Saturday, Dec. 7 Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs. Rutgers | 12 p.m. | Schottenstein Center | $9+ | The Buckeyes welcome their first Big Ten opponent at home, and they’re looking for redemption in conference play — O-H.
December Classes | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens | Prices vary | Explore your passions at the Conservatory — whether unleashing your creativity in emerging fine arts + crafts, discovering the joy of cooking with culinary offerings, or cultivating your green thumb.*
Sunday, Dec. 8 Women’s Basketball vs. Illinois | 4 p.m. | Schottenstein Center | $15+ | See the No. 12 ranked Buckeyes in some Big Ten action.
Home for the Holidays | Southern Theatre | $24+ | This is the final day to catch the Columbus Jazz Orchestra performing holly jolly hits.
Wednesday, Dec. 11 Christmas Cocktail Class | 6-8 p.m. | Loose Rail Brewing, Canal Winchester | $40 | Create four holiday cocktails will all supplies included, plus take home your muddler and recipe cards to recreate the drinks throughout the season.
12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt | Through Monday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Historic Dublin | Free | Stop at 12 participating Dublin businesses and look for the hidden elf — if you get your card stamped at all 12 spots, you’ll be entered to win a grand prize basket.
Photos with Santa is sponsored by I Scream Gelato and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, featuring Wildlights. | Photos via Polaris Fashion Place; GIF created by 6AM City
Step into a Candy Land winter wonderland with a special visit to Santa in Center Court. Pro tip: Skip the lines and book your reservation in advance for a stress-free, seamless experience.
The best part? Kids who meet Santa will get a buy-one-get-one gelato coupon from I Scream Gelato — aka the perfect treat to enjoy after a visit with St. Nick.
While you’re there, soak in the festive atmosphere and shop for one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list. Plus, enter to win a $500 shopping spree.
Get ready for a par-tee inside Ohio Stadium with the return of Upper Deck Golf from April 24-26, 2025. Tee times will be announced soon, so join the waitlist while you can.
Show
Grammy-nominated stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze is coming to the Schottenstein Center on Aug. 23, 2025. Tickets are on sale now.
Athanasios “Tommy” Pappas, the founder of the iconic Tommy’s Diner, died on Dec. 2. Pappas, 71, will be remembered for his many contributions to the city. His family plans to carry on his legacy at the diner. (The Columbus Dispatch)
Kids
Drop off a letter to Santa at the mailbox in Hilliard’s Station Park by Wednesday, Dec. 18, and Santa will send a return letter back in the mail by Christmas. Pro tip: Be sure to include a self-addressed and stamped envelope.
Sports
The Buckeyes lost to Michigan, but the recruiting show must go on. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Ohio State Buckeyes with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Seasonal
Discover stress-free holiday parking in the heart of the Short North Arts District, making your festive outings simple and seamless. With 8,900+ parking spaces in the area, parking has never been easier. Bonus: Visitors can park in one of these garages and enjoy their first hour free — see how.*
Finance
How much could you borrow from your home? Get HELOC quotes now — calculate your payment.*
Try This
Celebrate the holidays in the Short North with the Holiday Hop, happening on Saturday, Dec. 7 (12-8 p.m.). Shop the High Street Holiday Market for local finds, meet Santa + Mrs. Claus for festive photos, and explore the Holiday + Elf Trails for treats — don’t miss gifts under $20 and free gift wrapping.*
Wellness
Discover the secret to hearing every detail with the Horizon IX by hear.com. These discreet, rechargeable hearing aids deliver sound so clear and natural, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. With phone connectivity, award-winning service, and flexible payment options, join the 425,000+ customers who love them.*
Finance
The bad news: Car repair costs have surged 17% in the last year, with some repairs exceeding $6,000. The good news: An Endurance protection plan could save you thousands. Sign up and receive $300 off your new contract, plus a free year of Elite Benefits. Get your free quote.*
Tech
Want to turn four-hour tasks into 15-minute wins? Download your free ChatGPT mastery guide for 100 battle-tested prompts you can copy/paste ASAP — no coding required. Plus, the guide explores how to use AI ethically at work.*
Plan Ahead
Don’t let those leftovers go to waste. Use the remainder of your end-of-year budget + get your business in front of thousands. For a limited time, take 25% off ads in our self-service ad portal when you use promo code “2025" at checkout.
Shop
Looking for a last-minute gift? We found one that’s more than 60% off, can be delivered instantly + will last forever. That’s speaking our language. Shop the sale.*
City Guide
City Guide
❄️ The cold is coming
They might be slightly more snow and rain headed our way this winter. | Photo by Climate Prediction Center
We know the question on your mind, CBUS — is a cold and snowy winter headed our way?
Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for December, January, and February. While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what winter will bring.
Reminder: The first day of winter is on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Temperature
You might be able to spare the hats and gloves on some days. Our city is expected to experience slightly warmer winter temperatures than usual.
Precipitation
Get ready for rain and snow — CBUS is expected to have 33-40% more precipitation than normal this season.
Damp December
Historically, Columbus gets almost nine days of snowfall in December, with high temperatures averaging 39.2°. December also has the shortest days of the year, with less than 9.5 hours of daylight.
Jumpin’ into January
Bundle up for the coldest month of the year. The average high temperature drops to 33.4°, and the most snowfall is expected with 13 days. This is also the most humid month of the year, with the humidity at 82%.
Chillin’ in February
Make sure you have your umbrella handy — February typically sees nine rainy days, but a slight increase in average high temperatures to 37.6°.
This top-rated safety razor with five premium stainless-steel blades. Its double-sided design provides a closer, cleaner shave compared to disposable razors, resulting in less skin irritation.
I went to BrewDog DogTap for the first time this week to dine in their igloos, and it was the perfect seasonal experience. If you go, I recommend trying some of their new seasonal cocktails, like the Espress Yourself (a peppermint espresso martini) and the Sangria Supernova.