things to do in central ohio

Twas the Weekend Warrior before Christmas.

REFERENCES:
Winter Date Ideas: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/columbus-winter-date-ideas/
Columbus Restaurant Holiday Meals: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/holiday-meals-from-columbus...
Columbus Holiday Pop-Up Bars: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/holiday-pop-up-bars-restaur...
Columbus Boutique Shopping Districts: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/boutique-shopping-districts...
Columbus Area Thanksgiving Races/Turkey Trots: https://www.columbussports.org/blog/post/columbus-thanksgiving-day-races...
Columbus Holiday Performances: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/your-guide-to-holiday-perfo...
Can't Miss Holiday Events in Columbus: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/cant-miss-holiday-events-in...
Experience Columbus Holiday Landing Page: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/holidays/
COSI Season of Celebrations: https://cosi.org/Season-of-Celebrations
Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow: https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/conservatory-aglow/
Columbus Zoo Wildlights: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights
Huntington Holiday Train - Main Library: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/huntington-holiday-train/
Dublin Holiday Events (2024): https://www.visitdublinohio.com/blog/post/holidays-events-dublin/
Holiday Lights (Experience Columbus): https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/illuminate-the-night-with-h...

In the Weekend Warrior, there are holiday events galore, plus:
GalaxyCon at the Greater Columbus Convention Center (https://galaxycon.com/pages/galaxycon-columbus)

Tree Lighting Roundup
Extended List: https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/central-ohio-news/2024-holiday-tre...

THURSDAY December 5:
Dublin - Coffman Park, 5PM
Ohio Statehouse - 5:30PM (COTA - Various Routes)

FRIDAY December 6:
Canal Winchester - Stradley Place, 6PM
Delaware - William & Sandusky Streets, 6:30PM
German Village - Frank Fetch Park, 7PM
Grove City - Town Center, 7PM
XSU Gateway - 5:30PM, Gateway Plaza outside Gateway Film Center (COTA - Lines 1, 2, 8, and 22)
Otterbein University - 5:30PM, Towers Plaza (rain location Roush Hall)
Pickerington - 5PM, Olde Pickerington Village
Reynoldsburg - Huber Park, 5:30PM
Upper Arlington - Mallway Park, 6PM
Westerville - City Hall, 6:30PM
Whitehall - The Kelley Green at Norton Crossing Park, 6PM (COTA - Line 10 or 24)

SATURDAY December 7:
Carroll - "A Christmas Carroll" at Bessie Benson Park, 5:30PM (https://visitfairfieldcounty.org/events/fairfield-county-festival-of-lig...)
Obetz - Junction Park, 4:30PM (https://obetz.oh.us/2024/11/2024-christmas-kickoff-and-parade/)
Lancaster - 104 North Broad Street, 5:30PM
Plain City - Uptown District, 4PM
Powell - Village Green Park, 6PM
Sunbury - Town Square, 4PM

SUNDAY December 8 -
Bexley - Drexel Circle, 5PM (COTA - Line # 10)
Clintonville - Whetstone Community Center & outside Whetstone Library (COTA - Lines 2 or 102)
Groveport - Heritage Park, 4:30PM

Thursday December 12
Easton - Drone Show at Easton Yard

Holiday Festivals:
CANAL WINCHESTER - Christmas in the Village (December 6 & 7, Historic Downtown Canal Winchester; http://www.destinationcw.org)
CLINTONVILLE - HolidayVille (December 8, 12-4PM, throughout Clintonville; http://www.experienceclintonville.com)

The Weekend Warrior for November 25, 2024

Friday is Black Friday.
Saturday is both Small Business Saturday and Beat Ohio Saturday.
Monday is Cyber Monday.
Tuesday is Giving Tuesday. (http://www.givingtuesday.org)

High School Football Week 15
(Local Schools Only):
https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/ohsaa-football-state-semifinal...

Division I
Olentangy Liberty vs. Lakewood St. Edward (at Mansfield H.S. Arlin Field)

Division II
Sunbury Big Walnut vs. Cincinnati Anderson (at University of Dayton Welcome Stadium)

Division III
Clintonville Bishop Watterson vs. London (at Ashville Teays Valley H.S.)

Division VI
Galion Northmor vs. Kirtland (at Minerva H.S.)

Division VII
Danville vs. Jeromesdale Hillsdale (at Shelby H.S.)

