Things to Do for Christmas 2009 in Columbus, Ohio

Visitors to and residents of Columbus, Ohio, can celebrate Christmas 2009 by seeing more than 3 million Christmas lights at the Columbus Zoo, taking a hour-and-a-half tour of the lights around town and listening to seasonal music, viewing the holiday lights at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), which includes fiery explosions, and a generator, powered by a "reindeer," (a generator), that starts more than 10,000 holiday lights; attending a "Dickens of a Christmas," and a "Dickens of a Mystery," taking holiday carriage rides, and in many other ways.

Having 3 million lights at the Columbus Zoo is an annual event, but this year half of the lights have been converted to more eco-friendly LED lights. While you are at the zoo, you can see the Wildlights Model Train Railway. The railway, at the kitchen of Mrs. Claus, has a real steam whistle, animation, and interactive features.

While you are celebrating Christmas 2009 at the Columbus Zoo, your children can have their picture taken with Santa. You can also do some of your holiday shopping at Jungle Jack Hanna's Store and Zoo's Market Place.

Hours for the events are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for Senior Citizens 60 and older, and $7 for children 2-9. The lights will continue through January 3, 2010.

You can see the lights around town, historic homes, the Columbus skyline, the North Bank Park, Goodale Park, the Ohio Statehouse, and many other things, as you glide around town on a Segway Tour. A normal tour is $55 per rider, but special holiday rates $40 each are available. Riders must be 16 or older, weigh between 100 and 260 pounds, and be involved in a training session before the tour.

Besides the regular light show at COSI, one can experience the lights at a reduced cost on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. To buy tickets online, go to http://www.cosi.org/store/.

A theatrical production of the reformed Ebenezer Scrooge, Dickens of a Mystery, will be performed at the Ohio Historical Center on December 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. There is a show and a buffet meal. Visitors who celebrate Christmas 2009 in Columbus, Ohio, this way will get the chance to solve the mystery. Tickets are $60 each and $50 for Ohio Historical Society members. More information is available at 800-686-6124.

The Ohio Historical Center will also present a Dickens of a Christmas, which will demonstrate what the season was like in the famous writer's lifetime. One can interact with characters from his writings, see cooking demonstrations, participate in hands-on crafts, caroling, see the Christmas tree, the little German toy, and much more. The event will be December 11-12, and December 18-20. Admission is $12 for adults, $9 for youth, and $10 for members. Information is available at the same number as for the mystery event.

Carriage rides are available each Friday through Sunday through December 20, with additional dates on December 17 and also on December 21-23. The rides are at the Easton Town Center, 160 Easton Town Center. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children 15 and younger, with a paid adult admission.

Visitors can view 100 poinsettia varieties and the poinsettia tree, the annual gingerbread competition, candlelight nights, and holiday activities for your children at the Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 East Broad Street.

You can see holiday decorations as they were in Victorian and times, including a guided tour of the 1861 Statehouse on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from noon to 3 p.m.

The Nutcracker will be at the Ohio Theater, 39 East Street from December 11 to December 23. Show times are varied, and information can be obtained at www.balletmet.org. Tickets are priced from $29 and up.

Citations: ColumbusOhio Christmas - My Favorite Time of Year! no author listed, in-and-around-columbus.com

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, no author listed, consumer.discoverohio.com

COSI's Holiday Science of the Season, no author listed, COSI.org