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Upcoming Events in Downtown Columbus

I Know Why the Blackbird Sings

@
OSU Urban Arts Space
September 2nd
11am - 6pm

In her titular autobiographical work, Maya Angelou asserts that “the caged bird sings of freedom.” But what song does the bird on free soil sing? I Know Why the Blackbird Sings revisits Ohio’s complicity in the practice of dispossession, kidnapping, and denial of due process through the locational efforts of Ohio’s free people.

Participating Artists: Tyiesha Radford Shorts, Valerie Boyer, Paisha Thomas

This show is on view concurrently with Don’t Sell Grandma’s House, a group exhibition curated by Tyiesha Radford Shorts.

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 4, 6–8 PM at Urban Arts Space

Learn More

FREE Music Mondays

@
High Water Alley
September 29th
6 - 8pm

Start your week of fun off right by jamming with free music in High Water Alley. You can “Stump the Band” with unlimited music requests to the Chuck Starr Band starting on June 16 or channel your inner rockstar with Live Band Karaoke featuring Dirty Money starting on June 23 (activities alternate by week).

Learn More

Free Play at the Commons

@
Columbus Commons
September 30th
11am - 4pm

Come Downtown and take a free spin on the Carousel, play under the parachute, build with our Imagination Playground big blue blocks, kick a soccer ball, or make your own fun. Plus, additional programming will be available on select dates.

Learn More

Free Fitness at the Commons

@
Columbus Commons
September 30th
5:30 - 6:20pm

Whether you’re getting your heart pumping with cardio or finding your center with yoga, the North Lawn of the Commons is the place to take your workout classes outside – and it’s all free! 

 

May – September 

Tuesdays- HIIT

5:30 & 6:30 pm

Wednesday- Yoga

5:30 & 6:30 pm

 

Learn More

Free Fitness at the Commons

@
Columbus Commons
September 30th
6:30 - 7:20pm

Whether you’re getting your heart pumping with cardio or finding your center with yoga, the North Lawn of the Commons is the place to take your workout classes outside – and it’s all free! 

 

May – September 

Tuesdays- HIIT

5:30 & 6:30 pm

Wednesday- Yoga

5:30 & 6:30 pm

 

Learn More

Columbus Blue Jackets Game

@
Nationwide Arena
September 30th
7 - 9pm

Cheer on the Columbus Blue Jackets in this regular season home game at Nationwide Arena!

 

Get tickets here!

Learn More

Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance

@
Davidson Theater – Riffe Center Theatre Complex
September 30th
7:30 - 9pm

For over 50 years, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – has merged the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who served as artistic director for 38 seasons, Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. Today, with Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, she brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.

Learn More

November Project Scioto Mile Free Workout

@
Genoa Park
October 1st
6 - 8am

November Project is a free outside fitness group that started in Boston in 2011 to break down barriers to movement! Now in 53 cities around the globe, we create free, fun, scalable (adjustable to your fitness level) workouts for all ages – and doggos!

Our workout starts at 6:14a every Wednesday morning in Genoa Park on the Scioto Mile (on the steps behind COSI). We work out for 45 minutes together until 7am, then walk down to One Line Coffee to hang out before work!

Come join us if you’re an off-the-couch fitness newbie, a runner looking to cross-train, or any fitness level in between, we’d love to see you!

Learn More

Breakfast at the Commons

@
Columbus Commons
October 1st
8am - 12pm

Every Wednesday, stop by Columbus Commons to grab breakfast and coffee at one of our local food trucks! It’s the perfect pick-me-up on the way into the office. 

Learn More

People, Stories, and Art: A Portrait of My Life and Work: Presented by Artist Leslie Adams

@
Ohio Statehouse
October 1st
12 - 1pm

To honor the start of National Arts and Humanities Month, the Capitol Square Review & Advisory Board is happy to host:

People, Stories, and Art: A Portrait of My Life and Work

Presented by Artist Leslie Adams

Join artist Leslie Adams as she reveals the inspiration behind her portraits displayed at the Ohio Statehouse, contrasting the depiction of those and other distinguished leaders with the introspective nature of her monumental self-portraits. Experience her artistic journey—from her childhood at the Toledo Museum of Art to the influences shaping her work today—and discover the techniques that bring her portraits to life.

Ohio Statehouse Atrium. This program is free and open to the public. Groups of ten or more please email [email protected] to reserve your seats.

Learn More
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Embark on the next stage of Downtown Columbus’ urban revival and transformation into a world class city by enhancing equity, expanding accessibility, creating connectivity, supporting local, and improving inclusion so that Downtown Columbus is a safe and welcoming destination where the prosperity of our city can be enjoyed by all.

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Discover Downtown through the rich tapestry of its urban districts.

