Experience the enchanting holiday season in Columbus, GA, with a variety of festive events that will delight visitors and locals alike. Discover handmade treasures at Christmas Made in the South, where Southern artisans showcase their unique gifts and craftsmanship. Drive through a dazzling winter wonderland at Callaway Gardens’ Fantasy In Lights, illuminating the night with over 8 million lights and magical displays.
Join the community spirit at the Broadway Holiday Parade, blending seasonal cheer with theatrical flair through lively performances and decorated floats. Columbus transforms into a holiday haven, offering memorable experiences for everyone this Christmas season!
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The Top Christmas Events in Columbus
- Christmas Made in the South
- Broadway Holiday Parade
- Columbus Ballet's The Nutcracker
- Holiday Open House
- Holiday Pops Concert
- A Charlie Brown Christmas
- Children’s Christmas Festival
- Columbus Holiday Market
Columbus Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Made in the South
What to Expect:
Handcrafted artisan gifts from Southern creators
Description:
Southern artisans converge in Columbus for a showcase of handcrafted holiday treasures. This event celebrates the rich tradition of Southern craftsmanship, featuring unique gifts you won't find in big box stores. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional craft techniques, connecting them to the region's cultural heritage. The air fills with the scent of cinnamon and pine as you explore booths offering everything from hand-carved wooden ornaments to artisanal jams. This gathering of creators has been a Columbus tradition for over three decades, supporting local artists and preserving Southern craft traditions.
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Holiday Open House
What to Expect:
City-wide celebration with businesses offering special experiences
Description:
Columbus's Holiday Open House transforms the entire city into a welcoming celebration. Local businesses throw open their doors, offering unique holiday experiences and special promotions. This event highlights the city's diverse commercial landscape, from historic boutiques to modern galleries. Visitors can embark on a self-guided tour, sampling seasonal treats and discovering hidden gems throughout Columbus. The open house tradition dates back to the 1950s, originally started by downtown merchants to kick off the holiday shopping season. Street performers add to the lively atmosphere, entertaining crowds with holiday-themed acts.
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Columbus Holiday Market
What to Expect:
European-style outdoor market with local and international vendors
Description:
The Columbus Holiday Market brings a touch of European tradition to Georgia, featuring wooden chalets filled with unique gifts and seasonal delicacies. This outdoor market showcases a blend of local artisans and international vendors, offering everything from handcrafted ornaments to authentic German stollen. Visitors can try their hand at traditional crafts like candle-making or gingerbread decorating. The market pays homage to Columbus's diverse cultural heritage, with sections dedicated to different ethnic holiday traditions. Live performances of international holiday music create an atmosphere of global celebration. As night falls, the market illuminates with thousands of twinkling lights, transforming the space into a cozy winter village.
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Columbus Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Broadway Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Combines holiday cheer with Broadway-style performances
Description:
Columbus's Broadway Holiday Parade marches down the historic district, blending seasonal spirit with theatrical flair. Floats adorned with Broadway-inspired decorations glide past, while performers belt out show tunes with a holiday twist. This unique parade pays homage to Columbus's rich theatrical history, dating back to the early 20th century. Spectators can join in sing-alongs of famous Broadway numbers, creating a community chorus along the parade route. The event culminates in a grand finale featuring a medley of holiday classics performed by local theater troupes, bringing the magic of Broadway to the streets of Columbus.
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Columbus Ballet's The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Local interpretation of the classic ballet with community involvement
Description:
Columbus Ballet brings Tchaikovsky's beloved classic to life with a local twist. This production of The Nutcracker incorporates elements of Columbus's history and culture into the set design and costumes. Local dance students join professional performers on stage, showcasing the community's talent. The performance features a live orchestra, filling the theater with the iconic score. This annual tradition has been part of Columbus's holiday celebrations for over 25 years, evolving each season with new choreography and surprises. During intermission, you can explore an exhibit detailing the ballet's history and its significance to Columbus.
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Columbus Ballet's The Nutcracker
Holiday Pops Concert
What to Expect:
Symphony orchestra performs holiday favorites with modern twists
Description:
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents a Holiday Pops Concert that reimagines classic carols with contemporary arrangements. This musical extravaganza features unexpected instrument pairings and genre-bending interpretations of holiday standards. Guest artists from various musical backgrounds join the orchestra, creating a diverse and dynamic performance. The concert highlights the versatility of the symphony, showcasing their ability to bridge classical and popular music. During the performance, the conductor shares anecdotes about the history of each piece, providing context to the musical selections. The grand finale invites the audience to join in a rousing sing-along, uniting the community in song.
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A Charlie Brown Christmas
What to Expect:
Live stage adaptation of the beloved TV special
Description:
The Springer Opera House brings the beloved Peanuts gang to life in this stage adaptation of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." This production faithfully recreates the charm of the classic TV special while adding live theatrical elements. The iconic jazz score by Vince Guaraldi is performed by a live trio, filling the historic theater with familiar melodies. Audience members can participate in a pre-show workshop to learn how to draw their favorite Peanuts characters. The Springer Opera House, Georgia's State Theatre, provides a fitting backdrop for this nostalgic performance, blending 19th-century architecture with mid-20th century Americana.
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Columbus Other Holiday Activities
Children’s Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities designed specifically for children
Description:
The Children's Christmas Festival in Columbus caters exclusively to young imaginations with hands-on holiday experiences. Kids can participate in elf training camps, learning the art of toy-making and gift-wrapping. The festival features a "North Pole Post Office" where children can write and mail letters to Santa. Interactive storytelling sessions bring classic holiday tales to life with puppetry and audience participation. This event emphasizes education alongside entertainment, with stations teaching about holiday traditions from around the world. The festival culminates in a "Reindeer Games" obstacle course, challenging kids to complete Santa-approved tasks.
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Nearby Events
Fantasy In Lights (Pine Mountain)
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light experience
Description:
Callaway Gardens transforms into a luminous spectacle with Fantasy in Lights. This drive-through experience immerses visitors in a world of twinkling displays, featuring over 8 million lights. As you journey through the gardens, animated scenes bring holiday stories to life. The event's signature feature is the dazzling Christmas tree, standing over 10 stories tall. Fantasy in Lights has earned national recognition, being named one of National Geographic's top 10 light displays. You can tune your car radio to a special station for synchronized holiday music, enhancing the visual feast with festive melodies.
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Santa's Castle (Fort Benning)
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa experience in a historic building
Description:
Santa's Castle takes residence in one of Columbus's historic downtown buildings, transforming it into a North Pole outpost. This interactive experience goes beyond the typical mall Santa visit, offering a journey through elaborately decorated rooms that tell the story of Christmas traditions around the world. Children can participate in elf workshops, learning toy-making techniques used in Santa's workshop. The castle's architecture, dating back to the 19th century, adds an authentic charm to the experience. As you explore, the sound of jingling bells echoes through the halls, creating an immersive holiday atmosphere.
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Enchanted Garden of Lights (Pine Mountain)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed into a holiday light display
Description:
Columbus's botanical garden undergoes a brilliant transformation for the Enchanted Garden of Lights. This walking tour weaves through illuminated pathways, showcasing the garden's natural beauty enhanced by thousands of twinkling lights. Each section of the garden represents a different holiday theme, from whimsical candy lands to serene winter forests. Visitors can warm up with hot cocoa while strolling through the displays. The event also educates guests about winter flora, with special exhibits on cold-weather plants. This illuminated spectacle has become a cherished tradition, drawing visitors from across the region to experience nature's beauty in a new light.