200+ events for Summer fun at Columbus Commons

Columbus Commons is THE place to be in Downtown Columbus all Summer long!

With diverse programming of over 200 events including family movies and concerts, fitness classes, free carousel rides, date-night events, festivals, and more, there’s always something going on at Columbus Commons. 

Hungry? Pack a picnic, or Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Tortilla Street Food are on-site for events. Monday – Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Select events will also have food trucks to dine from!

Free Carousel Rides

Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | April 19 – Sept. 30

Take a spin on the Carousel, no matter what your age!

Kickball facilitated by Go Kickball!

Mondays and Tuesdays, 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. | April – October

Kickball is back at Columbus Commons this season, with three sessions to choose from. Grab your friends and coworkers and register to play!

Free Fitness Classes facilitated by RawYoga614 and Seven Studios

Wednesday, May 1 – Wednesday, Sept. 25

Free outdoor yoga and cardio classes for all skill levels. Bring a friend or stop by solo to get your sweat on in the heart of Downtown Columbus. Presented by UnitedHealthcare

• Tuesdays – Cardio, 5:30 p.m., Yoga, 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesdays –Yoga, 5:30 p.m., Yoga, 6:30 p.m.

Read more here. 

Breakfast at the Commons

Wednesdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | May 1 – Oct. 30

Stop by the Commons to enjoy several rotating breakfast food trucks

Food Truck Food Court

Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | May 2 – Oct. 31

Enjoy lunch from Columbus’ best food trucks on Thursdays. Nine trucks will be featured throughout the season including Elevated Pizza, Fetty’s Street Food, McGinnis Grill, Pitabilities, Schmidt’s, Taesty’s and Zaki Grill, with two rotating trucks each month.

Local Matters Veggie Van will be joining our line-up again to provide fresh produce to Columbus Commons visitors.

New this year – shop the SID’s Pearl Market for local goods each Food Truck Food Court Thursday from May 16 – October 10.

Read more here. 

Free Commons for Kids

Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | June 7 – Aug. 9

Free kid-friendly fun including inflatables (select weeks), face painting, unique activities facilitated by community partners, crafts and of course, carousel rides.

Read more about the themes and other fun during Commons for Kids. 

Free Local + Live Concert Series

Thursdays in August | 6 p.m.

Nothing beats free live music, outside and in the heart of Downtown Columbus.

Bar and food trucks will be available.
Schedule:
Aug. 1 – Throwback Thursday with a tribute to the Beatles with Joe Peppercorn and Fleetwood Gold, featuring an appearance by the East High School Marching Band.
Aug. 8 – Leading Ladies with Lily Bloom Band and Angela Perley
Aug. 15 – Back to School Night with Saylor Twift (a live-band tribute to Taylor Swift) and Go Big, Go Broadway: Enchanted Evening Edition
Aug. 22 – Rock Local, Shop Local with The Worn Flints and Zoo Trippin’, featuring a shoppable vendor market in partnership with The Good Market.
Aug. 29 – Columbus Soul Review with T.Wong and Mojoflo

More details here

Brews in the Bosque

Thursdays in September, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26)

Bring your coworker, family, friends or pup to enjoy a brew or beverage, and take in some tunes at this backyard-meets-beer garden outdoor happy hour happening every Thursday in September.

New this year – join the weekly cornhole tournament facilitated by Go Kickball!

Sunset Cinema

Thursdays in September, 8 p.m. (Sept. 5, 12, 19 & 26)

Enjoy classic flicks under the stars and city skyline at this free outdoor spin on the CAPA Summer Movie Series. Start the evening at Brews in the Bosque and stick around for a laid-back movie night starting at sunset. Bring a blanket, grab a drink from the bar and enjoy the movie!

Movie Lineup TBA

Presented in partnership with CAPA and Downtown Columbus, Inc.

One-Time Events at Columbus Commons

Free Navigators Concert

Friday, May 24 | 6 p.m.
A fan favorite, The Navigators, are back at the Commons! You don’t want to miss this group of Columbus executives and professionals playing high-energy rock tunes from the 1960s to today. Bar and food trucks will be available.

Free Family Fun Day

Saturday, May 25 | 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free family fun for everyone to enjoy! Inflatables, face painting, live music, crafts and more.

