Grand Illumination

There’s a lot to see and do at the Grand Illumination in Bicentennial Park on Friday, December 4!  Beginning at 5:00 p.m., look for juggling elves, barnyard friends, and Clara with her Nutcracker Prince from BalletMet while your favorite carols are performed by the Columbus Children’s Choir.  Visit our North Pole Tinkershop to create holiday crafts with Columbus Children’s Theatre, Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Girl Scout Cadette Troop 2150, OSU Urban Arts Space, POINT, and the Recreation & Parks Arts Committee.  Then, learn what Ohio’s animals do during our cold winter months with the McKnight Outdoor Education Center staff and Bring the Farm to You.

It’s the time of year to enjoy fun in the snow! Frolic over to Mad River Mountain and HERO USA for a chance to win a Burton snowboard, helmet, snow gear, or tickets to Mad River Mountain for the upcoming ski, snowboard and tubing season.

Join Mayor Coleman, City Council President / Mayor-elect Andrew Ginther, Recreation and Parks Director Tony Collins, and ABC 6 / Fox 28 as they flip the switch and illuminate the Scioto Mile.  Following the lighting ceremony, children are invited to visit with Santa and enjoy live holiday music from the SupaFun Band– a group of merry, musical elves that is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

In the spirit of giving, attendees can support the Empty Bowls project by purchasing a piece of handcrafted pottery and receiving a bowl of hearty chicken and dumpling soup compliments of Milestone 229.  Cookies, compliments of Cheryl’s, and hot chocolate will also be available.  All proceeds will benefit the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

The event is free and open to the public.  Click here to print a voucher for FREE parking in the COSI lot, but remember space is limited.  You can enter the lot between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4 until the lot is full.  We hope to see you there.  Happy Holidays!

The lights will twinkle in Bicentennial Park and along the Scioto Mile until January 10, 2016.