All Access

Columbus

Columbus Alerts

Alert

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese.

Axios Columbus Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Columbus

Standard

Columbus Members

Membership

A closer look at Ohio's new political maps

The maps are set to be in place for the rest of this decade.

News

Columbus' nightlife is bouncing back

Square transactions after 7pm now exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Columbus sees momentum for local tree growing plan

The city is eyeing over 96,000 potential planting sites.

What makes Ohioans want to stay (and leave)

Axios readers describe the reasons they stayed put or moved away.

Celebrating Hanukkah in Columbus amid turmoil

"The answer to war is peace, camaraderie and breaking down barriers between people."

Hanukkah celebrations begin Thursday night, and local organizers say the joyous annual traditions will take on an even deeper significance this year.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rising reports of antisemitism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/29/antisemitism-college-campus-adl-survey-israel-hamas-war" data-vars-content-id="a245ee12-2b6b-4d2c-b752-5311b59753d4" data-vars-headline="Celebrating Hanukkah in Columbus amid turmoil" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/29/antisemitism-college-campus-adl-survey-israel-hamas-war" target="_self">Rising reports of antisemitism</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Israel-Hamas war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/11/16/israel-hamas-war-local-impact" data-vars-content-id="a245ee12-2b6b-4d2c-b752-5311b59753d4" data-vars-headline="Celebrating Hanukkah in Columbus amid turmoil" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/11/16/israel-hamas-war-local-impact" target="_self">Israel-Hamas war</a> are complicating community celebrations nationwide.

Columbus Zoo announces birth of first baby orangutan in 60 years

The tree-dwelling species, native to Southeast Asia, is critically endangered.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is celebrating the birth of a female Bornean orangutan, its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first in over 60 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/01/columbus-zoo-baby-orangutan" data-vars-content-id="ede7d592-9da3-43ec-9f0d-98be8f4c2c33" data-vars-headline="Columbus Zoo announces birth of first baby orangutan in 60 years" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/01/columbus-zoo-baby-orangutan" target="_self">first in over 60 years</a>.Why it matters: The tree-dwelling species, native to Southeast Asia, is critically endangered.

A baby Bornean orangutan nestles up against her mother and smiles

How to fake it: Your guide to the Big Game

The teams bring perfect records into this Saturday's big game.

Saturday&#x27;s big game will be the talk of every Thanksgiving dinner table across Ohio.<ul><li>So if you&#x27;re a casual fan at best, here&#x27;s what to know to fake your way through the inevitable Buckeyes chatter.</li></ul>

5 turkey trots races in Columbus

Lace up your sneakers for these local races.

Culture

If you&#x27;re looking to stay active during with the holidays approaching, lace up your sneakers for these local races:

Illustration of a the bottom half of a turkey in running shoes

What to do this weekend: Nov. 17-19

On our list: Comedian Rhapsody, craft markets and holiday lights.

Things to Do

🤣 Laugh out loud during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Comedian Rhapsody" data-vars-click-url="https://www.capa.com/events/detail/the-second-citys-comedian-rhapsody" data-vars-content-id="944e5449-7a61-4bc3-ac4b-24bb516669b1" data-vars-headline="What to do this weekend: Nov. 17-19" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.capa.com/events/detail/the-second-citys-comedian-rhapsody" target="_blank">Comedian Rhapsody</a>, a revue by The Second City, a Chicago theater famous for launching the careers of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and more.<ul><li>8pm tonight at the Davidson Theatre, 77 S. High St. $34-44.</li></ul>

Animated illustration of calendar pages with neutral emojis on them being torn off, until you get to Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which have smiling, sunglasses-wearing emojis on them with neon yellow waving lines. 

Drexel Theatre still thriving after 85 years

The Bexley landmark has overcome many challenges since its 1937 opening.

The Franklin County historical marker tour brings us to a Bexley movie theater that&#x27;s been screening films since the days of Judy Garland and Clark Gable.The marker: The Drexel Theatre, 2254 E. Main St.

