Holiday Shows Scheduled in Columbus for December 2026
Performance dates, venues and presenters for central Ohio stage productions, concerts and holiday events.
Columbus performance venues and arts organizations have scheduled 15 holiday stage productions, orchestral concerts, arena shows and seasonal performances across central Ohio for December 2026.
- 1. Folk duo Over the Rhine will perform An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine at the Lincoln Theatre on Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
- 2. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra presents the series Home for the Holidays at the Southern Theatre from Dec. 3–6, 2026.
- 3. The Columbus Symphony presents Holiday Pops at the Ohio Theatre from December 4–6, 2026.
- 4. Musical adaptation Mr. Scrooge plays Studio One Theatre, Riffe Center from December 4–23, 2026.
- 5. Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at Nationwide Arena on Dec. 5, 2026.
- 6. Touring musical Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical plays the Palace Theatre from December 8–13, 2026.
- 7. Dance company BalletMet presents The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH from Dec. 10-27, 2026.
- 8. The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio presents A Christmas Carol at Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center from December 10–20, 2026.
- 9. New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker at the McCoy Center from December 11–13, 2026.
- 10. The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2026 plays the Palace Theatre on Monday, Dec. 14, 2026.
- 11. Stage production Christmas with C.S. Lewis plays the Lincoln Theatre on Dec. 16, 2026.
- 12. Pianist Jim Brickman presents Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration at the Davidson Theatre on Dec. 18, 2026.
- 13. Choral performances of Handel’s Messiah run at the Southern Theatre from December 18–20, 2026.
- 14. Acrobatic production Cirque Dreams Holidaze plays the Palace Theatre on December 26 & 27, 2026.
- 15. Live music venue Rumba Cafe hosts its NYE PARTY! on December 31, 2026.
Central Ohio also hosts ongoing illuminated displays running throughout December:
- Wildlights: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium displays holiday lights from November 20, 2026 - January 3, 2027.
- Wanderlights: Downtown Columbus displays holiday lighting from November 20, 2026 - February 14, 2027.
- Conservatory Aglow: Franklin Park Conservatory special engagements include Conservatory Aglow.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
https://www.capa.com/productions/over-the-rhine/
Supporting evidence (3)
Folk duo Over the Rhine will perform An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine at the Lincoln Theatre on Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
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An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine
Folk duo Over the Rhine will perform An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine at the Lincoln Theatre on Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
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Lincoln Theatre
Folk duo Over the Rhine will perform An Acoustic Christmas with Over the Rhine at the Lincoln Theatre on Wednesday, December 2, 2026.
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Wednesday, December 2, 2026
https://columbusjazz.org/event/holidays-friday/
Supporting evidence (3)
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra presents the series Home for the Holidays at the Southern Theatre from Dec. 3–6, 2026.
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Columbus Jazz Orchestra
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra presents the series Home for the Holidays at the Southern Theatre from Dec. 3–6, 2026.
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Home for the Holidays
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra presents the series Home for the Holidays at the Southern Theatre from Dec. 3–6, 2026.
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Southern Theatre
https://www.capa.com/productions/home-for-the-holidays-2/
Supporting evidence (1)
The Columbus Jazz Orchestra presents the series Home for the Holidays at the Southern Theatre from Dec. 3–6, 2026.
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December 3–6, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/cso-holiday-pops/
Supporting evidence (2)
The Columbus Symphony presents Holiday Pops at the Ohio Theatre from December 4–6, 2026.
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The Columbus Symphony brings magic to the Ohio Theatre in December
The Columbus Symphony presents Holiday Pops at the Ohio Theatre from December 4–6, 2026.
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December 4–6, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/mr-scrooge/
Supporting evidence (3)
Musical adaptation Mr. Scrooge plays Studio One Theatre, Riffe Center from December 4–23, 2026.
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Mr. Scrooge
Musical adaptation Mr. Scrooge plays Studio One Theatre, Riffe Center from December 4–23, 2026.
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Studio One Theatre, Riffe Center
Musical adaptation Mr. Scrooge plays Studio One Theatre, Riffe Center from December 4–23, 2026.
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December 4–23, 2026
https://www.nationwidearena.com/events/detail/trans-siberian-orchestra-6
Supporting evidence (2)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at Nationwide Arena on Dec. 5, 2026.
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Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs at Nationwide Arena on Dec. 5, 2026.
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Dec 5, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/dr-seuss-how-the-grinch-stole-christmas-the-musical/
Supporting evidence (3)
The Musical plays the Palace Theatre from December 8–13, 2026.
