Winter is upon us, and stores are already stocking up on Christmas trees and holiday decorations. Before you know it, holiday music will be playing on the radio! To channel the holiday spirit, review this list of things to do for the entire family this season.
Holiday Outdoor Events
Ice Skating at the Metroparks
Glass City Metropark
Oak Openings Preserve
Pearson Metropark
419-407-9700
The Toledo Metroparks offers multiple opportunities to gather your loved ones, friends and family to enjoy the brisk winter air while gliding on the ice. Enter your name and email to receive announcements and updates for the first full ice skating season at The Ribbon in the Glass City Metropark. The Ribbon is a 1,000 foot loop trail with rolling hills and soft curves that connects to a 5,000 square foot skating pond. Oak Openings Preserve offers ice skating at Mallard Lake during the daytime only. Pearson Metropark offers ice skating day or night with new lights added near the lake!
Holidays In The Manor House
Wildwood Preserve Metropark
5100 W Central Ave.
metroparkstoledo.com
December 2-10 | 10am-8pm
Holidays In the Manor House is back for its 48th year. Volunteers decorate the 30,000-square-feet of the Georgian colonial revival mansion in holiday regalia and invite the community for free tours. Wagon rides, s’mores, music, a trail decorated with holiday lights and other activities will be held throughout the week.
Perrysburg Countdown to Christmas Fest
Presented by Rae Ray’s Decor & More
218 Louisiana Ave.
November 4 | 10am-5pm
Perrysburg gets into the holiday spirit with its Countdown to Christmas Festival! As downtown streets fill with food trucks, craft pop-up tents and other activities, kids can enjoy an exclusive kid’s area. Check the Facebook page for continuous updates!
Holiday Open House at Fort Meigs
29100 W. River Rd., Perrysburg
419-874-4121
December 11 | Time TBD
Visitors are invited to celebrate the soldiers who fought in the War of 1812 while enjoying holiday music, refreshments and hands-on activities.
Lights Before Christmas
The Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way
November 17 – December 31 | 3-8 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) & 3-9 p.m. (Friday-Sunday)
The Zoo closes one hour after last admission to allow guests to finish their visit.
The holiday season in Toledo includes the Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas. The annual light spectacular returns for its 38th year with more than one million lights included in 200+ illuminated animal images throughout the zoo. The six-week event begins with the lighting of an 85-foot Norway spruce that has over 35,000 LED lights.
Take the kids to the ice slide in the Amphitheatre or take a ride on the Holly Jolly Express Train (open weekends, weather permitting) and the African safari themed carousel. Santa will be available for photos each day until December 23!
Admission is $29 for adults (12-59), $26 for kids (2-11) and seniors (60 and up). Children under two get in free! Reservations are required for all members and non-members. Toledo Zoo members receive unlimited visits throughout the Lights season.
Polar Paws & Santa 5K Race/Walk
The Toledo Zoo
2 Hippo Way
December 10
5K Race/Walk at 4pm
Kids’ Fun Run at 3pm
This two-race event is for everyone, regardless of their age! 5k registrants will receive a custom bib with timing chip, wearable swag, a collectible cup and admission to Lights Before Christmas on December 10! Kids who participate in the Fun Run get a free ice slide pass!
Cost to participate in the Polar Paws & Santa Claws 5K is $35, plus a processing fee, and the price increases after November 13. Cost to participate in the Polar Paws Kids Cub Run, open to ages 12 and under, is $15.
Participants are encouraged to don their best holiday attire and light-up accessories as they run the race. Runners should pick up their packets on Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8 at Dave’s Running Shop, 5700 Monroe St., Sylvania from 3–6:30pm.
Bowling Green Holiday Parade
Main Street, Downtown Bowling Green
November 18 | 9am
The annual celebration is back with the theme “Holiday Sparkle” and will once again be broadcast live on WTOL 11, with Jerry Anderson as one of the MC’s!
Miracle on Main Street
Downtown Sylvania
5651 Main St.
1-833-724-3560
December 1
December 2
Attendees can enjoy the crisp winter air in Downtown Sylvania on an Art Walk featuring local vendors. Finish your holiday shopping while supporting local shops. Santa will be available for the kids to share their wish lists. Participate in the annual tree-lighting ceremony on Friday evening.
On Saturday, the annual Miracle on Main 5k takes place in the late afternoon with continued holiday shopping.
