By 1812Blockhouse
Here’s a Holiday Road Trip idea for Richland Countians!
The Ohio Statehouse has a way of feeling grand and intimate at the same time, and the annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting makes the most of that balance. On Thursday, December 4, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, the historic building at 1 Capitol Square opens its doors for an evening filled with music, lights, community groups, and a steady stream of families weaving through the halls.
The Evening’s Start
Visitors usually arrive early so they can settle into the Atrium for the tree lighting. The countdown happens between 5:30 PM and 5:45 PM, when the Statehouse’s towering Christmas tree comes to life. Santa often leads the moment, turning the flip of a switch into something theatrical, and state officials typically join him. Historical interpreters also take part, reminding people that this building has seen nearly two centuries of Ohio winters.
Performances Around Every Corner
Once the tree is glowing, performances begin almost immediately. The Ohio Arts Council has been recruiting dance groups from across the state, so the lineup includes everything from traditional dance ensembles to modern teams that thrive on high-energy holiday routines.
Choirs treat the building like an acoustic playground. The All-Ohio State Fair Youth Choir is confirmed for this year and will anchor part of the musical program, joined by additional school, community, and faith-based choirs that rotate through the Rotunda and Atrium. Because groups perform in different spots throughout the evening, visitors tend to wander the building and catch a mix of voices.
A K9 demonstration adds a completely different tone. These sessions, often led by the Ohio State Highway Patrol K9 unit, give families a close-up look at the handlers and dogs, who show how teamwork and training play out in real time. It’s informal, approachable, and usually draws a big semicircle of cameras.
Hands-On Activities for Kids
The festival spreads activity tables through the ground floor and public hallways. Community partners help staff these stations, offering crafts, small projects, and winter-themed activities that kids can finish on the spot. Families can pick up a Holiday Passport booklet and stop at the tables to collect stamps. Once completed, children earn a small gift, which keeps them moving and helps parents pace the evening.
Mascots from local organizations are also on hand, adding a lighthearted touch. They roam, pose for photos, and occasionally help direct the younger crowd toward Santa and Mrs. Claus, who hold scheduled photo times in front of holiday scenes set up inside the building.
Food, Shopping, and Extras
Cookies are available at no charge, and volunteers pass them out throughout the night. The Statehouse Museum Shop stays open with Ohio-themed ornaments, books, locally crafted items, and seasonal gifts that tend to attract last-minute shoppers.
December doesn’t end with the festival. Weekday choir performances continue later in the month, and many visitors return to hear carolers or take a quieter walk through the decorated building without the bustle of the main event.
Why the Festival Works
The Statehouse’s polished marble floors and soaring ceilings could easily feel formal, but this event softens the setting. The mix of families, school groups, civic leaders, and volunteers gives it the feel of a neighborhood celebration held inside a landmark. It’s a reminder that public buildings can function as more than civic stages. For a couple of hours each year, the Statehouse becomes a place where holiday traditions, performances, and kid-friendly activities all share the same address.
Source: Ohio.org; Photo: Creative Commons License
