Best Bets: 10 fun things to do this weekend in Columbus

Happy (almost) New Year!

Many central Ohioans may have reached their limit on holiday-themed events and activities, so the good news is that there are many non-holiday things to do this weekend and into the following week.

Theater lovers should take note of their final opportunity to see the Short North Stage’s production of “Kinky Boots” on Sunday as well as their first chance to see the touring company of “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” which opens Jan. 2 at the Ohio Theatre. Performances of the latter run through Jan. 14.

For those who want some first-class entertainment to go along with their New Year’s celebrations, check out drummer Jeff Hamilton’s “Swingin’ in the New Year” on Friday at the Lincoln Theatre or the classic Billy Wilder comedy-drama “The Apartment,” which is being screened Friday through Monday at the Gateway Film Center.

And if you’re absolutely, positively in need of a little more Christmas magic, there’s always the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Saturday at Nationwide Arena.

Here’s to a happy, prosperous and — most of all — entertainment-filled 2024!

Read on for details about these and other weekend entertainment options. To receive these ideas in your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.

‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ opens next week

Inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film, the Broadway show “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” netted 10 Tony Awards in 2021, among them Best Musical. Now the touring production — with a book by John Logan and choreography by Sonya Tayeh — comes to Columbus. Performances begin Jan. 2 and continue through Jan. 14 in the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. Tickets start at $50. (www.capa.com)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes to town

Christmas may be in the rearview mirror this year, but the Trans-Siberian Orchestra isn’t done yet. Vivid light effects, amazing pyrotechnics and rocking sounds are among the essential elements of “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve” to be performed at 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Tickets start at $49.75. (www.nationwidearena.com)

A swingin’ start to the year

If your New Year’s weekend plans call for a bit of swing, join drummer Jeff Hamilton, Hammond B3 organ player Akiko Tsuruga and guitarist Steve Kovalcheck for “Swingin’ in the New Year.” The Jazz Arts Group presentation will take place at 8 p.m. Friday in the Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St. Tickets cost $28.57. (www.jazzartsgroup.org)

Hop over to ‘The Apartment’

Let Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine keep you company on the weekend before the new year. See that stellar cast — under the superb direction of filmmaker Billy Wilder — in screenings of the Oscar-winning comedy-drama “The Apartment,” which includes key climactic scenes set on New Year’s Eve. The Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St., will show the movie at 6 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. (www.gatewayfilmcenter.org)

Blue Jackets game on tap

Hockey fans can incorporate a Columbus Blue Jackets game into their New Year’s plans this weekend: the Jackets will face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. Friday at Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Tickets start at $70. (www.nationwidearena.com)

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‘Kinky Boots’ draws to a close

The Short North Stage’s production of Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper’s musical “Kinky Boots” — about a man who aims to keep his shoe factory in business by forming an alliance with a drag queen — has been running since late November. This weekend represents audiences’ last chance to see the show, with performances at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Garden Theatre, 1187 N. High St. Tickets start at $45.71. (https://www.shortnorthstage.org/kinky-boots)

‘Holiday Blooms,’ still blooming

If the weather cooperates, and you want to get out-and-about this weekend, check out the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ “Holiday Blooms,” which is defined by a panoply of poinsettias displayed throughout the conservatory. The conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for this daytime exhibition. General admission costs $23, or $19 for senior citizens, $15.50 for ages 3 through 12 or free for ages 2 and younger. “Holiday Blooms” ends on Jan. 7. (www.fpconservatory.org)

More: New Year's Eve: Looking for family-friendly ways to celebrate? Here are 7 suggestions

Go to the museum on New Year’s Eve

The Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., is closed on New Year’s Day, but is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. If you have a hankering to see some great art, check out one of the current exhibitions, such as “Quilting a Future: Contemporary Quilts and American Tradition” or the family-friendly “Think Outside the Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO.” General admission is always free on Sundays. (www.columbusmuseum.org)

Ohio History Connection open this weekend

The Ohio History Connection, Interstate 71 and East 17th Avenue, will have its doors open during its normal hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both New Year’s Eve and Day. In addition to the exhibitions on display, including the Lustron House, the center is including a daytime New Year’s Eve celebration, beginning at 11:30 a.m., and aimed at children or those who don’t want to stay up all night. Games, crafts and a countdown to noon are included. Admission costs $16, or $14 for senior citizens and college students, $10 or ages 4 through 12 and free for ages 3 and younger. (www.ohiohistory.org)

Have a beer for the New Year

The Grandview Theater & Drafthouse, 1247 Grandview Ave., is again hosting a beer tasting on New Year’s Eve. From 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., a $45 ticket will buy you nine samples from various breweries, a custom pint glass, raffles and a seat to watch the ball dropping on the theater’s screen.  (https://www.grandviewtheater.com)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Looking for something fun to do in Columbus? Here are 10 ideas