1. Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

One of the most magical spots to see Christmas lights is at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Their annual “Holiday Lights” event features stunning outdoor displays that illuminate the garden pathways. The Conservatory beautifully combines the flora of the season with twinkling lights, creating a serene atmosphere. Don’t forget to stroll through the indoor exhibits adorned with seasonal decorations and lights that truly capture the spirit of the holidays.

2. Columbus Commons

Columbus Commons turns into a festive hub during the holiday season, with its “Winterfair” event. Enjoy an impressive light display, holiday markets, and seasonal activities. The park features a magnificent light show that dazzles both children and adults alike. With food trucks and entertainment, it’s a perfect stop for families looking to embrace the holiday spirit.

3. The Scioto Mile

The Scioto Mile provides a picturesque setting for enjoying Christmas lights along the Franklin County waterfront. Here, you'll find lights strung throughout the park, reflected on the Scioto River. The area's signature "Holiday Tree" is a must-see, providing an iconic backdrop for holiday photos. The combination of lights and the city skyline creates a beautiful scene perfect for evening strolls.

4. Easton Town Center

Easton Town Center is a premier shopping destination that goes all out for the holidays. Their annual light display features thousands of sparkling lights that create a festive atmosphere throughout the center. Enjoy live entertainment, meet Santa Claus, and check out the holiday window displays while taking in the vibrant decorations that line the streets.

5. ZOOMbezi Bay's Wildlights

For families with children, ZOOMbezi Bay's Wildlights is an exciting location. This annual event showcases over a million lights throughout the water park, creating a whimsical environment. Enjoy themed light displays, visit Santa, and experience the park’s holiday attractions. It's a delightful way to spend an evening with loved ones.

6. Grove City Christmas Celebration

Just a short drive from downtown Columbus, Grove City hosts an annual Christmas celebration at Historic Town Center Park. Visitors can enjoy beautifully lit trees, light displays, and various activities, including visits with Santa. The quaint atmosphere of Grove City combined with its festive decorations makes it a charming holiday destination.

7. A Christmas Story House Tour

Fans of the classic holiday film “A Christmas Story” can’t miss the chance to visit the house where the movie was filmed in the nearby Cleveland area. Although it’s a bit of a drive, they often have holiday lights and decorations that evoke the spirit of the movie. Check their schedule for special Christmas events if you're making a day trip.

As the holidays approach, Columbus, OH, shines brightly with festive lights and cheerful decorations. Whether you’re enjoying a romantic evening stroll, celebrating with family, or simply soaking in the holiday spirit, these locations offer dazzling displays that evoke warmth and joy throughout the season. Bundle up, grab some hot cocoa, and explore the beautiful Christmas lights in Columbus this year!

The post Sparkling Christmas Lights: Must-See Holiday Displays in Columbus, OH appeared first on Preferred Living Blog.

Posted by Val of Columbus on the Cheap

Take in one of the many magical Christmas theater shows or Christmas concerts in Columbus to get in the holiday spirit.

Start a new annual tradition with one of the regular events, or enjoy a new performance each year!

Columbus is host to many great Christmas theater performances and concerts each year. There are plenty to choose from at all price points! If you know of other great performances, please email [email protected] to be included.

2024 Christmas Theater and Christmas Concerts in Columbus

Shadowbox Live: Holiday Hoopla (details)

Holiday Hoopla: November 21 – December 28, 2024: (Slightly) raunchy Christmas Fun and Rock and Roll. Tickets are sold by the table, ranging from $46.50-$272.75 per table, depending on table selection and date/time. Great for dates and groups of friends for a night out!!

No So Silent Night: Opens December 1 – December 22, 2024. Not So Silent Night follows the story of a DJ taking requests and dedications on Christmas Eve, leading to a sweet, fun and song-filled holiday night.

Tickets: prices vary per show; see above
Location: 503 S. Front St. • Suite#260 • Columbus, OH • 43215

A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland (website)

Description of event:
“A Celtic Christmas” by A Taste of Ireland invites audiences on a captivating holiday journey filled with the magic, warmth, and vibrancy of Irish traditions. The show, developed by the creators of the acclaimed A Taste of Ireland, infuses the season with authentic Irish music, dance, and storytelling that evoke the heart of Celtic culture.