A historical marker for the Drexel Theatre. 

What to do this weekend: Dec. 1-3

On our list: WinterFest, Pentatonix, a bar crawl and Kinky Boots.

🎁 Shop for handmade art — a perfect gift for your loved ones — at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Winterfair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohioexpocenter.com/events/2023/winterfair" data-vars-content-id="fb864fc3-b6ef-479f-8c7d-bd87450db24f" data-vars-headline="What to do this weekend: Dec. 1-3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohioexpocenter.com/events/2023/winterfair" target="_blank">Winterfair</a>.<ul><li>10am-7pm Friday and Saturday, 11am-4pm Sunday, Ohio Expo Center. $7. </li></ul>

The 8 best holiday light displays in Columbus this year

A new tradition for 2023: Season of Celebrations at COSI.

Believe it or not, it&#x27;s time for Columbus to transform into a winter wonderland once again.Illuminating the news: To kick off the holiday season, we&#x27;ve compiled a list of eight must-see holiday light displays in Central Ohio.

Fireworks launch into the sky on both sides of a giant illuminated Christmas tree at Easton

Columbus, Cincinnati meet in rare Ohio sports clash

The match is a rare postseason meeting of two Ohio teams.

It&#x27;s all come down to this: Two Ohio teams battling for a shot in the MLS Cup.State of play: The Eastern Conference final at 6pm Saturday will feature the league&#x27;s first club against one of its newest expansion teams.<ul><li>If you&#x27;re not headed to Cincinnati, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="send the team off this afternoon" data-vars-click-url="https://s3307847.t.en25.com/e/es?s=3307847&amp;e=1170&amp;elqTrackId=30fa602e8e944a728f17a089c503960f&amp;elq=1a09b47de0584495a6be6770096ba3ac&amp;elqaid=158&amp;elqat=1" data-vars-content-id="e0c03fd9-00ff-4b34-8b34-f7d1dc429b81" data-vars-headline="Columbus, Cincinnati meet in rare Ohio sports clash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://s3307847.t.en25.com/e/es?s=3307847&amp;e=1170&amp;elqTrackId=30fa602e8e944a728f17a089c503960f&amp;elq=1a09b47de0584495a6be6770096ba3ac&amp;elqaid=158&amp;elqat=1" target="_blank">send the team off this afternoon</a> at 2:30pm as players board the bus from Historic Crew Stadium.</li><li>Or watch the game on the big screen at Grandview Theater &amp; Drafthouse&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free watch party" data-vars-click-url="https://www.grandviewtheater.com/events/nordecke-watch-party-122-6pm" data-vars-content-id="e0c03fd9-00ff-4b34-8b34-f7d1dc429b81" data-vars-headline="Columbus, Cincinnati meet in rare Ohio sports clash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.grandviewtheater.com/events/nordecke-watch-party-122-6pm" target="_blank">free watch party</a> Saturday. Doors open at 5:30pm.</li></ul>

10 best Christmas light displays in Columbus

Pour the hot cocoa and bundle up … or put on your matching holiday pajamas, if drive-thru light attractions are more your style.<ul><li>Here are 10 must-see holiday light displays in Central Ohio, plus one eye-popping bonus adventure:</li></ul>

Trees lit with Christmas lights line the entrance to Columbus Commons, with green trunks and purple branches

Bexley bookstore helps give kids the gift of reading

The "Book Angel" tree is up through the holidays.

If you&#x27;re getting in the holiday spirit, you should consider visiting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gramercy Books in Bexley" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gramercybooksbexley.com/" data-vars-content-id="fd7f239c-5881-4354-bcf1-0bda1dcf7d66" data-vars-headline="Bexley bookstore helps give kids the gift of reading" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gramercybooksbexley.com/" target="_blank">Gramercy Books in Bexley</a> to check out the Book Angel tree.How it works: The tree is adorned with names of local children who could use a gifted book for the holidays.