Ohio History Center: Kwanzaa, Holidays, and more

Ohio History Center and Ohio Village are the perfect places to visit for some historical fun in Columbus.

Ohio Village is a full-scale 1890’s village, with characters ready to tell you about life in the 1890’s as you explore the buildings, homes, and participate in traditional activities. While Ohio Village is now closed for renovations until 2026, there’s still so much to enjoy at Ohio History Center Museum and special events.

Your visit at Ohio History Center features interactive exhibits exploring everything from life in the 1950s to extinct and endangered Ohio species to an exquisite collection of restored Civil War battle flags.

Ohio History Center

Ohio History Center is open Wednesdays–Sundays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., in addition to special events.

Admission is $16/Adult, $14/age 60+ or college student with ID, $10/ages 4–12, and Free/age 3 & under. Ohio History Connection members enjoy free admission. Select special events may require additional fee.

Pre-purchase tickets are available, but not required. Walk-up admission is available anytime during open hours at the Ohio History Center front desk.

Read below for some of the upcoming events at Ohio History Center.

Events at Ohio Village and Ohio History Center

Holiday Histories

December 7 & 14, 2024 from 6 pm – 9 pm

Explore winter holidays like Christmas, Kwanzaa and more through hands-on activities!

Experience cultural holiday traditions and stories together with community partners, learn about what less sunlight and wintry temperatures mean for Ohio’s wildlife, catch a holiday performance and shop the Ohio History Store, local vendors and crafters to pick up those last-minute gifts!

Registration is OPEN!

Kwanzaa – A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture 

Dec. 28 2024 – Dec. 29 2024

The Ohio History Center is hosting a portion of the Kwanzaa 614 celebration.

This year’s program features an array of hands-on crafts and captivating performances, designed to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa, which means first fruits or harvest in Swahili, is a celebration honoring African American culture. Based on the Seven Principles of Nguzo Saba. OHC and TAWI Family Village will present two evenings of Kwanzaa that will feature African drumming, music, dance, storytelling and hands on art activities.   

See more details/registration here.

MLK Jr. Day Celebration

Monday, January 20, 2025 • 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Ohio History Center, Columbus

Celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King through visual and performing art performances. This is a unique opportunity to learn about the impact of Dr. King’s teachings and learn how his work changed the trajectory of the country. 

More information on the program will be added to the website! Please check back here.

The Tea Room featuring Black Woman Rise Poetry Collective

Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
$25/Participant, $20/Ohio History Connection member

The Tea Room is a contemporary version of the African American Tea Ceremony which began in the mid 19th century. Annually held on February 15, enslaved people were given the left over teas, food and china from Valentine’s Day celebrations. 

Guests will enjoy a series of poetry performances themed on “Black Womanhood” meant to elevate and empower.

Purchase tickets here.

Presidents Day

Monday, February 17, 2025

All programs included with museum admission. 
Celebrate Presidents Day at the Ohio History Center! Stop by to create your own campaign memorabilia and meet several 1st-person Presidential presenters on the museum floor. Other themed activities will be available throughout the day as well.

Details here.

Night at the Museum

Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 7–9 p.m.

Find out what goes on at the Ohio History Center museum after hours. Do the exhibits really come to life?

Dozens of different characters will be roaming the museum, and you can learn all about their unique place in Ohio history. Grab an autograph book (provided) and collect the signatures from your favorites! Several hands-on activities are available for kids.

This family event is so fun for all ages! See more details here.

Columbus Member Advantage Program

If you’re a member of select Central Ohio attractions, you can save $3 on general admission to Ohio History Center and Ohio Village and other attractions through the Columbus Member Advantage program. No coupon is necessary.

Simply show your valid participating membership card when you visit! Limited to 4 discounts per membership per day; can’t be combined with other discounts.  

