Outdoor things to do with kids in Toledo
Get the kids outside. Here are the outdoor family events happening around Toledo right now.
Midweek Nature Stroll
Take an easy, midweek nature walk in the Bernheim forest.
Day At The Races
Watch live horse racing at historic Churchill Downs with general admission seating.
Mid-Week Nature Stroll
Guided nature walk through Bernheim Forest and Arboretum with volunteer naturalists.
Accessible Arboretum Tour
Accessible guided tour of Bernheim Arboretum's gardens and grounds in Clermont.
The Signature City Tour: 90-Minute Narrated Trolley Tour of Louisville
Hop aboard a vintage trolley for a 90-minute narrated tour that brings Louisville's history and landmarks to life.
Lights Under Louisville
Underground light show and holiday spectacle at Louisville Mega Cavern.
North American Championship Rodeo
Root for cowboys and cowgirls at the North American Championship Rodeo.
Ashlock Hollow Forest Road Night Hike
Hike through the forest under the stars with laser-guided astronomy at Bernheim Arboretum.
Holiday Pottery Market
Local potters showcase handcrafted holiday gifts and pottery at Waterfront Botanical Gardens.
Girl Scouts: OJ with Orangutans 2026
Girl Scouts explore orangutans up close at Louisville Zoo in this special 2026 program.
Dog Days at the Zoo (2026) SOLD OUT!
Dog-themed day at Louisville Zoo celebrating canines and wildlife.
Claiming Crown - General Admission
Watch thoroughbred horse racing at historic Churchill Downs.
Let’s Move It: An Interpretive Health Hike
Guided nature walk exploring health and wellness at Bernheim Arboretum.
Claiming Crown - Reserved Seating
Watch thoroughbred racing at Churchill Downs—reserved seating for Kentucky Derby Day spectators.
Fall Meet
Watch live horse racing during Churchill Downs' fall season amid autumn scenery.
Nulu Jingle Fest
NuLu neighborhood holiday festival with live entertainment and festive cheer.
Fishing for Fossils at Fisherman's Point Hike
Hunt for ancient fossils with a park naturalist at Falls of the Ohio State Park.
Historic Fire Tower Tour
Climb a historic fire tower and enjoy panoramic views at Bernheim Arboretum.
Forest Homeschool Hike
Family-friendly forest hike tailored for homeschooling families at Bernheim.
Lights on Main
Winter wonderland light display and seasonal celebration at the Frazier Museum.
Christmas Tree Lane
Holiday tree lot with Christmas trees, wreaths & seasonal greenery at Waterfront Park.
ECO Kids Discovery Day
Hands-on nature discovery day for kids at Bernheim Arboretum.
Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom
Holiday celebration at Kentucky Kingdom Theme & Water Park—festive lights, rides & holiday cheer.
Louisville Cardinals Football vs. Pittsburgh Panthers College Football
Cheer on the Louisville Cardinals football team against Pittsburgh.
Light Up Jeff & Holiday Parade 2026
Holiday parade with rides, games & North Pole Party in downtown Jeffersonville.
Nature (+) Holiday Card Gelli Plate Printmaking
Make holiday cards using gelli plate printmaking at Bernheim Arboretum.
Nature (+) Holiday Card Gelli Plate Printmaking
Festive Gelli plate printmaking art workshop at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum.
Light Up Borden - Presented by Star Valley Events
Holiday light celebration at Borden Community Park brings Christmas magic to the whole family.
Holiday Historic House Tours
Holiday Historic House Tours at Blackacre—step into a 1844 Christmas at the beautifully decorated Presley home.
Full “Frost Supermoon” Night Hike
Evening full-moon hike under the Frost Supermoon at Bernheim Arboretum.
Thanksgiving - Suites
Celebrate Thanksgiving with suite seating and racing at historic Churchill Downs.
Louisville Hungry Turkey 5K
Thanksgiving morning 5K run with donuts and T-shirts at Waterfront Park.
Thanksgiving Day - Dining
Celebrate Thanksgiving with dining and racing at historic Churchill Downs—a festive family tradition.
Thanksgiving Day - Reserved Seating
Spend Thanksgiving at Churchill Downs with reserved seating for the races—a Kentucky family tradition.
Thanksgiving Day - General Admission
Watch Thanksgiving Day racing at Churchill Downs with general admission—accessible family fun.
Yuletide 2026: Friday, November 27, 6:30p ticket – Matching Pajamas Weekend
Free holiday light walk through Yew Dell Botanical Gardens in matching pajamas—cozy family tradition.
