Thanks to the magic of daylight saving time, it currently starts getting dark around 4pm. But Downtown is going to be getting a whole lot brighter at night as over 180,000 holidays lights come on this Friday evening for the first ever Grand Illumination celebration.
Starting at 5pm, the celebration includes free carousel rides at Columbus Commons, street performers, carolers, an appearance by Santa Claus, free hot chocolate, window displays in the Lazarus building and a book and paper sale at the OSU Urban Arts space. Additionally, Milestone 229 will be open and operating a fundraiser for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
At 6pm, Mayor Michael B. Coleman will be flipping the switch and activating a holiday light display that will stretch from Columbus Commons to City Hall to The Scioto Mile and areas in between. Columbus Commons will host a 35 foot Christmas Tree and a 15 foot fountain of light while Bicentennial Park projects a light show at the fountain display.
The lights will remain on in the evenings from December 2nd to January 15th. Columbus Commons will also be hosting a Holiday Fair December 16th-18th with rides, acitivies, visits with Santa Claus and plenty of other kid-friendly fun.
More information can be found online at www.columbuscommons.org and www.sciotomile.com.