In the midst of the holiday hoopla, here are 8 ways to find simple joy this week right here in Downtown Columbus.
Cirque Musica’s Holiday Wishes
Wednesday, December 4 | 7:30 pm
Palace Theater, 34 W Broad St
Ring in the holiday season with hilarious hijinks and good cheer. This edge-of-your-seat experience will thrill the whole family, thanks to a combination of live symphonic music and high-flying thrills from world-class cirque performers.
Wed-Sun, Dec 4-8 | Hours Vary
Southern Theater, 21 E Main St
Jazz up your holidays with this heartwarming yet swinging concert event. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra is bringing Australian-born vocalist and one-time Les Paul bassist Nicki Parrott together with Columbus’ own off-Broadway standout, Z.F. Taylor.
Straight No Chaser: The Open Bar Tour
Thursday, December 5 | 8:00 pm
Palace Theater, 34 W Broad St
If black suits, white shirts, rich harmonies, and crowd-pleasing entertainment are your thing, this one’s for you. These long-ago college buds are a traveling, 10-man a cappella group that’s known and loved for extraordinary music and inordinate fun.
Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 5 | 5:30 pm
Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square
Be our guest to the official start of Ohio’s holiday season. You and your family can enjoy the Statehouse Tree Lighting, along with carolers, refreshments, and season’s greetings from historical characters, statehouse VIPs, community mascots, and the red-suited man himself, Santa. Free. Open to all.
Festive Friday at Columbus Commons
Friday, December 6 | 5:00 pm
Columbus Commons, 160 S High St
It’s TGIF every Friday in December! Along with the spectacular 400,000-LED twinkling light display that lights up nightly at the Commons, Friday brings an extra dose of holiday cheer: free hot chocolate and carousel rides, along with merry-making sounds from a variety of roaming musicians.
Saturday, December 7 | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
John W Galbreath Bicentennial Park, 233 S Civic Center Dr
This is how Downtown Columbus does winter: hot bourbon chai cider, twinkling lights, and music to beat the band. This is WinterFest, an annual celebration of giving, feting, and feasting featuring national and local musical acts, local seasonal brews, and top tastes from food truck favs.
Saturday, December 7 | 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Lazarus Building Galleria, 50 W Town St
The only thing better than recalling childhood holiday memories is making them with your own little elves. Come back to Lazarus for a visit with Santa himself (cellphone selfie, included), as well as face-painting, crafts, and more holiday magic.
Craftin’ Outlaws at the Columbus Museum of Art
Sunday, December 8 | 10:00 am
Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St
Handmade loot for everyone (almost). The first 100 guests at this one-day arts and crafts fair get free swag bags full of it. The rest of us can shop for our own from a large collection of handcrafted items created by local indie artists, crafters, and designers.