The start of school may have you feeling like summer is coming to a close, but Downtown Columbus still has a packed schedule to ensure you can enjoy the final weeks of summer to the fullest.
Kick back at the Commons
Columbus Commons is a vibrant downtown hub offering a backyard escape for city residents and a fun spot for all ages. Spend the rest of your summer season at the Commons and enjoy free activities, delicious food and more!
Columbus Commons' 2024 event season kicked off on April 19, and is packed with more than 200 attractions. From food trucks to fitness classes, concerts to happy hours, there's something for everyone to enjoy at this six-acre downtown park.
Celebrate the start of the season with free daily carousel rides and the return of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Tortilla Street Food.
Apart from its daily offerings, Columbus Commons offers many weekly and one-time events, many of them free! Here's a preview of the events in store this year.
Weekly Events:
- Kickball facilitated by Go Kickball: Mondays and Tuesdays, 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.; April- October
- Free Fitness Classes facilitated by RawYoga614 and Seven Studios presented by UnitedHealthcare: Tuesdays and Wednesdays; May 1- Sept. 25
- Food Truck Food Court presented by Fifth Third Bank: Thursdays, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.; May 2- Oct. 3`
- Free Commons for Kids: Fridays 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.; June 7- Aug. 9
- Brews in the Bosque: Thursdays in September, 5- 8 p.m.
- Sunset Cinema presented in partnership with CAPA and Downtown Columbus, Inc.: Thursdays in September, 8 p.m.
- Free Local + Live Concert Series: Thursdays in August, 6 p.m.
One-Time Events:
- Free Movie Nights: Sept. 7- Coco; 8:15 p.m.
- FREE Sugar Ray, Tonic and Lit Concert: Aug. 25, 5 p.m.
- A Song Remains (A Night of Led Zeppelin) + The Dead Revival Band (Grateful Dead Tribute): Friday, Aug. 30; 6 p.m.
- Free Harvest Fair: Saturday, Sept. 7; 4- 8 p.m.
More Fun Downtown
Weekly Events:
- FREE Scioto Mile Fountain Night Light Shows: Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 31, 8 p.m.- 10 p.m.
- Come watch free light shows at the fountain, with the fountain illuminated with beautiful colors set to music.
- DORA at Dusk: Friday, Aug. 9, Sep. 13 and Oct. 11, 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.
- Explore the Center City DORA connected by the free Trolley Pub. Pop into Milestone 229, The Junto, Franklinton Friday and Land-Grant Brewing while on the Trolley Pub.
- Golden Hour Paddle: Fridays in August, 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Take an evening ride down the Scioto River - choose from a stand-up paddleboard, single kayak or double kayak.
One-time Events:
- UnderCurrent: BAM (Bar, Art, Music): Friday, Aug. 30, 5- 9 p.m.
- UnderCurrent: Hank's Low Country Oyster Fest: Sunday, Sep. 15, 12- 4 p.m.
- High Spirits, an UnderCurrent event by the Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District: Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Megan Brokamp is a contributing writer at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