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Gay Street Downtown Columbus

Gay Street

Take a stroll along Gay Street and you’ll discover a dense mélange of lively, street-level bars, galleries, restaurants, retail shops, and cafes.

River South

RiverSouth

From Columbus Commons to the Scioto Mile, for an experience that’s equal parts urban flair and natural splendor, head to the RiverSouth District.

Mikey's Late Night Slice Exterior

Fourth & Main

For fashion, food, fun, fabulous tunes, and fantastic retail, the eclectic Fourth and Main District is hard to beat.

Arena District

Arena District

Pro sports, world-renowned live entertainment, and vibrant restaurants and bars— the Arena District scores big every time.

The Peninsula

The Peninsula

The convergence of Downtown’s central business district and the historic Franklinton neighborhood, The Peninsula brings together the best of all worlds – just around the bend of the Scioto River.  

Warehouse District

Warehouse District

Historic buildings have been transformed into must-experience bars, venues and experiences in this up-and-coming District just east of the Scioto. 

Discovery District

Discovery District

Home to a vibrant array of landmark institutions, historic sites, progressive galleries, and contemporary culinary establishments, make your next Discovery in this signature Downtown district.

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of Downtown Columbus through dozens of local events happening every week. 

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OPEN STREETS IS BACK THIS SUNDAY 🚲🛼🎶

In August, we shut down High Street for an afternoon of pedestrian-only activity, and this Sunday (9/28) we are running it back! Stroll down the middle of the street and enjoy live art demonstrations, local food trucks, pop-up workout classes, and transit and mobility initiatives to explore Downtown in a new way 🛹🚲

Plus, local galleries and small businesses will be open for you to check out new spaces and find your new go-to shopping spots 🛍️ 🖼️

🤝 We are so excited to be collaborating with Columbus City Council member @lourdesforcolumbus for these three Open Streets 614 events this season, and thank you to @osuwexmed for making this event series possible! 

🚲 UnderCurrent: Walk, Roll, and Play, an Open Streets 614 event — FREE
🗓️ Sunday, September 28 and October 26
🕐 12-4pm

🏆Free Fitness Schedule with
@quality_wellness_columbus
➡️12-12:30: TRX Core
➡️12:45-1:15: Functional Strength Training
➡️1:30-2: HIIT
➡️2:15-2:45: TRX Core
➡️3-3:30: Functional Strength Training
➡️3:45-4: HIIT Fitness Games

How to sign up for FREE Fitness classes:
1️⃣Go to www.qwcolumbus.com - Link in bio 😉
2️⃣Click “learn more”
3️⃣Book any class for Sunday, September 28
4️⃣Use promo code OPENSTREETS during checkout

790 11
Open post by downtowncolumbus with ID 18105608023599107
OPEN STREETS IS BACK THIS SUNDAY 🚲🛼🎶 In August, we shut down High Street for an afternoon of pedestrian-only activity, and this Sunday (9/28) we are running it back! Stroll down the middle of the street and enjoy live art demonstrations, local food trucks, pop-up workout classes, and transit and mobility initiatives to explore Downtown in a new way 🛹🚲 Plus, local galleries and small businesses will be open for you to check out new spaces and find your new go-to shopping spots 🛍️ 🖼️ 🤝 We are so excited to be collaborating with Columbus City Council member @lourdesforcolumbus for these three Open Streets 614 events this season, and thank you to @osuwexmed for making this event series possible!  🚲 UnderCurrent: Walk, Roll, and Play, an Open Streets 614 event — FREE 🗓️ Sunday, September 28 and October 26 🕐 12-4pm 🏆Free Fitness Schedule with @quality_wellness_columbus ➡️12-12:30: TRX Core ➡️12:45-1:15: Functional Strength Training ➡️1:30-2: HIIT ➡️2:15-2:45: TRX Core ➡️3-3:30: Functional Strength Training ➡️3:45-4: HIIT Fitness Games How to sign up for FREE Fitness classes: 1️⃣Go to www.qwcolumbus.com - Link in bio 😉 2️⃣Click “learn more” 3️⃣Book any class for Sunday, September 28 4️⃣Use promo code OPENSTREETS during checkout

ANNOUNCEMENT: Giant Eagle is coming to The Peninsula 🍎 🛒 

Downtown is getting a grocery store! A 20,000 square foot Giant Eagle Market District will be part of the Phase 2 development on The Peninsula.  

➡️ The store will be located at the corner of Belle and Broad Streets, offering fresh produce, meat and seafood, ready-to-eat meals, beer and wine and more. 
➡️ Giant Eagle will share a building with 200+ residential units and an attached parking garage.  
➡️ Free parking will be available for customers in the attached garage while shopping.   
➡️ Construction is expected to begin in 2026.  
🔍 This is a direct outcome from the community’s call for a grocery store in the 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan.

