Top Things To Do In Toledo During The Holidays

Holiday Events in Toledo

The holiday season is upon us, which means festivals, craft fairs, and more. From Thanksgiving through the New Year, Toledo has many exciting events that make the holiday season truly magical. As you plan your holiday events, you will want to make sure you don’t miss out on any great opportunities. This guide will walk you through the best activities and events for this festive season. Pick out your favorites, and you’ll have a fantastic holiday.

1) Dave’s Turkey Chase 5K and 1 Mile Walk

Start the holiday season with a little bit of fitness before you dive into your cake. Take part in the annual 5K that runs through downtown Toledo. Dave’s Turkey Chase 5K and the 1 Mile Walk will start at 9 am. Along with your registration, you’ll get a free shirt, post-race refreshments, and a commemorative mug.

2) Maumee Holiday Light Parade

Just outside of Toledo in Maumee, you can launch the Christmas season in style at the 20th annual Holiday Light Parade. Lighted floats and walking groups take to West William Street, starting at the Maumee Indoor Theater to bring in the holiday season with bright lights. This is one of the only lighted nighttime parades in the Toledo region, so you don’t want to miss it. The parade is on November 27 at approximately 6 pm.

3) Holiday Concerts at the Rosary Cathedral

The Rosary Cathedral is a treasure here in Toledo, and the holidays are an excellent time to experience the beauty of this church. Two holiday events are scheduled for 2022. On Sunday, December 4 at 3 pm, you can hear the Toledo Symphony Orchestra perform Handel’s Messiah. This concert is a ticketed event. On Sunday, December 18 at 3, you can visit for a Christmas Carol Sing headed up by The Cathedral Choir. This event is free. Both will put you in the holiday mood.

4) Children’s Wonderland

If you have young children in your life, then head to Sylvania from December 9 through December 24 for the Children’s Wonderland. For over 50 years, this has been a Northwest Ohio holiday tradition, bringing in exhibits and displays that will get you in the holiday spirit. There is a holiday train ride, and Santa himself makes an appearance to make this one of the most entertaining children’s holiday events of the season. Children’s Wonderland is open daily from 11 until 8.

5) Holiday Night Market

On December 10 and 11, the Grand Lobby of the Fifth Third Building at One Seagate will have a unique shopping experience for you. Two levels of the building will be filled with local artisans, and you can shop for gifts and food while listening to live music. This holiday-themed Toledo Night Market will run from 4 until 10 on Saturday and from 2 until 8 on Sunday.

6) The Nutcracker with The Toledo Ballet

Also on December 10 and 11, the Toledo Ballet will present the 82nd annual showing of The Nutcracker. This year the ballet will have fresh choreography, and the Toledo Symphony will bring Tchaikovsky’s classic score to life. Get your tickets early, as this live performance is a popular one. The Nutcracker will be performed at the Stranahan Theater in downtown Toledo.

7) It’s a Wonderful Life at the Valentine Theatre

It’s quickly becoming a holiday tradition, but the Valentine Theatre will once again show It’s a Wonderful Life in December. This year the showings are on December 16 and December 18 and are just $5 a person. Tickets are known to sell out for this classic holiday big-screen event, so don’t wait to get yours.

8) Toledo Zoo Lights Before Christmas

Throughout the holiday season, you can visit the Toledo Zoo to see your favorite animals lit up by a brilliant display of lights. Lights Before Christmas will run from November 18 through December 31. Over a million lights will be on display, with s’mores stations, hot cocoa, artificial sledding hills, and more. Many of the displays are synchronized to music. If you get cold, step inside to tour one of the animal buildings.

9) Noon Year’s Eve

If watching the ball drop is just a little too late for your crew, head to Noon Year’s Eve at the Toledo Zoo. Starting at noon, you can watch a ball rise while enjoying a juice toast to 2023. There will be crafts and an ice carving demo to make this a memorable event, and of course, the animals of the zoo are ready and waiting to hang out with you.

Do you have a favorite holiday event in the Toledo area? With so many to choose from, you are certain to find some that meet your interests.