Christmas Lights and Music Help Fight Hunger
The Lights at City Hall
The City Hall of Columbus, Ohio on West Broad Street downtown lights up every year at the beginning of December and the spectacle does not cost the taxpayers a single penny. In fact, the outdoor lighting at City Hall is donated all year.
A tall, decorated Christmas Tree is also displayed to the public on the property, near a city bus stop where riders can enjoy it as they board their buses. Throughout the Christmas and New year's season, groups of carolers and other performers provide entertainment on the steps of City Hall near the tree.
The building and tree display many bright light lights, along with red, green and other seasonal colors and decorations.
Columbus City Hall at W. Broad and Front St.
100th Anniversary Year for Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Events: Columbus Recreation and Parks operates the city parks and their events along the Scioto River since 1910. On December 2, 2010 at 5PM, everyone was invited to join the Mayor, Honorable Michael B. Coleman, City Council President Michael Mentel, and City Council Members at our downtown Broad Street Plaza, 90 W. Broad Street, for an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony of a 40-foot tree.
The annual lighting ceremonies highlights the Spirit of Giving and Empty Bowls Projects against hunger. Lights are on display until sometime after the Orthodox Christmas celebration day in January, so there is plenty of time to see the lights and holiday displays.
Columbus Palace Theatre
The Palace Theater
- Palace Theatre, near City Hall
Owner and operator of downtown Columbus's historic Ohio, Palace, and Southern Theatres, and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre, Shubert Theater (New Haven, CT), and Valentine Theatre (Toledo), CAPA is a non-profit company.
The first night's lighting event, the tree, and the electricity are all free for the 6 weeks involved, provided by AEP Ohio (The Electric Company), Boehringer Ingleheim Roxane, Schooley Caldwell Associates, MSI and Tech Art Productions. Speeches, a visit from Santa, free refreshments (hot chocolate and donuts), and entertainment will follow the 5PM lighting ceremony.
Free refreshments and the goods of street vendors and downtown eateries are available during Santa's visit to City Hall, music from the Columbus Children's Choir, and scenes from The Nutcracker ballet performed in the plaza. People love this event.
This block of Broad Street is next to the historic Palace Theater, with the Ohio Statehouse across High Street half a block to the east. About half a block west is the Scioto River and half a dozen city parks along its banks that come to life with Christmas and Winter Holiday lights and festivities after Thanksgiving and in early December every year. A Santa Maria Ship Museum on a replica ship in the river throws special parties for all the holidays. Look at the link below for all the great events along the Scioto River.
Soup and Ceramics - Spirit of Giving
Anyone attending the City Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony may contribute to ending hunger by purchasing a handcrafted bowl containing delicious hot soup. Local children and professional artists have made artistic ceramic bowls for the anti-hunger Empty Bowls Project.
For a $10 donation, you can have a piece of handcrafted pottery, hot soup, and freshly made bread. Sponsors are Black Creek Bistro and Katzinger’s Deli, with all donations given to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank in Columbus.
Lights Across the Street
The Columbus Center of Science and Industry provides a seasonal light show that is free and very popular with residents and visitors. Located at 333 West Broad Street, the center is less than two blocks from City Hall, across a lighted bridge spanning the Scioto.
Light shows will begin around Thanksgiving or early December. Showings are usually provided on Wednesday - Saturday from 10AM to 5PM and Sundays 12PM to 6PM. It's closed on Mon./Tues. each week, on December 24 & 25th, and on New Year’s Day. However, New Year's Eve will be particularly enjoyable, because a great light show at COSI is part of Columbus First Night downtown family party. All the installations and attractions downtown will light up for visitors!
COSI Columbus
Area Map
Old Veteran's Memorial Hall
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2010 Patty Inglish MS