Member Advantage partners for 2023 include:

• Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection (see our article)
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (see our article)
• Dawes Arboretum (see our article)
• Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (see our article)
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Columbus (see our article)
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum (see our article)
• Ohio History Center & Ohio Village (see our article)
• Wexner Center for the Arts (see our article)
• The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art and Technology (also qualifies for ASTC reciprocal admission)
• Columbus Metropolitan Club

Ohio History Center 
800 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211

Special events; tba for upcoming year

Dickens of a Christmas 

Not held in 2024 due to remodel – see above holiday events

Ohio Village celebrates a Victorian Christmas with Dickens of a Christmas, inspired by the stories of Charles Dickens. 

Wander the Village and visit with characters from Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” and the residents of Ohio Village. Enjoy cooking demonstrations, hands-on crafts, decorations, caroling, readings by candlelight, and many more Victorian holiday traditions.

Join the villagers in music, dancing, and activities of the era.

Advanced registration required, see more details here.

La Posada

tba

Celebrate La Posada, a festival celebrated in Mexico around the winter holidays, with Ohio History Center and El Mercadito Cositas Lindas. Learn about the origins of this festival, watch dance and music performances, try out our indoor piñata, and do some last-minute holiday shopping with El Mercadito’s many talented artisans.

Regular admission applies. Details on Ohio History Center.

Noon Years Eve at Ohio History Center

tba from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Included with museum admission. Perfect for kids 7 years old and under and for those who don’t want to wait until midnight for festivities!

Are you a morning person or someone who always falls asleep before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve? Don’t sweat it! Ohio History Connection is hosting a Noon Year’s Eve party on Sunday the 31st. We’ll have games, crafts, and a special countdown to Noon with a special guest, Champ.

Seeds of Caring MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 15, 2024 at 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm
Celebrate MLK Day as a “day on, not a day off” through 5 different service stations as part of the larger MLK Day Open House Celebration.

Program is for ages 2-12; adults must accompany children. Siblings of participants outside this age range are welcome, but may find the event to be less meaningful and fulfilling.

Seeds of Caring will provide 5 youth service stations as part of the larger MLK Open House Celebration.

Activities will include making posters with Pint Size Protesters, assembling personal care kits for neighbors in need, decorating and packing snack bags for unhoused neighbors, designing bookmarks promoting diversity in literature with Harper’s Corner, and creating take-home art inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. Learn more and register here.

Day of Service runs in conjunction with The MLK Open House Celebration, which is from 12-4pm with free admission. In addition to the service activities, you will find art activities, education, and live theatrical and musical performances honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Columbus

Wild Ohio Day

Saturday, January 27, 2023 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ohio History Center, Columbus
Included with museum admission.

Join the Ohio History Center for a weekend full of natural history programing and learn more about the plants and animals that call Ohio their home! Check out the list of activities you can expect; more will be added.

Pleasures of the Cup at Ohio History Center

Tip your cup like they did in the 19th century with Pleasures of the Cup cocktail parties at Ohio History Center.  These progressive historic cocktail parties pair authentic adult beverages with stories, characters and the experience of days gone by. Read more about Pleasures of the Cup!

Tickets are $45 for adults, or $40 for Ohio History Connection Members. Advanced tickets required; must be over age 21. Alcohol is included with admission. Guests will receive a sample glass with admission.

• February 10, 2024: Ohio On the Rocks
• April 6, 2024: Once Upon a Cocktail
• May 11, 2024: Drinks of the Speakeasy
• August 17, 2024: Mad for Martinis
• September 28, 2024: Spooky Spirits
• November 9, 2024: Bad Medicine

Black History Month with Ohio History Connection

February 2024

Ohio History Connection is made up of the Ohio History Center and more than 50 historic sites throughout Ohio.

The Ohio History Connection celebrates Black History month with events at the Ohio History Center, and more at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House and the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center.

They offer a robust series of Black history programs including curator talks, discussions and interactive experiences. Some are virtual, so you can participate and enjoy from anywhere. 

See registration and full offerings on the website.

The Underground Railroad in Ohio

February 22, 2024, 3 -5 pm

Did you know that Ohio played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad? Thousands of freedom seekers traveled through Ohio, yet these stories have been obscured.

Join us as we speak with Kathy Schulz, author of The Underground Railroad in Ohio, as she shares the stories she’s uncovered and the research she delved into to learn about the past. Learn more here.

