Holiday Cheer this Time of Year
Wintertime in Columbus is the perfect time to create memories with family and friends. If you’re visiting or hosting guests in Columbus for the holidays, here’s a list of some of our favorite special events and activities to keep you busy this holiday season.
Ongoing Events
Christmas Trees Through Time / Christmas Memories
Nov 19 – Dec 21
December Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Bartholomew County Historical Society Museum, 524 3rd Street, Columbus, IN 47201
The Bartholomew County Historical Society’s annual Christmas Tree Exhibition is on view now! See the spirit of the season come alive through a dazzling display of creativity, tradition, and holiday cheer. Each tree tells a unique story, showcasing themes ranging from mid-century mod to classic farmhouse vibes. These festive, themed displays will fill the two levels of the Museum, offering something for every holiday enthusiast.
Columbus Country Christmas Drive-Thru Light Show
Cost: $40 / Car for Full Experience, Drive-thru Lights ONLY – $20 / Car
Location: Taulman Farms, 10335 S 400 W, Columbus, IN 47201
Experience the festive magic at the Columbus Country Christmas Drive-Thru Light Show! This family-friendly holiday event runs from November 30 to December 23.
Times & Activities:
- Monday – Thursday (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM): Drive-thru light show ONLY
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
- Full North Pole Experience with: Santa, live reindeer, horse-drawn buggy rides, toy store, craft vendors, Live music , and, of course, the light show!
Architecture Tour & The Miller House and Gardens Tour
If you have a passion for mid-century modern architecture and design, Columbus, Indiana, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where design meets history with our tours.
Featuring works by celebrated architects such as Eero Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Kevin Roche, Columbus’s unique designs showcase the profound influence of these visionaries. From Saarinen’s soaring Gateway Arch in St. Louis to I.M. Pei’s striking Louvre Pyramid in Paris, and Kevin Roche’s transformative expansions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, their visionary styles transcend borders, inspiring generations of architectural excellence. Their contributions not only shape this remarkable city but also leave an indelible mark on iconic spaces worldwide.
Breaking News! Eero Saarinen’s iconic (former) North Christian Church is back on the Architectural Highlights tour after a period of transition, much to the delight of architecture enthusiasts! We are excited to once again offer an opportunity to step inside this architectural masterpiece.
Tours are available Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday that week. Book your tour in advance.
Thursday, December 5
A Not So Silent Night
Time: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Downtown Columbus
Get ready for an evening of festive fun and extended holiday shopping! On Thursday, Dec 5 the Downtown Merchants will keep their doors open late from 4:00-8:00 PM, giving you more time to explore unique shops, enjoy special events, and soak in the holiday cheer. With special discounts and events the whole family will have fun!
- Meet Santa and His Reindeer – At the Historical Society from 4:30-6:30 PM
- Victorian Christmas at the Heritage Fund – Write letters to Santa, sip traditional wassail, and capture a festive photo!
- Crafts & Cocoa – Family fun at the Library
- Free Kettle Corn – Available at the Visitors Center
- Mrs. Miller’s Creches – On display at the Visitors Center
- 50/50 Gallery Opening – Check out the art at 411 Gallery
- Elf Hunt Riddle Challenge – Crack the code and enter to win a prize!
Cabaret at The Commons: Orfeh Live!
Time: Show Starts 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Doors open 6:45 pm
Location: The Commons, 300 Washington Street, Columbus, IN
Tony and Grammy Award nominee Orfeh is a Broadway powerhouse, best known for starring as Kit De Luca in Pretty Woman: The Musical and Paulette in Legally Blonde: The Musical (earning multiple award nominations). Her credits include Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, and Love, Loss, and What I Wore. On-screen, she’s appeared in Netflix’s The Good Cop, Law & Order: SVU, and Across the Universe. A gifted vocalist, she’s performed with legends like Chaka Khan and released albums including Legally Bound with husband Andy Karl. Orfeh continues to captivate audiences on stage, screen, and beyond.
Saturday, December 7
Holiday Pops
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Columbus North Erne Auditorium, 1400 25th Street, Columbus, IN
Celebrate the season with a cherished holiday tradition! The Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir and Philharmonic Chorus will fill the air with transcendent anthems, timeless holiday classics, and festive sing-along carols. Add a touch of snow, the magic of the CIP’s music, and a special visit from you-know-who, and you’ve got a holiday experience like no other!
