Kick off the holiday season with these 10 things to do this weekend in Columbus

Thanksgiving weekend is upon us! And for many people, that's the kickoff to the holiday season.... You know, when there is just a little magic in the air and plenty of fun activities to enjoy.

A seasonal favorite that is being locally produced this year is "A Christmas Carol." This simply delightful and heartwarming tale by Charles Dickens is a must-see this weekend.

But your plans for getting into the holiday spirit don't end there. Concerts, performances of "The Nutcracker" and more lights than you can imagine are on display at Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Sure, the weather is going to be a bit chillier this weekend but that's perfect for this time of year. Grab some hot cocoa or cider and mull these options.

Lydia Loveless to perform at Natalie's

Alternative country singer-songwriter, Coshocton native and Columbus resident Lydia Loveless will perform in front of a hometown crowd at 8 p.m. Saturday at Natalie’s Grandview, 945 King Ave. The program will prominently feature selections from Loveless’ much-praised new album, “Nothing’s Gonna Stand In My Way Again.” Singer-songwriter Reese McHenry will open for Loveless. Tickets cost $25. (nataliesgrandview.com)

Holiday happenings at the library

From 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 29, the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave., will swing open its doors for a free holiday open house. Numerous events are on tap, including carol sing-alongs, live reindeer and a promised visit from a “very special guest.” (Could he be from the North Pole?) Families also won’t want to miss the marvelous Huntington Holiday Train, a miniature-train marvel that has been a beloved holiday tradition for more than three decades. (columbuslibrary.org)

Canadian comics Mark Forward and Jeff McEnery light up KEMBA!

If you are a fan of the Canadian sitcom “Letterkenny,” which is available on the streaming service Hulu, four comedians associated with the show are set to perform at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 at KEMBA Live!, 405 Neil Ave. Cast members Mark Forward and Jeff McEnery will perform along with show writers Olivia Stadler and Allie Pearse. Tickets cost $58.50. (facebook.com/letterkennyproblemsofficial)

Concert of thanks after Thanksgiving

On the day after Thanksgiving, continue to give thanks for friends, freedom, music and more — in musical form. All of those are among the topics that singer, pianist and guitarist Bill Cohen promises to highlight during his 10th Thanksgiving concert at 7 p.m. Friday at Maple Grove Methodist Church, 7 W. Henderson Road. Cohen will perform a set list to include music by John Denver, Louis Armstrong, the Weavers and more. The concert is free, but donations are welcome for the charity International Medical Alliance of Tennessee.

'The Nutcracker' comes to Newark

Be the first in your family to say you saw the Nutcracker Prince and Rat King in person this year by checking out the Central Ohio Youth Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” likely the first such production of the holiday classic this season. The youthful troupe will perform the beloved holiday-themed ballet at 4 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Midland Theatre, 36 N. Park Place, Newark. Tickets start at $14. (midlandtheatre.org)

Garrison Keillor and company to perform

Garrison Keillor, formerly the host of the public radio perennial “A Prairie Home Companion,” will offer “A Prairie Home Holiday,” a festive evening of songs, ruminations and undoubtedly more than a few tales from the fictitious Lake Wobegon. Keillor will be joined by singer Heather Masse and pianist Richard Dworsky for the show at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 in the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. Tickets start at $44. (capa.com)

A jazz-infused holiday program

Under the direction of Artistic Director Byron Stripling, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays” program has become something of a holiday staple in central Ohio. This year, the group will be joined by vocalist Mamie Parris in concerts at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29-30, 8 p.m. Dec. 1-2 and 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St. Tickets start at $17.33. (jazzartsgroup.org)

A celestial cinematic experience

The 137-minute director’s cut of Steven Spielberg’s classic drama of extra-terrestrials visiting stars Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon and others, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” will be shown in 4K at 1 p.m. Friday at the Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St. With tickets costing just $3, bring the whole family to take a gander at Spielberg’s grand vision of interstellar communication. (wexarts.org)

It's 'Wildlights' time again at the Columbus Zoo

Walk off your Thanksgiving feast by taking a tour of “Wildlights” at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Road, Powell. “Wildlights,” boasting millions of lights throughout the zoo, began last weekend, but numerous families are likely to be out in force this weekend for the countless activities included, among them train rides, carousel rides, animated light displays and live music on select nights. Through Jan. 7. (columbuszoo.org)

'A Christmas Carol' is back!

The much-anticipated new, locally produced production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will debut this weekend. Produced by CAPA and Short North Stage, the show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. — the same venue that for decades hosted a previous touring production of “A Christmas Carol” each Thanksgiving weekend. Tickets start at $26. (capa.com)

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: It's Thanksgiving weekend! 10 things to do in Columbus