Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells
Through Dec. 21
Columbus Children’s Theatre, 512 Park St.
Popular children’s book character Junie B. Jones plans a holiday surprise in this theatrical production. www.colschildrenstheatre.org
Shadowbox Live presents Scrooge
Through Dec. 26
Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St.
The rock ‘n roll comedy troupe puts on its first-ever holiday musical. www.shadowboxlive.org
Shadowbox Live presents Holiday Hoopla 20
Through Dec. 30
Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St.
Shadowbox’s annual Christmas show, featuring its usual blend of rock ‘n roll and sketch comedy, returns for its 20th year. www.shadowboxlive.org
Holidays at the Conservatory
Through Dec. 31
Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St.
For the holidays, the Franklin Park Conservatory will display a plethora of seasonal plants, as well as a gingerbread display and model train. A gingerbread competition, children’s activities, holiday-themed classes and special programs will also be part of the celebration. www.fpconservatory.org
Andrea Bocelli
Dec. 1, 8 p.m.
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Opera singer Andrea Bocelli will be accompanied by a 71-piece orchestra and a 60-person choir. The concert will feature music from his catalogue and traditional pieces. www.nationwidearena.com
Helen Welch: Home for the Holidays
Dec. 1-4
Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra brings in critically acclaimed vocalist Helen Welch for its holiday tradition. Welch will join forces with Byron Stripling to perform classic holiday hits in a jazz style. www.jazzartsgroup.org
Zoom: Family Film Festival
Dec. 1-4
Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N. High St.
This film festival for all ages also offers children’s activities, a breakfast bar, a pajama party and an ice cream social by Jeni’s. www.wexarts.org
Otterbein University presents Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches
Dec. 1-9
Campus Center Theatre, 100 W. Home St., Westerville
This ambitious play focuses on a huge assortment of topics across a wide variety of locales, from AIDS and drag queens to death and abandonment of God. www.otterbein.edu
Cool Yule on the Piano Stool
Dec. 1-12
Jazz Academy, 771 E. Long St.
Jazz educator Bradley Sowash will teaches attendees how to make holiday jazz melodies using lead sheets. www.jazzartsgroup.org
Columbus Food Adventures: German Village Walking and Tasting Tour
Dec. 1-17
Schiller Community Center, 1069 Jaeger St.
Experience Columbus’ most historic neighborhood through this walking and tasting tour. www.columbusfoodadventures.com
OSU Music Celebration Concert
Dec. 2, 8 p.m.
Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St.
Enjoy holiday favorites performed by all the musical groups at The Ohio State University, including the orchestra, jazz ensemble and glee clubs. www.music.osu.edu
United Nations Holiday Gala
Dec. 2, 8 p.m.-midnight
Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Rd.
This celebration of cultural diversity will be highlighted by an international cook-off. A portion of the proceeds benefit World Hunger Relief 2011. www.facebook.com/faithfridayscolumbus
American Motorsports Arenacross
Dec. 2-3
Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.
Watch professional and amateur motorcycle racing. www.ohioexpocenter.com
Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops
Dec. 2-4
Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Ronald J. Jenkins conducts the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in beloved holiday songs. www.columbussymphony.com
Columbus Winterfair
Dec. 2-4
Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th
Find the perfect handcrafted gift at this holiday artists’ market. www.ohiocraft.org
Holiday Art Sale
Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Loann Crane Center, Columbus College of Art and Design, 60 Cleveland Ave.
Purchase art from more than 100 students artists. Admission fees go toward student scholarships, and art sale proceeds go directly to the student artists. “First choice” admission runs from 9-10:30 a.m. www.ccad.edu
First Year and Community Orchestra Concert
Dec. 3, 3 p.m.
Weigel Auditorium, 1866 College Rd.
The Ohio State University’s First Year Orchestra and Community Orchestra will combine for a holiday concert. www.music.osu.edu
Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2011
Dec. 3, 8 p.m.
Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
Dave Koz is joined by trumpeter Rick Braun, singer and multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Butler, and saxophonist Candy Dulfer for the 14th anniversary of this holiday tour. www.capa.com
CFA All Breed Cat Show
Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.
The Ohio State Persian Club will show more than 300 different cats. Cat vendors will also be attending, and kittens and accessories will be sold. www.ohioexpocenter.com
Short North Holiday Hop
Dec. 3, 4-10 p.m.
Short North Arts District, North High Street from Goodale Boulevard to Fifth Avenue
Take a walk through the Short North while enjoying food, shopping and the sights and sounds of the holiday season. www.shortnorth.org
Holiday Open House and Craft Extravaganza
Dec. 3-4
North Market, 59 N. Spruce St.
Enjoy food from different vendors in North Market as well as crafts from different artists. www.northmarket.com
Holiday Jazz Celebration
Dec. 3-4
King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave.
This holiday favorite features Mary McClendon, Jeanette Williams and Dwight Lenox. www.kingartscomplex.org
Dine with Santa
Dec. 3-12
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd.
Children can enjoy a meal and meet animals up close, as well as have their faces painted and their photos taken with Santa Claus. www.columbuszoo.org
CityMusic Sunday Series: Miro String Quartet
Dec. 4, 2 p.m.
