree lighting is at Miller Park, visits with Santa, caroling and refreshments. 

Winterlights at Alley Park

December 12, 13, 14, and 15, 2024 from 6 pm – 8 pm

Bundle up and walk back the lane leading to the Goslin Nature Center with Lancaster Parks and Recreation. See thousands of lights decorating the park, hear the festive music, smell the bonfires, enjoy hot chocolate while roasting a hot dog from the concessions tent.

Take a walk around the deck of the nature center to get a glimpse into the snow globe bustling with activity of Santa and his elves.

Other fun events: 

Breakfast With Buddy The Elf: November 29, 2024 from 8:30 am – noon. Join Rise Up Arts Alliance for Breakfast with Buddy the Elf and special guests! Enjoy your “spaghetti” pancakes with all the trimmings, bacon, coffee, juice, milk. Price online pre-sale is $5 children 11 and under, Adults and Children 12 and up $8. Prices at the door will be $8 & $10.

Santa Visits Outerbelt Brewing: December 8, 2024 from 2 pm – 4 pm.

Christmas Market at The Wagnalls Memorial: December 14, 2024 from 9 am – 3 pm

Lancaster Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert: December 15, 2024 from 3 pm – 5 pm

2024 Glass Town Countdown

December 31, 2024 from 10 pm – 1 am 

Join your friends, family, and neighbors for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration! Visit historic downtown Lancaster for a family-friendly street party where you will taste fantastic food and spirits at local restaurants and pubs, watch the ascent of the giant glass globe, and light up the sky with a spectacular fireworks show!

The Glass Town Countdown celebrates the importance of glass in Lancaster’s history as the community creates a beautiful piece of glass art for this fun party. The globe is a traveling piece of art until New Year’s Eve, when it rises high above Zane’s Square and rings in the new year.

Pickerington Holiday Spirit: Shopping, Tree Lighting, breakfast with Santa, and more

Find upcoming holiday events!

Rushville Community Tree Lighting

tba 2024 from 7-9 pm
Rushville Community Tree Lighting! Gather beside Rushville Church (8594 Main St). The Fairfield Union Assembly Singers will perform and there will be cookies, hot cocoa, and pictures/visits with Santa!

Christmas Walk at the Lancaster Camp Ground

Cancelled for 2024 from 4-8 pm (Friday) and 1-8 pm (Saturday)
Visit the Lancaster Camp Ground during the first weekend of December for the 2023 Christmas Walk.

Don’t miss this wonderful celebration of Christmas with beautiful luminaria throughout the historic grounds. Enjoy the many sights, sounds, and tastes of the holiday season, including photos with Santa, vendors, music, and more.