Your guide to Downtown Columbus, from happenings to happy hours.
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.
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.
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.
THINGS TO DO THIS DECEMBER ⛸️🎄
Season’s greetings! There’s a whole flurry of events and holiday hoopla this month 🍾 From free hot chocolate and live music at Columbus Commons to brunches with Santa at the Junto, Downtown is the place to be to keep spirits bright this month ☃️
Check out the link in our bio for a full calendar of Downtown events ❄️
FEATURED EVENTS ⬇️
☃️ YULETIDE ON GAY UNDERCURRENT
📍Gay & High Streets
📆Saturday, December 7 | 3 pm - 8 pm
➡️ Step into the pedestrian-only winter wonderland & enjoy complimentary iceless ice skating, live ice sculpture carving, live DJ, DORA drinks, food trucks and more!
🎁 HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
📍Columbus Commons (160 S High St), Lazarus Building (50 W Town St), Common Thread (237 S Third Street)
📆Saturday, December 7 | starting at 4 pm
➡️ Meet Santa Claus at the Lazarus Building (4-7 pm)
➡️ Sip on some free hot chocolate and shop 40 local vendors at Columbus Commons (4-9 pm)
➡️ Sleigh the holiday season with holly, jolly local shopping at Common Thread on Third Street (4-9 pm)
🎄FESTIVE FRIDAYS
📍Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
📆Fridays, December 6, 13 and 20 | 5 pm – 9 pm
➡️ Enjoy free hot chocolate, live music, a traveling photo booth, carousel rides, and a bar offering hot boozy drinks while exploring Wanderlights
🚎 WANDERLIGHTS TROLLEY TOURS
📍 Downtown Wanderlights & Nationwide Children’s Hospital
📆Fridays, December 6, 13 and 20 | 5 pm – 9 pm
➡️ Hop on the enclosed trolley to check out all the Wanderlights stops and see the light show at @nationwidekids!
We’re shutting down the streets for a WINTER WONDERLAND ☃️❄️
On December 7, get ready to make the yuletide gay at the one-day-only FREE pedestrian street festival at Gay & High Streets. At Yuletide on Gay, you’ll experience an iceless ice rink with complimentary skate rentals, live ice sculpture carving, a live DJ, and food truck options. Plus, grab a festive DORA drink and sip and stroll your way through the winter wonderland ⛸️🧊
Psst — if you’re looking for more holiday fun on Saturday, Dec 7, take a short stroll over to the Holiday Extravaganza at Columbus Commons, Lazarus Building, and Common Thread Shops from 4-9 pm for free hot chocolate, a visit from Santa, boutique shopping, and a holiday market featuring 40 local vendors 🎅
✋ Who’s getting in the holiday spirit?
❄️Yuletide on Gay
📍 Gay & High Streets
📆 Saturday, December 7
🕐3-8 pm
It’s a miracle on Gay Street starting on 11/29 🎁✨ Every year, @thecitizenstrust, a cocktail bar in a historic bank building, transforms into “Miracle”, an elaborate holiday celebration complete with festive drinks, ornate decorations, and very merry spirit 🎄🍸
Cheers to fan-favorite craft cocktails AND sleighing your at-home bar game with their limited-time seasonal glassware for sale 🎅 But what really takes the sugar plum cake is the giant igloo in the center of the space 🧊❄️ It’s snow joke — this is one holiday hangout you won’t want to miss!
🎁 “Miracle” at The Citizens Trust
📍 11 W Gay St
📆 November 29 — December 28
🕐Tues- Thurs 4pm - 11pm, Fri - Sat 4pm - 12am
WANDERLIGHTS IS HERE🤩💡
The new, FREE holiday lights experience officially starts TONIGHT in Downtown Columbus ☃️❄️ Here’s what you need to know⬇️
🗓️ Wanderlights will be glowing every day from Nov 22 — February 16 from 5-10 pm
🚗Paid parking is available at the Main Garage at 55 E Rich Street, which supports year-long free programming at @columbuscommons
LOCATIONS ⬇️
🎄Columbus Commons
📍160 S High St
💡Start your Wanderlights experience at Columbus Commons and see the park shining brighter than ever with new twists on this holiday tradition, plus a perfect photo-op at the 40-foot tree! Wanderlights at Columbus Commons is possible thanks to generous support from the American Electric Power Foundation.
🎅Town Street
📍50 West Town St
💡Cross High Street and wander down the Town Street walkway, where you’ll spot 30 illuminated penguins and glow-in-the-dark murals. Peek into the Lazarus Building Galleria for a magical winter-esque scene and drop off your letter to Santa!
🎁Bicentennial Park
📍233 S Civic Center Drive
💡Keep walking down Town Street to Civic Center Drive and find a backdrop of 40 sculptural orbs surrounding the Scioto Mile Fountain.
TIPS AND TRICKS⬇️
🦋 Hop on the FREE Wanderlights Trolley Tour to each Wanderlights location PLUS @nationwidekids to see the butterfly light show on the front lawn during Festive Fridays (Dec 6, 13, 20) at Columbus Commons. Spots are limited and the trolley is first come, first serve!
🍻 Make your holidays boozy and bright! Grab a DORA beverage to-go from a participating restaurant and sip and stroll your way through the lights
🍽️Create a whole evening with friends and family and warm up at a local restaurant after your stroll through the lights!
🗓️ Save the date for FREE holiday events including an iceless ice rink, free hot chocolate, visits from Santa, holiday shopping and more at the link in our bio
🆕This is the first year for the holiday lights to expand outside of Columbus Commons to Bicentennial Park and Town Street. The program came as a direct result of the 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan, where the community asked for more free happenings to embrace the winter season!
