2025 Christmas in the Village

Canal Winchester’s annual storybook Christmas celebration will be held in the city’s historic downtown on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM.

The free festival features activities inside businesses and on the sidewalks and streets of downtown Canal Winchester.

Christmas in the Village is a partnership between the City of Canal Winchester and Destination: Canal Winchester.

2025 Highlights

Both Nights:

• Tree Lighting – Begins at 6:00 PM at Stradley Place Greenspace, Courtesy of Santa Claus
• Visit with Santa – Begins at 6:15 PM at the Interurban Depot
• Holiday Music – Along S. High Street, Courtesy of Veranda Audiovisual Services
• Iceless Skating Rink – Courtesy of Wright-Patt Credit Union, with help from New Life Church volunteers, City Hall parking lot
• Meet Rudolph’s Reindeer Friends – Stradley Greenspace
• WinterToss: Extreme Cornhole Game – Courtesy of Bloom Baptist Church, Stradley Greenspace
• Carriage Rides – S. High Street
  
• Holiday Shuttle – Stops at Faith United Methodist Church (North Side of Columbus Street), Community Center, and Historical Complex; Courtesy of Canal Winchester Human Services
• Popcorn Station – Hosted by Miss CW Pageant Queens, Stradley Gazebo
• Ice Sculptures & Live Demonstrations – Stradley Place
• Christmas Train Rides – South High Street
• Gingerbread House Contest – Hosted by Kelly Abbott & The “A” Team – Howard Hanna Realtors (11 S. High)
  • Click here to enter the contest!
• Free Christmas Crafts & Hot Chocolate- Hosted by Grace Fellowship Church, Town Hall (10 N. High)
• Food Trucks – Located near Stradley Greenspace
  • Friday: Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, Grilled Cheese Gangsters, and Lil’ Sweets Mini Donuts
  • Saturday: Fine Smoke BBQ and Lil’ Sweets Mini Donuts
• Craft Bazaar & Train Display – Community Center, Courtesy of Destination: Canal Winchester
  • Contact [email protected] for vendor opportunities

Friday Only:

• Santa Arrives by Firetruck – Santa arriving downtown at 6:00 PM. View the route!
• Caroling by Canal Winchester High School Chorale – Stradley Greenspace 
• Caroling by the CW Performing Arts Collective Winchester Voices – Shades Parking Lot

Saturday Only:

• Brockstrong Holiday Lights Parade with Santa – Begins at 5:30 PM with Santa arriving downtown at 6:00 PM.  View the route or register to participate!
• Games and Prizes – Courtesy of TurnPoint Church, Hiii Event Space (7 S. High)

• Free cookies, hot beverages, and activities for kids – CW Methodist Church (15 W. Columbus)
• Paint an Ornament – $3 each or 2 for $5, Hosted by Square Canvas (10 E. Waterloo)
• Pet Pictures with Santa – Hosted by Friends for Life Animal Haven, Vasko Office (19 N. High) *Suggested $10 donation
• Meet the Grinch – Hosted by Jenn Kitchen – Rise Realty Co. (13 E. Waterloo)
• “Storybook Christmas” Special Themed Activities – Hosted by the Canal Winchester Area Historical Society (10 W. Oak) 
• Food, Friends, & Fa-La-La Fun!– Hosted by our many quaint local shops & restaurants along High Street and Waterloo Street!