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.
Your guide to Downtown Columbus, from happenings to happy hours.
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.
Downtown Columbus has parking options abound. Garages, surface lots and on-street sites offer a wide variety of access, no matter your kind of ride, wherever your destination may be.
Take a stroll along Gay Street and you’ll discover a dense mélange of lively, street-level bars, galleries, restaurants, retail shops, and cafes.
From Columbus Commons to the Scioto Mile, for an experience that’s equal parts urban flair and natural splendor, head to the RiverSouth District.
For fashion, food, fun, fabulous tunes, and fantastic retail, the eclectic Fourth and Main District is hard to beat.
Pro sports, world-renowned live entertainment, and vibrant restaurants and bars— the Arena District scores big every time.
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.
Historic buildings have been transformed into must-experience bars, venues and experiences in this up-and-coming District just east of the Scioto.
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.
of Downtown Columbus through dozens of local events happening every week.
BAM is BACK🍷🎨🎵
..and we’re shutting down the streets again for this year’s UnderCurrent series! Find us at the intersection of Gay & High Streets on May 15 for the pedestrian-only experience to kick off the UnderCurrent series opener and the first BAM of the year 🥂
🎵 Stop by and experience an evening of live music and creative art experiences with @soundclash_records @___dj___aloha
@djtrueskillz1969 @estehupp @hiroshihayakawaart @hostetlerwoodstudio @kerry_boganwright
and @megababe_entertainment.
🎫 Admission is FREE!
🍻Grab an alcoholic beverage from a nearby bar or restaurant and bring it in with a DORA cup!
👀 Will we see you there?
🍷🎨 BAM UnderCurrent with @columbusmuseum
🗓️ Thursday, May 15
🕐 5-9pm
🎫 FREE admission
🚗 Street parking and garages are nearby
*Rain date will be on Friday, May 16.
Get ready for COSI’s BIG SCIENCE CELEBRATION this Saturday 🧑🔬🔬🎊
It all kicks off with a colorful, elephant’s toothpaste explosion at 11am! Stick around and explore 100+ exhibitors, hands-on science activities, a model Blue Origin capsule, live performances, and so much more 🤩🧪 Food trucks will be on-site as well😋
It’s going to be a STEAM-filled Saturday that’s free and open to all! All happening right outside COSI on The Peninsula.
🧪 FREE COSI Big Science Celebration
📆 Saturday, May 3
🕐 11am-5pm
🚗 Garage parking is available at COSI and on The Peninsula
THE SCIOTO MILE FOUNTAIN IS (almost) BACKKKK ⛲ ☀️
FREE summer fun is back and better than ever! Starting May 23, hang out or splash in the Scioto Mile Fountain, take a (new!) fountain dance + fitness class 🧘 or float down the river on a kayak 🚣
Check out upcoming events below + stay tuned because we have another event announcement coming soon 👀
All events take place at Bicentennial Park (📌233 S Civic Center Dr) unless otherwise noted!
⛲FREE Scioto Mile Fountain
🗓️ Daily May 23 - Sept 1
🕓 Interaction Play: 11am-7pm, Evening ambience: 7pm-10pm
➡️ Splash in the fountain for FREE!
🧘💃NEW: FREE Fountain Dance + Fitness Classes
🗓️ June 12 - Aug 31 | Select Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings
➡️ Hit the (fountain) floor this summer, and try out a dance class, yoga class, and full body workout. Designed for all skill levels. Everyone is welcome!
🍻NEW: “The Patio” at Scioto Mile Fountain
🗓️ Open May 23 through September 1
🕓 Thurs + Fri, 4-10pm, Sat, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sun, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
➡️Sip on a DORA drink or non-alcoholic refreshment from “The Patio” while visiting the Scioto Mile Fountain!
🍻NEW: FREE Scioto Social
🗓️ Aug 30 at 8pm -10pm
➡️ Adults, here’s your chance to take an end-of-season splash at the Scioto Mile Fountain! Enjoy a live DJ and an evening ambiance light show. DORA beverages will be available at The Patio!
☕️NEW: Breakfast at Bicentennial Park
Grab coffee, waffles or ice cream at the @beanmachinecbus food truck every Friday. Plus, join the @sciotomilersrunningclub for a spirited group jog along the riverfront. Walkers welcome. Note: Food truck will not be on-site during large festival dates.
🐸 FREE Fountain Fest
🗓️ May 24 + 25 | 11am-10pm
➡️ Celebrate with music, food trucks, live performances, art, and more surprises (plus DORA drinks)
🚣FREE Kayak Days
🗓️ July 13 and Aug 10 | 1-5pm
➡️Enjoy complimentary kayak, tandem kayak or stand-up paddleboard rides! Come early to get in line. Demand is high!