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Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
The Musical plays the Palace Theatre from December 8–13, 2026.
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Palace Theatre
The Musical plays the Palace Theatre from December 8–13, 2026.
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December 8–13, 2026
https://www.balletmet.org/performances/the-nutcracker/
Supporting evidence (4)
Dance company BalletMet presents The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH from Dec. 10-27, 2026.
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BalletMet
Dance company BalletMet presents The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH from Dec. 10-27, 2026.
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The Nutcracker
Dance company BalletMet presents The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH from Dec. 10-27, 2026.
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Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH
Dance company BalletMet presents The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre, Columbus, OH from Dec. 10-27, 2026.
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December 10-27, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/cto-a-christmas-carol/
Supporting evidence (3)
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio presents A Christmas Carol at Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center from December 10–20, 2026.
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A Christmas Carol
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio presents A Christmas Carol at Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center from December 10–20, 2026.
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Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio presents A Christmas Carol at Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center from December 10–20, 2026.
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December 10–20, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/nacbt-nutcracker-26/
Supporting evidence (3)
New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker at the McCoy Center from December 11–13, 2026.
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The Nutcracker
New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker at the McCoy Center from December 11–13, 2026.
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McCoy Center
New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker at the McCoy Center from December 11–13, 2026.
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December 11–13, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/dave-koz-christmas-tour/
Supporting evidence (3)
The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2026 plays the Palace Theatre on Monday, Dec. 14, 2026.
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Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2026
The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2026 plays the Palace Theatre on Monday, Dec. 14, 2026.
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Palace Theatre
The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2026 plays the Palace Theatre on Monday, Dec. 14, 2026.
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Monday, December 14, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/christmas-with-c-s-lewis/
Supporting evidence (3)
Stage production Christmas with C.S. Lewis plays the Lincoln Theatre on Dec. 16, 2026.
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Christmas with C.S. Lewis
Stage production Christmas with C.S. Lewis plays the Lincoln Theatre on Dec. 16, 2026.
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Lincoln Theatre
Stage production Christmas with C.S. Lewis plays the Lincoln Theatre on Dec. 16, 2026.
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Wednesday, December 16, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/jim-brickman-christmas/
Supporting evidence (3)
Pianist Jim Brickman presents Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration at the Davidson Theatre on Dec. 18, 2026.
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Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration
Pianist Jim Brickman presents Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration at the Davidson Theatre on Dec. 18, 2026.
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Davidson Theatre
Pianist Jim Brickman presents Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration at the Davidson Theatre on Dec. 18, 2026.
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Friday, December 18, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/handels-messiah-2/
Supporting evidence (3)
Choral performances of Handel’s Messiah run at the Southern Theatre from December 18–20, 2026.
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Handel’s Messiah
Choral performances of Handel’s Messiah run at the Southern Theatre from December 18–20, 2026.
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Southern Theatre
Choral performances of Handel’s Messiah run at the Southern Theatre from December 18–20, 2026.
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December 18–20, 2026
https://www.capa.com/productions/cirque-dreams-holidaze/
Supporting evidence (3)
Acrobatic production Cirque Dreams Holidaze plays the Palace Theatre on December 26 & 27, 2026.
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Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Acrobatic production Cirque Dreams Holidaze plays the Palace Theatre on December 26 & 27, 2026.
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Palace Theatre
Acrobatic production Cirque Dreams Holidaze plays the Palace Theatre on December 26 & 27, 2026.
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December 26 & 27, 2026
Supporting evidence (2)
Live music venue Rumba Cafe hosts its NYE PARTY!
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NYE PARTY! ft. Electro Cult Circus * The Lycan Bite * Risk Kishk * AJB & The Better Angels * Lou Mercy
on December 31, 2026.
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December 31, 2026
https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights
Supporting evidence (1)
Wildlights: The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium displays holiday lights from November 20, 2026 - January 3, 2027.
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November 20, 2026 - January 3, 2027
https://downtowncolumbus.com/wanderlights/
Supporting evidence (1)
Wanderlights: Downtown Columbus displays holiday lighting from November 20, 2026 - February 14, 2027.
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November 20, 2026 - February 14, 2027
https://www.fpconservatory.org/plan-a-visit/special-engagement-admission-rates/
Supporting evidence (1)
Conservatory Aglow: Franklin Park Conservatory special engagements include Conservatory Aglow.
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They include Pumpkins Aglow, Conservatory Aglow, Chihuly Nights and Winter Ice Festival.