Yuletide 2026: Friday, November 27, 5p ticket – Matching Pajamas Weekend
Festive Yuletide celebration at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens with holiday décor.
Christmas Pop Up
Holiday pop-up with shopping, food, and chances to meet wildlife characters at Second Chances Wildlife Center.
The Clark - Suites
Watch The Clark horse race at Churchill Downs from premium suite seating.
Light Up Clarksville
Downtown Clarksville's second annual holiday event with Cookie Stroll, Santa, and festive cheer.
The Clark - Dining
Experience The Clark horse race with dining at Churchill Downs.
Light Up Charlestown!
Holiday celebration with music, food trucks, and city lights switch-on at Greenway Park.
The Clark - General Admission
Watch The Clark horse race with general admission at Churchill Downs.
The Clark - Reserved Seating
Watch The Clark horse race from reserved seating at historic Churchill Downs.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, November 28, 6:30p ticket – Matching Pajamas Weekend
Festive holiday experience at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens with matching-pajama family fun.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, November 28, 5p ticket – Matching Pajamas Weekend
Yuletide celebration at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens with matching pajama fun.
Light Up New Albany 2026
Family holiday celebration with crafts, cookies, hot chocolate, face painting & Santa in Bicentennial Park.
Lights on Main Late Night
Browse 80 beautifully decorated Christmas trees on Main Street through January 3.
Yuletide 2026: Friday, December 4, 5p ticket – Ugly Sweaters Weekend
Yuletide celebration with festive ugly-sweater fun at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.
Yuletide 2026: Friday, December 4, 6:30p ticket – Ugly Sweaters Weekend
Yuletide celebration with festive ugly-sweater fun at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, December 5, 6:30p ticket – Ugly Sweaters Weekend
Free holiday celebration at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens with festive ugly-sweater fun.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, December 5, 5p ticket – Ugly Sweaters Weekend
Celebrate the holidays in your ugliest sweater at Yuletide 2026 in Crestwood.
Light Up St. Matthews
St. Matthews' signature holiday celebration with festive activities for the whole family.
Colors of Nature
Nature art experience exploring the colors and textures of the seasons.
Vera Rubin: A Legacy of Time and Space
Evening stargazing program honoring astronomer Vera Rubin at Bernheim.
49th Annual Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour
Tour ornate Victorian mansions decked for the holidays in historic Old Louisville.
Holiday Open House
Holiday shopping, music & giveaways in a beautiful forest setting.
Country Christmas
Old-time Christmas at Blackacre with horse-drawn sleigh rides and Santa—a homestead holiday tradition.
Beary Happy Holidays (2026)
Holiday fun at Louisville Zoo with festive décor and animal encounters.
Light Up Louisville
Downtown Louisville transforms into a festive winter wonderland for the season kickoff.
Light Up Georgetown
Light display and photos with Santa—a small-town holiday tradition.
Holiday Wreath Making – Saturday, December 5, 10a
Create a custom holiday wreath at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens on Saturday morning.
Nature (+) Crochet Snowflake Ornament
Crochet snowflake ornaments in the garden at Bernheim Arboretum.
Candy Cane Course
Family-friendly holiday 5K and kids dash in a scenic park setting.
First Sunday Nature Hike
A monthly guided walk through Bernheim's trails on the first Sunday.
Midweek Nature Stroll
Relaxed midweek nature walk through the Sensory Garden at Bernheim.
Yuletide 2026: Friday, December 11, 6:30p ticket – Holiday Characters Weekend
Meet holiday characters among the botanical gardens at Yew Dell's Yuletide celebration (free).
Yuletide 2026: Friday, December 11, 5p ticket – Holiday Characters Weekend
Holiday celebration with costumed characters at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens—free.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, December 12, 6:30p ticket – Holiday Characters Weekend
Meet holiday characters at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens' free Yuletide celebration on Saturday evening.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, December 12, 5p ticket – Holiday Characters Weekend
Meet holiday characters at Yew Dell's festive Yuletide celebration amid beautiful botanical gardens.
Holiday Wreath Making – Saturday, December 12, 10a
Create your own festive wreath at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens this December morning.
Winter Tree Mysteries
Winter nature walk teaching tree identification through bare branches and bark.
Live Music at The Depot with The Marshall Sanborn Band
Live music, warm drinks & holiday lights at Charlestown Family Activities Park with train rides.
Historic Fire Tower Tour
Climb a historic fire tower at Bernheim Arboretum for panoramic views.
