The signs are already here. Trees sport bare branches, thermostats are turned up at night and scarves are being pulled out of storage. Yes, Old Man Winter is creeping out of hiding. Don’t wait — now’s the time to get out and enjoy some fresh air and quality time with nature before inclement weather sets in.
Head to the Dawes Arboretum in Newark for a Night Hike of the grounds or catch the last of the fall colors in the Hocking Hills on the Cedar Falls Stroll. Take in the changing of the seasons, because before you know it winter will be here in full force.
Ilona Westfall, Ohio Magazine
Unless otherwise noted below, all photos courtesy of the events or organizations featured.
Fairs/Festivals Light Bright Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the Legacy Village Christmas tree kick off the holidays during TheNight of Lights at the Lyndhurst shopping center. Also enjoy fireworks, a parade, a performance by The Singing Angels and more, this Friday. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Water, Water Everywhere The wet and wild exhibits in “Water: H20 = Life” at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland show how integral water is to the world’s ecosystems and how to preserve it, through Apr. 11. MORE>
Music/Theater Green in the Face The back story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival is explored in the smash-hit musical “Wicked” at the State Theatre on Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare, Nov. 18–Dec. 13. MORE>
Other Events Season’s Greeting Twinkling lights and cheerful decorations jazz up the already spectacular Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron during Deck the Hall, a themed holiday showcase, Nov. 19–Dec. 30. MORE>
Sponsored Event:
Nov. 21–29
NE
Akron
Fairs/Festivals
Holiday Tree Festival Come see a delightful assortment of decorated full–size and miniature trees, holiday wreaths and decorations. Enjoy musical performances and activities for all ages. Other events include the Preview Gala, Kids Day and Breakfast With Santa. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals The Lights Fantastic Bundle up and head to the Toledo Zoo for Lights Before Christmas, a holiday celebration with more than 1 million lights decorating the grounds, carolers, ice-carving, a light show and, of course, animals, Nov. 20–Dec. 31.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Head Case The macabre becomes art at “Skull a Day,” an art exhibit of skulls made out of everything from books to bubble wrap. See the creepy collection at the Sandusky Cultural Center, through Nov. 29. MORE>
Music/Theater All That Jazz Prepare to be razzle-dazzled when the Prohibition-era musical “Chicago” brings murder and the media to the stage. See it at The Stranahan Theatre in Toledo, Nov. 17 and 19.MORE>
Other Events All Decked Out The spirit of Christmas comes to Sandusky for its transformation into Christmas Point USA, a holiday wonderland filled with animated window displays telling “A Christmas Carol,” Christmas tree displays and other festive fare, Nov. 20–Dec. 31. MORE>
Sponsored Event:
Nov. 20-Dec. 24
NW
Vermilion
Other Events
Vermilion Wonderland Discover Christmas events each weekend, including a Christmas walk, holiday lights, a winter art exhibit, shopping contests, carolers in the park and more. Dec. 5, enjoy the pageantry and buy your fresh tree as it comes off the Christmas Tree Ship. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Light Up Your Life Christmas goes green at this year’s Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, with environmentally friendly LED lights festooning the park. Don’t miss live reindeer, a pop culture light show, live music and Santa, Nov. 20–Jan. 2. MORE>
Museums/Galleries For Art’s Sake On the hunt for that perfect gift? The Rendville Art Show and Sale has unique, affordable art by artists from Rendville Art Works. See the show at Bryn Du Mansion in Granville, Nov. 20–22. MORE>
Music/Theater Two-Faced An epic battle between good and evil plays out within one man during “Jekyll & Hyde.” After experimenting with human personality, Dr. Jekyll releases his murderous side, Mr. Hyde, in this musical at the Emerald City Players Theater in Dublin, Nov. 20–Dec. 5. MORE>
Other Events Night Owls See the lovely grounds of the Dawes Arboretum in Newark in a new light — or lack thereof — on a Night Hike. Stroll through the woodland trails for a brisk autumn walk, this Friday. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals: Culture Bash Discover zesty Hispanic culture during the Latin American Culture Fest at Cincinnati Museum Center. Music, dance, art, displays and much more bring the culture to life, Nov. 21–22. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Audible Art Immerse yourself in “C. Spencer Yeh: Standard Definition,” a sound and video art installation at Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center. The multi-sensory exhibit features reels of video projects by Yeh, as well as sound recordings, through Jan. 24. MORE>
Music/Theater Eclectic Sounds Get back to your roots with Los Lobos, a Grammy award-winning group that combines roots rock, country, folk, R&B and more musical styles for a unique sound. See them live at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton, this Thursday. MORE>
Other Events Train of Thought All aboard for a magical holiday celebration at Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester. See holiday train displays and walk through the North Pole, complete with Santa’s workshop and reindeer stables, Nov. 21–Jan. 3. MORE>
Sponsored Event:
Nov. 22-Jan. 2
SW
Sharonville
Other Events
Holiday in Lights This outdoor light display is viewed from the comfort of your vehicle. Built along a mile of wooded roadway, fantastic seasonal colors adorn hundreds of trees and more than 120 moving and standing holiday–themed figures depicting everything from Santa and his elves to Godzilla. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Crafty Goods Stock up on beautiful adornments for your Christmas tree in the ornaments section of the Holiday Arts & Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar offers a variety of gifts at the Pumphouse Center for the Arts in Chillicothe, through Dec. 23. MORE>
Music/Theater Charitable Tunes Get ready to sing the blues Chicago style when Big James & The Chicago Playboys bring their bluesy tunes from the Windy City to The Lafayette Hotel in Marietta. The concert, a fundraiser for the “Blues in Schools” project, takes place Nov. 20. MORE>
Music/Theater Bells Are Ringing Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Zanesville community’s finest musical groups during the 20th Annual Handbell Festival at Grace United Methodist Church, Nov. 22. MORE>
Other Events One With Nature A naturalist explains the cultural and natural history of one of the Hocking Hills’ most stunning areas during the Cedar Falls Stroll in Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, this Friday. MORE>
Sponsored Event:
Nov. 21
SE
Waverly
Other Events
FNB Jingle Bell Luminary Weekend This festive weekend includes wine tastings, a craft show, children's events, and the largest luminary parade in Southern Ohio, bringing the arrival of Santa. MORE>
Photo Credits: Chicago: photo courtesy of Paul Kolnik; C. Spencer Yeh: Standard Definition: C. Spencer Yeh, Buck and Judy, 2009, motion graphics, digital video, music composed by Deerhoof, 3 min. 25 sec., photo courtesy of the artist; Deck the Hall: photo courtesy of Phil Kalina; Jekyll and Hyde: photo courtesy of Dale Bush; Night of Lights: Marc Golub Photography; Wicked: photo courtesy of Joan Marcus.
Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the Legacy Village Christmas tree kick off the holidays during The Night of Lights at the Lyndhurst shopping center. Also enjoy fireworks, a parade, a performance by The Singing Angels and more, this Friday. 
The wet and wild exhibits in “Water: H20 = Life” at the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland show how integral water is to the world’s ecosystems and how to preserve it, through Apr. 11. 
The back story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival is explored in the smash-hit musical “Wicked” at the State Theatre on Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare, Nov. 18–Dec. 13. 
Twinkling lights and cheerful decorations jazz up the already spectacular Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron during Deck the Hall, a themed holiday showcase, Nov. 19–Dec. 30. 
Bundle up and head to the Toledo Zoo for Lights Before Christmas, a holiday celebration with more than 1 million lights decorating the grounds, carolers, ice-carving, a light show and, of course, animals, Nov. 20–Dec. 31. 
The macabre becomes art at “Skull a Day,” an art exhibit of skulls made out of everything from books to bubble wrap. See the creepy collection at the Sandusky Cultural Center, through Nov. 29. 
Prepare to be razzle-dazzled when the Prohibition-era musical “Chicago” brings murder and the media to the stage. See it at The Stranahan Theatre in Toledo, Nov. 17 and 19.
The spirit of Christmas comes to Sandusky for its transformation into Christmas Point USA, a holiday wonderland filled with animated window displays telling “A Christmas Carol,” Christmas tree displays and other festive fare, Nov. 20–Dec. 31. 
Christmas goes green at this year’s Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, with environmentally friendly LED lights festooning the park. Don’t miss live reindeer, a pop culture light show, live music and Santa, Nov. 20–Jan. 2. 
On the hunt for that perfect gift? The Rendville Art Show and Sale has unique, affordable art by artists from Rendville Art Works. See the show at Bryn Du Mansion in Granville, Nov. 20–22. 
An epic battle between good and evil plays out within one man during “Jekyll & Hyde.” After experimenting with human personality, Dr. Jekyll releases his murderous side, Mr. Hyde, in this musical at the Emerald City Players Theater in Dublin, Nov. 20–Dec. 5. 
See the lovely grounds of the Dawes Arboretum in Newark in a new light — or lack thereof — on a Night Hike. Stroll through the woodland trails for a brisk autumn walk, this Friday. 
Discover zesty Hispanic culture during the Latin American Culture Fest at Cincinnati Museum Center. Music, dance, art, displays and much more bring the culture to life, Nov. 21–22. 
Immerse yourself in “C. Spencer Yeh: Standard Definition,” a sound and video art installation at Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center. The multi-sensory exhibit features reels of video projects by Yeh, as well as sound recordings, through Jan. 24. 
Get back to your roots with Los Lobos, a Grammy award-winning group that combines roots rock, country, folk, R&B and more musical styles for a unique sound. See them live at the Victoria Theatre in Dayton, this Thursday. 
All aboard for a magical holiday celebration at Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction in West Chester. See holiday train displays and walk through the North Pole, complete with Santa’s workshop and reindeer stables, Nov. 21–Jan. 3. 
Stock up on beautiful adornments for your Christmas tree in the ornaments section of the Holiday Arts & Crafts Bazaar. The bazaar offers a variety of gifts at the Pumphouse Center for the Arts in Chillicothe, through Dec. 23. 
Get ready to sing the blues Chicago style when Big James & The Chicago Playboys bring their bluesy tunes from the Windy City to The Lafayette Hotel in Marietta. The concert, a fundraiser for the “Blues in Schools” project, takes place Nov. 20. 
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Zanesville community’s finest musical groups during the 20th Annual Handbell Festival at Grace United Methodist Church, Nov. 22. 
A naturalist explains the cultural and natural history of one of the Hocking Hills’ most stunning areas during the Cedar Falls Stroll in Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, this Friday. 
