Here’s a list - checked twice - for Christmas events in and around the Columbus area

The holiday season is upon us, and Christmas events seem to be everywhere in the Chattahoochee Valley.

So, in the spirit of the season, the Ledger-Enquirer staff has made this list (and checked it twice) of Christmas events in and around Columbus.

Dec. 3

CSU holiday tip-off and campus lighting

Columbus State University will host a basketball-themed holiday tip-off and lighting event Dec. 3 on its main campus.

The CSU men’s basketball team will play Francis Marion University for its season home opener at 6 p.m. in the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. Center. Admission is free.

The campus lighting will be conducted immediately following the game with complimentary holiday cookies and hot chocolate on the Student Recreation Center lawn. CSU says the tree-lighting ceremony is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 4

Gingerbread Village at Rivercenter for the Performing Arts

Nothing says Christmas like gingerbread creations and the aroma they leave lingering in the air. The Rivercenter for the Performing Arts will host the Gingerbread Village from Dec. 4-22.

The village features creations from local businesses, organizations and families. The village is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and on the evenings and weekends of performances.

Dec. 5

Old Town Christmas parade

Old Town, 8201 Veterans Parkway in Columbus, will host a Christmas parade from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 5.

The event will feature food trucks, music, vendors, face painting and Santa Claus.

Dec. 6

Uptown Tree Trail

The lighting of the Uptown Tree Trail will occur at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in the 1200 block of Broadway in Columbus.

The row of trees are decorated by local organizations to spread holiday cheer throughout downtown Columbus.

Broadway Holiday Parade

The Broadway Holiday Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and go through the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Broadway in downtown Columbus.

The lighting of the Christmas tree will be at 7 p.m. The event will end with Christmas carolers, Santa Claus and hot chocolate.

Dec. 7

Breakfast with Santa at the Trade Center

The Columbus Convention & Trade Center and Kia Autosport of Columbus will host their annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7 from 8-11 a.m.

All proceeds raised stay local at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Tickets are $15 for adults and $25 for children.

Christmas parade and festival in Pine Mountain

A Christmas parade and festival will take place in downtown Pine Mountain on Dec. 7.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. with the festival lasting until 3 p.m. The event will feature children’s activities, visits with Santa Claus, a remote broadcast by Kissin’ 99.3 Live Radio, a chili cook-off and cornbread challenge.

Christmas with The Wave

People can enjoy festive music Dec. 7 at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, starting at 9:30 a.m.

The music is played on The Wave Theatre Organ and is free to the public.

Dec. 10

St. Francis-Emory Healthcare Light the Spirit celebration

St. Francis-Emory Healthcare’s annual Light the Spirit holiday celebration and lighting ceremony will start at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10.

The free event will take place outside Butler Pavilion, 2300 Manchester Expressway.

Dec. 12

Phenix City Night of Lights

Phenix City will host Night of Lights at the Phenix City Amphitheater, 508 Dillingham St., featuring a Ferris wheel, carousel, roller coaster, free hot chocolate, photo booths and food trucks.

The event takes place from 4-9:30 p.m. Dec. 12. It also will feature fireworks and a showing of Santa Claus: The Movie.

Holiday shows at Columbus theaters

Springer Opera House

The Springer Opera House will feature two Christmas-theme shows this holiday season:

• A Christmas Story: The Musical is based on the 1983 holiday film about a boy who wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. Performance dates are Dec. 5-22.
• Who’s Holiday flips the script on How the Grinch Stole Christmas with an adult sense of humor. Performance dates are Dec. 12-22.

Columbus State University

CSU’s Department of Theatre and Dance will perform Junie B. Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells with shows at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Riverside Theatre.

RiverCenter

The RiverCenter for the Performing Arts will present Christmas with C.S. Lewis.

The one-man performance tells how Lewis’ encounter with writer J.R.R. Tolkien changed his perception of Christmas and faith.

Shows start at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8.

This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 1:23 PM.