Village Lights 2018 is set to return to the German Village this weekend. Photo courtesy: German Village Society of Columbus
Village Lights 2018 is set to be a creative array of holiday events held in the historic streets of German Village this Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event, held by the German Village Society, is a gathering to celebrate the illumination of the village with festive lights, where local restaurants, vendors and businesses will be celebrating under the lights with extended hours, sales, giveaways and special events. The official lighting takes place at 5:30 p.m. at the Meeting Haus on S. 3rd St.
Shopping
All of the businesses will offer special discounts, treats and giveaways to get people in the door, said Chelsey Craig, the event coordinator for the German Village Society.
“It’s a free event to drive traffic to our local businesses and to celebrate holiday shopping locally,” Craig said. “This is our way to give back to the local businesses in our community.”
Craig also said this event is one of the most popular nights of the year for local businesses because anywhere from 4 to 10 thousand people are estimated to attend. Some of the featured businesses will include Golden Hobby Shop, Stauf’s Coffee Roasters, G. Michael’s Bistro and Winan’s Chocolates + Coffee.
Music
The Mighty Troubadours, a Columbus-based string band, will be pairing their own eclectic style with holiday classics at the corner of Willow and Third Street with several sets throughout the night beginning at 6:50 p.m.
Events
Striezelmarkt, an outdoor Christmas market, will be showcasing even more Columbus businesses like Columbus Food Adventures and Columbus City Adventures, which will be offering a chance to win two free tickets to one of their city tours.
Works from the Central Ohio Watercolor Society will be on display at the Brent Warner Fest Hall Gallery on S. 3rd St. as well as a live painting of winter scenes from Suzanna Accetta, Kevin Buckland, Linda Coe, Ed Kitchen and Jeff Stahler.
An ice sculptor from Rock on Ice in Columbus will be creating holiday themed ice sculptures live throughout the night, including an ice photo frame.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus from Actors’ Theatre of Columbus will be reading four different holiday stories to children on the corner of Willow and Third Street beginning at 5 p.m.Mr. and Mrs. Claus will also be giving the first 350 children they meet a free book from the Book Loft of German Village.
Columbus Pedal Wagon is offering free rides on their 15-person, pedal-powered cart, along with hot cocoa and other treats to enjoy during the celebration.
Lastly, theDogWorksCats2 on Thurman Avenue is bringing in local photographer, Cindy Hurt, to capture holiday-themed pet portraits from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in their shop with a suggested donation. All proceeds raised by the shop will be donated to an animal welfare charity that is to be determined by the public at their event on Sunday.
