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Upcoming Events in Downtown Columbus

Wanderlights

Columbus Commons will be reimagined with aurora borealis-inspired light installations and projection mapping in partnership with ReMix, a Columbus-based digital arts collective. Stop by the holiday windowscapes on High Street and Town Street to enjoy the nostalgic displays. While you’re there, step into the Urban Arts Space corridor in the Lazarus building, Suite 130, to see local artwork in the Wanderlights exhibition. This one-of-a-kind show celebrates winter wonder and the magic of illumination.

Participating Artists: Haadia Hyder, Micah Johnson, Benjamin Martin, Anisa Mohamed, Nikki Reiss, Nancy Beth Shuler, Angela Stiftar, Stephen Tomasko, Saniat Faheema Zaman

Artist Commune: Being and Belonging

In an increasingly fragmented world, Artist Commune: Being and Belonging creates space for artists to examine what it means to exist authentically and find connection—with ourselves, each other, and the communities we inhabit. The works in this show explore the tender, complicated, and transformative experiences of being human: the search for belonging, the navigation of multiple identities, the vulnerability of emotional truth, and the ongoing process of healing.

Reception: Friday, December 12, 6:30–8:30 PM

Wander Nights at Wanderlights

Introducing Wander Nights! Take part in an ultra-festive holiday atmosphere and free activities while exploring all three Wanderlights stops. During Wander Nights, you’ll find complimentary hot chocolate and carousel rides at Columbus Commons, free holiday movie screenings at the Scioto Mile Fountain, special visits from Santa in the Lazarus Building galleria, and more!

In partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, ride the free covered trolley to view the butterfly light show at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The trolley runs from from 5 -8 pm during all six Wander Nights. Hop on and off at Columbus Commons or Scioto Mile Fountain.

Wander Nights take place on the following Fridays and Saturdays in December from 5pm to 8pm: 12/5*, 12/6*, 12/12, 12/13, 12/19 and 12/20. 

*Please note that Wander Nights will not occur at the Scioto Mile Fountain on December 5 and 6 due to WinterFest 

Reception — Department of Art Senior Projects Exhibition

This show encompasses the artwork of Ohio State Department of Art Bachelor of Art (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) graduating seniors for Autumn 2025.

Celebrate the exhibition with the artists at the reception on Saturday, December 20 from 5–7 PM at Urban Arts Space!

Participating Artists: Umm-Kulsum Ashraf, Annatta Baltrunas, Hannah Byers, Andrea Cleveland, Mallory Fogt, Rachel Flash, Andie Goodes, Raquel Graziani, Lee Hahn, Nick Hissrich, Louise Hogg, Tobi Kayode, Leighanne Morrison, Nikki Piellusch, Gabriela Schmidt, Ky Smiley, Ash Staten, Isa Zavakos

FREE Wanderlights

Wanderlights is Columbus’ ultimate free holiday destination. Step away from the rush, and embrace the holiday magic amongst more than half a million lights glowing daily at Columbus Commons, West Town Street, and Scioto Mile Fountain.

During Wander Nights at Wanderlights, find an ultra-festive atmosphere on Fridays and Saturdays from December 5 – 20. See below for details.

Wander your way through the kaleidoscope of color in the heart of Downtown Columbus.

Mr. Scrooge

In this lively, fun-filled adaptation of A Christmas Carol, grumpy old Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas through magical visits from three spirited ghosts. With catchy songs, colorful characters, and plenty of holiday cheer, this fast-paced, 60-minute musical is the perfect treat for families with kids ages 4-12. Watch Scrooge’s heart grow three sizes as he discovers the joy of giving, friendship, and festive fun!

This beloved CCT classic brings performers of all ages together on stage, making it a holiday tradition your family will cherish for years to come. Get your tickets today and make this magical musical part of your holiday celebrations!

60 minutes

Ages 5+

The Nutcracker

Get into the holiday spirit with the iconic ballet, The Nutcracker.

SIX

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

A Christmas Carol

Back by popular demand, A Christmas Carol returns to The Contemporary stage again this December! In this masterful solo retelling of Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas story, over 30 characters– every Ghost, every Cratchit, and Scrooge himself– are brought to life in the virtuosic performance of audience-favorite Angela Iannone. This one-person show shines a dazzling new light on a beloved classic, leaving you utterly spellbound and filled with the holiday spirit.

Brassy Eyed Brunch with Santa

He’s making a list and checking it twice!

Join us at Brass Eye this holiday season for Brunch with Santa! Mingle with family and friends and let the views of downtown Columbus provide the perfect background for your holiday gathering, complete with festive fare and photos with Santa.

Santa will be available for photos from 10 AM to 1PM. One photo session is complimentary per reservation.

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Downtown Strategic Plan

Embark on the next stage of Downtown Columbus’ urban revival and transformation into a world class city by enhancing equity, expanding accessibility, creating connectivity, supporting local, and improving inclusion so that Downtown Columbus is a safe and welcoming destination where the prosperity of our city can be enjoyed by all.

Parking Information

Downtown Columbus has parking options abound. Garages, surface lots and on-street sites offer a wide variety of access, no matter your kind of ride, wherever your destination may be.

Downtown columbus' districts

Discover Downtown through the rich tapestry of its urban districts.

Take a stroll along Gay Street and you’ll discover a dense mélange of lively, street-level bars, galleries, restaurants, retail shops, and cafes.

From Columbus Commons to the Scioto Mile, for an experience that’s equal parts urban flair and natural splendor, head to the RiverSouth District.

For fashion, food, fun, fabulous tunes, and fantastic retail, the eclectic Fourth and Main District is hard to beat.

