Those in Columbus This Christmas Can See More Than 2 Million Lights, Build and Race Their Own Sleds

Those in Columbus, Ohio, can celebrate Christmas this year by ice skating, viewing more than 2,000,000 Christmas lights, watching an old classic seasonal favorite play, and many other ways.

From November 22, 2006, to January 1, 2007, visitors to the Columbus Zoo can view more than 2,000,000 twinkling lights of the season, enjoy ice skating, activities for children, meet Santa Claus, and enjoy a variety of other family activities at Wildlights.

The activity will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday from November 22 to December 17. On the same dates on Fridays and Saturdays the times will be from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. From December 17 to January 1, the times will be 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Regular admission rates of $10 for those ages 12-59, $8 for those older than 60, and $6 for those from 2-11 apply. Admission is free for those younger than 2 and zoo and aquarium members. For information, visit the zoo's official website, www.colszoo.org.

Another Christmas tradition, A Christmas Carol will be performed at the Ohio Theater in Columbus from November 24 to November 26. Tickets range in price from $22-$32. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 24, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday November 25, and at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 26.

According to the website, www.capa.com, the play offers the musical memories, goodwill, and warmth of the season, as Ebenezer Scrooge learns the meaning of Christmas from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future—with the help of Tiny Tim. The play features a cast of hundreds, with elaborate costumes. The colorful snowy set has been designed by noted set designer James Othuse. The costumes and set faithfully recreate the Victorian period of London in the 1800s. Almost two dozen Christmas melodies are woven into the musical by an ensemble cast of 28 actors.