Filling the Farm Larder
2025-12-13 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Hog butchering is a seasonal activity that provided much of the meat for the coming year on an 1880s farm.
Watch the farmers as they clean and prepare the hog carcass at 9am and 1pm.

Walk To The Eagle Nest
2025-12-13 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
Take a 2-mile round trip mostly off-trail hike to learn about bald eagles and observe the nest from below. At this time of the year sometimes we see eagles and sometimes we don’t! Dress for off-trail walking. No Pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Cocoa & Cryptids
2025-12-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Bundle up and take a crisp walk and enjoy a complimentary cup of hot chocolate. Use your cellphone to get a picture or two with Bigfoot and the Grinch! Meet at the Ranger Station, 1775 Darby Creek Dr.

Hike before the Lights
2025-12-13 15:30 - 16:30 | Highbanks, 9466 Columbus Pike (US Rt 23 N), Lewis Center, OH, 43035, United States
Join a naturalist for a 1.5 mile hike along gravel trails with some hills. Hike route will be adjusted based on weather and trail conditions. Enjoy the winter lights on your own when we return. Age 5+ . Meet at Highbanks nature center.
Meeting Location Notes: Highbanks Nature Center is the first right after entering the park. There is limited parking in the Nature Center lot on busy days. Additional parking is available in the Oak Coves Picnic Area, a 10 minute walk from the Nature Center. Follow the paved trail through Oak Coves toward the Nature Center.
12/11/2025 UPDATE: Trail conditions are icy. Be prepared for slippery trail conditions. Hiking stick (or yak traks) recommended. Due to expected winter weather advisory hike maybe shortened. Hot cocoa will be served afterwards in the nature center for hike participants. This hike is not wheelchair, stroller or dog friendly.

Winter Craft
2025-12-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Stroll through the seasonal light display and stop into the Innis House to do a craft, enjoy the December art exhibit, and stamp your winter hike card.

Winter Hike - Campfire & Hot Cocoa
2025-12-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Take a half-mile hike along the Buttonbush Trail under the twinkling lights and stop by the Nature Center to enjoy a cup of cocoa around the campfire. The Canopy Walk and Nature Center will be open late to explore!

Filling the Farm Larder
2025-12-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Hog butchering is a seasonal activity that provided much of the meat for the coming year on an 1880s farm.
Watch the farmers cut meat, make sausage, and render lard as they complete the hog butchering tasks.
Ongoing between 10 am-2pm.

Science Lab: DNA
2025-12-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
What makes you, you? Become a scientist for an hour and learn about DNA, genes, and enjoy a fun science lab in the nature center! Ages 12+.

Christmas Bird Count
2025-12-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
More information coming, check our Facebook page!

Owl Prowl
2025-12-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Join a naturalist on a 1.25-mile guided hike as we learn about owls and search for them roosting in the trees.

Off-Trail Wandering
2025-12-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll take a slow off-trail walk with frequent stops to observe and learn about rarely seen parts of the park. Total length will probably be 1 to 2 miles and flooding might limit where we can go. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for off-trail walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Campfire Cookies
2025-12-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us for cookies over the campfire at Quarry Trails Metro Park! Meet at the firepit at the bottom of the sled hill.

For Adults 50+: Late Afternoon in the Gardens
2025-12-14 16:00 - 17:00 | Inniswood Metro Gardens, 940 S. Hempstead Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
We’ll look for birds and other critters as we enjoy the nature trails on a 1.5-mile easy stroll through the forest and gardens. Take in the twinkling lights after the walk.
Meet at the Gardens Entrance.

Toddler Adventure Club
2025-12-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Pickerington Ponds, 7680 Wright Road, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Join us for an exploratory toddler hike at Pickerington Ponds Metro Park! Maps and compasses will be passed out for this program. We will meet at the Park Office, and hike the Yellowlegs trail as a group. The trail is 0.5 miles one way, but we will hike as far as the group can go during the time allotted.

Homeschoolers: Nature Board Games
2025-12-16 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-12-16 13:00 - 14:00 | Blacklick Woods, 6975 East Livingston Ave, Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068, United States
Drop by the Nature Center to play some educational nature based games inside.

Holiday Hustle! Trail Running
2025-12-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Enjoy trail running throughout Battelle Darby Creek with a guide! Meet at the Ranger Station at Cedar Ridge, 1775 Darby Creek Drive. Exact mileage will depend on the comfortability and pace of the group.

Preschool: Christmas for the Critters
2025-12-16 11:00 - 12:30, 2025-12-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Join us at Spring Hollow Lodge and make an edible Christmas Ornament to put outdoors. Peanut butter will be used.

Sunset Lantern Hike
2025-12-16 17:00 - 18:00 | Battelle Darby Creek, 1775 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, OH, 43119, United States
Bundle up and join us on a relaxing and illuminating 1-mile lantern hike through the prairie at sunset.

Metro Parks Hiking Club: Adult Fitness Hike
2025-12-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Hike 2 or 4 mi. on grave and natural surface trails. Moderate pace. Stairs and hills.

For Adults 50+: Off Trail Wandering
2025-12-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Three Creeks, 3860 Bixby Road, Groveport, OH, 43125, United States
We’ll take a slow off-trail walk with frequent stops to observe and learn about rarely seen parts of the park. Total length will probably be 1 to 2 miles and weather or flooding might limit where we can go. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for off-trail walking. No pets, please. Meets at Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area bulletin board, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport

Homeschoolers on the Farm: Keeping Warm
2025-12-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Slate Run Living Historical Farm, 1375 OH-674, Canal Winchester, OH, 43110, United States
Program begins at 1:30pm. Meet in front of the farmhouse.
Discover how an 1880s farm family prepared for winter and how people and animals keep warm .

Adaptive Adventures: Holiday Playground Party!
2025-12-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Blendon Woods Inclusive Playground, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH, 43081, United States
Adaptive Adventures: Holiday Playground Party!
Come join us at the inclusive playground for a holiday party! Enjoy hot chocolate, crafts and activities while playing with friends and celebrating the holiday season!
*Adaptive Adventures are programs designed for individuals with disabilities and their families!

Homeschool: Water Color
2025-12-18 11:00 - 12:30 | Spring Hollow at Sharon Woods, 1069 W Main St, Westerville, OH, 43081, United States
Homeschooler can learn some basic watercolor techniques and paint and simple “stained glass” Christmas card.

Speaker Series - The Onion Bag Project
2025-12-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Scioto Grove, 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City, OH, 43123, United States
Join us for the Outdoor Adventure – Speaker Series this winter! Each month we will have a new presenter, diving into unique topics that involve our green spaces and recreation!
This month we will learn about The Onion Bag Litter Prevention Project from founder and president, Curtis Casto, and how he is helping enable the community to keep our waterways clean! Join us for snacks and beverages during the presentation at The Grove Lodge at Scioto Grove Metro Park.

Sunset and S'mores
2025-12-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Quarry Trails, 2600 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH, 43228, United States
Join us by the lakes at Quarry Trails Metro Park and enjoy a s’more while enjoying the setting sun! Use entrance 2319 Quarry Trails Drive to find the closest parking lot to the program.

Lantern Hike
2025-12-19 17:30 - 18:30 | Blendon Woods, 4265 E Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, 43081, United States
Take a lantern lit hike along gravel surface trails.