Dates: Saturday November 23, 2024 at 7:30PM
Tickets: $50.61-$87.91
Location: Palace Theatre, 34 W Broad St. Columbus

Hip Hop Nutcracker (website)

A holiday mash-up for the entire family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker is a re-mixed and re-imagined contemporary dance spectacle that transforms E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th century Germany to the vibrant sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, this unique and joyful production is performed by a supercharged cast of a dozen all-star dancers, a DJ, an electric violinist, and one of hip hop’s founding fathers, MC Kurtis Blow, who opens the show with a short set.

Dates: November 24, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $46.98-$87.91
Location: Palace Theatre

The Nutcracker presented by The Central Ohio Youth Ballet (website)

Dates: November 29 – December 1, 2024. Show times vary by date.
Tickets: $15-$29 (price does not include fees)
Location: Midland Theatre, 36 N Park Pl, Newark, OH 43055

A Christmas Carol (website)

CAPA is proud to present a new version of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol, blending traditional and contemporary stage with local and national performers.

Date: November 29 – December 1, 2024
Tickets: $32.46 – $54.24
Location: Ohio Theatre

The Nutcracker with Movement on Main Center for Dance (website)

Dates: November 30 and December 1, 2024 at 2 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Tickets: $15-$25
Location: Secrest Auditorium and Music Hall, 334 Shinnick St, Zanesville, Ohio

A Magical Cirque Christmas (website)

The world’s greatest entertainers unite for a spell-binding and incredible holiday production – A MAGICAL CIRQUE CHRISTMAS!

Experience the enchantment of Christmas as Magical Hostess Lucy Darling takes you through an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live. Get into the spirit of the season with this merry treat that’s perfect for the entire family.

Dates: November 30, 2024 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $49.40-$97.59
Location: Palace Theatre

Uptown Scrooge Abridged! in Westerville (website)

Take a seat for an interactive performance of “A Christmas Carol” where the audience members go on Scrooge’s journey, with plenty of laughter, drama and surprises along the way. The twist? You are the star of the show and can control the story. Join the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, to share the magic of Dickens’ classic tale like never before.

Dates: Sundays December 1, 8, 15, 22, 2024 (special performance on Saturday, December 7)
Tickets: $25 for adults; $15 for students and seniors.
Location: Tours start at Java Central, 20 E. College Ave. Westerville

Dr Suesses’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (website)

Join the mean and scheming Grinch and the holiday loving Who’s in this Broadway musical about the true spirit of Christmas.

Dates: December 3-8, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Starting at $35
Location: Palace Theatre

Lisa Ferraro: Jazz Up The Holidays (website)

Benefiting non-profit SoulCall Global, Jazz Up the Holidays, will be both LIVE and VIRTUAL CONCERT this year

Dates: December 4, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $35
Location: McConnell Arts Center, 77 Evening St Worthington, OH 43085

Home for the Holidays with CJO (website)

The Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s annual Home for the Holidays concerts are always festive, heart-warming and totally swingin’. A holiday musical treat featuring Broadway star Mammie Parris.

Dates: December 4-8, 2024
Tickets: $23.99-$67.43
Location: Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main Street, Columbus, OH 43215

A Hollywood Holiday (website)

Vaud-Villities Productions, is a non-profit performing arts organization providing over 75 years of vocal and dance entertainment in Columbus, Ohio. “America’s Longest-Running Music and Dance Spectacular.” This year enjoy the variety show style fun reliving the magic of cinematic holiday favorites.

Dates: December 5-8, 2024
Tickets: Ages 18-60, $25/ticket, Ages 6-17, $15/ticket, Ages 5 and under, free, Age 60+, $20/ticket, Student ID, $15/ticket

Location: The Historic Valley Dale Ballroom, 1590 Sunbury Rd, Columbus, OH 43219

Capital University Christmas Festival (website)

The 2024 Christmas Festival concerts feature the Chapel Choir, Choral Union, Cantabile, Consort, and a variety of instrumentalists. This festival is a long-standing holiday tradition enjoyed by the university, its friends and the greater Columbus community.