Festival of Lights Parade
Location: Downtown Columbus
The Columbus Festival of Lights Parade is a beloved annual tradition that brings the community together to celebrate the season. Illuminated floats light up the streets of Columbus, Indiana, as thousands gather to create new memories and relive cherished moments from their childhood. Don’t miss this magical evening of holiday cheer!
Photo by Gary Scroggins
Sunday, December 8
33rd Annual Cox Family Christmas Concert
Time: Show Starts 5:00 pm, Doors Open 4:00 pm
Location: The Crump
Join in this free holiday tradition filled with beautiful music and community spirit! Celebrate the season and support the Firemen’s Cheer Fund by bringing an unwrapped gift for a child. In return, you’ll receive a ticket for a special drawing during the concert.
Come together for an evening of joy, giving, and festive melodies—don’t miss it!
Friday, December 13 – 15
Christmas Variety Show
Friday Time: 6:00 pm
Saturday Time: 6:00 pm
Sunday Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Willow Leaves, 326 Jackson St. Hope, IN
Cost: $35 per person, includes meal and the show
Visit the surprising little town of Hope for a Christmas Variety Show on Friday, December 13, 14, and 15! Enjoy an evening filled with music, skits, and fun that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Call (812) 546-0640 for reservations.
Friday, December 13
Christmas Ballroom Dance
Time: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: The Commons, 300 Washington St. Columbus, IN
Cost: $30 per person (cash or check) at door
Step into the holiday season with elegance at the Dance Indiana Christmas Ballroom Dance, hosted at The Commons in downtown Columbus. Enjoy live music by the Starlighters Big Band as you dance the night away.
Saturday, December 14
Edinburgh Holiday of Lights
Time: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: 100 E Main Cross St, Edinburgh, IN 46124
This year’s celebration will be bigger than ever, featuring an outdoor skating rink! Join in for a magical evening packed with holiday fun:
- Holiday Market: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, 104 S. Holland Street
- Holiday Parade: 5:30 pm, starting at East Side Elementary through Downtown
- Ice Rink: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, 204 W. Main Cross
- Carriage Rides: (Ticket sign-up coming soon!)
- Community Chili Supper: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Presbyterian Church
- Pictures with Santa: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Community Center, 100 E. Main Cross
- Scavenger Hunt
- Downtown Shops Open Late
Bring your family and friends to celebrate the season with skating, shopping, and so much more!
Sunday, December 15
Christmas Open House & Cocktail
Time: 1:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Inn at Irwin Gardens, 608 5th St, Columbus, IN
Open House: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Tickets: $10 (includes a hot drink and treat)
Enjoy a classic Christmas movie on the terrace, a cozy fire pit complete with s’mores, and maybe even a visit from Santa!
Cocktail Open House: 5:30–7:30 PM
Tickets: $25 (includes a cocktail and treat)
For adults, the evening features live music, festive cocktails, and holiday cheer.
Both events include the chance to spread holiday joy by donating money, supplies, or toys to kidscommons. As a thank-you, receive a professional photo in our elegant library!
For questions, email inn@irwingardens.com or call (812) 376-3663. Join us for a magical holiday experience!
kidscommons Polar Express
Location: kidcommons, 309 Washington St. Columbus, IN
Cost: GA: $24/ Child, $12/ Adult
Cost: Members: $18/ Child, $9/ Adult
Put on your coziest pajamas and embark on a magical journey inspired by the award-winning story, The Polar Express! Your ticket to the North Pole includes a delightful story-time, hot chocolate, holiday crafts, reindeer games, and a jingly surprise that will make this an unforgettable experience for all ages.
Friday, December 20
Jazz at Helen’s: Wendy Reed LIVE!
Time: Show Starts 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm, Doors open 6:45
Location: Helen Haddad Hall, 315 Franklin Street, Columbus, IN
Cost: General Admission $45, 21+ event
Celebrate the season with jazz vocalist, Wendy Reed as she brings classic Christmas songs to life. Sing along to your holiday favorites during an evening filled with festive cheer and joyful music! Don’t miss this heartwarming holiday performance!