REFERENCES:
Winter Date Ideas: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/columbus-winter-date-ideas/
Columbus Restaurant Holiday Meals: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/holiday-meals-from-columbus...
Columbus Holiday Pop-Up Bars: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/holiday-pop-up-bars-restaur...
Columbus Boutique Shopping Districts: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/boutique-shopping-districts...
Columbus Area Thanksgiving Races/Turkey Trots: https://www.columbussports.org/blog/post/columbus-thanksgiving-day-races...
Columbus Holiday Performances: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/your-guide-to-holiday-perfo...
Can't Miss Holiday Events in Columbus: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/cant-miss-holiday-events-in...
Experience Columbus Holiday Landing Page: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/holidays/
COSI Season of Celebrations: https://cosi.org/Season-of-Celebrations
Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow: https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/conservatory-aglow/
Columbus Zoo Wildlights: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights
Huntington Holiday Train - Main Library: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/huntington-holiday-train/

The Holidays are back in full gear with a lot of holiday lights to kick off the Holiday Season. And there is another Top Five College Football Matchup at Ohio Stadium as the # 2 Ohio Buckeyes host the # 5 Indiana Hoosiers, in the Hoosiers first ever Top Five matchup EVER.

REFERENCES:
Winter Date Ideas: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/columbus-winter-date-ideas/
Columbus Restaurant Holiday Meals: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/holiday-meals-from-columbus...
Columbus Holiday Pop-Up Bars: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/holiday-pop-up-bars-restaur...
Columbus Boutique Shopping Districts: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/boutique-shopping-districts...
Columbus Area Thanksgiving Races/Turkey Trots: https://www.columbussports.org/blog/post/columbus-thanksgiving-day-races...
Columbus Holiday Performances: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/your-guide-to-holiday-perfo...
Can't Miss Holiday Events in Columbus: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/cant-miss-holiday-events-in...
Experience Columbus Holiday Landing Page: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/holidays/
COSI Season of Celebrations: https://cosi.org/Season-of-Celebrations
Franklin Park Conservatory Aglow: https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/conservatory-aglow/
Columbus Zoo Wildlights: https://www.columbuszoo.org/wildlights
Huntington Holiday Train - Main Library: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/huntington-holiday-train/
Dublin Holiday Events (2024): https://www.visitdublinohio.com/blog/post/holidays-events-dublin/
Holiday Lights (Experience Columbus): https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/illuminate-the-night-with-h...

High School Football - Week 14 (Not Many Teams Left Locally)
Regional Finals: https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/ohsaa-releases-football-region...
(Local Teams only listed) - Regions 3, 7, 11, 12, 23 and 27 (No more teams in Divisions IV or V)

The Weekend Warrior for November 13, 2024

The Holidays are ramping up with events starting up this weekend and next week to slowly ring in the holiday season.

Week 13/Football Regional Semi-Finals (only local schools listed):
Region 2
5. Hilliard Davidson (8-4) vs. 8. Huber Heights Wayne (7-5) at Miami Trace High School Tony’s Welding and Fabrication Stadium
2. Centerville (9-3) vs. 14. Dublin Coffman (4-8) at Springfield High School Wildcat Stadium

Region 3
1. Powell Olentangy Liberty (10-2) vs. 5. Upper Arlington (10-2) at Westerville Central High School
6. Delaware Olentangy Berlin (10-2) vs. 7. Pickerington North (10-2) at Columbus St. Francis DeSales Alumni Stadium

Region 7
1. Sunbury Big Walnut (11-1) vs. 4. Ashland (12-0) at Marion Harding High School Ohio Health Field at Harding Stadium
3. Massillon Washington (9-2) vs. 7. Ashville Teays Valley (8-4) at Zanesville High School Sulsberger Stadium

Region 11
1. Columbus Bishop Watterson (12-0) vs. 4. Newark Licking Valley (11-1) at Licking Heights High School Hornet Stadium

Region 12
4. London (12-0) vs. 8. St. Marys Memorial (10-2) at Piqua High School Alexander Stadium

(No Local Division IV schools left)

Region 19
1. Ironton (11-1) vs. 4. Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (9-2) at Waverly High School Raidiger Field

Region 23
1. Columbus Grandview Heights (11-0) vs. 4. Beverly Fort Frye (9-3) at Logan High School Chieftain Stadium

Region 27
1. Danville (10-2) vs. 5. Corning Miller (10-2) at Thornville Sheridan High School Paul Culver Jr. Stadium

LINK: https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/ohsaa-releases-football-region...

