Deck the halls? Please.

When the holidays roll around in Central Ohio, we deck it all. From light displays to stage productions, Columbus has its own distinctive way of celebrating the holidays, says Scott Peacock, media relations manager at Experience Columbus.

“I think it shows we’re unique,” he says of Columbus’ holiday rituals. “Columbus is deeply rooted in tradition, and we like traditional things that remind us of the holidays. At the same time, if you look at all of (our holiday traditions), they’re unique to Columbus. We put our own spin on it. Even if it’s a traditional thing, we put our twist on it. It shows we’re more savvy a city than people would imagine.”

Central Ohio’s holiday style also comes from its various suburban areas and communities, each of which commemorates the holidays with events unique to that area. Peacock says many communities such as Gahanna have originated their own traditions for years.

“German Village, for example, does its own thing (with Village Lights). They’re all a little bit different. There’s variety,”  he says.

Many of these holiday events have deep roots in our community, sprouting from humble beginnings into yuletide powerhouses. Others are gaining a following every year, while still others are reinventing or fledgling. If you’re curious about your favorite holiday staples or looking for a new holiday tradition – these five popular attractions might just make your season merry and bright.

Wildlights
Through Jan. 3, 2010, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
When it began in 1988, “Wildlight Wonderland” was conceived as a way to encourage year-round visitors to the zoo. The event featured 120,000 lights around the zoo’s lake area, as well as fiber optics and neon displays. Today, more than 2 million lights – which are now eco-friendly LED lights – cover almost the entire venue. The event has continued some traditions, such as visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus and their reindeer, and has added new features, such as a musically-timed light show in 2008. Last year approximately 214,000 people attended Wildlights.

BalletMet’s The Nutcracker
Dec. 11-23, Ohio Theatre
BalletMet has been performing The Nutcracker since its first season as a professional company in 1978. Before becoming a professional company, the school of BalletMet presented a student production in 1974, the year it was established. Each year, the company performs 15 to 18 public performances, with anywhere from 27,000 to 31,000 attendees. According to Gerard Charles, BalletMet Columbus artistic director and choreographer for The Nutcracker, the goal of the show is “to keep The Nutcracker an entertaining and special event for both children and adults; (one) that is both fresh and rekindles a warm nostalgia at every performance.”

State Auto’s Christmas Corner
Dec. 2-Jan. 1, 2010, State Auto Insurance Building
In 1931, State Auto assembled its first Christmas display at Broad and Washington streets, which company founder Robert Pein called a “Christmas card to the community.” The Columbus Dispatch later coined the moniker “Christmas Corner,” and the name stuck. The display has evolved since then – the life-sized nativity scene debuted in the 1950s – and this year the nativity will move into nearby Pein Park. On the building, visitors can expect LED lights, 1,200 feet of garland, lighted wreaths and 10 to 12-feet tall nutcrackers. The official lighting is at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2 with a performance from the Columbus Children’s Choir, and choirs will perform every Saturday and Sunday evening at 7 p.m. from Dec. 5-20. “We overwhelmingly hear from people who appreciate the fact that Christmas is the centerpiece of our holiday display. We’re proud to have maintained the tradition for so many years and look forward to making it even more enjoyable for many years to come,” says State Auto’s Media Relations Director Kyle Anderson.

Statehouse Holiday Festival and Open House
Dec. 1, Ohio Statehouse
Free family activities, refreshments and period décor are just some of the highlights of the annual Statehouse holiday kick-off event. According to Gregg Dodd, statehouse spokesperson, the tradition began with a tree lighting in 1915, with then-governor James Cox and “not a whole lot of pomp and circumstance.” This year, the event’s primary focus is creating a hands-on and family-friendly environment parents and kids can enjoy. Highlights include Christmas crafts, face-painting for kids, choral performances and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. “We really want to encourage members of the community who have never been (to the event) to take advantage of an evening of free activities and refreshments, and to come down to the people’s house and kick off the holiday season,” Dodd says.

Kate Seegraves is assistant editor of CityScene.