A lot of people I know are entertaining family over the holidays and/or just trying to keep young’uns distracted. For them I have made a list of family friendly events that are interactive and/or will get everyone moving and out of the house.

• Columbus Museum of Art offers a robust, interactive kids are and has the following exhibitions to check out: Accra! The Rise of a Global Art Community, Quilting a Future: Contemporary Quilts and American Tradition, and the annual favorite Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of Legos. General Admission is $18 per adult and $9 per child for non-members, members are admitted free. The Acrra and Quilting a Future exhibitions are an additional $8 per guest (also free for members). Find admission info here.
• COSI has the Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience through Jan. 7 and Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence through March 3. Admission is $30 per person when ordered online. Visit COSI site for additional admission information.
• Franklin Park Conservatory has Conservatory Aglow, Holiday Blooms and the Paul Busse Garden Railway up through Jan. 7 General admission is $23 per person and $15.50 for children 12 and under. Special discounts may be available.
• The Ohio History Center has the Lustron House decorated for the holidays and a holiday train display and Ohio: Champion of Sports through Dec. 31. Admissions is $16 per adult and $10 for kids 4-12. Visit Ohio History Center site for more admission information.
• For free arts-centric activities I recommend utilizing our curated, self-guided Public Art Tours. Many of these tours are walkable and make for a fun family outing.

PRO TIP: Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Park Conservatory and The Ohio History Connection are all part of the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Culture Pass program, which offers free admission. I strongly recommend checking for passes before a visit.

And, finally, a couple of recommendations for adults who just want to relax for a minute.

• Lil Red and the Rooster are singing the blues at Natalie’s Dec. 21 for a free Happening Hour event. Reservations are strongly encouraged as are tips.
• The Nest Theatre presents Holiday Town: A Hallmark Parody, Dec. 24. Tickets are $15.
• Dec. 23 Soda Straw and New Modern are playing The Rambling House. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Per usual, you can find plenty more to do at ColumbusMakesArt.com. Quick note: Weekend Warrior is taking a wee break Dec. 27, so this is the final post for 2023. We will be back Jan. 3, 2024 with recommendations for exploring the arts in Columbus in the new year.

Image from Quilting the Future: Contemporary Quilts and American Tradition at the Columbus Museum of Art.

The Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory and Ohio History Connection are funded in part with a GCAC Operating Support Grant.

Lacey Luce is a digital marketing strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who is looking forward to celebrating the Winter Solstice.