Most Popular Holiday Activities in Youngstown, Ohio

Looking for winter activities in northeast Ohio? Look no further! Youngstown is your winter festivity headquarters — from a night out on the town with friends to fun for the whole family! Whether you want to enjoy a live performance or start your holiday shopping, the endless opportunity for winter activities in Youngstown, Ohio won’t disappoint!

Traditional Holiday Events

Nothing kicks off the spirit of the season like classic holiday activities, and Youngstown has a lineup of options that are sure to make this season one to remember.

Memories of Christmas Past

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society is once again hosting the Memories of Christmas Past exhibit, which is in its 13th year. Visit the Arms Family Museum from November 20 through December 31 to see this year’s theme: “Back to Greystone.” The exhibit will display festive décor reminiscent of the early 1900s-1930s.

Olde Fashioned Christmas at Lanterman’s Mill

For one weekend only, November 27-28, enjoy all your favorite holiday activities at Lanterman’s Mill in the beautiful Mill Creek MetroParks. Start your holiday shopping with unique handcrafted gifts or get into the spirit with fire-roasted chestnuts, crafts, and festive entertainment. Celebrate the season of giving by bringing a new hat, scarf, or pair of mittens to donate to the “Giving Tree.”

50th Annual American Holiday Arts & Craft Show

Another option you’ll only find in Youngstown, Ohio is the 50th Annual American Holiday Arts & Crafts Show at The Butler Institute of American Art – a one-of-a-kind event, running December 4-5. Explore over 90 artists and artisan vendors selling original, high quality, hand-crafted pieces. This craft show is the perfect place to shop for unique gifts while enjoying holiday entertainment.

Ballet Western Reserve’s The Nutcracker

You won’t want to miss this classic! Join Ballet Western Reserve as they perform The Nutcracker with Tchaikovsky’s original score. With only two performances between December 4-5, make sure you get your tickets today!

Youngstown Area Light Displays

Our winter months might have earlier sunsets, but that means you have a few extra hours to enjoy all the beautiful holiday light displays throughout the area!

NEW Elegant Illusions Christmas Lights Drive-Through

New to the area, Elegant Illusions Lighting is bringing their holiday light drive-through to the Mahoning Valley. Be one of the first to see what will surely become an area classic!

From November 9 through January 9, drive through the Canfield Fairgrounds to see a collection of LED lights, animatronics, and over 45 different holiday displays. If you’re lucky, you might also see Santa and the Grinch there, too! Get your tickets today.

Joy of Christmas Light Show

An annual classic, the Joy of Christmas Light Show is back at Firestone Park with special events and drive-through displays from November 18 through December 26.

The Joy of Christmas has more than one million lights and 80 holiday scenes. Plus, enjoy Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and food for purchase, pictures with Santa, Mrs. Claus’s Story Time in the Gingerbread House, decorated gingerbread houses, and an indoor train display.

Boardman Park Holiday Light Display

For 19 years, Boardman Park has been a must-see stop for its beautiful, musical light display. The 2021 Holiday Light Display will feature over 23 different scenes along the main drive of the park and runs from December 5 through January 8.

As always, this drive-through display is free — just tune your car radio to 88.9 FM and enjoy 20 minutes of synched holiday music!

Outdoor Winter Fun at Mill Creek MetroParks

Looking to fully enjoy the winter weather and get moving outdoors? Our beloved Mill Creek MetroParks has options for beginners and experienced winter sports enthusiasts alike!

Unique Holiday Activities

In addition to the sled riding, snow tubing, snowboarding and ice fishing that come to mind when talking about winter-related outdoor activities, there are some great opportunities to share unique outdoor experiences with your whole family in and around Youngstown!

Make memories at Pioneer Trails Tree Farm, participate in Second Sole’s New Year’s Resolution Run 5K, or take your loved ones to Walk-Through Night at the Joy of Christmas Light Display!

Winter Weather Hikes

Outdoor activities aren’t just for summer weather. As the snow falls, the hiking trails at Mill Creek MetroParks become a winter wonderland! With plenty of paved trails, outdoor walks don’t have to cease for the winter; let the snowy trails become your playground!

Winter Celebration and Tree Displays

Visit Fellows Riverside Gardens, from December 4 through January 7, for their Winter Celebration display. Local nonprofit organizations decorate 60 holiday trees around the facility, and at night, the Winter Celebration turns into Winter Nights, a beautiful outdoor light display (which runs Saturdays from December 4-18). This holiday wonderland is free to the public.

The Best Concerts in Ohio

There’s no better time for musical events than the holidays! Youngstown has a wide range of concerts and live performances to visit all season long. From classic ballets to modern musicals, there’s something for everyone!