Pro sports, world-renowned live entertainment, and vibrant restaurants and bars— the Arena District scores big every time.

The convergence of Downtown’s central business district and the historic Franklinton neighborhood, The Peninsula brings together the best of all worlds – just around the bend of the Scioto River.  

Historic buildings have been transformed into must-experience bars, venues and experiences in this up-and-coming District just east of the Scioto. 

Home to a vibrant array of landmark institutions, historic sites, progressive galleries, and contemporary culinary establishments, make your next Discovery in this signature Downtown district.

of Downtown Columbus through dozens of local events happening every week. 

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5 CAN’T-MISS FOODS AT NATIONWIDE ARENA 🌭🌮🏒

If indulging in a footlong hot dog sounds like the ultimate score, you’re in puck 😉 The Columbus Blue Jackets are celebrating their 25th anniversary by adding a variety of unique menu items to the line-up.

Find it during all three periods at @nationwidearena ⤵️

🧀Cheese Coney Dog ($6 per dog)
🌮 Stix Chicken Tacos ($4-5 per taco) 
 🌶️ Foot Long Nachos ($20) 
🌭 Croissant Dog ($13) 
🍬 Schmidt’s Cream Puff ($8)
8 COZY BARS & RESTAURANTS ❄️🍷

The forecast is looking chilly (single digits on Sunday!), so if you’re looking to slow down and cozy up, we’ve got just the line-up of homey bars and restaurants for a night Downtown ✨ Plus, stop by Wanderlights before or after and make a whole night of it 🎄

🎄 Miracle @thecitizenstrust
📍11 W Gay St

🏙️ Brass Eye @brasseye
📍77 Belle St

❤️ Santa Baby @thejuntohotel
📍77 Belle St

🍝 Spaghetti Warehouse @spaghettiwarehousecolumbus
📍150 S High St

🧉 Goodale Station @goodalestation
📍77 E Nationwide Blvd

🍕 Aracri Pizzeria @aracripizzeriaongay
📍 51 E Gay St

☕ Cure Coffee + Cocktails @cure_614
📍154 N 3rd St

🍸 Capri @capricolumbus
📍39 E Gay St
WANDER NIGHTS IS BACK THIS WEEKEND🎄❄️

If you enjoy holiday lights, hot chocolate, digital artwork, pop-up markets, Santa, spiked apple cider, and more... Wander Nights is for you 🎅🛍️

The festivities take place in Downtown Columbus at Columbus Commons, W Town Street, and Scioto Mile Fountain, all powered by @aepohio💡

🎅 Wander Nights
🗓️ December 12-13, 19-20 from 5 - 8 pm
📍Wanderlights locations below

WHAT TO EXPECT ☃️🎶⤵️

🎄📍 Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
Start your Wander Nights experience here!
➡️ find FREE hot chocolate served from the cafe @tortillastreetfood (it’s Crimson Cup hot chocolate mix, milk, and whipped cream!)
➡️ take a free carousel ride
➡️ shop for local holiday gifts from @goodmarket.cbus in the State Street breezeway by the Ohio Theatre
➡️ hop on the free covered trolley to visit the lights at Scioto Mile Fountain + the butterfly lawn display @nationwidekids
➡️ grab a seasonal drink from the bar and enjoy live music amongst the lights, and take home a new stainless steel Wanderlights cup for $9 from the bar
➡️warm up on the COTA Express bus + grab a light-up necklace (Dec 13 only) 

🎅📍 Lazarus Building Galleria, 50 W Town St
➡️ take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus in a stunning holiday backdrop
➡️ enjoy live music from Graves Piano
➡️ behold new digital artworks by local artists curated by @muralremix

❄️📍Scioto Mile Fountain, 233 S Civic Center Dr
➡️ enjoy a holiday movie by the stage
➡️ wind down by a firepit on the lawn
➡️ enjoy seasonal DORA drinks from the bar, food trucks, face painting and balloon twisters!

Movie start at 6pm at the Scioto Mile Fountain: 
🎥 Dec 12: Frozen  
🎥 Dec 13: Frozen 2   
🎥 Dec 19: Miracle   
🎥 Dec 20: Cool Runnings   

GETTING HERE ⤵️
🚗 Parking is $10 at the Columbus Commons Main Garage (55 E Rich St) during Wander Nights!
🚌 Get here with @cotabus! All Downtown routes (Lines 1–12, 102 and CMAX) stop just steps from the Commons, making it easy to arrive for all the holiday fun.

Psst — remember that Wanderlights is illuminated every day from 5 - 10 pm if you’re looking for a nice, quiet winter stroll! ☃️
15+ DECEMBER EVENTS IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS ☃️❄️

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Find a flurry of winter fun this December 🌟 With free hot chocolate and holiday movies at Wander Nights to show-stopping performances and tree lightings, it’s the perfect opportunity to make it one magical month✨

Find more Downtown events at the link in our bio👀

FEATURED EVENTS ⬇️

🚂Holiday Open House FREE @columbuslibrary
📅 Wednesday, December 3 | 6 - 8 pm
📍Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Branch

🎄Wander Nights FREE 
📅 Fridays & Saturdays | December 5 - 20 | 5 - 8 pm
📍Wanderlights locations: Columbus Commons, W Town St, Scioto Mile Fountain 

🎶Holiday Pops @columbussymphony @capacolumbus
📅 December 5-7 
📍Ohio Theatre

❄️ WinterFest FREE @winterfestcolumbus
📅 Saturday, December 6 | 11 am - 4 pm
📍Bicentennial Park 

🎄COSI Season of Celebrations @cosiscience
📅 Daily through January 4
📍COSI

Wanderlights is back ❄️