A downtown
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for all.

Upcoming Events in Downtown Columbus

For the Love of Dance!

Experience the renowned works SEVEN SONATAS and IGNITE at the Davidson Theatre. Tickets required.

The Outsiders

The winner of the 2024 Tony Award® for Best Musical is THE OUTSIDERS. Adapted from S.E. HINTON’s seminal novel and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’s iconic film, this thrilling new musical features a book by ADAM RAPP with JUSTIN LEVINE, music and lyrics by JAMESTOWN REVIVAL (Jonathan Clay & Zach Chance) and JUSTIN LEVINE, music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements by JUSTIN LEVINE, choreography by RICK KUPERMAN & JEFF KUPERMAN, and direction by Tony Award® winner DANYA TAYMOREntertainment Weekly says, “It has the power to inspire an entire generation.” In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”

Major Pauline Cushman, Spy of The Cumberland by Valerie Hamill

Recommended for ages 10 years and up. 

Valerie Hamill, of Galena, Ohio, will present a first-person narrative of Major Pauline Cushman, Spy of the Cumberland’s brave and hair-raising heroics as a spy for Major Gen. William Rosecrans (from Sunbury, OH) during the War Between the States as well as Cushman’s fascinating yet heart-wrenching life story.

Columbus Fury Game

Cheer on the Columbus Fury at a home game at Nationwide Arena. 

November Project Scioto Mile Free Workout

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!

NYT Bestselling Author & Two-Time Thurber Prize Finalist Annabelle Gurwitch

Join us at Cure Coffee & Cocktails for an offbeat event with one of our favorites, Annabelle Gurwitch! Prior to the main event, there is optional Author’s Table Dinner.

You will have the opportunity to ask the speaker questions after the event, purchase books, and get your books signed.

For the Love of Dance!

Experience the renowned works SEVEN SONATAS and IGNITE at the Davidson Theatre. Tickets required.

For the Love of Dance!

Experience the renowned works SEVEN SONATAS and IGNITE at the Davidson Theatre. Tickets required.

Columbus Blue Jackets Game

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

 

Get tickets here!

The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show

America’s LARGEST interactive true crime mystery dinner show is now playing in Columbus, OH!

At The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show, you’ll tackle a challenging crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The criminal is lurking somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!

Each admission includes our fantastic dinner, mystery entertainment, wait staff gratuity, prize package for Top Sleuth, and much more!

Blog Posts to Get You in the Know.

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Rooftop Bars in Downtown Columbus

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Downtown Strategic Plan

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.

Parking Information

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.

Downtown columbus' districts

Discover Downtown through the rich tapestry of its urban districts.

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. 

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JOIN THE #NWSLtoCBUS MOVEMENT 🗣️⚽

Columbus is in the running for a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team‼️Now is the time to show that Columbus is a WOMEN’S soccer city with one of the strongest soccer communities in the nation.

Here’s how you can help bring an NWSL team to Downtown Columbus ⚽⤵️

⚽️ Sign the petition at the link in bio
⚽️ Show up & show OUT for the NWSL Challenge Cup in CBUS on June 26
⚽️ Spread the word with your friends & family to JOIN THE MOVEMENT!

We’re ALL IN to bring #NWSLtoCBUS. Are you?!
NOW OPEN: Viva Mexican Kitchen🔥🌮

@vivamexicankitchen_cbus is open in the former Nada space in the heart of the Arena District serving up handcrafted margaritas and elevated Mexican cuisine🌯

Their vibrant menu features show-stopping dishes like Baja Shrimp Tacos, Viva Burrito, Fajita Trio & more! Viva also has a selection of delicious deserts and cocktails to complete your experience. We tried a couple of menu items (including the Birria Tacos and Trio Dip) and they were smash hits!🤩🥑

With the helpful service and lively, well-crafted atmosphere, Viva Mexican Kitchen is the perfect spot for a dinner and drinks before an event, date night, bestie dinner, or night out✨

Bonus — their patio is perfect for this budding summer weather👀☀️

🔥Viva Mexican Restaurant @vivamexicankitchen_cbus
📍220 W Nationwide Blvd
Mon-Thurs: 11am - 9:30pm
Fri-Sun: 11am - 11pm
DOWNTOWN LUNCH SPOT: ZARAZÚ 🥗🍴

Find a variety of wraps, salads, sandwiches, international bowls, and more at Zarazú located right on the Scioto Mile! Formerly Maria’s Cafe, Zarazú presents a fresh menu with weekly specials 🌯

We got the California chicken wrap with fries and a side of broccoli cheddar soup 🥦🧀

Zarazú is located on the first floor of the 200 S Civic Center Dr building, right across the Scioto Mile Fountain! Order ahead online or cater your next event with Zarazú. 

PS — we were definitely eyeing the housemade tiramisu in the fridge 👀 

🍴 Zarazú
📍200 S Civic Center Dr
🕐 Mon - Fri, 8am - 3pm
happy friday, columbus☀️💙
NEW DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT: KIZA 🌍🍴

There’s a new restaurant open in the Warehouse District! Kiza Restaurant & Bar is a spacious spot serving up savory and spicy Caribbean, West African and American cuisine 🌶️

Popular menu items include the jollof rice with chicken (pictured), beef suya, and rice and peas with oxtail 🤤 But a meal isn’t complete without appetizers and sides, so we tried their plantains and spring rolls, too! 

In addition to their delicious dishes, they have a full bar. Swing by for happy hour on Tues - Fri from 4-7pm or check out one of their upcoming events🍹

Psst - order for take-out on Uber Eats!

🥘 Kiza Restaurant & Bar
📍155 N Fifth St 
🕐 Tues - Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat-Sun 11AM-12AM
NEW DOWNTOWN COFFEE TRAILER: CAFÉ STAI MANSO ☕❤️

Meet us in the parking lot in front of the Warehouse District mural for eye-catching coffee and seasonal drinks from the newest coffee trailer, @cafestaimanso ☕

Although they’ve only been open for a couple weeks, the coffee trailer has been a popular place to grab a drink and strike up a fun conversation with the owners. Their intention for Cafe Stai Monso was for it to be a third-place to come and “take it easy” as the Italian name of the shop implies. 

Pictured in the video are iced drinks including the Maple Shakes, Toasty Mallow, Choc & Roses, and a Vanilla Latte 🍫🌹 NEW: they just added cold foam to take their drinks to the next level!! Have you tried it yet? 

Café Stai Manso 
📍231 N Fifth St
🕐 8am-2pm Mon - Sat