Holiday Shows, Judy Collins and More Things to See and Do in December

A curated list of things to see and do in Columbus   

Middleland 

Through Dec. 9

No Place hosts an exhibition by NYC artist and Columbus native Amanda Ba at its Downtown gallery. Ba, who spent part of her childhood with grandparents in China, also exhibits internationally. Through paintings and a two-channel video, Middleland explores the in-between qualities of Ba’s Chinese-American identity and her Midwestern hometown. noplacegallery.com 

Holiday Hoopla 2023 

Through Dec. 23

Rock out during Shadowbox Live’s Holiday Hoopla, a two-hour show featuring music and sketch comedy celebrating the hustle, bustle and fun of the season. This live show has become a Columbus holiday tradition. Tickets are available until Dec. 23. shadowboxlive.org 

CCAD Art Fair & Marketplace 

Dec. 2

Skip the mall this holiday season and head to the Columbus College of Art & Design for this juried showcase and sale of works by CCAD students and alumni. The fair includes one-of-a-kind jewelry, décor, accessories, fine art and more. The ticketed event takes place 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Loann Crane Center for Design. ccad.edu/art-fair 

An Evening with Judy Collins 

Dec. 14

The 84-year-old folk singer continues to wow audiences with her ageless voice, singing Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides, Now” with just as much delicate grace as she did in 1967. What’s more, this intimate Southern Theatre concert will showcase Collins’ late-in-life creative turn, featuring songs from her 2022 album, Spellbound, her first with all original material. capa.com  

Holiday! 

Dec. 16-17

The Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus injects some seasonal cheer onto the scene with this spirited romp. The Riffe Center show includes a selection of secular and sacred songs and features Illuminati, the chorus’ sacred music ensemble. CGMC promises song and dance that will leave audience members feeling “gay and bright.” cgmc.com  

Give Back 

Dec. 9 | The Nutcracker Ball 

The BalletMet annual fundraiser, a signature community event for more than 35 years, will occur this year at Beam Benefits’ corporate offices in Downtown Columbus. balletmet.org 

Dec. 9 | New Albany Winter Wonder 5k 

This family-friendly race will start at the Philip Heit Center for Healthy New Albany and will feature food, games, health resources and more. Proceeds from the event, hosted by 10TV’s Angela An, go to Healthy New Albany. hnaraces.com  

Dec. 25 | Bethlehem on Broad Street 

Volunteer at the annual ecumenical fellowship at First Congregational Church in Downtown Columbus, which provides gifts, a hot sit-down meal, live music and more for those in need on Christmas Day. bethlehemonbroadstreet.org  

This story is from the December 2023 issue of Columbus Monthly.