Things to do in Columbus this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
Easton flips the switch Friday at 5
By Lou P. and the Columbus Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
Easton holds its Grand Illumination Friday evening, and the Columbus Museum of Art is free on Sunday. Elsewhere, a comedy show keeps its Clintonville location secret until the morning of, the Wood Brothers play Newport, and Jinkx and DeLa bring their holiday show to the Southern.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
Grand Illumination
Grand Illumination is a one-night seasonal event at Easton Town Center, starting Friday at 5.
Easton lights its 56-foot tree and two million lights around 7PM, with Santa helping flip the switch. Before that, browse the Mistletoe Market of local makers, grab a sweet treat and catch live music.
Friday at 5 pm · Easton Town Center, 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH, 43219
FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing
Free Sundays at the Columbus Museum of Art
Sunday at 10 am
Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH, 43215
General admission is free every Sunday, and special exhibition admission is included. Wander the Walter Wing or settle in to build a puzzle together in a gallery.
Complimentary Live Music in the Trade Room with Dave Shelton Trio
Friday at 7 pm
The Trade Room
The Dave Shelton jazz trio plays a two-hour set in the Trade Room, free to enjoy. Seating is first come, first served, and valet, street and garage parking are available.
WITH KIDSbring them
PB&J Jazz Concert
Saturday at 11:30 am
Main Library, 96 South Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43215
A one-hour, interactive jazz concert for families. This longtime Columbus series used to sell tickets and is now free for the community.
Visit with a Snow Plow
Friday at 10 am
Hanby Park, 115 E. Park St., Westerville, OH, 43081
Kids can explore a real snow plow from Genoa Township, ask questions about snow removal and learn the parts of the truck. If bad weather sends the plow out on duty, the event is cancelled.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Rave Strength / HIIT Class
A rave strength and HIIT class meets at 9 on Saturday morning in a beer hall.
Saturday at 9 am · Beer Hall, 200 Kelton Ave., Columbus, OH, 43205
OUTSIDEfresh air
Lantern Hike
Saturday at 6:30 pm
Blacklick Woods, 6975 E. Livingston Ave., Reynoldsburg, OH, 43068
A guided 1.5-mile hike by lantern light through the Walter Tucker State Nature Preserve. It's about an hour, a nice way to see the woods after dark.
Slow Nature Walk
Saturday at 2 pm
Blendon Woods Metro Park, 4265 E. Dublin Granville Rd., Westerville, OH, 43081
A naturalist-led stroll that takes its time, stopping to look at every little thing on the trail. It runs about an hour and covers less than a mile, so it suits small legs.
DATE NIGHTfor two
An Evening of Songs & Stories by PBS Host & Songwriter Eric Gnezda, with Special Guest Interviewer Sally Fingerett & Violinist Arkadiy Gips
Thursday at 6:30 pm
Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, Columbus, OH
Singer-songwriter and PBS host Eric Gnezda talks with Sally Fingerett about his memoir, Stories at the Center, with original songs, violinist Arkadiy Gips, readings, audience Q&A and a book signing.
Don't Tell Comedy Columbus Show
Saturday at 7 pm
Secret location in Clintonville (revealed the morning of the show), Columbus, OH, 43214
A pop-up standup show in an indoor Clintonville space. The lineup is a surprise, and the address arrives by email at 8 AM that morning. It's BYOB and for ages 21 and up. Tickets are $30.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
Fall Market at The Little Grand
Sunday at 11 am
A day of early holiday shopping with local craft makers, a good place to find gifts that aren't off the mall shelf.
Worthington Farmers Market
Saturday at 9 am
The Shops at Worthington Place 7227 N High St Worthington OH 43085
One of Ohio's largest and most respected farmers markets, running since 1987. From November through April it moves indoors to The Shops at Worthington Place. Free to browse.
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- FRI 8 PMThe Wood Brothers w/ Amelia Day, Newport Music Hall
- SAT 7 PM; ALSO 8 PMThe Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, Southern Theatre
PLAN AHEAD
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Columbus, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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