Family Funday at the Columbus Commons

Free Movie Nights

Round up the whole family and head to the Commons for a free movie surrounded by the stars and city skyline. Free popcorn while supplies last. Movie starts at 8:15 p.m.

May 25 – Moana
June 21 – Encanto
July 12 – Ratatouille
Sept. 7 – Coco

More details here. 

A Song Remains (A Night of Led Zeppelin) + The Dead Revival Band (Grateful Dead Tribute)

Friday, Aug. 30 | 6 p.m.
A night of epic anthems and guitar solos in store with two tribute bands covering legendary groups.

Free Harvest Fair

Saturday, Sept. 7 | 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Celebrate the shift to cooler weather with free fall-themed family fun for everyone to enjoy! Inflatables, face painting, pumpkin patch, petting-zoo, live music, crafts and more.

Other events hosted at Columbus Commons

Girls on the Run Central Ohio Spring 5K produced by Girls on the Run of Central Ohio

Sunday, May 19 | 8 a.m.
Each Girls on the Run season comes to an end with a celebratory 5K. This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember. Register to join the celebration.

SUMMER614 Concert produced by Fame Productions

Saturday, June 1 | 3 p.m.
SUMMER614 presents MUSIC IS THERAPY 614 celebrating African American Music Month. Come enjoy your favorite R&B and hip-hop artists from yesterday and today. Scarface w/ Full Band, MC Lyte, Bobby V, 8Ball & MJG, Chrisette Michelle, Ro James and more join this year’s line-up! Tickets are required to attend.

Women of Color Owned Summer Market by Zora’s House

Saturday, June 8 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Zora’s House is bringing their WoCO (Women of Color Owned) Summer Market to Columbus Commons for the second year in a row. The Market will feature some of the most amazing Women of Color artisans in Columbus!

Enjoy live music, food trucks, activities for the kiddos and so much more! A free, family friendly event.

Picnic with the Pops produced by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra

June 15 – July 27 | 6 p.m.
The summer home of the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Commons is excited to host another season of the annual outdoor concert series, Picnic with the Pops. Tickets required to attend.

June 15 – Generation Radio with Jason Scheff and Jay DeMarcus
Jun 22 – Violent Femmes
June 29 – Patriotic Pops, A Gershwin Celebration
July 6 – Windborne, The Music of Led Zeppelin
Jul 13 – Nas with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
July 20 – Cody Fry
July 26 & 27 – The Ohio State University Marching Band

Stevie: Life in the Key of Wonder by Momentum

Thursday, July 18 | 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Momentum dancers take center stage in a dynamic display of choreography inspired by the legendary Stevie Wonder. Through expressive movements and rhythmic sequences, the performers will transport spectators on a journey celebrating life, love and the universal language of music.

Join Momentum as they showcase the culmination of their Summer Intensive program, celebrating the creativity, passion and resilience of their talented dancers.

Comedy at The Commons produced by Battle Productions

Saturday, Aug. 3 | 4 p.m.
Laughter has officially been added to the line-up. Join Battle Productions in this one-of-a-kind comedy special, that’s not to be missed!

Tickets are required to attend.

614 Funk Fest Concert produced by Fame Productions

Saturday, Aug. 10 | 4 p.m.
The producers of SUMMER614 bring your favorite Funk groups to Columbus Commons, complete with music starring Morris Day, ZAPP & Friends, Con Funk Shun with food, drinks and vendors you won’t want to miss!

Tickets are required to attend.

The World’s Largest Sound Bath & Wellness Fair produced by hOm

Saturday, Sept. 21 | Time TBA
hOm brings this zen experience to the Commons for the second year in a row. Join us on National World Peace Day for a city-wide meditation and the world’s largest sound bath featuring over 60+ sound healers with all-day events throughout the Commons including yoga, workshops and over 40+ vendors.

Registration is required to attend. Details on website. 

*All events are subject to change

About John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons
Set within the scenic Downtown skyline, Columbus Commons is more than just a six-acre park. It is a gathering space for Central Ohio, a backyard for Downtown residents and an attraction for people of all ages.

Columbus Commons is managed and programmed by Downtown Columbus, Inc.