Women’s History Month at the Ohio History Center

March 1, 2024 – March 31, 2024

Included with general museum admission.

Learn about some of Ohio’s famous females through tours, activities, and film screenings and explore the important role women have had in the shaping of Ohio.

More program information coming soon; check here for more info. 

Spring Thaw

Celebrate the end of winter and learn something new with the family this spring break! Join us at the Ohio History Center for a week of fun and interesting natural history programs from April 5th to April 9th. Details tba here.

Earth Day Celebration at Ohio History Center

Seeds of Caring’s Kids as Planet Protectors: An Earth Day Celebration at the Ohio History Center is FREE!

Kids are invited to participate in multiple projects, helping them to connect with our natural history, take action to protect our environment, and invest in our planet’s future. Indoor and outdoor activities will be geared toward kids ages 4-12 and will include educational scavenger hunts, litter clean-up, reduce and reuse activities, gardening, and more.

Families are also invited to explore the Ohio History Center for FREE during the event.
Families can get more information and register at https://www.seedsofcaring.org

Ohio Village Opening Day Exposition

Saturday, May 25, 2024, 10a.m.-5p.m.

The Ohio History Connection will reopen Ohio Village for the summer season Saturday, May 25, with a full-day Exposition that reflects on the 50 years since its founding and looks forward to the next 50 years of storytelling in the living-history community.

The May 25 celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include activities centered around culture, fashion and technology from the turn of the 20th century. Those activities will include:

• A vintage “base ball” game played by 1860s-era rules.
• A 19th-century magic show.
• Live music and can-can dance performances.
• A petting zoo.
• An artisan market.
• Flea Circus performances.

This Opening Day Exposition also signals the start of a new era for Ohio Village and the Ohio History Connection’s entire Columbus campus on East 17th Avenue.

Regular admission applies. Purchase in advance or at the door. Read more about Ohio Village Opening Weekend.

Storybook Village at Ohio Village

Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 

At Storybook Village, see your favorite storybook characters magically come to life! Bring your little ones to meet classic characters and popular favorites from PBS including Pete the Cat and Elephant & Piggie. Ask Rapunzel to let down her hair, help Prince Charming in his quest, and visit with Cinderella!

This special event is made possible through a partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Library, Franklin Park Conservatory and WOSU Public Media.

See pictures and read more about Storybook Village.

Juneteenth – Jubilee Day Festival at Ohio History Connection

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Originating in Texas, it’s been observed on the 19th of June annually since 1865.

Join Ohio Village for an 1890’s Juneteenth observation in the Ohio Village.

Featured activities will include historical interpretations, storytelling, and dance. Admission is FREE!

See more details about Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival. 

Ohio History Connection Annual Meeting: Midsummer on the Terrace

June 20, 2024 from 5 pm – 9 pm

Join us for an evening of fun and facts as we celebrate Ohio’s only World Heritage site, the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks.

Kick off the evening with news and updates for members, followed by a series of talks on World Heritage from a tribal perspective, and we’ll conclude with a sunset garden party (bites, brews from Seventh Son Brewing, DJ Mazeppa spinning Ohio jams on our terrace).

Drinks will be available for purchase at the cash bar. Member tickets include one complimentary drink ticket.

• 5–6:30 p.m. • Business meeting and speakers in the Arthur C. Johnson Auditorium Speakers: Chief Billy Friend (Wyandotte Nation), Chief Ben Barnes (Shawnee Tribe), Susan Knisley (National Park Service) and Megan Wood (Ohio History Connection Executive Director and CEO)
• 6:30–9:30 p.m. • Party on the Plaza Terrace

 Tickets are free for member and $25 from nonmembers. Details and tickets here.

Independence Day Celebration at Ohio Village

July 6, 2024 from 10 am – 4 pm

Celebrate our nation’s independence, 1890’s style! Bring the entire family and engage with fun activities linked to July 4th.

