COLUMBUS, Ohio – It’s going to start looking a lot like Christmas tonight when the Ohio Statehouse Holiday Tree is illuminated.
This year’s Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting celebration will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free.
The indoor festival marking the beginning of the holiday season on Capitol Square will take place in the Statehouse Atrium and consist of a short program, welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus, followed by the lighting of a historically decorated holiday tree, organizers say.
It is only one of the holiday-themed events going on or getting underway in central Ohio this week.
Delaware’s community Christmas tree will be lighted for the holiday season at the community patio at William and Sandusky streets at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Santa Claus (left )will be downtown through Dec. 21.
The Grove City Christmas Celebration is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 in the historic Town Center.
These join the Office of TourismOhio list of events that began late in November and continue until Jan. 5, 2014:
Wildlights 25 at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Winter Wonderland at Creekside Park, Gahanna
The 14th annual Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek State Park
Athens, in southeast Ohio, will be celebrating Uptown for the Holidays on Dec. 5, 7, 12, 14 and 19.