REFERENCES:
Winter Date Ideas: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/columbus-winter-date-ideas/
Columbus Restaurant Holiday Meals: https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/holiday-meals-from-columbus...

The Weekend Warrior for November 6, 2024

Highlights include local theater and the Ohio/Purdue football game.

High School Football Playoffs (Week 12; Regional Quarterfinals)
ONLY LOCAL TEAMS LISTED (For full schedule for all 28 Regions, go to https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/ohsaa-releases-football-region...)

Division I
Region 2
13. Hilliard Bradley (3-8) at 5. Hilliard Davidson (7-4)
14. Dublin Coffman (3-8) at 6. Lebanon (7-4)

Region 3
8. Groveport Madison (7-4) at 1. Powell Olentangy Liberty (9-2)
7. Pickerington North (9-2) at 2. Pickerington Central (9-2)
6. Delaware Olentangy Berlin (9-2) at 3. Gahanna Lincoln (9-2)
15. Upper Arlington (9-2) at 4. Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (9-2)

Division II
Region 7
9. Massillon Perry (6-5) at 1. Sunbury Big Walnut (10-1)
6. Canal Winchester (8-3) at 3. Massillon Washington (8-2)
5. Columbus St. Francis DeSales (9-2) at 4. Ashland (11-0)
15. Worthington Kilbourne (5-6) at 7. Ashville Teays Valley (7-4)

Division III
Region 11
8. Jackson (9-2) at 1. Columbus Bishop Watterson (11-0) - at Ohio Dominican
5. Carroll Bloom-Carroll (9-2) at 4. Newark Licking Valley (10-1)

Region 12
12. Dayton Chaminade Julienne (6-5) at 4. London (11-0)

Division IV
Region 15
8. Columbus Bishop Ready (7-4) at 1. St. Clairsville (11-0)
6. Circleville Logan Elm (8-3) at 3. New Lexington (10-1)

Division V
Region 19
5. Gahanna Columbus Academy (10-1) at 4. Canal Winchester Harvest Prep (8-2)

Division VI
Region 23
9. North Robinson Colonel Crawford (9-2) at 1. Columbus Grandview Heights (10-0)

Division VII
Region 27
8. Portsmouth Notre Dame (6-5) at 1. Danville (9-2)

The Weekend Warrior for October 30, 2024

We have live comedians and concerts in town this weekend. And, Trick or Treating (weather permitting).

Trick or Treat (Experience Columbus): https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/blog/post/columbus-community-trick-or...

Election Day is Tuesday November 5, 2024
Vote 411 - http://vote411.org
Vote Ohio - http://www.voteohio.gov
Franklin County Board of Elections - http://vote.franklincounty.gov

High School Football Playoffs (with local teams below; full pairings link with all 28 regions below):
https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/ohsaa-releases-football-first-...

Region 2
16. Grove City Central Crossing (1-9) at 1. Kettering Fairmont (8-2)
14. Dublin Coffman (2-8) at 3. Galloway Westland (8-2)
13. Hilliard Bradley (2-8) at 4. Springfield (6-4)
12. Marysville (3-7) at 5. Hilliard Davidson (6-4)
10. Dublin Jerome (4-6) at 7. Springboro (6-4)

Region 3
16. Lancaster (3-7) at 1. Powell Olentangy Liberty (8-2)
15. Pataskala Watkins Memorial (3-7) at 2. Pickerington Central (8-2)
14. Reynoldsburg (4-6) at 3. Gahanna Lincoln (8-2)
13. Lewis Center Olentangy (8-2) at 4. Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (8-2)
12. Newark (7-3) at 5. Upper Arlington (8-2)
11. Grove City (7-3) at 6. Delaware Olentangy Berlin (8-2)
10. Westerville North (6-4) at 7. Pickerington North (8-2)
9. Delaware Hayes (7-3) at 8. Groveport Madison (6-4)

Region 7
16. Logan (1-9) at 1. Sunbury Big Walnut (9-1)
15. Worthington Kilbourne (4-6) at 2. Columbus Walnut Ridge (10-0)
14. Pataskala Licking Heights (4-6) at 3. Massillon Washington (7-2)
13. Columbus St. Charles (4-6) at 4. Ashland (10-0)
12. New Albany (4-6) at 5. Columbus St. Francis DeSales (8-2)
11. Westerville South (5-5) at 6. Canal Winchester (7-3)
10. Columbus Briggs (6-4) at 7. Ashville Teays Valley (6-4)
9. Massillon Perry (5-5) at 8. Columbus Northland (7-3)

Region 11

Weekend Events around town include Highball Halloween in the Short North (http://www.highballcolumbus.org), plus local Halloween staples such as Boo at the Zoo, Pumpkins Aglow, Streetlight Guild Miniature Village (http://www.streetlightguild.org),

The Ohio State Buckeyes host Nebraska for Homecoming Weekend at The Ohio State University, and there is the Division III Crosstown Rivalry between Capital University and Otterbein University in Westerville, as both are aiming for their first win of the season.