Check out these brand new renderings of the Capital Line pathway in the heart of Downtown! ✨
Progress on the design for the Capital Line has come a long way since it was announced in February! On Wednesday, the project team, including @wsp.usa, @mkskstudios, @columbusgov, and Downtown Columbus, Inc., shared the latest updates to the project and heard feedback from the community.
What’s coming:
🌳Curbless design of Gay Street, denoting it as a central event space
🚲Dedicated shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians
🅿️Strategically located street parking spaces and loading zones
Have thoughts or ideas, but couldn’t make it to the meeting? Head to our website to provide virtual feedback + sign up for updates on the project.
ICYMI: The Capital Line ⤵️
The Capital Line is an urban pathway through the heart of Downtown Columbus. This two-mile journey will be exclusive to bike and pedestrian traffic and offer an intentional route to some of the city’s most vibrant attractions, including COSI, the Scioto Mile, Gay Street, Columbus Commons, and Capitol Square. It is set to catalyze economic investment along the route and enhance the Downtown experience, putting people first.
9 COZY RESTAURANTS FOR COLD NIGHTS ❄️🍷
Snow is in the forecast, 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 ✨ Stop by Wanderlights before or after and make a whole night of it 🎄
Goodale Station @goodalestation
📍77 E Nationwide Blvd
➡️ Sip on creative cocktails from the warm, covered rooftop with stunning views of Downtown
Milestone 229 @milestone_229
📍229 S Civic Center Dr
➡️Dine in to enjoy the elaborate holiday decor and welcoming atmosphere on the Mile
Sidebar @sidebar_columbus
📍122 E Main St
➡️ Settle in with the low-lighting and try the short rib and small plates
Parable @parablecafe
📍149 S High St
➡️ Escape to the fireplace with a warm Mexican hot chocolate danish, hot latte, or craft cocktail
Pat and Gracie’s @patandgracies
📍121 S High St
➡️ Indulge in warm, fresh food, like Gracie’s chicken sandwich next to one of two lit-up Christmas trees
Jackie O’s @jackieoscolumbus
📍 171 N 4th St
➡️The Fourth Street bar has endless seating, but come early to claim your stake at an outdoor fire pit
The Junto @thejuntohotel
📍 77 Belle St
➡️ Head to the rooftop at Brass Eye for a scenic experience or stay grounded with a coffee from Maudine’s or bites from Little West
Capri @capricolumbus
📍39 E Gay St
➡️ Cozy up with a drink and catch a football game in this brand-new Downtown bar. Dogs welcome!
Speck Italian Eatery @speck_italian
📍 89 N High St
➡️ Stop in for a glass of red or watch the chefs make fresh pasta in a comfortable, dimly lit atmosphere
From free hot chocolate to a boozy bar to jolly local shopping, there will be endless holiday cheer on 12/7 at the Holiday Extravaganza 🐧❄️ Glide through it all as you waddle your way through the FREE holiday lights experience, Wanderlights (which starts this Friday, 11/22!) 🌟
Mark your calendar for these free happenings on 12/7 ⤵️
🎁Lazarus Building
📍50 W Town St
🕐 4-7 pm
➡️Stop by the historic home of holiday shopping for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy strolling characters, balloon artists, face painting, arts and crafts with @urbanartsspace, and write your letter to Santa. Plus, kids can shop for someone special at the Secret Santa shopping area. At 7 p.m., Santa will process across High Street to Columbus Commons to continue the celebration.
🎄Columbus Commons
📍160 S High St
🕐4-9 pm
➡️With free hot chocolate, live music, a traveling photo booth, carousel rides, and a bar offering hot boozy beverages for purchase, @columbuscommons is the perfect place to enjoy some extra merriment before ending the night. Start your holiday shopping with @goodmarket.cbus featuring nearly 40 local vendors and get your gifts wrapped at the station supporting @nationwidekids (donations encouraged).
👗 Common Thread
📍 249 - 275 S Third St
🕐 4-9 pm
➡️Ring in an ultra-festive atmosphere including a DJ, light bites, decorations and shop local boutiques including @kumavida x @delanamuse @tbearsflorist @ludiesenatus @themusemed @vitaliteajuicelounge
It’s getting dark earlier, but the sun isn’t setting on fun events around town 😉 From markets to theatre to races, there’s plenty of fall fun happening in Downtown. Here’s your weekend line-up ⬇️
COSI After Dark: COSI-Con
📍COSI, 333 W Broad St
🗓️ Thursday, 11/14 7-10pm
Wife of A Salesman
📍Studio Two at Riffe Center, 77 S High St
🗓️Thursday, 11/14 - Sunday, 11/17 | show times vary
Columbus Blue Jackets
📍Nationwide Arena, 200 W Broad St
🗓️Friday, 11/15 at 7pm
Slammers Fall Market
📍Slammers, 202 E Long St
🗓️Saturday, 11/16 at 11am-2pm
Columbus Symphony Orchestra Handel’s Messiah
📍Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St
🗓️Friday, 11/15- Sunday, 11/17 Show times vary
Hot Chocolate Run
📍 McFerson Commons, 218 West St
🗓️Sunday, 11/17 at 7:20am
Not Your Mama’s Craft Market
📍 The Kee, 225 Neilston St
🗓️Sunday, 11/17 at 11am - 4pm
Downtown Columbus Inc. is a private, non-profit development corporation with a mission to lead city-changing projects in the heart of Ohio’s capital city. Downtown Columbus Inc. was created in 2002 to implement the Downtown Strategic Plan.
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