Downtown Columbus will be the place to be on Thursday afternoon for Christmas festivities. The downtown merchants will be holding A Not so Silent Night celebration from 4 to 8 p.m.

Erin Hawkins with the Columbus Area Visitors Center explains:

Hawkins explains that this is a chance to explore downtown businesses:

Local shops and restaurants will be open late and offering special deals that evening. The event will also include a scavenger hunt, carriage rides, music, Santa Claus at The Commons, an ugly Christmas sweater contest and ugly sweater 5k run.

Kidscommons is also offering a low-cost option to watch your children while you shop that night.

You can call kidscommons at (812) 378-3046