What's New - Hocking Hills, Ohio Festivals & Events
Holidays in the Hills
by HHTA staff
Unusual woodland holiday light displays, ice skating, "mallternative" holiday shopping await Hocking Hills visitors this season
Logan, Ohio – Majestic scenery, delicious dinners and memorable holiday experiences make southeast Ohio's Hocking Hills the ideal place to escape the commercial holiday hustle and bustle this season. Throughout December, this stunning region will host Logan’s Santa Parade, a Holiday Trail of Lights at Lake Hope State Park, "mallternative" shopping events and much more. With the holidays now upon us, Hocking Hills captures the spirit of the season with a long list of activities that can be found at www.1800hocking.com.
There's no more magical way to step away from hectic holiday hubbub than a candlelight stroll back into majestic Ash Cave. Held Dec. 11, the annual event treats travelers to a cozy fire and refreshments as they listen to carolers' songs reverberate in the cave. A visit with an old-fashioned Santa and helping decorate a Christmas tree with treats for wildlife make the experience truly unforgettable.
Saturday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. is the Logan Santa parade, filled with holiday spirit. Visitors can watch for the “arrival” of Santa at the end of the parade, followed by the lighting of the downtown Logan holiday lights. The Santa House, located at Worthington Park, will be open following the parade.
Several wildly talented fine artists call Hocking Hills home. Travelers can shop for locally created works of art, or they can pour their custom scented candles at The Windchime Shop. Another unique shopping experience is the flea market at Hocking Hills Market in Rockbridge. Specialty gifts, crafts, antiques and more are found at the flea market, which runs every Fri.-Sun., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Hocking Market's many independent shops, a bookstore cafe' and an old-fashioned silver diner serving fine Italian cuisine offer a wonderful stop for Hocking Hills visitors.
The Lake Hope State Park’s Holiday Trail of Lights runs nightly from Dec. 1-31 and features a hike through the forest illuminated by more than 100,000 twinkling lights. Both the Hocking Hills State Park and Lake Hope State Park have special weekend events to celebrate the season.
North Pole Nelsonville takes place when downtown Nelsonville transforms itself into a winter wonderland, featuring Hocking Valley Scenic Railway's North Pole Express, Dec. 4, 11, 17, 18, and Santa Trains, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19. Ice skating takes place every weekend through Jan. 2. The last Friday of every month except December, from 6-10 p.m., “Final Fridays” incorporate fine dining, fine arts and uncommon gifts with fun activities surrounding Santa’s Village. The Nelsonville Christmas Parade is Dec. 4.
A delicious way to celebrate the Holidays is with the “Taste of Dickens” at Glenlaurel Inn. Every Sunday and Wednesday before Christmas in December, Glenlaurel hosts a traditional Dickens six-course dinner with exquisite culinary creations and readings from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” between courses. Decked out in the finest trimmings and festive, old-time décor, Glenlaurel creates a truly remarkable holiday experience.
Hocking Hills visitors will get into the spirit at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls with holiday cookie making classes Dec. 3, 7 and 8. They can also learn to make a holiday wreath using fresh cut evergreens and dried botanicals during a wreath making class, Dec. 1.
For special holiday meal, a month-long dining celebration at Shaw’s Inn & Restaurant in Lancaster features weekly Christmas dinners throughout December. A Southern Christmas Dinner, Dec. 3-9; a traditional English Dinner, Dec. 10-16; a German Christmas Dinner, Dec. 17-23; and a French holiday Dinner, Dec. 26-30 feature truly unique themed holiday dinners. Reservations are encouraged.
Located 40 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Hills offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make every day feel like Saturday, with plenty of Admission: FREE activities. The region boasts a wide variety of affordable lodging options, from camping, cabins and cottages to hotels and country inns. In addition to numerous hiking trails, parks and forests, the Hocking Hills area offers unique gift and antique shops, canoeing, horseback riding, golf and more. Complete traveler information on accommodations, festivals and the many sites in the Hocking Hills region is available www.1800Hocking.com or toll-free at 1-800-Hocking (800-462-5464).
Comp or press rate trips and outstanding photos available.
Contact Amy Weirick, (614) 848-8380, amy@WeirickCommunications.com.
Created: Nov. 04, 2010
Last updated: Nov. 04, 2010