🚎 FREE DORA at Dusk
🗓️ Fridays, June 13, July 11, Aug 8, Sept 12, Oct 10
🕓 6-10pm
🚣 ➡️ Take 50% off a one-hour kayak rental@windroseoutdoor during Golden Hour Paddle and Wednesdays on the Water
10+ FREE THINGS TO DO WITH THE CULTURE PASS 🎫
Did you know you can see a summer movie at the Ohio Theatre, see the ballet, or cheer on the Clippers at a home game — all for FREE with a Culture Pass from the library?
Here’s how to check out a free culture pass ⤵️
📖 check online to see if they offer a culture pass for the attraction you’re looking for
📖 head to your CML branch + check out a pass in-person for your favorite attraction
📖 explore the city on a budget!
Culture passes are available for:
🩰 BalletMet
🎵 Chamber Music Columbus
🎥 CAPA Summer Movie Series
🎭 Columbus Children’s Theatre
⚾ Columbus Clippers
🎤 Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
🖼️ Columbus Museum of Art
🎻 Columbus Symphony
🐼 Columbus Zoo
🪴 The Dawes Arboretum
🎷Jazz Arts Group
🪖 National Veterans Memorial and Museum
🎼 ProMusica
🎭 Shadowbox Live
Who’s behind @downtowncolumbus? 🤔
We’re due for a little reintroduction! We’re Downtown Columbus, Inc. 👋🏙️
You’ve probably seen us share free events, new places to eat & drink, things to do, business openings, and development updates 🍴📸
💭 What do we do?
➡️ As an organization, we lead city-changing projects and collaborations that improve the connectivity, livability, and inclusivity of the Downtown Columbus experience.
🔍Last year, we launched the Center City DORA, Ground Floor Growth, and UnderCurrent — all initiatives driving toward the community’s vision for a neighborhood of connected, people-first urban districts that can be enjoyed by all. Our signature programming include events at Columbus Commons, Scioto Mile Fountain, and throughout Downtown 🌳⛲🍻
✉️ If you want to be in the know about new business openings, free events, and development updates, sign up for our periodic newsletter at the link in our bio. Psst — we have a BIG announcement coming soon about summer events!
🔗 Learn more at downtowncolumbus.com.
NOW OPEN: Charmy’s Market 🥕🥗 🛒
This Downtown grocery store has a fresh new purple look and a whole new name — but you can expect the same locally sourced goods and delicious food from the store’s signature hot bar, prepared options, and in-house restaurant Charmy’s Persian Taste. New owners Sherry and Rezi Bayegan are planning more international food options, adding additional in-house seating to the store, and staying open later 🕙 Plus, a pizza menu and fresh juice program are on the way 🍕👀
🛒 Charmy’s celebrated their official grand opening on April 12. Have you visited yet? 👀
📍 Address: 95 N Grant Ave
🕐 M-F: 7am-9pm, Sat: 8am-9pm, Sun 9am-8pm
HIDDEN GEM ALERT: Barroluco Argentine Comfort Food 🥘
You can indulge in flavors from Latin America without going far! The Argentinian hot spot, Barroluco, is known for its tasty cuisine and casual atmosphere, offering ready-to-go items like paella and plantains, along with quick-and-easy menu items including empanadas and signature sandwiches 🥪🍴
Hang out for the afternoon on Barroluco’s bright yellow patio or take your meal to-go. We tried the vegetarian paella, complete with kidney beans, topped with corn and peppers, decorated with spicy cilantro sauce, and accompanied by sweet plantains 🌽🫑 If you’re looking for the simplest way to indulge in all of Barroluco’s offerings, try “The Sample Platter” which includes pork rib, an empanada, paella, and a side of fries or plantains!
The owner, Victor Omar D’Angelo, was named the 2025 Ohio Small Business Person of the Year 👏 Check out their location on Pearl Street for a hearty meal with great portions!
🥘 Barroluco
📍47 N Pearl St
🕐 Mon-Fri 11am-3pm
NEW GYM NOW OPEN IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS 🏋️💪
Quality Wellness Performance & Coaching is now open at 117 N High St!
Owned by Quincy Williams, the studio offers small group classes, personal training, corporate wellness solutions, fitness education for coaches, and health & wellness workshops and events.
TAKE A FREE TRIAL CLASS 🤸❗ This week only, enjoy free classes, wellness workshops and health assessments using promo code “QW100” at checkout. Offer expires April 21. Take 15% off your discount if you sign up for a membership during this week. Link in our bio!
Quality Wellness is the fourth business to open in Phase I of the Ground Floor Growth Initiative. Restalgic Atelier is up next!
🏋️Quality Wellness
📍117 N High St
🕐Hours: Mon – Fri from 6am-7pm // Sat – Sun from 8am-12pm
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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