Many stores and restaurants in central Ohio are closed on Thanksgiving, while a few businesses are open with varying hours, including Giant Eagle, Kroger, Meijer, Whole Foods Market, Bass Pro Shops, Big Lots, Cabela's, CVS, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Burger King, Dunkin', McDonald's, and Starbucks.

Several restaurants and retailers in Columbus, Ohio are offering full Thanksgiving meals for pickup or delivery, with prices ranging from $40.99 to $440, and options for both dine-in and take-home meals.

The Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk's Office has installed interactive kiosks at the Franklin County James A. Karnes Correctional Center to allow families and defendants to pay a bond remotely via a live video feed.

The most expensive homes in Franklin and Delaware counties in October sold for $2.4 million and $1.5 million respectively, with properties in Columbus, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Westerville, Lewis Center, Dublin and Plain City.

This weekend in central Ohio is filled with fun, eclectic adventures, including sports, art, music, family-friendly events, and the Hot Chocolate Run.

The Longaberger Welcome Center and Homestead, a 70,000-square-foot retail center, restaurant, office, and welcome center with a giant apple basket structure, is for sale in Frazeysburg, Ohio, for $5.7 million.

Santa Claus has arrived in central Ohio and will be available for visits and photos at a variety of festive events, including light displays, shopping centers, sensory-friendly options, pet-friendly events, and more.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is asking the public for help in naming their new baby elephant, who is the second calf born at the zoo in one year and is currently thriving and meeting all developmental milestones.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday observed on November 11, with most stores and restaurants in central Ohio remaining open, though some services such as mail and package delivery, trash collection, public transportation, library services, and government offices may be affected.

Veterans Day is being celebrated in central Ohio with events such as the MILVETS Veterans Day Rally, the Veterans Day National Ceremony, and a Sunrise Wreath Laying Ceremony. There are other activities such as flag placements and luncheons for veterans and their families.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — This year, Tuesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, and several central Ohio businesses will be offering special deals and discounts to honor and thank members of the U.S. military.

Most deals require a valid military ID or a dine-in purchase. Participation and details can vary by location. Readers are encouraged to check with their local restaurant or business to confirm availability.

Veterans Day food offers

Applebee’s
• Free special Veterans Day meal for veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11, dine-in only.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
• Receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie when dining in with a valid military ID on Nov. 11. In addition, guests will receive a coupon for a free appetizer to use on a future visit, valid Nov. 12 through Dec. 31.

Bob Evans
•  All veterans and active-duty military can receive a free dine-in meal from a special menu of farm-fresh favorites.

Buffalo Wild Wings
• Ten free boneless wings and fries for veterans and active-duty military with valid ID, available for dine-in or walk-in orders at GO locations on Nov. 11.

California Pizza Kitchen
• All veterans and active-duty service members in uniform or with a valid ID receive a free meal on Veterans Day. Dine in on Nov. 11 and choose one entrée from a special Veterans Day menu.

Chicken Salad Chick
• Free meal with one side and drink to all veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. This offer is valid in-restaurant or drive-thru only at all locations for service members with a valid military ID.

Chili's
• All veterans and active military members can get a free meal on Veterans Day, Nov. 11 at all participating Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants. The offer is available in-restaurant only for select items.

Denny’s
• Free Original Grand Slam breakfast for veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m. to noon at participating locations. To redeem this offer, veterans and active-duty military personnel must present a valid military ID or a DD-214.

Dunkin’
• Free donut for veterans and active military on Nov. 11, while supplies last.

El Vaquero Mexican Restaurant
• Dine-in meals are 20% off, available to all veterans and active-duty military members.

Golden Corral
• Free dine-in “thank you” meal on Military Appreciation Night, for any person who has served in the U.S. military (retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves) on Nov. 11 from 4 p.m. to close.

IHOP
• Free red, white and blue pancake combo for veterans and active military on Nov. 11, dine-in from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Logan’s Roadhouse
• On Nov. 11, active-duty military and veterans can receive a free meal from a Veterans Day menu with proof of service. The offer is valid from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for dine-in customers.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
• Menchie's is offering all veterans their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free on Veterans Day.

Red Robin
• Veterans and military members who dine in enjoy a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger served with bottomless steak fries on Veterans Day.

Sheetz
• On Nov. 11, Sheetz invites all veterans and active duty military personnel to enjoy a free half-turkey sub and a regular-size fountain drink at any of Sheetz’s 800-plus store locations. The offer includes extras and add-ons to the sub.  Sheetz will also offer a free car wash to veterans and active duty military. This offer applies to the $9 car wash option and is available at Sheetz stores with a car wash. Military ID or proof of service must be presented to qualify.

Starbucks
• Veterans, military servicemembers and military spouses can enjoy a free tall, 12-ounce brewed hot or iced coffee. The offer is valid on café and drive-thru orders on Nov. 11 at participating U.S. stores.

Torchy’s Tacos
• Torchy’s is offering a free taco and nonalcoholic beverage to all veterans and active U.S. military members at its locations nationwide. The offer is available on Nov. 11. Veterans and active military members must present a valid military ID or proof of service.

Twin Peaks 
• On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, all veterans and active-duty service members can enjoy a free lunch from a select menu between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. A valid military ID is required for these discounts and promotions. Many Twin Peaks locations offer 20% food discounts every day to military veterans and first responders. Some locations also feature additional promotions, including Military Mondays with special offerings. 

White Castle
• White Castle is celebrating Veterans Day by offering a free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal to all veterans and active-duty service members with ID on Nov. 11. White Castle will also serve its Sliders in specially designed patriotic packaging.

