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Upcoming Events in Downtown Columbus

Dinner for Two Special at FYR Short North

The perfect date night awaits at FYR Short North! Join us for our Dinner for Two special, available Monday through Wednesday beginning April 6. Three courses are available for $75.

Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) will host Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors, a collection of original paintings by former President George W. Bush. The exhibition opens to the public on August 8, 2026.

The exhibition features more than 60 portraits of post-9/11 service members and Veterans, each one hand painted by President Bush and paired with a personal story of service, sacrifice, and resilience written by the former president.

The NVMM is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Spirit & Dust

“Death is a Dialogue between / The Spirit and the Dust,” writes poet Emily Dickinson. Living is a daily conversation with death, and through art, we continue that dialogue with mortality, loss, and our own humanity. In Spirit & Dust, artists working across various disciplines—from photography and sculpture to poetry and dance—seek to create space for care and connection in confronting questions of death and dying. What do we gather from our grief? How is this knowledge embodied, and what can art provide for this relationship? What can death teach us about what it means to be alive?

The process of creating art serves as a mirror for thinking about dying as a verb, where time is experienced as cyclical rather than linear. Each artist’s medium of choice in Spirit & Dust experiments with how we can deepen our relationship with the process of dying, such as through abstraction in photography, blank space in poetry, the ephemerality of dance, and the fallibility of materials in sculpture.

Spirit & Dust is on view concurrently with Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations (EVAC) in the corridor space, which pairs veterans’ stories with original printmaking.

Curated by Diane Callahan and Michelle Burdine

Participating Artists: Kristina Arnold, Mary Jo Bole, Michelle Burdine, Diane Callahan, Elvira Clayton, Barbara Fant, Ton’nea Green, Kari Gunter-Seymour, Dana Lynn Harper, Ian Hersko, Gee Horton, Laura Larson, Tracy Longley-Cook, Michael J. Morris, Christian O’Keeffe, Paul O’Keeffe, Chantal Wnuk, Melissa Vogley Woods

Support for this project comes from the Mellon Foundation through The Ohio State University Office of Academic Affairs.

Promo Image Art by Michelle Burdine. Promo Design by Nancy Hohl.

Artist Road Map

Are you wanting to embark on the exciting journey of becoming a professional artist? At this FREE event, we are equipping young artists with the essential life skills needed to thrive in the world of the arts, including: financials, comparison and vulnerability, marketing and branding, and hiring insights. Join Opera Columbus immediately following Artist Road Map for OC All-Star Master Class Concert.

Visit their website to RSVP.

OC All-Star Masterclass Concert

OC All-Star Master Class Concert with Dr. Everett McCorvey is back this November! 

Join Opera Columbus for an opera masterclass concert with Dr. Everett McCorvey, Principal Guest Conductor of Opera Columbus. Learn all of the behind-the-scenes techniques that opera singers master, and experience incredible performances.

Located in Ohio Theatre, Rehearsal Studio 1. Free tickets are required.

An Evening of Songs & Stories by PBS Host & Songwriter Eric Gnezda, with Special Guest Interviewer Sally Fingerett & Violinist Arkadiy Gips

Join award-winning singer-songwriter Eric Gnezda for a conversation with his good friend and fellow musician Sally Fingerett about his new book, Stories at the Center, as well as live performances of Eric’s original songs with virtuoso violinist Arkadiy Gips! Highlighting Eric as a songwriter and author, this evening will also feature readings by Eric, an audience Q&A, and a book signing.

Eric and Sally will discuss Eric’s latest book, Stories at the Center, a memoir chronicling his unconventional path in the entertainment business, including creating and hosting the popular PBS original program, Songs at the Center, a nationally syndicated series that showcases the works of brilliant talents in the contemporary singer-songwriting field.

Eric Gnezda is an award-winning singer-songwriter and the creator and host of Songs at the Center, a TV series that airs on over 400 PBS stations across the U.S. He pens and performs a wide range of songs, both serious and humorous—from inspirational anthems and love songs that touch the heart and soul to country tearjerkers and comedic/satirical numbers.

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

Columbus Blue Jackets Game

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

Get tickets here!

COSI After Dark

COSI After Dark is an evening event series exclusively for adults ages 21+ that occurs every second Thursday of every month. Each event showcases a different theme and each features entertainment, activities, games, and experiences you can’t get at any other visit to COSI. Explore the building and experience COSI without kids, all while enjoying delicious food, craft beer and themed cocktails. Tickets are $20/person in advance or $30/person at the door.

November 12: Game On!

December 10: Blizzard Bash!

Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum (NVMM) will host Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors, a collection of original paintings by former President George W. Bush. The exhibition opens to the public on August 8, 2026.

The exhibition features more than 60 portraits of post-9/11 service members and Veterans, each one hand painted by President Bush and paired with a personal story of service, sacrifice, and resilience written by the former president.

The NVMM is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Music of the Knights

A thrilling musical celebration of three of Britain’s legendary songwriters! Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney are not only knights — they also happen to be three of the most successful songwriters of all time with careers that span decades. “Music of the Knights” honors their lasting musical influence with songs like “Memory,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” “Hey Jude” and many more!

Blog Posts to Get You in the Know.

Your guide to Downtown Columbus, from happenings to happy hours.

Downtown

12 Fall Drinks to Try

Fall is here and local coffee shops are getting into the spirit of spooky season…

Downtown

October in Downtown Columbus

Spooky season has officially arrived in Downtown Columbus. With sunset movies, haunted tours, and Halloween…

Downtown

Where to Eat in the Gay Street District

There is no shortage of amazing food in the Gay Street District. Use this list…

Downtown

How to Spend a Day on Gay

The Gay Street District is packed full of fun for all to enjoy. From fine…

Downtown

9 Unique Date Night Ideas

If dinner and drinks just aren’t cutting it anymore, try one of these novel experiences…

Downtown

20+ Things to do in 2026 in Downtown Columbus

Whether it’s a new fitness goal or spending more quality time with family, we’ve got…

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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