Holiday Light Parade and Holiday Hustle 5K
601 Conant St.
November 26 | 6pm
Runners, walkers and all the holiday fanatics unite in Maumee for some of the best lights the Toledo area has to offer. Beginning with the Holiday Hustle 5K walk/run where participants don their best holiday attire while navigating the circuit beginning at the Maumee Indoor Theater.
Race day registration is from 3-5pm at the theater. Early Bird Rate is $20. After November 12, the rate is $25. Race day fee is $30. The Elf Fun Run will take place at 4:45 pm before the Holiday Hustle. The entry fee is $10. Register by contacting maumeeseniorcenter@gmail.com.
After you cool off and stretch out, gather the family and line the city streets of West William, Conant and West Wayne for the Holiday Light Parade.
Christmas Village 5K & Reindeer Dash
6760 Providence St.
Whitehouse, OH
runtoledo.com
December 2 | 4:30pm
Organized by the Village of Whitehouse, bring the entire family out for some outdoor fun. In addition to the 5K run/walk, there will be a tree lighting ceremony with a parade, beer garden and activities for the kids.
The cost to participate is $35 from November 1 to race day. Proceeds benefit Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Holiday Indoor Events
Maker’s Mart: Holiday at Handmade Toledo
Handmade Toledo
1717 Adams St.
419-214-1717
November 11 | 11am-7pm
Head over to Handmade Toledo for the holiday-edition of Maker’s Mart. Vendors will offer unique hand-crafted items, handmade supplies and packaged food products.
Winter Festival of Crafts
Franciscan Theatre & Conference Center
6832 Convent Blvd.
419-517-8950
December 10 | 10am-4pm
For several hours, explore the best that local vendors have to offer to finish up your Christmas shopping list! All crafts are made locally and there will be ZERO imports!
Visit with Santa
Little Blessings Veteran and Community Outreach
5725 Sterns Rd.
419-779-0342
lbveteranoutreach.org
December 3 | 1-5pm
Bring the kids so they can share their wish lists with Santa and capture pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
Pet Photos with Santa
6611 N Dixie Hwy., Ste. 115, Perrysburg
November 25 & 26 from noon – 2pm
5236 Monroe St., Ste. E
December 2 & 3 from noon – 2pm
Bring your furry four legged friends so they can meet Santa Paws! Pictures are $20, with $10 of the sale going directly to the Toledo Humane Society. Please only bring well-behaved dogs and have them on a leash.
DIY Holiday Wreath Workshops
Hoen’s Garden Center & Landscaping
1710 Perrysburg Holland Rd.
December 5 | 6:30pm
Now you can add your own creative touch to a fraser fir wreath. The cost is $28 per 18″ wreath and $32 per 24″ wreath. Both sizes will fit a standard door.
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museums
Spiegel Grove
419-332-2081
rbhayes.org
December 21 | 5-8pm
Visit Fremont’s top historical site to learn about the holiday traditions of President Rutherford B. Hayes and First Lady Lucy Hayes as you tour their home! Providing a realistic experience, the house will be decorated to model an 1800s Christmas.
Be sure to see the “Hayes Train Special” model train display in the museum auditorium!
A Charlie Brown ChristmasStranahan Theater and Great Hall
4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
November 22 | Doors open at 5:30pm. Show begins at 6:30pm.
The Peanuts gang takes center stage in November at the Stranahan Theatre for the audience to relive the holiday classic. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the rest of the gang will sing, dance, and discover the true meaning of Christmas!
Meet and greet photo experiences are available for additional cost.
Straight No Chaser – Sleighin’ It Tour
Stranahan Theater and Great Hall
4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-381-8851
stranahantheater.com
November 30 | Doors open at 6:30pm. Show begins at 7:30pm.
You haven’t experienced a cappella like this. This group of nine flex their singing prowess while entertaining the audience with their joyful sense of humor. And yes, you’ll hear some of your favorite Christmas songs!
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Stranahan Theater and Great Hall
4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-381-8851
December 13| Doors open at 6:30pm. Show begins at 7:30pm.
The annual Christmas concert makes its annual stop in Toledo! This year’s show will feature classic Christmas hits from the Mannheim Steamroller holiday albums along with multimedia effects.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
The Huntington Center
500 Jefferson Ave.
419-255-3300
huntingtoncentertoledo.com
December 1 | Shows at 3 and 7:30pm
Jam along with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Huntington Center! Experience a remarkable performance filled with lights and instrumentals. Tickets range from $42 to $112.75.
Christmas at the Peristyle
Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle
2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000
December 2 | 8-10pm
Enjoy the sounds of the holiday season with the Toledo Symphony and jazz musician Tony DeSare.
