Experience Pickerington’s Olde Village Holiday Gathering

For one night in December, the Olde Village in Pickerington will be transformed into a holiday wonderland — a place where visitors can shop for gifts at local artisan markets, be mesmerized by an ice carver, and ride in a horse-drawn wagon. And if you’re just looking for Santa, he’ll be there too, along with reindeer.

The Pickerington Holiday Gathering runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Columbus and Center streets and various locations throughout the Olde Village. The event is family-friendly and also completely free, including complimentary popcorn and hot chocolate.

Many participating businesses, shops, restaurants, and the Historical Society will remain open as a place for people to warm up and to offer free activities and treats.

Every year Pickerington’s Holiday Gathering grows with new attractions. This year’s new event is the holiday stroll, which includes a walk around giant holiday inflatables – and, of course, lots of lights.

There is a lot to do in a few hour’s time, so here are our favorites:

Skip the line at the mall and take the kiddos to meet Santa at the holiday gathering. There’s no charge to take your own picture, and if you pay a $5 donation, one will be taken for you. (All donations will be given to a local charity.) Then go pet the reindeer!

Take a ride on the hop-on hop-off trolley circulating downtown. It saves your feet and it’s also a lot of fun. (We heard riders may also be led in carols, but don’t worry, singing isn’t required.)

Take in the excitement of the city’s annual holiday tree lighting, taking place at the Gazebo at 7 p.m.

Watch a very cool ice carving demonstration.

And lastly, do not miss out on the shopping opportunities around town. Be sure to grab a drink from Combustion Brewery & Taproom before heading upstairs to buy gifts and stocking stuffers at the Village Marketplace. Also, don’t miss a chance to browse through the village’s newest store: The Humble Crate.

The Humble Crate

Visit The Humble Crate, an artisan marketplace at 18 E. Columbus St., with the mindset of one gift for you, two for me, because there is so much to choose from. The store features items from 40 local vendors, all with varying talents and offerings. From wood and leather products (think cutting boards, knives, pens and wallets) to paintings, steampunk lighting and infinity scarves with nifty zippered pockets for carrying keys, bank cards, etc. — there’s so much variety.

Owner Janis Francis intends for the shop to be the exact opposite of a big box store experience, which inspired the store’s name: “The opposite meaning of “big” is “humble” and another word for “box” is “crate,” she says.

Francis’s store is cozy, full of holiday spirit, and a source of great inspiration for holiday home decor. It’s definitely worth a look.

Getting Around

Because there is so much to see in the Olde Village, volunteers will be distributing maps to ensure you can catch everything you’re interested in. The map will also be available online at PickeringtonVillage.com, along with a complete list of events and locations. Visit the website for more information.