559 23
Open post by downtowncolumbus with ID 17871113061437126
ANNOUNCEMENT: Giant Eagle is coming to The Peninsula 🍎 🛒  Downtown is getting a grocery store! A 20,000 square foot Giant Eagle Market District will be part of the Phase 2 development on The Peninsula.   ➡️ The store will be located at the corner of Belle and Broad Streets, offering fresh produce, meat and seafood, ready-to-eat meals, beer and wine and more.  ➡️ Giant Eagle will share a building with 200+ residential units and an attached parking garage.   ➡️ Free parking will be available for customers in the attached garage while shopping.    ➡️ Construction is expected to begin in 2026.   🔍 This is a direct outcome from the community’s call for a grocery store in the 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan.

GUY FIERI’S FLAVORTOWN FAVORITES 🔥🍽️

These @guyfieri favorites are from here in 📍 Flavortown, USA — better known as Columbus, OH 😉

🥟 First stop involves Himalayan dumplings from Momo Ghar at the historic North Market. Guy noted the Chicken Choila set “one of the most unique dishes” he has tried on the show.

🥪 Wario’s is serving up cheesesteaks that cannot be missed. The house-made rolls and Wario’s sauce add an extra layer of delicious to these sandwiches. Guy remarked that there needs to be a street in Flavortown named after the Roasted Pork with Broccoli Rabe. You’re getting a 5 star meal on wax paper.

⛰️ Pierogi Mountain features unique Eastern European-via- Northeast Ohio cuisine. The restaurant has been on Fieri’s show a couple of times and has showcased its iconic dishes including their pierogis and chicken paprikash.

Downtown stops ⤵️ (GUY FIERI APPROVED)
🥟 Momo Ghar (S28 E2: Delicious Discoveries)
@momogharohio
📍59 Spruce St, inside North Market

🥪 Wario’s Beef and Pork (S40 E10: Meat, Hmong and Mexican)
@wariosbeefandpork
📍 111 W Nationwide Blvd

⛰️ Pierogi Mountain (S27 E9: College-Town Champs)
@pierogi_mountain
📍105 N Grant Ave

341 4
Open post by downtowncolumbus with ID 17979877862870768
GUY FIERI’S FLAVORTOWN FAVORITES 🔥🍽️ These @guyfieri favorites are from here in 📍 Flavortown, USA — better known as Columbus, OH 😉 🥟 First stop involves Himalayan dumplings from Momo Ghar at the historic North Market. Guy noted the Chicken Choila set “one of the most unique dishes” he has tried on the show. 🥪 Wario’s is serving up cheesesteaks that cannot be missed. The house-made rolls and Wario’s sauce add an extra layer of delicious to these sandwiches. Guy remarked that there needs to be a street in Flavortown named after the Roasted Pork with Broccoli Rabe. You’re getting a 5 star meal on wax paper. ⛰️ Pierogi Mountain features unique Eastern European-via- Northeast Ohio cuisine. The restaurant has been on Fieri’s show a couple of times and has showcased its iconic dishes including their pierogis and chicken paprikash. Downtown stops ⤵️ (GUY FIERI APPROVED) 🥟 Momo Ghar (S28 E2: Delicious Discoveries) @momogharohio 📍59 Spruce St, inside North Market 🥪 Wario’s Beef and Pork (S40 E10: Meat, Hmong and Mexican) @wariosbeefandpork 📍 111 W Nationwide Blvd ⛰️ Pierogi Mountain (S27 E9: College-Town Champs) @pierogi_mountain 📍105 N Grant Ave

FREE TROLLEY PUB RIDES TONIGHT (9/12) 🍻🚎

Friday night calls for having a drink, while pedaling your way around Downtown in an open air trolley 🏙️ Sing your heart out or just enjoy the nighttime views!

DORA at Dusk is FREE, just bring your drink (beer or wine only) in a DORA cup from a participating business 🍻

How it works:
⭐ Head to the Scioto Mile Fountain, the Junto, or Land-Grant to get picked up! Look for signs at pick-up stops.
⭐ Hop aboard & bring your DORA drink if you have one (beer + wine only)!
⭐ Pedal around & hop on and off between stops

🚎 DORA at Dusk
🗓️ Friday, September 12 & October 10
🕐 6-10pm
📍Stops include: Scioto Mile Fountain, the Junto, Franklinton Fridays, and Land-Grant

