December is officially here – the one month where winter feels whimsical instead of just cold and inconvenient.
We’ve got the holidays, school breaks, and festive vibes galore to keep us distracted from the fact that January is waiting around the corner to ruin everything (okay, January isn’t terrible, but by the end of it, you remember we still have February. And March. *shudders*).
Luckily, December in Central Ohio is bursting at the seams with fun things to do. From live theatre performances that’ll have you humming holiday tunes, to holiday markets brimming with gift-worthy finds, to live music and comedy shows that’ll make even the grinch-iest among us crack a smile – there’s no shortage of ways to stay entertained this month.
Disclaimer: At the time this guide was published, all of these events are scheduled to happen, however with things changing rapidly and cancellations possible, please be sure to check with each organization before going to any event for the most recent updates possible.
Awesome Things To Do In December
HOLIDAY WREATH WORKSHOP
Wed, Dec 3 • 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Admission starts at: $45Nocterra Brewing Co. • 41 Depot St Powell,
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Mens Hockey vs. University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
Thu, Dec 4 • All Day
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
2025 Cocktails at the Conservatory – Merry Martini
Thu, Dec 4 • 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Admission starts at: $30Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens • 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, 43203
Other
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Detroit Red Wings
Thu, Dec 4 • 7:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
Home for the Holidays
Thu, Dec 4 - Sun, Dec 7 • Times Vary
Southern Theater • 21 E Main St Columbus, 43215
Other
A Magical Cirque Christmas
Thu, Dec 4 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $49.40Palace Theatre • 34 West Broad St Columbus, 43215
Other
Columbus Winterfair
Fri, Dec 5 - Sun, Dec 7 • Times Vary
Ohio Expo Center – Fair Grounds • 717 E 17th Ave Columbus, 43211
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Mens Hockey vs. University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
Fri, Dec 5 • 6:00 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
Greg Warren
Fri, Dec 5 - Sat, Dec 6 • Times Vary
Admission starts at: $27Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant • 145 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Other
The Lincoln Theatre Holiday Celebration
Fri, Dec 5 • 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Lincoln Theatre • 769 E Long St Columbus, 43203
Other
Jared Freid – The Table For One Tour
Fri, Dec 5 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $38.51Riffe Center • 77 S High St Columbus, 43215
Other
Winter Wonder Jam Starring Koe Wetzel
Fri, Dec 5 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $48.77Ohio Expo Center – Fair Grounds • 717 E 17th Ave Columbus, 43211
Other
Polaris Makers Market
Sat, Dec 6 - Sun, Dec 7 • All Day
Polaris Fashion Place • 1500 Polaris Pkwy Columbus, 43240
Other
77th Buckeye Model Trains & Railroad Artifacts Show & Sale
Sat, Dec 6 • 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Ohio Expo Center – Fair Grounds • 717 E 17th Ave Columbus, 43211
Other
WinterFest Columbus
Sat, Dec 6 • 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Scioto Mile • 233 S Civic Center Dr Columbus, 43215
Other
RAIN – A Beatles Christmas Tribute
Sat, Dec 6 • 8:00 pm
Admission starts at: $42.14Palace Theatre • 34 West Broad St Columbus, 43215
Other
Advent Window Walk
Mon, Dec 8 +more dates • 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Downtown Lancaster, Ohio • 128 North Broad Street Lancaster, Ohio 43130 Lancaster, Ohio 43130
Other
Holiday Trivia and A Movie
Tue, Dec 9 +more dates • 6:30 pm
Land Grant Brewing Company • 424 W Town St Columbus, 43215
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Men’s Basketball vs. University of Illinois Fighting Illini
Tue, Dec 9 • 7:30 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
Chris Distefano
Wed, Dec 10 - Thu, Dec 11 • 7:00 pm
Admission starts at: $42Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant • 145 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Other
Holiday Drone Show Presented by Calpine Energy Solutions
Thu, Dec 11 • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Easton • 160 Easton Town Ctr, Columbus, 43219
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Womens Basketball vs. Northern Kentucky Norse
Thu, Dec 11 • 6:30 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
COSI AFTER DARK – Roaring 20s
Thu, Dec 11 • 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
COSI – Center of Science and Industry • 333 West Broad St. Columbus, 43215
Other
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators
Thu, Dec 11 • 7:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2025
Thu, Dec 11 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $54.24Palace Theatre • 34 West Broad St Columbus, 43215
Other
Adult Night: Holiday Who Dunnit
Fri, Dec 12 • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Columbus • 157 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Other
Dale Jones
Fri, Dec 12 - Sun, Dec 14 • Times Vary
Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant • 145 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Other
The Nutcracker
Fri, Dec 12 +more dates • 7:00 pm
McCoy Center for the Arts • 100 W Dublin Granville Rd New Albany, 43054
Other
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Sat, Dec 13 • 7:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Womens Basketball vs. University of Toledo
Sun, Dec 14 • 1:00 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
THAT MEXICAN OT: Recess Tour – Part 2
Sun, Dec 14 • 7:00 pm
Kemba Live! • 405 Neil Ave Columbus, 43215
Other
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Anaheim Ducks
Tue, Dec 16 • 7:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Womens Basketball vs. Norfolk State Spartans
Thu, Dec 18 • 6:30 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Minnesota Wild
Thu, Dec 18 • 7:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
A Night of Laughter: Benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Thu, Dec 18 • 7:00 pm
Admission starts at: $15Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant • 145 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Other
DeRay Davis
Fri, Dec 19 - Sun, Dec 21 • Times Vary
Admission starts at: $42Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant • 145 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Other
Winter Solstice Sunrise
Sun, Dec 21 • 7:00 am - 10:00 am
Fort Ancient Earthworks & Nature Preserve • 6123 State Route 350 Oregonia, OH 45054
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Womens Basketball vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Mon, Dec 22 • 6:30 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Men’s Basketball vs. Grambling State Tigers
Tue, Dec 23 • 2:00 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Tue, Dec 23 +more dates • 3:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
The Harlem Globetrotters 100 Year Tour
Sat, Dec 27 +more dates • 2:00 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
Ohio State Buckeyes Womens Basketball vs. UCLA Bruins
Sun, Dec 28 • 2:00 pm
Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Other
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Islanders
Sun, Dec 28 • 5:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
Zoo Year’s Eve Noon Celebration
Wed, Dec 31 • 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • 4850 Powell Rd Powell, 43065
Other
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey Devils
Wed, Dec 31 • 7:00 pm
Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Other
Tropidelic & The Quasi Kings w/ Shrub
Wed, Dec 31 • 7:30 pm
Newport Music Hall • 1722 N High St Columbus, 43201
Other
NYE w/ Ekoostik Hookah
Wed, Dec 31 • 8:00 pm
Admission starts at: $57.81Woodlands Tavern • 1200 W 3rd Ave Columbus, 43212
Other