While the holiday season is just now jingling its way into view, Licking County has already brewed numerous festive plans for families traversing this winter wonderland. These events are sure to keep your spirits merry and bright through the cold weather.
Thursday, Dec. 5
- Zonta Christmas Homes Tour, various locations across Newark; 4-8:30 p.m.
- Licking County Chamber of Commerce’s 10th Annual Rockin’ Auction & Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at Bryn Du Mansion, 537 Jones Rd., Granville; 4-7 p.m.
- Santa’s Very Merry Celebration at the Granville Center for the Arts, 119 West Broadway, Granville; 6-7:30 p.m.
- Sights and Sounds of Christmas Walking Tour, 42 E Church Street, Newark; 6-8:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 6
- Back to Christmas, Church of Christ Alexandria, 5380 Moots Run Rd, Alexandria; 6-8 p.m.
- Hullabaloo Performing Arts Theatre presents Elf the Musical at Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St., Heath; 7-8 p.m.
- Licking County Players’ A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, 131 West Main Street, Newark; 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 7
- Run Run Reindeer 5K and 1 Mile Walk, Rotary Park, Newark; 8 a.m.
- Gingerbread House that Beer Built at Trek Brewing, 1486 Granville Road, Newark; 1 p.m.
- Holiday Health Benefit (Granville Candlelight Walking Tour), 119 West Broadway, Granville; 1-5 p.m.
- Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour, Various locations in Granville; 1-9 p.m.
- Wonderland Walk, The Square, Newark; 1 p.m.
- Granville’s Candlelight Walking Tour at the Robbins Hunter Museum, 221 East Broadway, Granville; 1 p.m.
- Christmas in the Country Indoor Vendor Market, Irongate Equestrian Center, Hartford; 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Lion Petal Holiday Market, Granville Inn, Granville; 3 p.m.
- Pataskala Cookie Walk, Veterans Green, Pataskala; 3 p.m.
- Village of Buckeye Lake Christmas in the Village, 3:30 p.m.
- Christmas Market and Memorial Tree Lighting, 9 West Main Street, Hebron; 5-8 p.m.
- Winter Wonders Walk 2024, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark; 6 – 9 p.m.
- Pataskala Lions Lighted Christmas Parade, various locations across Buckeye Lake, 6 p.m.
- Central Ohio Youth Ballet Presents The Nutcracker, The Woodward Opera House, Mt. Vernon, 6 p.m.
- Gettin’ in the Mood for Christmas! Vintage Voices Concert, Centenary United Methodist Church, Granville, 7 p.m.
- Denison Symphony Orchestra, Holiday Pops Concert, Swasey Chapel, Granville; 7 p.m.
- Licking County Players’ A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, 131 West Main Street, Newark; 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 8
- Gettin’ in the Mood for Christmas! Vintage Voices Concert, Centenary United Methodist Church, Granville; 3 p.m.
- Licking County Players’ A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, 131 West Main Street, Newark; 3-5 p.m.
- A Very Merry Holiday Pops, Midland Theatre, 36 North Park Place, Newark; 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
- Tower of Power Holiday & Hits Tour at the Midland Theatre, 36 North Park Place, Newark; 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 12
- Live Performance of O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy, Midland Theatre; 7:30 p.m.
- Licking County Players’ A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, 131 West Main Street, Newark; 7:30-9:30 p.m.
- Sensory Friendly Winter Wonders Walk, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark; 6-8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 13
- Licking County Players’ A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, 131 West Main Street, Newark; 3-5 p.m.
- The Night Tree Story and Nature Ornaments at Infirmary Mound Park, 4309 Lancaster Road, Granville; 6 p.m.
- Winter Wonders Walk 2024, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark; 6-9 p.m.
- Licking County Players’ A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, 131 West Main Street, Newark; 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 14
- FREE Christmas Traditions – Annual Open House & Holiday Event at the Davis-Shai House, 301 Central Parkway, Heath; 4-8 p.m.
- Christmas at the Mansion at Bryn Du Mansion, 537 Jones Rd., Granville; 5-9 p.m.
- Living Nativity at the Newark Central Christian Church, 587 Mt. Vernon Road, Newark; 6-9 p.m.
- Winter Wonders Walk 2024, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark; 6-9 p.m.
- Santa Con Newark, Downtown Newark; 6-11:45 p.m.
- The Polar Express Screening, Midland Theatre; 7 p.m.
- The Heisey Wind Ensemble presents A Hometown Christmas, Newark High School; 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 15
- Licking County Players’ A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, 131 West Main Street, Newark; 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 19
- Tour of Homes – Christmas of the Past at the Davis-Shai House, 301 Central Pkwy, Heath; 5-8 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 20
- Winter Wonders Walk 2024, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark; 6-9 p.m.
- Luminare Christmas at the Midland Theatre, 36 North Park Place, Newark; 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 21
- Breakfast with Santa at the Cherry Valley Hotel, 2299 Cherry Valley Road South East, Newark; 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Breakfast with Santa at the Davis-Shai House, 301 Central Pkwy, Heath; 9 a.m.
- Make a Holiday Floral Centerpiece at Infirmary Mound Park, 4309 Lancaster Road, Granville; 10 a.m.
- The Works Pop-Up Science Event: Winter Science at The Works, 55 South 1st Street, Newark; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Free Crossroads Crusaders Christmas MEAL, 85 South 6th St, Newark; 12-2 p.m.
- Winter Wonders Walk 2024, Dawes Arboretum, 7770 Jacksontown Road, Newark; 6-9 p.m.
- An Evening with Peter Billingsley & A Christmas Story at the Midland Theatre, 36 North Park Place, Newark; 7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 22
- Made Local Events’ Last Chance Holiday Market at the Granville Inn, Granville Inn; 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 28
- New Years @ Noon at The Works, 55 South 1st Street, Newark; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 2
- Winter Break Day Camp – From Slime to the Ice Age at The Works, 55 South 1st Street, Newark; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 3
- Winter Break Day Camp – From Rockets to Abstract Art at The Works, 55 South 1st Street, Newark; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Noah Fishman writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.