Other Veterans Day offers

Connell’s Maple Lee Flowers & Gifts
• Veterans and current service members are invited to stop by on Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to receive a complimentary bouquet as a thank-you for their service. Guests are asked to show a valid military ID or veteran card to receive their bouquet.

Great Clips
• On Nov. 11, veterans and active service members can visit any Great Clips salon and get a free haircut or a free haircut card to use at a later date.  Non-military customers who get a haircut at Great Clips on Veterans Day will also receive a free haircut card to give to an active service member or veteran in their life as a token of thanks. The cards can be redeemed through Dec. 5. 

Home Depot
• Active service members, veterans and their spouses enjoy 10% off eligible purchases every day. Participants must register to verify their military status through Home Depot's third-party vendor.

Rack Room Shoes
• Military personnel can present their valid U.S. military ID to receive a 10% discount on in-store purchases every Tuesday and a 20% discount every Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.

Target
• With Target Circle Military Appreciation, customers can get 10% off two storewide purchases. Customers must verify as military personnel, a veteran, or a family member to begin.

Tractor Supply Co.
• Hometown Heroes receive a 10% discount on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. To enjoy Hometown Heroes benefits, participants can join Neighbor’s Club and verify their status through ID.me. Current and former military service members and first responders who have enrolled in Neighbor’s Club can verify their Hometown Hero status through ID.me by visiting Tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes and clicking “verify.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The arts and entertainment scene dominates this weekend's list of things to do in central Ohio with music, film, theater and comedy.

On the big screen, the Wexner Center for the Arts hosts the Unorthodocs documentary festival, while the Columbus Symphony brings “Jaws” in concert to the Ohio Theatre.

Stage performances include the Abbey Theater of Dublin's “The Witch of November,” and comedian Karen Marie brings her stand-up show to The Attic Comedy Club.

Headlining the weekend's concert lineup is Paul McCartney’s stop at Nationwide Arena on his Got Back 2025 Tour. Music lovers also can enjoy a range of other performances, from ProMusica Columbus’s free family-friendly Once Upon a Tune concert at the Bexley Public Library to a candlelight tribute to Fleetwood Mac at the Columbus Museum of Art.

Other shopping and special events round out the weekend with the Bethel Holiday Market and Dick's House of Sport’s $5 Student Climb, where young people can get a discount rate to tackle the climbing wall.

Unorthodocs Shorts

Wexner Center for the Arts, Thursday, Nov. 6 through Monday, Nov. 10
• Unorthodocs 2025 film festival features documentaries, including true-crime “Predators,” “Baby Doe,” themes of civic courage and protest, “Teenage Wasteland,” “WTO/99,” and highlights of ecological issues, “Seeds,” “River of Grass.” Ohio connections and innovative uses of archival footage are prominent throughlines in this year’s festival. Passes are $45 for the public, $36 for members and adults 55 and older, $16 for students. Festival passes include admission to all Unorthodocs talks and screenings, the Unorthodocs passholders' lounge, plus one free drink ticket for the reception on Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. The festival screenings begin on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Dick's House of Sport, $5 Student Climb

Dick's House of Sport, every first Friday of the month, Friday, Nov. 7
• Dick's House of Sport is offering a special deal for middle school, high school, and college students. They can enjoy a 15-minute climb on the rock wall for just $5, which is $10 off the regular price. Students can sign up online to reserve their spots and list their school name in the questionnaire. A student ID is required upon check-in for the climb.

'The Witch of November: A Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald'

The Abbey Theater of Dublin, Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 7 through Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., Sundays, Nov. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m.
• Based on the mysterious sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, “The Witch of November” follows Captain Ernest McSorley as he and his crew sail to their ultimate demise. In this world premiere, McSorley relives key moments of his life, observing the consequences of his career and what became of him and his wife’s life together. Tickets are $25, recommended for ages 13 and up.

Doing the Most with Karen Marie

The Attic Comedy Club, Friday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
• Stand-up artist Karen Marie is bringing a night of comedy, chaos, and catharsis, where laughter meets the real, the ridiculous and the revolutionary. No topic is off-limits, no moment is predictable, and no one leaves without feeling seen, stretched, or slightly snatched by the truth.
Admission is $24.62, including fees, when purchased online; tickets are an additional $5 at the door.

'Jaws' in Concert

Ohio Theatre, Friday, Nov. 7, 8 p.m.
• For the first time, audiences will have the chance to experience a live symphony orchestra performing composer John Williams' Academy Award-winning score in sync with Steven Spielberg's “Jaws” on the big screen. Conducted by Stuart Chafetz. Tickets start at $17.55, including fees.

Bethel Holiday Market

Bethel International United Methodist Church, Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Attendees can shop from more than 150 artisan vendors selling homemade items. Products range from Buckeye items, jewelry, holiday items, home decor, wood items, food and more. There will also be two lunch options and a Youth Bake Sale. Saturday is open to the public, with $2 admission fee. A special sale is available on Nov. 7 for teachers, seniors, and veterans with free admission.

Paul McCartney: Got Back 2025 Tour

Nationwide Arena, Saturday, Nov. 8, 8 p.m.
• Paul McCartney performs his music from The Beatles to Wings and solo hits. Audiences can experience the music that defined decades. Verified resale tickets start at $488.84, including fees.

Family Concert: Once Upon a Tune with ProMusica Columbus

Bexley Public Library, Sunday, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• The community is invited to join musicians from ProMusica Columbus for a family-friendly concert that links classical music and children’s literature. All ages are welcome to this free concert.

Candlelight: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

Columbus Museum of Art, Cardinal Health Auditorium, Sunday, Nov. 9, 8:45 p.m.
• The music of Fleetwood Mac under the gentle glow of candlelight. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multisensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations. Open to children 8 years and older; under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Doors open 45 minutes before the show. Tickets available for $58.50.