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Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready Columbus. From light displays to holiday performances and festive parties, winter is where CBUS thrives.
Gather the family and friends and celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 15 winter events happening between November and January.
Holiday performances
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra | Thursday, Dec. 26 | 3 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. | Nationwide Arena | The rock opera will perform classics like “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
- The Nutcracker | Thursday, Dec. 12-Saturday, Dec. 28 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre | Watch BalletMet’s take on “The Nutcracker” through costuming, sets, and choreography.
Seasonal celebrations
- Short North Holiday Hop | Saturday, Dec. 7 | Business hours vary | Short North Arts District | Free | Browse local shops and galleries and enjoy free gift wrapping, holiday music, and visits from Santa.
- Village Lights | Sunday, Dec. 8 | 5-9 p.m. | German Village Neighborhood | Free | Local businesses will be open late with holiday specials, surprise vendors, and live music.
Festivals
- WinterFest | Saturday, Dec. 7 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Scioto Mile — Bicentennial Park | Enjoy live music, snow globe photo opportunities, seasonal drinks, and food trucks.
- Festive Fridays | Dec. 13, Dec. 20 | 5-9 p.m. | Columbus Commons | Sip on free hot chocolate, jam to live music, and take a Wanderlights Trolley Tour throughout downtown.
- Season of Celebrations | Through Sunday, Jan. 5 | Times vary | COSI | The museum will become a winter wonderland with decorations, themed trees, and interactive experiences like “Build A Snowman” and “Frozen Chess.”
Pop-up bars
- XMAS Bar — This over-the-top Christmas bar has taken over Good Night John Boy in the Short North.
- Christmas Bar — BrewDog Franklinton has transformed with holiday magic, decor, and themed drinks.
You can’t go wrong with a visit to the Short North (Pole). | Photo by @mmramz
Light displays
- Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights | Through Wednesday, Jan. 1 | 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. | Alum Creek State Park Campgrounds | Drive for three miles through 300 seasonal light displays + find Mrs. Claus along the way to take your letters to Santa.
- Wildlights | Through Sunday, Jan. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium | Millions of LED lights are synced to animated musical light shows + see reindeer, holiday characters, and ride the train.
- Conservatory Aglow | Through Sunday, Jan. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | Franklin Park Conservatory | Enjoy themed light displays throughout the garden including ornament trees, a rainbow tunnel, and a larger-than-life gingerbread house.
- Columbus Commons Wanderlights | Through Sunday, Feb. 16 | 5-10 p.m. | Columbus Commons | Watch 400,000 LED lights sparkle as you stroll through the downtown park — leashed pets are welcome.
- Scioto Mile Wanderlights | Through Sunday, Feb. 16 | The Scioto Mile | 5-10 p.m. | Trees and displays along the river will be lit up with 250,000 vibrant holiday lights, and the Scioto Mile Fountain will be lit with 40 sculptural lights.
- Easton Town Center | Through Wednesday, Jan. 1 | Hours vary | Enjoy everything from horse-drawn carriage rides and pictures with Santa to a drone light show and 56-foot holiday tree.