Learn about how this momentous holiday was celebrated at the turn of the 20th century, visit with skilled artisans, vote in our mayoral election, and much more. Explore Ohio Village homes and businesses, get to know the residents and play old-fashioned games on the village green.

Regular admission applies; free for members. Read more about the Independence Day Celebration here.

History Mythbusting

July 13, 2024 from 10  am – 5 pm

Dig into the most common myths and misconceptions the 19th century has to offer! Engage with fun activities linked to some of our favorite history mysteries.

Learn about how our modern view has gotten common subjects like fashion, medicine, and even etiquette wrong after all these years. Participate in experiments and activities in the village to debunk these popular myths.

While you’re here, explore Ohio Village’s homes and businesses, get to know the residents, and play old-fashioned games on the village green. Details here. 

Ohio History at the Ohio State Fair

July 24, 2024 – August 4, 2024

Stop by and see Ohio Village and the Ohio History Center during the State Fair! Both sites will be open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. State Fair attendees will also receive free admission to Ohio Village and the Ohio History Center! 

The Ohio History Center & Ohio Village will be open for members for free as always. Additionally, Ohio History Connection members will enjoy discounts on Ohio State Fair tickets. Just show your membership card at the fair gate and receive two FREE Admission tickets.

Our members must acquire their two free fair tickets in person at the State Fair gate and must present their membership card. The offer is not valid for tickets purchased online or in advance. Details here.

Ohio Village 50th Anniversary Celebration – Founders Day

July 27, 2024

Celebrate Ohio Village’s official 50th anniversary with a truly special event, Founders Day!

Enjoy the sounds of the past as American Musical Productions recreates the music of Frederick L. Neddermeyer, Columbus’ leading bandmaster and composer at the turn of the century.

Two 45-minute concerts will take place at 11:30am and 1:30pm in the Ohio Village pavilion. Limited seating will be available around the village green, but we encourage you to bring your own blankets and chairs to embrace that 1890s feel.

While you’re in town, also be sure to explore the shops and residences, and learn all about how Ohio Village has changed over its 50 year history! Other programming will include:

• A variety of local artisans
• Vaudeville performances
• And much more!

Event included with Ohio State Fair admission, available at State Fair entrances or at the Ohio History Center museum entrance. Details here. 

Crime and Corruption at Ohio Village

August 3, 2024, 10a.m.-5p.m.

Join us as we explore the seedy side of history with Crime & Corruption! Bring the entire family and engage with fun activities linked to Ohio’s diverse and unique criminal past. Learn about day-to-day crimes that people dealt with, investigate a crime scene, and even participate in circuit court trials in our Town Hall.

While you’re there, explore Ohio Village’s homes and businesses, get to know the residents, and play old-fashioned games on the village green.

Event included with Ohio State Fair admission, available at State Fair entrances or at the Ohio History Center museum entrance. Details here.

All Hallows’ Eve Sleepy Hollow at Ohio Village

Not being held in 2024 due to Ohio Village closure

Enjoy a traditional 19th Century Halloween with family-friendly haunted events in the village. Activities include pumpkin carving, fortune telling, crafts, games, and Halloween traditions from the 1890’s.

But beware… the Headless Horseman will visit during a bonfire reading of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow each night. 

Join in the 19th century masquerade party, meet the strange characters roaming the Village, and explore the funeral parlor to learn about 19th century funeral practices. 

Special event requires tickets for members and non-members. Purchase on the website.

Exploring Ohio Village

Visit a reimagined 19th century community full of 1890s fun from Spring through late Fall, plus holiday events.

Set in the 1890s, Ohio Village features an era that represents a fascinating time in history, one in which technology, politics and everyday life was changing at a rapid pace. 

Explore the community and meet and interact with citizens of Ohio Village; see our NEW villagers and hear their stories.

Visit the bicycle shop and discover cycling, the latest craze. Experience storytelling, food preparations and demonstrations with vintage recipe cards.

You can feed and tend to the chickens, play traditional games like croquet–an 1890s favorite–on the village green, and watch a vintage 19th century baseball game played by the Ohio Village Muffins. 

