Special Events

• Dickens Victorian Village
  November 1 - January 17, 2010 / Historic Downtown Cambridge
  From November through mid January each year, visitors are invited to stroll amidst 60 vignettes of 160 lifelike figures representing classic scenes from Victorian society. Families, couples, and groups alike enjoy this innovative public art exhibition. This is an experience that engages the senses as you explore the charming streetscape, striking historic architecture, and eclectic shops and eateries of Cambridge. The Dickens scenes are stationed along Wheeling Avenue at each antique lamppost and bench between 6th and 11th Streets. Wheeling Avenue is also the historic National Road/Route 40, and features an outstanding streetscape of original buildings from the 1800s. A self-guided walking tour brochure is available at downtown shops and area hotels for your convenience.
• Gifts of the Craftsmen
  November 15 - December 23, 2009 / Ohio Craft Museum
  Holiday shoppers looking for unique gifts this season will discover handcrafted jewelry, pottery, art glass, baskets, clothing and more, all created by nearly 50 fine craft artists from across the United States. All works are suitably priced for gift giving, ranging in price from $4 "stocking stuffers" to $15 earrings and exquisite glass paperweights at several hundred dollars.
• Ohio Star Ball
  November 17-22, 2009 / Arena District Hyatt Regency
  This will be the 32nd year for the dance championships, an annual Columbus event. The Ohio Star Ball Dance Championship is the largest Pro/Am competition in the world.
• Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Green Thumb
  November 19-22, 2009 / Nationwide Arena
  As the live stage show licensee of Sesame Workshop (the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street), VEE will present an amazing adventure as Elmo and friends help find a new home for Elmo's sunflower, Sunny. Elmo has raised Sunny from a seed, but his floral friend has outgrown the flowerpot. When Elmo and friends move Sunny to Big Bird's garden, they learn some big lessons about patience, overcoming their fears and appreciating the role that each creature plays in the ecosystem - from dancing ladybugs and beautiful butterflies to grouchy beetles that scavenge the garden floor.
• International Gem & Jewelry Show
  November 20-22, 2009 / Veterans Memorial
  Hundreds of exhibitors from around the world will fill the Veterans Memorial with colorful displays of rare gems, unusual custom designed pieces, and special theme jewelry. Gem enthusiasts and jewelry lovers alike will enjoy the ornate one-of-a-kind jewelry creations that include precious and semi-precious gemstones, eye-catching beads, pearls, watches, antique and estate jewelry and accessories.
• The Columbus Symphony: Mahler Symphony No. 9
  November 20-22, 2009 / Ohio Theatre
  The Columbus Symphony brings out a third Symphony No. 9 in a row! This time, the orchestra performs the ninth symphony of German composer Gustav Mahler. At the time, Mahler was struggling between tonal and atonal worlds. This struggle is clearly evident in this work, especially the fourth movement. While it was written in 1909, Mahler never heard it performed; it was premiered in Vienna in 1912, a year after his death.
• Fantasy of Lights
  November 20 - December 30, 2009 / Alum Creek State Park Marina
  This annual two-mile, drive through extravaganza features 125 light displays, including many with animation. Visitors may begin their tour at the Alum Creek Marina, which as been transformed into a holiday gift shop for the season. Santa will be on hand until Dec. 24 to take holiday gift requests and pose for pictures with youngsters.
• 7th Annual Jewish Community Arts and Crafts Fair
  November 22, 2009 / Jewish Community Center
  Save the date for this year's Jewish Community Arts and Crafts Fair. This year's fair will feature high-quality artists and artisans. Shoppers will definitely want to attend to find that truly one-of-a-kind gift for the holidays (or even something to spoil themselves).
• Columbus International Film & Video Festival: The New Metropolis
  November 24, 2009 / Drexel East
  Special post festival screening: Director Andrea Torrice will introduce her work and do q & a after the film. America's first suburbs, those suburban communities built next to America's urban centers, were once the birthplace of the American Dream.
• Ohio State University Mens Basketball vs. Lipscomb
  November 24, 2009 / Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center
  
• Broadway Across America-Columbus: In the Heights
  November 24-29, 2009 / Ohio Theatre
  In The Heights, winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL!, is a sensational new show about chasing your dreams and finding your true home. With an amazing cast, incredible Tony Award-winning dancing and a thrilling Tony Award-winning score, IN THE HEIGHTS is an exhilarating journey into a vibrant Manhattan community - a place where the coffee is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.
• Rob Zombie
  November 25, 2009 / THE LC, Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
  
• Thanksgiving Eve Fest
  November 25, 2009 / Newport Music Hall
  
• Ohio State University Women's Basketball vs. UNC Greensboro
  November 25, 2009 / Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center
  
• Radio City Christmas Spectacular
  November 25, 2009 / Nationwide Arena
  This beloved holiday show will delight the entire family with its encore performance when it hits the stage in Columbus for two shows the night before Thanksgiving.
• Family Friday Night
  November 27, 2009 / COSI
  COSI stays open late for family-friendly fun the last Friday of every month! You can explore science, discover fun, and stay late! Admission is only $7 per person after 5 p.m. and includes all of COSI plus an Extreme Screen movie!
• Christmas Open House
  November 27, 2009 / Historic Roscoe Village
  Continuing with the 40th Anniversary celebration and introducing the holiday season, Roscoe Village hosts Christmas Open House at Dr. Johnson's House. Dr. Johnson's house is always beautifully adorned for the holiday season including elegant live pine wreaths decorated with naturally dried flower, cones, nuts and seed pods. As you enter the home, you will find a beautifully decorated tree with antique and old-style decorations. The delicious aroma coming from the kitchen pantry offers up yummy Christmas treats such as plum pudding, comfets cookies and hot cider served to you by a woman of the 1800s portrayed by Seneth Darr.
• Holiday Lights Parade & Festival
  November 27-28, 2009 / Olde Gahanna and Creekside
  Join in the festivities of one of the most unique holiday parades and festivals in the Midwest! This spectacular display of holiday festivities will captivate visitors of all ages with family oriented activities set in charming and historic Olde Gahanna. The flurry of activity is just beginning when the sun goes down, as Ohio's premiere evening parade celebrates its 11h anniversary. The procession promises to warm hearts with upwards of 100-lighted floats, marching bands, horse drawn carriages, and a host of other dazzling surprises. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, because the contagious holiday spirit will continue long into the evening with post-parade activities and entertainment. Among the new activities this year are a holiday children's village, the family-oriented Holiday Mystery Pizza Party, a Healthy Holiday Fun Run, Holiday Story Time Breakfast and Santa's Secret Workshop.
• CAPA: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
  November 27-29, 2009 / Palace Theatre
  A Columbus tradition for more than 30 years, the Nebraska Theatre Caravan returns with the national touring production of A Christmas Carol. Capturing every detail of the Dickens classic, from the spine-chilling ghosts and gorgeous renditions of traditional British carols to crotchety Scrooge and lovable Tiny Tim, Columbus audiences have come to love Charles Dickens' enchanting story and this treasured holiday event.
• Mid-America Irish Dance Championships
  November 27-29, 2009 / Greater Columbus Convention Center
  Dancers compete to qualify for the World Irish Dancing Championships to be held next spring in Ireland.