After the stress of finals is released at the submission of your final paper, you pack up and hurry home, hoping to get as far away from school as possible. A few days later, your relaxation period has set in, but you may be finding yourself a bit bored—but if you're anywhere near Columbus, you're in luck! These five Columbus Christmas events are cheap fun for the whole family!

1. Easton Holiday Carriage Rides

Head over to Easton's shopping district and enjoy a carriage ride through the snow. Admission is $10 and rides run from 6 PM-10 PM on Friday and Saturdays until December 23 (if you have siblings under the age of 15, they ride for free!).

2. Merry & Bright Nights at the Franklin Park Conservatory

If you're a Columbus native, you've likely visited the conservatory while on an elementary school field trip—but this time around, you'll be searching for Christmas lights instead of foliage and butterflies. Admission runs from $7-$14, and holiday events crowd the FPC calendar. Breakfast with Santa, cookie baking with Mrs. Claus, gingerbread competitions, and musical performances fill up the entire month of December.

3. Grand Illumination of the Scioto Mile

Free of charge, the Scioto Mile is lit with over 200,000 lights for a Christmas display you don't want to miss. Bundle up, take a stroll through the mile's paths, and enjoy the lights.

4. Christmas Corner

Opening November 30 and running on select weekends throughout the holiday season, the Christmas Corner provides musical entertainment, hot chocolate sales, and a life-sized nativity.

5. "Christmas in Columbus: A Holiday Adventure" A Columbus Musical

Running from December 8-18 at 8:30 pm, plus Matinees at 3 pm on December 10, 11 and 18th at The Garden Theatre in the Short North is this original musical set in our town during the most enchanting time of the year. The plot? One of Santa’s elves has missed the Polar Express back to the North Pole and it’s up to some local children to show him all the magic our city has to offer in December. While this event is the most expensive on our cheap list (tickets for adults running for $20 and $12 for children), this show will provide fun for the whole family!