Holiday Events and Attractions in Columbus, Ohio

If you and your family are looking for fun winter holiday activities to do this year, here is a comprehensive list of what is going on in Central Ohio.

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Nov. 21 - Jan. 3

5 -9 p.m.

Free with zoo admission

It is an amazing celebration of the winter season with more than two million twinkling lights, ice skating, activities for children, Santa Claus and numerous festive activities for the family, such as the Wildlights Model Train Railway, The Enchanted Ice Rink and Mrs. Claus' Kitchen.

Fantasy of Lights

Alum Creek State Park Marina

Nov. 21 - Dec. 30

Is a drive-thru light show and Santa's house at the Alum Creek State Park Marina. There are also free hot chocolate and special activities.

Return of LegoMania

Groveport Town Art Gallery

Nov. 3- Dec. 31

Mon-Sat, 9a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sun, Noon - 6 p.m.

The exhibit was created by the Central Ohio Lego Train Club. Return of LegoMania consists of buildings from the Downtown skyline, a harbor, and a farm setting in scenes built from Lego bricks.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Nationwide Arena

Dec. 20

3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

$38-$58

Christmas Wunderland

Mansfield

Richland County Fairgrounds

750 North Home Road

Dec. 1, - Jan. 1, 2009

5:30-9:00 p.m.

Christmas Wunderland completely covers the Richland County Fairgrounds with over 400,000 colorful lights. Also featured are many animated displays of favorite Christmas images and cartoon characters.

For more information call 419-747-3717

Old Towne Carolers, Holiday Brass and More

Easton Town Center

Nov. 21 - Dec. 24

Various groups will be performing inside the Easton Station building throughout the holiday season. They will include performances by local school and church choirs, jazz quartets, and Easton Town Center's own two performance groups.

Holiday Carriage Rides

Easton Town Center

Nov. 21 - Dec. 23 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays

Horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered during the holiday season in Easton Town Center's North District.

Black Nativity

King Arts Complex

Dec. 20

2:30 p.m.

$25

The Nutcracker

Ohio Theatre

Dec. 12-23

$18.50-$66.00

Tuba Christmas

Capital University, Mees Auditorium

Dec. 15

5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sing along with your favorite carols and other holiday songs while being accompanied by the big brass ensemble. http://www.tubachristmas.com/

Cherish the Ladies' Celtic Christmas

Southern Theatre

Dec. 19

8 p.m.

$27-$32

Cherish the Ladies are a traditional Irish music sensation. They are the most successful and sought-after Irish-American group in Celtic music.

Glenwood UMC

Columbus Gay Men's Chorus

Dec. 13

8:00 p.m.

Enjoy a wide variety of musical compilations, including traditional arrangements such as Oseh Shalom, Virgin's Slumber Song, and Mary Did You Know?, as well as light-hearted pieces like Jingle Bells, Santa and His Elvis, and Christmas with the Ladies.

Children's Nights - Christmas in Ohio

Orange Johnson House

956 High St, Worthington

Dec. 6-20

5-9 p.m.

No one may attend without prior (in-person) registration for your child. Cost per child is $20.00. Registration is Tuesday, Nov. 18 and Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, between 7 and 8 PM.

Let your children (grades 3-5) experience the Christmas holidays the old-fashioned way at the Worthington Historical Society's Christmas program. Children are able to cook sausage, applesauce, corn oysters, cornbread and pumpkin pudding, along with sample maple candy and apple leather.

For more information call Carol Little at 614-885-1247

Christmas Open House At The Orange Johnson House

Worthington

Dec. 7-21 (Sundays)

1-5 p.m.

956 High St.

Take a free tour of the Federal-style Orange Johnson House on the first three Sundays in December. The house will be festive with an early Victorian Christmas tree in the drawing room, festoons of greenery and many handmade decorations. Victorian toys from a local collector will be featured

Lord of Life Lutheran

Dec. 13

2:00 p.m.

Holiday Tour: Traditions over Time

Piatt Castles

Visit Piatt Castle Mac-A-Cheek which has festive seasonal decorations, a collection of 600 antique Christmas ornaments and lights, exhibits of historical toys and Christmas cards. All are featured in a unique holiday experience, Traditions over Time. This program traces the origins and evolution of decorating trees at Christmas, caroling, gift giving, holiday games, and family gatherings.

Call 937-465-2821 for more information.

Christmas at the Cabin

Bainbridge

7757 Cave Road

Oct. 17 - Dec. 21

Tuesday thru Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 1-5 p.m.

Shop in an authentic log cabin that has hand crafted items by nationwide artisans, a Red-Hat section, Ohio State Buckeyes section, and John Deere section.

Call 937-365-1388 for more information

Evening at the North Pole

Westerville Community Center

Dec. 11-12

Call 614-901-6500 for more information

Make Your Own Gingerbread House

Groveport Town Hall

Dec. 13

10 a.m.

Design your own Gingerbread House with your child using graham crackers, icing, and candy. Event is designed for parent and child to make and design their own candy house that can be eaten or used as a holiday center piece. You can also view the exhibit "LEGOMania" which is on display in the art gallery. This event is free but parents need to register their child by calling (614) 836-3333.

The Santaland Diaries

Studio Three Riffe Center

Dec. 4-28

8 p.m.

$34.50

The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris. This production tells the autobiographical account of Sedaris' disastrous and hilarious attempts to work as one of Santa's little helpers during the busiest retail season.

Hometown Holiday Tour

Groveport Town Hall

Dec. 21

1:00 p.m.

Tickets for carriage rides and Holiday tour are $5.00 and kids under 6 are free. Tickets can be purchased at Town Hall or Bierberg Mercantile before the event happing, tickets that day are $7.00 per person.

Includes horse-drawn carriage rides, dulcimer and wooden flute music, and tours of the historic homes & landmarks.

First Night Columbus

Downtown Columbus

Dec. 31, 2008

5 p.m. - Midnight

First Night is a family and community oriented and alcohol-free celebration on New Years Eve. First Night Columbus has over 150 different entertainers performing in more than 15 downtown sites, along with a variety of hands-on activities for the whole family to get involved in.

Call 614-299-9221 or visit http://www.firstnightcolumbus.com for more information.