Via Vecchia Winery, 485 S. Front St.
The Miro String Quartet has been internationally recognized and has collaborated with many famous artists. www.citymusiccolumbus.org
Civil War Reflections
Dec. 4, 6 p.m.
Gray Chapel, Ohio Wesleyan University, 61 S. Sandusky St., Delaware
Ohio Wesleyan University’s music department commemorates the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War with dramatic poetry, dance, readings and visuals. www.owu.edu
Judy Collins: Home for the Holidays
Dec. 5, 8 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.
Judy Collins presents her brand of interpretive folk songs and contemporary themes for this holiday performance. www.capa.com
Over the Rhine
Dec. 7, 8 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.
The Cincinnati-based progressive folk-pop ensemble takes a trip north to entertain central Ohio. www.capa.com
Thurber Birthday Gala
Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m.
The Westin Columbus, 310 S. High St.
To celebrate what would have been the 117th birthday of James Thurber, the Thurber House is bringing in 2010 Thurber Prize for American Humor winner Steve Hely, author of How I Became a Famous Author and a writer for 30 Rock and The Office. www.thurberhouse.org
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons
Dec. 9, 8 p.m.
Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
Following Jersey Boys’ stop in Columbus over the summer, the subject of the hit musical brings to Columbus the act that has made it famous for more than five decades. www.capa.com
Cherish the Ladies
Dec. 9, 8 p.m.
Capitol Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.
This highly sought after Irish-American Celtic group will be sharing traditions that have been passed down for centuries. www.capa.com
ProMusica presents Messiah Sing-Along
Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.
Orchestra students from area high schools join forces for this traditional sing-along. www.promusicacolumbus.org
Joy! Home is Where the Hearth Is
Dec. 9-11
King Avenue United Methodist Church, 299 King Ave.
The Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus presents its 11th annual holiday show. Dec. 11’s performance is at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church. www.cgmc.com
CATCO-Phoenix presents The Hobbit
Dec. 9-11
Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave.
This fast-paced, one-hour version of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic adventure story is sure to keep the kids entertained. www.catco.org
BalletMet presents The Nutcracker
Dec. 9-24
Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
BalletMet prepares to outdo itself again with its annual production of the Christmas classic. www.balletmet.org
Buckeye Model Train and Railroad Show
Dec. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.
The Ohio Expo Center hosts Ohio’s largest model train and railroad memorabilia show. www.ohioexpocenter.com
ProMusica presents Seasonal Surprises
Dec. 10-11
Pontifical College Josephinum, 7625 N. High St.; Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.
Traditional holiday songs are reworked to a contemporary beat. www.promusicacolumbus.org
Central Ohio Symphony presents Holiday Concerts
Dec. 11, 2 and 4:30 p.m.
Gray Chapel, Ohio Wesleyan University, 61 S. Sandusky St., Delaware
This symphony’s back-to-back holiday concerts also include performances by its youth orchestra. www.centralohiosymphony.org
Mamma Mia!
Dec. 13-18
Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
This comedic musical, utilizing the songs of ABBA, follows a soon-to-be-bride and her quest to find out the identity of her father. www.mamma-mia.com
Scott Antique Market
Dec. 17-18
Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th
Enjoy the world’s largest indoor antique show, known as America’s favorite treasure hunt. www.ohioexpocenter.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 18, 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Enjoy the internationally known Trans-Siberian Orchestra and its distinctive brand of rocking holiday favorites. www.nationwidearena.com
New Albany Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Spectacular
Dec. 18, 3 p.m.
Jeanne B. McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 W. Dublin-Granville Rd., New Albany
Featuring music from The Polar Express and ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, this concert is one for all ages. A can collection will be set up to benefit the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. www.newalbanysymphony.com
26th Annual Holiday Benefit
Dec. 19-20
Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center
This 21-and-up special comedy event can include dinner. www.columbusfunnybone.com
Winter Academy: Columbus Roots: Past, Present and Future
Dec. 21-30
King Arts Complex, 867 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Take a look at some of the earliest inhabitants of Columbus who helped shape it as a great city. www.kingartscomplex.com
Jeff Dunham
Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Jeff Dunham is renowned for his comedy and ventriloquism, including his most popular character, “Achmed the Dead Terrorist.” www.nationwidearena.com
Harlem Globetrotters
Dec. 29, 2 and 7 p.m.
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
The world-renowned basketball show-offs bring their act to Columbus. www.nationwidearena.com
New Year’s Eve at Shadowbox Live
Dec. 31, 9 p.m.
Shadowbox Live, 503 S. Front St.
This New Year’s Eve event will feature dinner, a live band and dancing. www.shadowboxlive.org
ProMusica presents Celebrate! A New Year’s Eve Concert
Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.
Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.
The ProMusica Chamber Orchestra performs Broadway hits, with a special champagne toast at intermission. www.promusicacolumbus.org
First Night Columbus
Dec. 31, 5 p.m.
Downtown Columbus
Enjoy more than 40 live performances, a children’s festival and a variety of hands-on activities in central Ohio’s award-winning New Year’s Eve event. www.firstnightcolumbus.com