Ohio Village upcoming closure and revitalization

After the Ohio State Fair ends Aug. 4, Ohio Village will close until it reopens with a new and improved Village experience in 2026.

Part of building a better Ohio Village includes the addition of a nature-based play space, a reimagined town center (for performances and more), new experiences for visitors, expanded food and beverage offerings, a stronger physical connection between the Ohio History Center, infrastructure upgrades and a safer experience (walkways, lights, connectivity, hardscape streets) for everyone.

Ohio Village Admission details

Open to the Public: During the summer, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays

Admission: $16/Adults, $10/Children ages 4–12, $14/60+ or College student with ID, Free/Ohio  History Connection member or age 3 and under. Parking is free. (included with Ohio History Center admission)

See ohiohistory.org/ohiovillage for additional ticketing information. 

Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival

August 31 – September 1, 2024

Celebrate the end of summer with us at Ohio History Center. More than 25 teams from across the nation will come to experience 1860s-style base ball with you and compete for the Ohio Cup.

Special activities all day for kids, including historic games and sports. It’s free to watch the Ohio Cup Base Ball. Regular museum admission applies. Learn more HERE. 

Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival at Ohio History Center

¡Celebrando! – A Dialogue on Latinx and Hispanic Cultural Experiences

September 15, 2024 from 1 pm – 5 pm at Ohio History Center

We’re uniting with cultural organizations from around the state to pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans/Latinx Americans who have enriched our nation and society. Learn about Latine heritage from the perspectives of Ohioans with different cultural backgrounds.

Activities include dance and music performances, special community dialogue sessions, hands-on activities, food vendors, and an artisan market with El Mercadito Cositas Lindas.

This event is free to the public; advanced ticketing purchase is available and recommended. Registration information coming soon.

Ohio Archaeology Day 

October 5, 2024 from 10 am – 2 pm.

Dig into history with Ohio History Connection’s annual Archaeology Day! Explore Ohio’s past with archaeologists from across the state. Learn what it takes to be an archaeologist, participate in a mock dig on site and hear from experts in the field.

Activities will include presentations, partner booths, pottery making, flint knapping, atlatl throwing and mastodon crafts

This event is free, though advance tickets are recommended. 

Fright at the Museum

October 19 and 26, 2024

Discover the spooky side of Ohio history with Fright at the Museum! Celebrate the season with family-friendly activities for a frightful good time!

Learn about our state’s creatures of the night and how important they are to our ecosystem. Try your hand at early movie magic and test your acting chops with vintage horror movie reels. Head back in time with a midcentury monster mash at the Lustron House. Explore the origins of American Halloween celebrations through time. Weave a web of spooky stories with time travelling tales and storytelling games. End the evening with a dance party on the red carpet!

Register here. 

Explore Military History at March Through Time

Nov. 9-10 & 16-17, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

March Through Time offers an in-depth look at Ohio’s military history and beyond to commemorate Veterans Day. Visitors can experience what life was like for soldiers across different eras, and explore how their stories connect through time.

The program includes daily Civil War Battle Flags Open Case Tours at 11 a.m. and World War I Display Tours at 1 p.m. Guests will also have hands-on activity opportunities and a chance to explore the world of miniature war gaming.

Guests will meet historical reenactors, including a special appearance by the Vikings of Vulksgaard on Nov. 16.

March Through Time is included with general museum admission: $16 for adults, $14 for ages 60+ and college students, and $10 for ages 4-12. Ohio History Connection members and children under 3 receive free admission.

For details, visit ohiohistory.org/events.

A Different Way: The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa Opera

November 16 & 17, 2024

Enjoy a premiere chamber opera themed around the principles of Kwanzaa.

The story begins in Africa but quickly transitions to present day America. In America, we look at three youth who are struggling to make a good life for themselves. We look at racism and how different groups have different views of America—and when all seems lost for these youth, they are introduced to the seven principles of Kwanzaa as a road map of how to structure their lives for success.

Opera Composed by Diane Peters and directed by Julie Whitney Scott. Event is free, but registration is required. Your registration ticket will grant you free access to the Ohio History Center. Details here.