High School Football - Week 10 (Final Week):
https://joeeitel.com/hsfoot/scoreboard/2024/week-10

Thursday:
Beechcroft at Northland
Columbus South at Marion-Franklin

Saturday:
Groveport Madison at Canal Winchester

FRIDAY:
(Central Catholic League)
"The Holy War" - St. Francis DeSales at Bishop Watterson (at Ohio Dominican)
Bishop Hartley at St. Charles

(Mid-State League)
Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans at Millersport
Bloom-Carroll at Circleville
Lancaster Fairfield Christian at Berne Union
Grove City Christian at Lancaster Fisher Catholic
Liberty Union at Amanda-Clearcreek
Logan Elm at Hamilton Township

(City League)
South:
Briggs at Columbus West
Eastmoor Academy at Africentric
Walnut Ridge at Independence

North:
Columbus East at Linden McKinley
Whetstone at Centennial

(Ohio Capital Conference)
Buckeye:
Lancaster at Newark
Reynoldsburg at Pickerington Central
Teays Valley at Logan

Capital:
Westland at Big Walnut
Dublin Scioto at Westerville North
Franklin Heights at Delaware Hayes
Worthington Kilbourne at Westerville South

Cardinal:
Olentangy at Olentangy Berlin
Marysville at Hilliard Darby
Thomas Worthington at Dublin Jerome

Central:
Olentangy Liberty at Olentangy Orange
Hilliard Bradley at Dublin Coffman
Upper Arlington at Hilliard Davidson

Ohio:
Central Crossing at Grove City
Gahanna Lincoln at Pickerington North
New Albany at Westerville Central

(Licking County)

The Columbus Marathon is Sunday through Columbus and its three inner ring suburbs of Bexley, Upper Arlington, and Grandview Heights.

High School Football (Week 9):
https://joeeitel.com/hsfoot/scoreboard/2024/week-9

THURSDAY GAMES:
(all Local Games are City League)
Centennial at Columbus East
Linden McKinley at Mifflin
Walnut Ridge at Briggs

FRIDAY GAMES:
COLUMBUS CITY LEAGUE:
(North)
Northland at Whetstone

(South)
Independence at Columbus West
Africentric at Columbus South
Marion-Franklin at Eastmoor Academy

OHIO CAPITAL CONFERENCE:
(Buckeye)
Canal Winchester at Lancaster
Newark at Reynoldsburg
Pickerington Central at Teays Valley
Logan at Groveport Madison

(Capital)
Delaware Hayes at Westland
Big Walnut at Dublin Scioto
Westerville North at Worthington Kilbourne
Westerville South at Franklin Heights

(Cardinal)
Hilliard Darby at Thomas Worthington
Dublin Jerome at Olentangy
Marysville at Olentangy Berlin

(Central)
Dublin Coffman at Upper Arlington
Hilliard Davidson at Olentangy Liberty
Olentangy Orange at Hilliard Bradley

(Ohio)
Grove City at Gahanna Lincoln
Pickerington North at New Albany
Westerville Central at Central Crossing

LICKING COUNTY LEAGUE:
Granville at Zanesville
Heath at Northridge
Licking Heights at Watkins Memorial "The Battle of Broad Street/Pataskala"
Licking Valley at Mount Vernon
Hebron Lakewood at Newark Catholic
Johnstown at Utica

MID-STATE LEAGUE:
Worthington Christian at Grove City Christian
Lancaster Fisher Catholic at Berne Union
Circleville at Liberty Union
Amanda-Clearcreek at Lancaster Fairfield Union

KNOX-MORROW CONFERENCE:
Fredericktown at Danville
East Knox at Centerburg
Cardington-Lincoln at Galion Northmor

Non-Conference:
Harvest Prep at Cincinnati Archbishop LaSalle
KIPP Columbus at Bishop Hartley
Harrison at Bishop Watterson (at Ohio Dominican)
Cleveland Heights Lutheran East at St. Charles
Beechcroft at Whitehall-Yearling