10 things to do this weekend around Columbus include Reba McEntire, GalaxyCon, 'Nutcracker'

If you were disappointed by the cancellation of Reba McEntire's Nov. 4 concert, have no fear: She'll be here, in good health and voice, this weekend at Nationwide Arena. Tickets purchased for the original show will be honored.

There's also lots of theater and dance happening this weekend, from Short North Stage's family-oriented "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" and Vaud-Villities Productions' original musical revue “Holiday Road" to not one, but two versions of "The Nutcracker," and several other stage presentations.

If you're an avid cosplayer, anime aficionado, die-hard Trekkie or general sci-fi lover, then GalaxyCon - three days of celebrity appearances and more - is for you. Or if you prefer an outdoor gathering, shake your groove thing to live music at WinterFest while shaking off the chill in the air with a steamy cup of coffee or hot bourbon cider.

Much more is in store in and around Columbus this weekend and you can read about it below!

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Reba recovered and ready to roll

After canceling a November date due to vocal issues, Reba McEntire is on the road again, and will be hitting Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The country singer and actress, who has been active since the '70s, released “My Chains Are Gone,” an album of hymns and gospel music, this year as well as an “Ultimate Christmas Collection” drawing on earlier Christmas albums. Expect a trip back through the decades. Opening will be Canadian country music singer Terri Clark. Tickets start at $49.75 (nationwidearena.com).

GalaxyCon to be out of this world

Beam yourself up to the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., for GalaxyCon, a weekend of comic books, sci-fi/fantasy, anime, cosplay, signings, photo ops and celebrity appearances from William Shatner and Brent Spiner to director Kevin Smith and cast members from his "Clerks" trilogy, among many others. Guest panels galore are planned, including, "I Think I Khan Do It," featuring actor, bestselling author and podcaster Laura Banks, who appeared in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." GalaxyCon will be from 2 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Exhibition hall hours will be 2-8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Prices vary for single-day or full weekend passes. (galaxycon.com)

Short North Stage reimagines Irving Berlin

Short North Stage will present a reimagined “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas,” the family-friendly Broadway holiday musical based on the 1954 Paramount film about a pair of former Army veterans with a successful song-and-dance act who try to help their former commander by performing with a sister act at his Vermont lodge. Performances are 7 p.m. Dec. Thursday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Dec. 8-9; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 p.m. Dec. 11; 7 p.m. Dec. 15-16; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17; and various times through Jan. 1 at the Garden Theater, 1187 N. High St. Tickets start at $45.71. (cbusarts.com)

Vaud-Villities' original 1940s-era musical

Vaud-Villities Productions will present “Holiday Road,” an original musical revue about a 1940s-era troupe that gives an impromptu performance (with such songs as “Please Come Home for Christmas”) when its bus breaks down in a small town just before the holidays. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Ohio Dominican University’s Matesich Theatre, 1216 Sunbury Road. Tickets cost $15 to $25. (614-262-7469, vvshows.org)

Wonderful world of 'Wonderment'

Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” provides the basis for the Columbus Dance Theatre’s production of “Wonderment.” The holiday ballet, which made its debut last year to replace the troupe’s long-running “Matchgirl” production, will be seen at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Riffe Center’s Davidson Theatre, 77 S. High St. Tickets cost $28, or $22 for senior citizens, $14 for students. (columbusdancetheatre.com)

CATCO'S New Works Festival explores youth plays

CATCO will present a New Works Festival for Young Audiences offering a look into the development process and celebrating three new plays about young people written for young audiences. The festival will include a development production of Blake Anthony Edwards’ “The Only and Only Sarah Stonely,” along with readings of Jessica Moss’ "The Worries of Wesley” and Alvaro Saar Rios’ “The Day the Music Came Back.” Performances, recommended for ages 7 and older, are 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 7 p.m. Dec. 7-9; noon Dec. 10-11; and 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Columbus Performing Arts Center’s Van Fleet and Shedd Theatres, 549 Franklin Ave. Tickets start at $9.52 (614-469-0939, cbusarts.com, catco.org).

WinterFest heats up Bicentennial Park

Groove to live music while imbibing craft beer or hot bourbon cider and sampling the wares of a dozen food trucks at WinterFest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bicentennial Park, 233 Civic Center Dr. Performing will be country band Larry Elefante, Cincinnati-based big band Ernie Johnson From Detroit and popular Columbus jam band ekoostik hookah. Food trucks will include Fat Boy Q, Fork of Nigeria, Where It All Vegan and Galaxy Coffee. Between sets, check out the snow globe photo op and the mechanical reindeer. Admission: free. (sciotomile.com/winterfest)

Broadway performers go Disney at the Palace

Four Disney princesses and one prince, accompanied by an emcee, will burst into song at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. “Disney Princess – the Concert” features Broadway actors singing the songs of multiple Disney heroines. Familiar numbers like “Let It Go” and “Part of Your World” will prompt sing-alongs, and a few surprising, lesser-known numbers are also included. (Note: The singers will not be costumed as princesses.) The show, which is recommended for ages 6 and up, runs two hours with an intermission. Tickets start at $31.50 (capa.com).

Enjoy 'The Nutcracker' times two

BalletMet’s “The Nutcracker” won’t kick off for another week, but in the meantime, get your “Nutcracker” fix with two other productions: The New Albany Children’s Ballet Theatre will perform the show at 7 p.m. Friday, noon and 5 p.m. Saturday, and various dates and times through Dec. 11 at the McCoy Center for the Arts, 100 E. Dublin-Granville Road, New Albany (the opening weekend performances will feature live music from the New Albany Symphony Orchestra). For a different spin on the holiday classic, you can also check out “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. (capa.com).

Tour Green Lawn Abbey during holiday open house

The Green Lawn Abbey mausoleum, 700 Greenlawn Ave., will host a holiday open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Learn about the history of the abbey from volunteers as you tour the grounds, which will be gussied up with seasonal décor. Light food and holiday beverages will be served. A $5 donation will support the restoration of the mausoleum. To RSVP, email friends@greenlawnabbey.org.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do in Columbus include Reba McEntire, WinterFest, theater