TubaChristmas

TubaChristmas is an international celebration of those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family. Every year there are performances across the globe, so don’t miss your chance to see this world-renowned event – December 5 at the Stambaugh Auditorium.

Want to participate? Dress in your best festive gear and decorate your Tuba to play in the event. Register today!

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

Feel the holiday magic with the 35th Annual Mannheim Steamroller Christmas. This nationwide holiday concert tour is once again stopping in Youngstown for one performance on December 7. Grab your tickets before they sell out!

Jim Brickman and the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra

Grammy-nominated Jim Brickman is bringing his festive concert The Gift of Christmas to Youngstown! Listen to Christmas music classics, including his own holiday hits, backed by local performers in the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra. This special concert is one night only – December 10.

Family Fun

‘Tis the season for family fun! Youngstown is home to plenty of events that entertain the whole family, from toddlers to adults!

Elf: The Musical

In 2003, Elf the movie became an instant holiday classic, and the newer musical version of this beloved movie proves “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” Performances of Elf: The Musical at The Youngstown Playhouse run from December 3-12.

Disney on Ice

Disney on Ice is coming back to The Covelli Centre for Mickey and Friends from December 9-12.

See your favorite Disney characters as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy skate around to tell the tales of princesses and other Disney classics.

Breakfast with Santa

Last chance to get your Christmas lists in! Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at The Vineyards at Pine Lake, a favorite local winery, on December 11 and 12. Admission provides a breakfast buffet, holiday crafts, and a meet and greet with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Piccadilly Parlour also offers Breakfast with Santa Claus – Sundays, December 5th, 12th and 19th (from 10am to 12pm). Children’s breakfast includes chocolate chip pancakes or waffles, cheesy hashbrowns, sausage links, fresh fruit and choice of beverage. Adult meals include homemade quiche, cranberry pineapple salad, sausage links, cheesy hashbrowns, orange tea bread and beverage.

Holiday Shows at Ward Beecher Planetarium

The Ward Beecher Planetarium presents Let It Snow: A Holiday Music Journey, a combination of holiday music and the stars. Bells, reindeer, presents, cookies, snow, nutcrackers, and more will be presented in colorful spectacles. There are six chances to see this free event. Shows are Friday, December 3, 10 & 17 at 8:00pm; Saturday, December 4 & 11 at 8:00pm; and Saturday, December 18 at 2:00pm and 8:00pm.

Ice Skating Rink at DeBartolo Commons

The new DeBartolo Commons at the Southern Park Mall in Boardman is opening just in time to be your holiday headquarters for winter fun! Visit this unique, family-friendly space for outdoor ice skating from November 20 through January 2. The cost to skate at The Rink is $10 for adults and $8 for kids; guests can bring their own skates or rent for $3.

Holiday Shopping

Tired of going to the mall to finish off your Christmas list? Youngstown has unique shopping options with gifts that will wow your friends and family! Plus, these holiday shops provide an experience within themselves that you won’t find from an online store.

Holiday Flea at the Youngstown Flea

Don’t finish your shopping lists without stopping at the Holiday Flea! Specialty artisan vendors from all around the area come together and provide a unique shopping experience with homemade, one-of-a-kind gifts (shopping for yourself is okay, too)! Visit the Youngstown Flea in their new building downtown on December 4-5, or check out the Flea on Phelps, Friday, December 3 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.

Winter Gift Barn at White House Fruit Farm

Shop White House Fruit Farm’s Winter Gift Barn, open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays through December 12. And, if you plan your visit during the second week of December, you might be able to experience Christmas on the Farm, too!

Buy local favorites and holiday items in the Winter Gift Barn and enjoy other winter activities, like a horse-drawn carriage ride through the orchard, hot chocolate, s’mores, holiday-themed donuts, and eggnog! There’s something for everyone at White House, even Santa and his reindeer have been known to stop by!

Common Goods Studio

Shop Common Goods Studio’s Small Business Saturday Market on November 27 from 11:00am-4:00pm. Not able to make the November event? No worries! Common Goods Studio is also having a Last Minute Makers Market on December 18 from 11:00am-4:00pm.

Holiday Fun in Youngstown

Youngstown is your northeast Ohio headquarters for holiday festivities! Whether you come in from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, the Akron–Canton area, or live locally right here in the Valley, you’ll find plenty of winter activities and events in Youngstown that will get you into the holiday spirit!

Don’t miss a thing this holiday season! Visit our calendar of events for the latest updates on newly added events in and around Youngstown.