The last week in November, my true love gave to me: 12 events for the holidays and one for Thanksgiving!
Also, please check out our growing Holiday Shopping Guide!
Thanksgiving
Not-to-Miss Weekend Events
- 16th Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony
- Model Railroad Weekend
- Holiday Shop Around
- The Goodwill Handbell Choir at the Conservatory
- JCC Holiday Bazaar
Ongoing Holiday Cheer
- Holiday Carriage Rides
- Photos with Santa
- Holiday Easton Entertainers
- Holiday Hoopla
- Merry & Bright
- MAC Pop-Up Holiday Store
- “Small & Wonderful”
16th Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony
Venue: Easton Town Center
November 21
6:00 PM — 7:00 PM
Free
Easton Town Square
Join us Friday, November 21, for our 16th Annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony. Help us celebrate the simple and unexpected joys of Christmas with entertainment that will involve, engage and surprise. Watch children’s eyes sparkle as Santa arrives, along with a special guest, to illuminate Easton’s 50-ft Christmas tree and a breathtaking display of lights! Cap the evening’s festivities with a visit to Easton Station for photos with Santa, along with extra surprises along the way. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season, and it’s only at Easton!
After the Lights Come On…
Many retailers and restaurants will keep the festivities going after the lighting ceremony.
Model Railroad Weekend
Venue: COSI Columbus
November 20- 23
10:00 AM — 5:00 PM
$14.00 – $19.00
What’s are the holidays without a train winding through your home? All aboard! Back by popular demand – COSI’s Model Railroad Weekend! Check out amazing displays of model railroads from local train organizations during COSIs operating hours. There will be trains of all sizes and shapes – something for every model railroad enthusiast. Free with COSI Membership or general admission.
Family Fun—Thankful Tree
Venue: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
November 22
11:00 AM — 2:00 PM
$6.00 – $12.00
Make a “Thankful Tree” perfect for your Thanksgiving table décor. At 2-m, The Pinta Columbus Children’s Choir performs in the atrium.
Holiday Shop Around
Venue: Grange Insurance Audubon Center
November 22 – 23
Saturday 10:00 AM — 5:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM — 3:00 PM
Free
This is our 5th year, and to celebrate, we made it TWO days! Please, join us for a weekend of shopping, art, crafts and more! You will find an amazing variety of high quality, local, one-of-a-kind and eco-friendly products from Ohio to
help you get a jump on your holiday shopping or buy a special treat for yourself! There will be over 30 local artists, artisans and vendors, with items to suit everyone’s gift list! Added bonus: kids can enjoy activities while you shop and you can explore the fabulous Scioto Audubon Metro Park!
JCC Holiday Bazaar
Venue: Jewish Community Center
November 23
11:00 AM — 4:00 PM
Free
Unique gifts for everyone on your list!
Open to the public. Free admission and parking. Proceeds from this event benefit Senior Programming. For more information about this event or if you are interested in becoming a vendor contact holidaybazaar@columbusjcc.org or call Sheila at 559-6225.
The Goodwill Handbell Choir at the Conservatory
Venue: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
SUN NOV 23
$6.00 – $12.00
At 2pm, The Goodwill Handbell Choir will perform in the Atrium.
Holiday Carriage Rides
Venue: Easton Town Center
November 21, 2014 – December 23, 2014
12:00 PM — 10:00 PM
$10.00
Horse-drawn carriage rides will again be offered during the holiday season at Easton Town Center in the North District. Rides begin November 21 after the Lighting Ceremony and run through December 23: Cost is $10 per person. Children under 15 ride free with paying adult.
You can grab a carriage ride outside of Eddie Bauer on Gramercy Street.
Photos with Santa
Venue: Easton Town Center
November 21-December 24
10:00 AM — 7:00 PM
$5.00
Easton Station Building
Have your photo taken with Santa in the Easton Station Building, or take a candid pic with your own camera! Your first 5×7 is only $5! Photos begin after the Holiday Lighting Ceremony on November 21.
(closed for Thanksgiving on November 27)
Holiday Easton Entertainers
Venue: Easton Town Center
November 21-December 24
5:00 PM — 9:00 PM
Free
Roaming Easton Town Center
Professional musical groups will animate Easton Town Center and provide a unique entertainment offering throughout the holiday season.
Holiday Hoopla
Venue: Shadowbox Live
November 20 – January 3
$20.00 – $55.00
Now in it’s 24th iteration, Holiday Hoopla has become a central Ohio Christmas tradition. Full of sketch comedy that pokes fun at our desire to make the holidays perfect, rockin’ seasonal tunes from house band BillWho?, and the hilarious musical send-up The Santa Babies, Hoopla never disappoints.
To make your reservations visit: http://www.shadowboxlive.org/shows/holiday-hoopla# or call the box office at 614.416.7625
Merry & Bright
Venue: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
November 15 – January 4
10:00 AM — 5:00 PM
$6.00 – $12.00
An annual family favorite, Merry & Bright celebrates the holiday season with elegant poinsettias and seasonal foliage, time-honored traditions like the poinsettia tree and Paul Busse model garden railway, and an array of special entertainment and family activities. The 8th annual Gingerbread Competition is on display, with delightful entries in four categories: youth, teen, adult and family. In the evening, enjoy festive lighting throughout the Conservatory’s warm and inviting plant collections.
Special evening hours until 10pm on November 26, 28-30; December 3, 10, 17, 19-31 (December 25, 5-10pm only); January 1-4, 2014.
MAC Pop-Up Holiday Store
Venue: The Shops at Worthington Place
November 21 – JANUARY 11, 2015
Worthington Place Hours
Free
We are thrilled to announce a new MACtastic venture at the Shops at Worthington Place! We are temporarily renting a store front and showcasing local artists work! The MAC Pop Up Store features original, handmade, one of a kind art work on a consignment basis during the weekends starting mid-November through the holidays until mid-January.
A great place to grab wonderful original local art, supporting your art community.
“Small & Wonderful”
Venue: Hammond Harkins Galleries
November 21 – January 11
Gallery Hours
Free
Opening Reception: Friday, November 21, 20145 – 8 PM
Hammond Harkins Galleries presents “Small & Wonderful”
This exhibition for the Holidays includes works of a special size perfect for gift-giving. Twenty-four artists explore the aesthetic possibilities of media as diverse as paper, kitchen spices, buttons, flocking, and spent white-out tape. More traditional media such as painting, Bronze sculptures, and photography are featured as well. Also available is work by new Hammond Harkins artist Kaveri Raina. Stop in to experience the amazing possibilities of a creative mind and give the gift of art!
Courtyard will be ablaze with a nightly bonfire, and hot beverages will be available ($1).
