I hope you're in the mood for some Christmas and holiday fun this weekend because there is plenty to get out and do! If you want to get a good look at all the activities, check out the Event Calendar so you can make your plans now.
First up, it’s become a holiday tradition to kick off the season by lighting the huge Christmas tree in Uptown during Broadway Holiday! It’s happening tonight beginning at 6:30 with Santa and his entourage being escorted by some of Columbus’ finest in a parade to the median of the 1100 block of Broadway so he can officially light up the tree and of course, he’ll then head to the gazebo so he can let all the kids sit on his lap with their gift list. There will also be vendors for a little holiday shopping, carriage rides, hot chocolate, candy canes, a giant slide ($2 donation), PAWS will be there, lots of Christmas carol singing, the Coca-Cola Bear and…it wouldn’t be Broadway Holiday with out it…lots and lots of snow!!!
It’s one of the best-loved Broadway musicals of all times and “leapin’ lizards,’ “Annie” is coming to the Springer Opera House! It’s Christmastime in New York City and the spunky orphan named Annie is determined to find her parents and escape from the orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan, becomes friends with President Roosevelt, inspires the nation and finds a new family and home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his secretary Grace Farrell and her lovable mutt, Sandy. Of course, you’ll get to hear some of the best-loved music numbers to ever be performed…Hard Knock Life, Maybe, I Don’t Need Anything But You, and the one we all know and love…Tomorrow (The Sun’ll Come Out Tomorrow). Every generation in your family will enjoy this one!! It's running now through December 20.
If you’re looking for some really unique Christmas gifts and want to help out a very worthy organization at the same time, head to Gina’s Junk (6010 Buena Vista Rd) for the JunkFest Handmade Holiday Bazaar this Saturday & Sunday. Tons of unique gift ideas with over 40 vendors, custom jewelry makers, great food, live music, drum circle, hula hooping…all to benefiting the Valley Rescue Mission food-drive for the holidays. No admission!
And there’s even more holiday cheer with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas in the Valley tonight (Dec 7) at 7:30pm. They are celebrating the season with a concert featuring special guests who actually live among us in the Chattahoochee Valley…hence the title! Folks like Voices of the Valley Youth Choir, The Columbus Ballet, and the one and only Peggy Jenkins…I would love to hear her belt out some Christmas carols! It’s a perfect concert for the whole family plus they’ll have lots of pre-concert activities for kids including a visit from Santa Claus himself! Tickets are $5-$36.
If you want to see almost 700 kids running like the wind, check out the 13th Annual Reindeer Run kicking off Saturday (Dec 8) morning in Uptown Columbus! This one-mile fun run benefits the Children’s Miracle Network at the Medical Center and it begins and ends in the space between Country’s Barbecue on Broad and the TSYS Parking Garage. This race is for children PreK - 8th grade. Parents may run/walk with your child at no extra charge. Awards will be given to winners in each age category and by male and female.
Stick around after the Reindeer Run is over because then it will be time for the Annual Bi-City Christmas Parade! The parade starts at 10:00am on Broad Street in Phenix City and goes north to 13th Street. The parade crosses over into Columbus on the 13th Street Bridge, goes south on Broadway and ends at Ninth Street. Handmade floats, motorcycles, marching bands, and even horses will be included in this annual parade.
That's a lot of Christmas cheer for just one weekend!
Now, go have some festive fun...
shelby