Ways to spruce up winter break in Columbus

Soliyah Stevens-Ogaz
Tue, 10 Dec 2019 03:57:47 +0000
Arts & Life, Entertainment, Events, News, aquarium, athletics, basketball, blue jackets, break, Buckeye, Buckeyes, CBJ, channuka, channukah, charles dickens, christmas, christmas carol, cirque, clifton mill, Columbus, columbus city adventures, columbus civic theater, columbus zoo, dispatch ice haus, elves, eve, festive, finals, game of thrones, hannuka, hannukah, hip-hop [and 28 more]

Students who are staying in Columbus for winter break can find plenty to do in the city. Credit: Muyao Shen | Former Asst. Photo Editor

Winter (break) is coming. Whether that means staying inside and binging the entire series of “Game of Thrones” for the ninth time or being out and about in search of the next adventure, there are certainly options for keeping oneself occupied if staying in Columbus, Ohio, during the holidays.

Those who don’t mind a chill in the air might enjoy ice skating at the Ohio State Ice Rink located at 390 Woody Hayes Drive or Dispatch Ice Haus located at 200 W. Boulevard.

Though Columbus doesn’t have its own ski resorts, winter sports enthusiasts can drive about an hour northeast to Mansfield, Ohio, to hit the slopes at either Snow Trails at 3100 Possum Run Road or Mad River Mountain at 1000 Snow Valley Road for skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

If the indoors call to you more, there are a number of musicals, concerts and festivals taking place during the holiday season.

The Palace Theatre will feature multiple holiday shows. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” will show Friday, while “A Magical Cirque Christmas” and “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” will show Sunday and Dec. 22, respectively.

Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” will show at the Columbus Civic Theater through Dec. 22.

On Dec. 26, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform “Christmas Eve & Other Stories” at Nationwide Arena at both 3 and 8 p.m.

To take you back outside, you might consider Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium or a Holiday Lights tour organized by Columbus City Adventures. Clifton Mill in Dayton, Ohio, is also known for its holiday lights, which are worth the hour drive.

While academics come to a close during winter break, Ohio State athletics continue. Sports fans staying in town during the break could attend an Ohio State men’s or women’s basketball or hockey game. The Columbus Blue Jackets will also be in action on the ice, with at least five upcoming home games throughout December.

More information on the outside activities mentioned can be found at the websites of Snow Trails, Mad River Mountain, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Columbus City Adventures and Clifton Mill. Information regarding the holiday shows can be found at the Palace Theater, Columbus Civic Theater and Nationwide Arena websites.