Wow. We’ve barely caught our breath from last week, but because of the funky calendar this year, December starts the weekend of Thanksgiving. So it suddenly seems like EVERYTHING is happening at once. I hope you enjoyed your Turkey Day, because now we’re on to the next thing!
At the beginning of this busy season, my wife Beth and I have one holiday tradition that allows us to slow down, at least for one evening. One of our favorite bands, Over the Rhine, plays the Lincoln Theatre every early December. They’re based out of Cincinnati, and perform a mix of folk, blues and rock. It’s always a lovely evening of quiet, bluesy holiday music.
And that kicks off a week of fun holiday shows! Here’s just a sampling of what I found on ColumbusMakesArt.com:
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra takes to the Southern Theatre for their annual Home for the Holidays concert, Dec. 4-8.
Columbus Civic Theater opens their production of A Christmas Carol this Thursday, Dec. 5. I’ve always loved the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his change of heart.
The Wexner Center hosts their annual Zoom: Family Film Festival, Friday-Sunday, Dec. 6-8. It’s a wonderful collection of short- and long-form film, animation and documentary all perfect for the family. And offered at family-friendly prices.
The Columbus Symphony performs their popular Holiday Pops concert this Friday through Sunday, Dec. 6-8, at the Ohio Theatre.
You can spend all day Saturday and Sunday arts-hopping and shopping for local art around the city, between the Short North’s Holiday Hop, the Hilltop Art Hop and CCAD’s Art Fair on Saturday and Craftin’ Outlaws at the Columbus Museum of Art on Sunday. And Winterfair is Friday through Sunday at the Expo Center!
Head down to Bicentennial Park for a collection of live music, food trucks and holiday activities during WinterFest on Saturday, Dec. 7.
That same night, the King Arts Complex performs their annual holiday jazz celebration, Jazz on the Avenue.
You can also meet the artists behind the ArtPop billboards during a sale and happy hour on Saturday, Dec. 7. Enjoy free hors d'oeurves, order some drinks, shop for local art at The Joseph hotel in Short North.
Have a free lunch hour? Hit up Shadowbox Live’s Holiday Lunchbox, which kicked off this week and runs through Dec. 20.
I hope you find opportunities to slow down and enjoy some art this holiday season, whether it’s music, dance, visual art, film or more. Tag your adventures with #artmakescbus!
Nick is Marketing, Communications, & Events Administrator for the Arts Council. He also leads culinary tours and blogs about breakfast at breakfastwithnick.com. Only 16 more days until Star Wars.