by Sarah Thompson

 

Don’t let the cold keep you from enjoying the holidays. Westerville features many holiday-related events that will have you savoring the snowy season.

 

Hanby Christmas Open House, 1-4:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 6: Enjoy a festive atmosphere, live music and free refreshments at the Hanby House, a location rich in history -- it was once a safe house on the Underground Railroad. Hanby House Museum. 160 W. Main Street. Call 614-891-6289.

 

Secret Santa, Wednesday-Saturday starting Dec. 4:   T he Secret Santa event, for kids of any age, has many wonderful gift items from local artists and stores for purchase. Gallery 202. 38 N. State Street. For more information, call 614-890-8202 or email programs@gallery202online.com

 

Westerville children's Christmas Parade, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 6: Grab your coat and bring your family to welcome Santa into town. North on State Route 3. Call 614-212-7900 for more information.

 

Snowflake Castle , Dec. 7 and 11: for $2 per child, youngsters can visit Santa, watch the puppet show and get their faces painted while you take a stroll through the gift shop. Westerville Senior Center. 310 W. Main Street. Call 614-901-6560 for the schedule.

 

Evening at the North Pole, 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11:   Bring the youngsters for an evening of crafts, refreshments and sing-a-longs. Also, catch Santa as he stops in to share some Christmas stoies. Infants under 1 are free.  Westerville Community Center. 350 N. Cleveland Ave. Call 614-901-6500 for registration information.

Music in the Library Atrium, 2-4 p.m. Dec. 11 :   Whether you enjoy Celtic tunes or folk-rock jams, Music in the Library Atrium will please fans of all types of music. This free event will include a diverse line-up of music performed by guitarist Tim O’Connor, as well as refreshments and library history. Westerville Public Library. 126 S. State Street. Call 614-882-7277x 164.

CHA Animal Shelter’s Cookie Walk, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 12: Come grab goodies at the 5th Annual Cookie Walk and Holiday Sale. For $12, you can take home a box full of homemade treats, including cookies and cakes. CHA Animal Shelter Fundraiser. CHA Animal Shelter. 3765 Corporate Drive. Call 614-891-5280.

 

The Westerville Symphony at Otterbein College Presents: Sounds of the Season, 7 p.m. Dec. 13:   The symphony features concertmaster Erin Gilliland playing Vivaldi’s Winter, and the popular audience sing-a-long. Tickets are available as a series add-on or single ticket purchase for December. Otterbein College . Riley Auditorium. Battelle Hall. 170 W. Park Street. Call 614-899-9000 or visit www.westervillesymphony.org.

 

Winter Solstice Celebration, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 20:   Meet at the Innis House to gaze at the stars while you enjoy a cup of warm cocoa at the Winter Solstice Celebration. Attendees will also have a chance to learn about the constellations and listen to the children’s choir. Inniswood Metro Gardens. 940 S. Hempstead Road. Call 614-895-6216.