293 5
Open post by downtowncolumbus with ID 17927797476101033
FREE TROLLEY PUB RIDES TONIGHT (9/12) 🍻🚎 Friday night calls for having a drink, while pedaling your way around Downtown in an open air trolley 🏙️ Sing your heart out or just enjoy the nighttime views! DORA at Dusk is FREE, just bring your drink (beer or wine only) in a DORA cup from a participating business 🍻 How it works: ⭐ Head to the Scioto Mile Fountain, the Junto, or Land-Grant to get picked up! Look for signs at pick-up stops. ⭐ Hop aboard & bring your DORA drink if you have one (beer + wine only)! ⭐ Pedal around & hop on and off between stops 🚎 DORA at Dusk 🗓️ Friday, September 12 & October 10 🕐 6-10pm 📍Stops include: Scioto Mile Fountain, the Junto, Franklinton Fridays, and Land-Grant

GIVEAWAY CLOSED: TASTE OF DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS 🍕🍷🎫

We’re randomly choosing THREE winners to each receive a pair of tickets to eat their way through 30+ local spots at the FIRST EVER Taste of Downtown with @drac.columbus 🌮🍹

Sink your teeth into homemade hummus, mac and cheese samples, street tacos, drinks, and more all on this self-guided walking tour! In addition to scoring free appetizer samples along the way, you’ll also find live music, freebies, games, photo booth, prizes, pop-up fitness classes, (and more food & drink, of course!) 🌭🥗🎵🎲

HOW TO ENTER:
➡️ Like this post
➡️ Follow @downtowncolumbus and @drac.columbus
➡️ Tag your favorite Downtown business!

Giveaway closes at noon on September 16. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram. Winners will receive a DM from @downtowncolumbus

🌮 Taste of Downtown Columbus
🗓️ Saturday, September 20
🕐 11 am - 4 pm
📍55 E State St
🎟️ Tickets are $44 each and still available! Purchase at the link in bio.

156 286
Open post by downtowncolumbus with ID 17990279018700310
GIVEAWAY CLOSED: TASTE OF DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS 🍕🍷🎫 We’re randomly choosing THREE winners to each receive a pair of tickets to eat their way through 30+ local spots at the FIRST EVER Taste of Downtown with @drac.columbus 🌮🍹 Sink your teeth into homemade hummus, mac and cheese samples, street tacos, drinks, and more all on this self-guided walking tour! In addition to scoring free appetizer samples along the way, you’ll also find live music, freebies, games, photo booth, prizes, pop-up fitness classes, (and more food & drink, of course!) 🌭🥗🎵🎲 HOW TO ENTER: ➡️ Like this post ➡️ Follow @downtowncolumbus and @drac.columbus ➡️ Tag your favorite Downtown business! Giveaway closes at noon on September 16. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram. Winners will receive a DM from @downtowncolumbus 🌮 Taste of Downtown Columbus 🗓️ Saturday, September 20 🕐 11 am - 4 pm 📍55 E State St 🎟️ Tickets are $44 each and still available! Purchase at the link in bio.

GAY & HIGH GALLERY STROLL🎨✨

If you’re looking for a girls night out, a date night activity, or just want to see some amazing art, these 7 galleries will be open until 8pm THIS FRIDAY (9/5) for you to discover🤩🖼️

Grab dinner or a drink from a nearby spot to complete your evening!

7 galleries ⤵️

🎨Hammond Harkins Galleries @hammond_harkins
📍103 N High St

🎨Sarah Gormley Gallery @sarahgormleygallery
📍95 N High St

🎨Lindsay Gallery @lindsay.gallery
📍82 N High St

🎨Chaos Contemporary Craft @chaoscontemporarycraft
📍78 N High St

🎨Brandt Gallery @brandtgallery
📍76 N High St

🎨Pecha Projects @pechaprojects
📍72 N High St

🎨No Place Gallery @no_place_gallery
📍1 E Gay St

288 11
Open post by downtowncolumbus with ID 18074947208092205
GAY & HIGH GALLERY STROLL🎨✨ If you’re looking for a girls night out, a date night activity, or just want to see some amazing art, these 7 galleries will be open until 8pm THIS FRIDAY (9/5) for you to discover🤩🖼️ Grab dinner or a drink from a nearby spot to complete your evening! 7 galleries ⤵️ 🎨Hammond Harkins Galleries @hammond_harkins 📍103 N High St 🎨Sarah Gormley Gallery @sarahgormleygallery 📍95 N High St 🎨Lindsay Gallery @lindsay.gallery 📍82 N High St 🎨Chaos Contemporary Craft @chaoscontemporarycraft 📍78 N High St 🎨Brandt Gallery @brandtgallery 📍76 N High St 🎨Pecha Projects @pechaprojects 📍72 N High St 🎨No Place Gallery @no_place_gallery 📍1 E Gay St

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Downtown Columbus Inc. is a private, non-profit development corporation with a mission to lead city-changing projects in the heart of Ohio’s capital city. Downtown Columbus Inc. was created in 2002 to implement the Downtown Strategic Plan.

 

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