A Christmas Carol
Toledo Repertoire Theatre
16 Tenth St.
419-243-9277
toledorep.org
December 1-3
As they have done for nearly 40 years, The Toledo Repertoire Theatre will stage the Charles Dickens classic. Tickets, $19.75 to $29.75.
The Nutcracker
Stranahan Theater & Great Hall
4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-246-8000
December 9 | 2 & 7pm
December 10 | 2pm
Enjoy the longest running production of The Nutcracker in North America when The Toledo Ballet takes center stage for this 83rd running, a rendering of E.T.A. Hoffman’s story with fresh choreography and Tchaikovsky’s score performed live by the Toledo Symphony.
A Motown Christmas
Stranahan Theater and Great Hall
4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.
419-381-8851
stranahantheater.com
November 20 | 7:30pm
It’s Christmas with a Motown twist. Hear some of the best holiday classics from members of the most legendary groups like The Temptations, The Miracles and The Contours. This is sure to be a nice grandparents outing with the kids! Ticket, $49 to $69.
Central Catholic High School Presents Sounds of Christmas Show
The Valentine Theatre
410 Adams St.
419-242-2787
valentinetheatre.com
December 10 | 3-5pm
Central Catholic presents an annual Sounds of Christmas show at the Valentine Theater with feature performances by the Central Catholic Glee club, Mixed Chorus, String Orchestra, Concert Band, Alumni Glee Club and Irish Dance Team. Ticket, $7- $10; $5 for student tickets.
Silver Screen Classic Film – “It’s a Wonderful Life”
The Valentine Theatre
410 Adams St.
419-242-2787
valentinetheatre.com
December 15 | 7:30pm
December 17 | 7:30pm
Watch The Valentine’s showcase of It’s a Wonderful Life, a classic film shown on the big screen. Tickets $5 online or in-person one hour before showtime.
A Swingin’ Christmas
Toledo Museum of Art
Peristyle Theater
2445 Monroe St.
419-255-8000
toledomuseum.org
December 16 | 8pm
Enjoy the sounds of Christmas, led by Andrew Bishop!
12th Annual Christmas Bazaar
St. Clements Hall
2990 Tremainsville Rd.
December 10 | 11am – 4pm
This annual bazaar provides a one-stop shop for local, handmade holiday gifts.
Holiday Library Events
Holiday Story Time
Waterville Branch Library
800 Michigan Ave.
December 20
10-10:30am
Children from 0-5 years old are invited to a holiday-themed story time!
Holiday Gifts with Bonita Bead Boutique
Lagrange Branch Library
3422 Lagrange St.
November 30
4-5pm
Bring the family to learn how to make holiday-themed gifts made of charms, Czech glass, seed beads, cord or elastic.
Holiday Concert Featuring Maumee Community Band
Maumee Branch Library – Auditorium
501 River Rd., Maumee
December 5 | 7-8pm
Enjoy this free concert featuring the Maumee Community Band. Everyone is welcome!
Pinecone Snowy Owl
Washington Branch Library – Community Room B
5560 Harvest Ln.
December 18 | 3:30-4:30pm
Bring the kids to learn how to create an owl out of cotton and pine cones to keep them company on cold, wintry days. For kids ages 6-10.
No Sew Cozy Sock Critters
South Branch Library – Community Room
1736 Broadway St.
December 19 | 4:30-5:30pm
Who doesn’t like warm, cozy socks during the winter? Kids ages 11-17 can gather to learn how to craft their own pair for themselves or as a gift for someone else!
Snowman Spectacular
South Branch Library – Community Room
1736 Broadway St.
December 21 | 2:30-2:45pm
Kids ages 6-10 gather to make their own adorable snowmen!
Holiday Events at Churches
Lunch & Learn: Holiday Cookie Craze
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
428 N. Erie St.
419-243-4214
stpaulstoledo.org
October 19 | noon
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is getting a head start on holiday sweets! This event offers baking tips, vendors with bakeware available to purchase, tips to prepare for holiday baking, as well as a sample box of treats to take home. Attendees will also get to take home a sample box of sweet treats!
Nativity Festival
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
428 N. Erie St.
419-243-4214
stpaulstoledo.org
Thursday & Friday
4-7pm
Saturday
Noon-4pm
The Nativity Festival at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church from November 24 – December 21 presents over 300 nativity scenes throughout the building, live music and sweets every Friday morning, with Christmas craft-making for kids on Saturdays.
