COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Commons is making downtown brighter with its display of 400,000 lights this holiday season. Through the rest of the year, there will be several events at the Lazarus building and the esplanade.
Holiday lights will brighten the area every day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. from Nov. 17 until Jan. 1, 2024.
Columbus Commons will host “Festive Fridays” the first four Fridays of December, where there will be free hot chocolate from Tortilla, free carousel rides from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., live music, a roaming photo booth and more.
On Dec. 2, there will be a local shopping day where guests can visit Santa in the Lazarus Building from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and find unique gifts at the shops downtown. “Downtown Holi-Day” will also be on the same day as the Winterfest, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Winterfest features local seasonal craft beer and cocktails, live music, some of Columbus' local food trucks and family-friendly winter activities.
Attendees will enjoy live performances by RJD2, a popular Columbus-based and internationally recognized DJ and producer, along with Honey and Blue, George Barrie Band and DJ AXCESS spinning throughout the day.
A new feature for this year’s WinterFest Columbus is a sampling experience featuring five local breweries, while supplies last. Attendees can enjoy samples and learn about seasonal beers, including:
- Deck the Hills, an English-style holiday ale by Jackie O’s
- Frosty Cones, a seasonal cold IPA from Columbus Brewing Company
- Home for the Holidays, a spiced holiday ale from Wolf’s Ridge Brewing
- Rime, a holiday IPA from Seventh Son Brewing Company
- Stick, an amber ale from North High Brewing
Some of the local food trucks that will be in attendance include Eiffel Street Food, Fork in Nigeria, Ninja Bowl, Paddy Wagon, Pitabilities, Pizza Cottage, Queen’s Table, Schmidt's Sausage Truck, The Galaxy Coffee and Tortilla Street Food.
The event will also feature free activities for all ages, such as a mechanical reindeer, a giant snow globe photo opportunity, cornhole and the playground at Dorrian Green.
Parking is available at 55 East Rich St.
For more information on the events, visit columbuscommons.org/events/holiday-lights/