Dates: December 5-8, 2024
Tickets: $22 for students/seniors, $37 for adults
Location: Mees Hall at Capital University

WCOL Winter Wonder Jam with Ashley McBryde (details)

92.3 WCOL, Columbus’s #1 for New Country, brings country music stars together for one incredible night at the 2023 Winter Wonder Jam.

Dates: Friday, December 6, 2024
Tickets: Starting at $35
Location: Celeste Center

NABC The Nutcracker (website)

Presented by the New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre. Experience the delightful orchestral sounds, colorful costuming and graceful dancing of over 220 youth and professional dancers with the NACBT’s production of The Nutcracker.

Dates: December 6-15, 2024
Tickets: $45.66-$51.46
Location: Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany, OH 43054

Holiday Pops with CSO (details)

The Columbus Symphony’s holiday tradition is back with spectacular performances of your favorite holiday songs and carols featuring the Columbus Children’s Choir and starring Tony DeSare and your Columbus Symphony.

Dates: December 6-8, 2024
Tickets: $23.63-$109.48
Location: Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

The Worthington Chorus Presents: Winter Wonder (website)

From the calm of winter’s first snowfall to the hope the New Year brings, we are proud to present our show, Winter Wonder!

Dates: December 7, 2024 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $15, Children 12 and under $5
Location: McConnell Arts Center, 777 Evening St, Columbus, OH 43085

PBJ & Jazz: Songs of the Season (website)

Get into the holiday spirit with Big Band: Songs of the Season.
PBJ & Jazz concerts are 45-minute long interactive concerts designed to introduce jazz and American music to young children and their families. Featuring some of Columbus’ finest musicians and ensembles, PBJ & Jazz concerts are a great introduction to live music for the youngest audience member.

Date: December 7, 2024 at 10 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.
Tickets: $6.19 per person ($23.81 per family)
Location: Lincoln Theatre

The post 2024 Christmas Theater and Concerts in Columbus appeared first on Preferred Living Blog.

Preferred Living is embracing the Holiday Spirit this year by going all in on 3 incredible causes. All three efforts are going to help the children of Central Ohio. The luxury apartment brand known for high end finishes and incredible amenities teamed up with Champion Middle School and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

What: Thanksgiving Food Drive

When: Oct. 25th through Nov. 18th

Need: Instant oatmeal packets, easy mac and cheese pouches, granola bars, fruit snacks, and other snacks to supply children with enough food to eat over the Thanksgiving Holiday Break.

Benefitting/Why: Preferred Living supplied 355 elementary school children with enough food to sustain them over the Thanksgiving Holiday. Preferred Living was happy to support the Feed the Kids Program. Feed The Kids Columbus strives to ensure food insecure children in Central Ohio have access to nutritional meals and snacks so they are able to learn and grow.

What: Christmas Coat Drive

When: Nov. 15th to Dec. 16th

What: 355 Winter Coats for Kids

Benefitting/Why: Every single child at Champion Elementary will receive a brand new coat compliments of the Preferred and Bates Teams as well as some special vendors. Coats are being collected and organized by some special elves at the PL corporate office and will be delivered to the school before Winter Break. Preferred worked with the school to get sizes and color preferences for each child's coat! 

Thank you to Corporate sponsors:  

Crimson Design  – $1000

Beckner – $2000

84 Lumber – $4500

Holmes Lumber – 50 coats

Foundation Millwork – 25 Coats

Trinity Financial – 10 coats

Horizons Companies – 10 Coats

Key Companies – 10 Coats

Inskeep – 10 Coats

What: Christmas Toy Drive

When: Dec. 2nd to Dec. 17th

What: Various Toys

Benefitting/Why: At Nationwide Children’s hospital, toys are much more than “just toys.”

At the hospital, toys are much more than “just toys.” Child Life Specialists utilize toys and activities to minimize the stress and anxiety of hospitalization through therapeutic play, and they will use our donation with patients while playing with them to reduce anxiety prior to a procedure, or as a distraction related to pain management, for example. They also help children cope with loss and bereavement.

And, they support siblings, playing with them to help them understand what’s happening to their brother or sister, and to reduce that stress, as well.

Their main goal is to minimize potential trauma and stress during a medical encounter. Toys make a hospital stay a little more bearable.

The post Preferred Living gives BIG to Columbus, OH Kids appeared first on Preferred Living Blog.