Culture Pass: Free admission to the Zoo, FPC, CMA, and more from the library

Visit amazing attractions in Columbus for FREE with a Culture Pass from the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

These aren’t only available for museums and the like, but also for FUN in Columbus, like Columbus Clippers games.

You can check out Culture Passes for free admission to a variety of central Ohio attractions – with your library card – just like you’re checking out a book!

Library cards are free and available to all, and you can apply online. 

Columbus Metropolitan Library Culture Passes

While you can check which culture passes are available at various CML branches, they cannot be reserved in advance.

For in-person checkout only; non-reservable. Search “culture pass” in the catalog to check availability. Just show up to the library with your library card and “check out” a pass (first come, first served)

BalletMet

Valid for 2024-25 season. Pass admits two adults or children. Can check out up to two weeks in advance of performance. Redeem at theater box office up to two hours in advance of performance. See season here.

Available at all library locations for in-person checkout only; non-reservable. Supplies are limited.

CAPA Summer Movie Series

Valid for 2024 Summer Movie Series only (June & July). Pass can be redeemed for one 10-pack of 2024 movie tickets. Each ticket admits one person to any Summer Movie Series film.

Passes available at all Columbus Metropolitan Library locations

Watch classic films with CAPA Summer Movie Series at Ohio Theatre

Columbus Children’s Theatre

Valid for 2024 performances only. See schedule here. 

Pass admits up to four individuals of any age. Redeem at theater box office up to two hours before performance, but call the box office in advance to be sure the show isn’t sold out.

Passes available at Main Library, Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches.

Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus

Valid for 2024-2025 performances only. Pass admits two individuals of any age.

Redeem at theater box office up to two hours before performance, but call the box office in advance to be sure the show isn’t sold out.

Passes available at Main Library, Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches.

Columbus Symphony Masterworks

NEW! Valid for Masterworks performances only. Pass admits one adult; children under 16 are free. Check out passes up to two weeks in advance of performance. Seat selection must be made in advance of performance. Valid for Masterworks performances only

Available at all library locations. See full schedule of upcoming concerts, and details about attending these concerts. 

Columbus Symphony Masterworks affordable shows

Columbus Clippers Culture Pass

Available at all locations; valid for Sunday games only in the 2024 season. Sundays are family day, so it’s a great way to catch a game with a family-friendly atmosphere.

Family pass admits up to two adults and four children for bleacher seating sections. Passes can be checked out up to two weeks in advance of a game.

Passes only good for Sunday games. Ten passes available at each location for each of the Sunday games.

Check out more details and discounts for  Columbus Clippers games here.

Columbus Museum of Art and Pizzuti Collection

Available at all locations.

Pass admits eight people of any age for the Columbus Museum of Art or the Pizzuti Collection. Valid for seven days after checkout. 

Read more about visiting Columbus Museum of Art (reminder – Sundays are always free!).

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Available at Main Library, Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches.

Pass admits up to six people of any age and is valid for two days after checkout. Two passes available per day at each location.

Passes are not valid for Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club or The Wilds. Passes do not include parking fees
 
Read more about the Columbus Zoo discounts, details, and more.

Dawes Arboretum in Licking County

Take a short drive to visit this STUNNING arboretum outside of Newark, Ohio. You’ll find so much to explore throughout the 2000 acres of themed gardens, woodlands, trails, and more. There is even a children’s play and learning area and bird watching section in the basement of the Visitors center that we love!

Read more about visiting Dawes Arboretum!

Pass admits up to six individuals of any age. Valid for two weeks for general admission; excludes registered programs and events.

Passes available at all Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.

Visit Dawes Arboretum in Newark, including fall and holiday fun

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Available at Driving Park, Martin Luther King and Shepard branches. Also available at Delaware County District Library.

Pass admits two adults and six children. Passes are valid for 30 days after checkout. Two passes are available per day at each location.

Franklin Park Conservatory is fun for all ages, and there’s so much to see all year long! If you have kids (and even if you don’t!) make sure to check out the Children’s Garden. Tip: the water feature is on during the warmer months, so consider bringing a towel and/or extra set of clothing for the kids!)

Read more about Franklin Park Conservatory discounts and details. The first Sunday of each month is Community Day, and all Columbus and Franklin County residents get in free!

Ohio History Connection and Ohio Village

Available at Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights and Northside branches.

Pass admits up to eight adults and/or children. Passes also valid to Ohio Village (seasonal). Valid for 7 days after checkout; also good for a 10% discount at café and gift shop.

Read more about upcoming fun at Ohio History Center and Ohio Village!

National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Available at Main Library, Barnett, Franklinton, Martin Luther King and Parsons branches.

Pass admits two adults and five children, and is valid for two days

Read more about the upcoming events at NVMM.

ProMusica Chamber Orchestra

Valid for 2024 performances only. Find the full schedule here.

Pass admits two adults or children. Redeem by calling 614-464-0066 ext. 101 in advance, or at theater box office up to one hour before performance.

Get passes at all Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.

More information about Culture Passes

Culture Passes are only available for in-person customer checkout at the specific CML locations listed above, as well as Pickerington Public Library.

Culture Passes cannot be reserved like traditional library items, however customers can check their availability at columbuslibrary.org by typing “Culture Pass” into the catalog search bar. These can typically be checked out several days in advance.

Since you can’t reserve these, we recommend checking these out in advance (when possible) to ensure you can attend on the date you are planning. Simply search your preferred option to see if there is availability, and go pick up ASAP! There’s always a chance it will be checked out before you get there, so it helps to know if other libraries nearby have the pass in stock.

Passes don’t have to be returned to the library. They are collected when you check in at the attraction. 

Select culture passes are also available at other library systems throughout Central Ohio

Pickerington Public Library

• AHA! Children’s Museum Visitor Pass 
• Franklin Park Conservatory
• Columbus Museum of Art
• The Works
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum
• The Dawes Arboretum 

Worthington Libraries

Available at Old Worthington Library, Northwest Library, and Worthington Park Library

• Franklin Park Conservatory
• Columbus Museum of Art

Grandview Heights Public Library

• Columbus Museum of Art
• Columbus Symphony
• National Veterans Memorial and Museum

Delaware County District Library

• Franklin Park Conservatory

Licking County Library also offers unique lending items and passes

• The Dawes Arboretum passes
• The Works museum passes

Find more fun from Columbus on the Cheap