Holiday music, Christmas films, carriage rides among seasonal events to enjoy in Columbus

We still have about two-and-a-half weeks to go until Christmas, but many central Ohioans have likely made it to a holiday concert, attended a local tree lighting and maybe even taken in a “Nutcracker” performance or two.

With more than 14 days to go, what’s left to do?Plenty. Greater Columbus is buzzing with fun and sometimes surprising events and activities to celebrate the season. Here we have assembled a holiday events mashup of sorts. This grab bag of things to do will keep your calendar full until the arrival of Old Saint Nick — and beyond.

Take a spin on a carousel

At least two carousels in central Ohio are up and running for the holidays: At the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, riders can take a spin from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 8, 15 and 22. Meanwhile, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s grand carousel is a featured attraction as part of “Wildlights,” which continues through Jan. 7 ($2 per ride in addition to “Wildlights” admission). More information: www.columbuscommons.org; www.columbuszoo.org.

Take a gander at a model train

The Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library is again the site of the Huntington Holiday Train, which, with its tracks coursing through plenty of fluffy fake snow, will put a smile on any train enthusiast’s face. The train will be on display through Jan. 7. More information: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/huntington-holiday-train/

Enjoy a carriage ride

Treat yourself to a horse-drawn carriage ride while shopping or dining at Easton Town Center. Carriage rides are available through the North District and Fenlon Square areas of the complex from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 to 7 p.m. Sundays through the month. Rides cost $10, or free for age 15 and younger with a paying adult. More information: www.eastontowncenter.com.

More: Tips for buying and caring for a live Christmas tree

Go back in time at the Ohio History Connection

The Ohio History Connection’s Lustron House — an example of the type of steel houses built throughout Columbus in the 1950s — has been bedecked in holiday decorations circa the ’50s. The house also includes a model train display from the Central Ohio Model Railroad Club. The holiday-themed accents will be on display at the Lustron House through Dec. 31, and the Lustron House exhibit is included in Ohio History Connection general admission ($16, or $14 for senior citizens, $10 for ages 4 through 12, free for Ohio History Connection members or ages 3 and younger). More information: www.ohiohistory.org.

Celebrate the season at COSI

The Center for Science and Industry (COSI) is worth a visit any time of year, but families in a festive frame of mind may wish to check out “Season of Celebrations,” an exhibition anchored by the display of some 50 trees, each decorated by a particular community organization in central Ohio. The exhibition runs through Jan. 7 and is included with COSI general admission ($30, or $28 for senior citizens, $25 for ages 2 through 12, free for ages 2 and younger). More information: www.cosi.org.

Enjoy choirs at the Statehouse

Although the tree lighting at the Ohio Statehouse has already taken place, voices singing the music of the season will continue to be heard there throughout the month: Free choir concerts taking place at noon began this week and continue on Dec. 7-8, 11-15 and 18-19. Among the groups to perform will be the Columbus Alternate High Schools Ensembles (Dec. 12), Grandview Singers (Dec. 13) and Lancaster High School Chamber Singers (Dec. 18). More information: www.ohiostatehouse.org.

Catch Christmas flicks on the big screen

Take a break from Netflix to watch classic Christmas movies on the big screen at the Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St. Throughout the month, the theater will be presenting numerous beloved holiday favorites. This weekend, the movies to be shown include “Meet Me in St. Louis,” directed by one-time Delaware resident Vincente Minnelli and starring his wife, Judy Garland (Dec. 8); the family favorite “A Christmas Story” (Dec. 10, 13); and “The Bishop’s Wife,” starring Cary Grant (Dec. 11-12). Tickets vary. (www.gatewayfilmcenter.org)

Why not take in some more Christmas flicks?

Cinemas in the Marcus Theatres chain are participating in “Season’s Screenings,” a month-long series of big-screen presentations of classic Christmas movies. From Dec 8-14, films to be shown will include “A Christmas Story,” “Love Actually” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”; and from Dec. 15-21, the offerings will consist of “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “Fred Claus.” The Marcus theaters in central Ohio are Crosswoods Cinema, 200 Hutchinson Ave., and Pickerington Cinema, 1776 Hill Road North, Pickerington. More information: https://www.marcustheatres.com/marcus-specials/marcus-film-series/seasons-screenings-2023.

Arts and crafts fair in Gahanna offers holiday gifts

Head over to Gahanna Lincoln High School to browse at the Community Art Holiday Hoopla Arts and Crafts Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The wares for sale not only make great gifts, but also proceeds benefit the high school’s community art class. Santa Claus will be on hand from noon to 2 p.m. More information: https://www.glhscommunityart.com/holdayhoopla/

More: Lasagna and other Spaghetti Warehouse favorites have made the move to Columbus Commons

Listen to musical accompaniment at The Refectory

With its dinner music series, The Refectory aims to satisfy your palate and please your ears, and this month is no different. On Dec. 11-12, guests can make reservations for a four-course dinner and private concert from the Lyrata String Quartet. The evening costs $150 per guest (not including taxes and gratuity). The menu by Chef Richard Blondin includes a duet of smoked salmon, lobster bisque, beef filet mignon and eggnog crème brulee, and the musical offerings are said to include “The Nutcracker.” More information: www.refectory.com.

Get into the holiday spirit with ‘Christmas Carol’ performance

Perhaps you saw the Short North Stage’s recent production of “A Christmas Carol” the weekend after Thanksgiving at the Ohio Theatre, but somehow, you just can’t get enough of Uncle Scrooge, Tiny Tim and assorted ghostly figures. Fear not — Charles Dickens’ classic tale returns to central Ohio stages with a production by The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio (formerly known as CATCO). Angela Iannone will perform the one-woman version of the story in performances beginning Dec. 14 and continuing through Dec. 23 at the Riffe Center’s Studio Two. Tickets cost $25.71. More information: www.thecontemporaryohio.org.

Appreciate holiday music goes on the road with the Columbus Symphony

If you are a resident of Fairfield County — or happen to be visiting Lancaster — later this month, swing by Faith Memorial Church in Lancaster for a Columbus Symphony holiday concert led by CSO Chorus director Stephen Caracciolo, also the longtime leader of LancasterChorale. The CSO’s “Holiday Spectacular” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Tickets cost $30, or $10 for children. More information: www.columbussymphony.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 12 ways to celebrate the season include carousels, films, trains