Yuletide 2026: Friday, December 18, 6:30p ticket – Victorian Ghostly Characters Weekend
Meet Victorian characters at a spooky holiday garden experience at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.
Yuletide 2026: Friday, December 18, 5p ticket – Victorian Ghostly Characters Weekend
Meet Victorian characters at a spooky holiday garden experience at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, December 19, 6:30p ticket – Victorian Ghostly Characters Weekend
Victorian-themed evening walk at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens with ghostly characters—free admission.
Yuletide 2026: Saturday, December 19, 5p ticket – Victorian Ghostly Characters Weekend
Victorian-themed holiday evening with ghostly characters at a botanical garden.
United Cresent Hill Ministries 30th Santa Sprint & Stroll -a timed 5K
Run or stroll a festive 5K through Cherokee Park in holiday spirit, benefiting United Cresent Hill Ministries.
Cruise-e-oke
Sing your heart out on a river cruise down the Ohio aboard the historic Belle of Louisville.
DJ Blue Suede and Free Photo 360 Booth
Dance, sing, and snap holiday photos at Charlestown Family Activities Park.
Live Reindeer and Characters Visit Greenway Park
Meet live reindeer, Santa, and the Grinch at Greenway Park this holiday season—free!
Free Seeds Swap
Free community seed swap—bring seeds to trade and share gardening tips.
National Farm Machinery Show and Championship Tractor Pull
Farm machinery expo with championship tractor pulls—kids love big equipment!
In Harmony Tour: Cadiz
Free live orchestra performance touring to Cadiz—an accessible evening of music for all ages.
In Harmony Tour: Greenville
Free live orchestra performance touring to Greenville—an accessible evening of music for all ages.
In Harmony Tour: Henderson
Free live orchestra performance touring to Henderson—an accessible evening of music for all ages.
Louisville Bats vs. Indianapolis Indians
Louisville Bats minor-league baseball game at Louisville Slugger Field.
Louisville Bats vs. Omaha Storm Chasers
Louisville Bats vs. Omaha Storm Chasers at Louisville Slugger Field
WFPK Waterfront Wednesday
Free weekly live-music series at Big Four Lawn featuring local and touring artists.
Louisville Bats vs. Nashville Sounds
Minor-league baseball game featuring the Louisville Bats.
Super 7 Mini Plan
Horse racing at Churchill Downs—iconic Kentucky Derby venue with family-friendly wagering plans.
153rd Kentucky Derby & Kentucky Oaks - 2-Day Packages
Legendary horse-racing event at Churchill Downs — iconic Kentucky tradition for families.
Kentucky Oaks - Infield General Admission (No Frontside Access)
Kentucky Oaks horse racing at Churchill Downs—classic Louisville spectacle for all ages.
Kentucky Derby - Reserved Seating
The legendary Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs—iconic Louisville tradition.
Kentucky Derby - Infield General Admission (No Frontside Access)
The historic Kentucky Derby horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville.
Louisville Bats vs. Toledo Mudhens
Minor-league baseball game featuring the Louisville Bats at home.
BloomFest
Annual spring bloom celebration at Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest.
Rollin' on the River Festival
Community festival at Big Four Station Park celebrating craft beverages and local flavors.
Sailing Into Summer
Yacht rock sunset concert at Louisville's Waterfront Park with Tony and the Tan Lines.
Louisville Bats vs. St. Paul Saints
Louisville Bats play the St. Paul Saints at Louisville Slugger Field.
Fanfare for Freedom
Free patriotic summer concert featuring American anthems, service songs, and Copland classics.
Fanfare for Freedom
Free season-finale patriotic concert with American anthems, service songs, and Copland at a local church.
Louisville Bats vs. Columbus Clippers
Minor-league baseball game at Louisville Slugger Field featuring the Bats.
Louisville Bats vs. Iowa Cubs
Minor-league baseball game at Louisville Slugger Field.
Louisville Bats vs. Memphis Redbirds
Louisville Bats vs. Memphis Redbirds minor-league baseball game at Louisville Slugger Field.
Louisville Bats vs. Gwinnett Stripers
Catch a Louisville Bats minor-league baseball game at Louisville Slugger Field.
2027 KENTUCKY STATE FAIR
Kentucky's premier annual fair with livestock, exhibits, rides, and entertainment.
BugFest
Discover insects and nature at Bernheim Arboretum's annual BugFest celebration.
Good to know
- What outdoor activities are there for families in Toledo?
- Parks and trails, outdoor festivals, farmers markets, splash pads, and concerts in the park — this list shows what's on outdoors now.