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Upcoming Events in Downtown Columbus

DORA at Dusk

Kick off your weekend with DORA at Dusk, the ultimate summer ride. Grab your favorite DORA drink and hop aboard the FREE Trolley Pub while rolling through Downtown hotspots. Pedal between (or let your neighbors do all the work) The Patio at Scioto Mile Fountain, The Junto, Franklinton Fridays, and Land-Grant Brewing.

FREE Street Beats

Live music will warmly welcome you every Friday and Saturday in the summertime, setting the perfect backdrop for a night out! Whether you’re grabbing dinner nearby or just soaking in the summer vibes, Street Beats brings the soundtrack to your weekend thanks to dozens of talented Columbus artists.  

FREE Street Beats

Live music will warmly welcome you every Friday and Saturday in the summertime, setting the perfect backdrop for a night out! Whether you’re grabbing dinner nearby or just soaking in the summer vibes, Street Beats brings the soundtrack to your weekend thanks to dozens of talented Columbus artists.  

FREE Summer Concert Series at The Junto

Spend your Friday nights in High Water Alley rocking out to free live music. The Summer Concert Series brings a line-up of local talent to the stage, creating the perfect soundtrack for the start of your weekend with DORA drinks and good company. View more info here: https://thejuntohotel.com/event/summer-concert-series-at-the-lawn-at-high-water-alley

  • June 13: Series Kick-off with Angela Perley

  • June 20: Moe Obas

  • June 27: Hawa

  • July 4: No Event – Happy Fourth!

  • July 11: James Gaiters Jazz Trio

  • July 18: No Event – Closed for Private Event

  • July 25: Meg Paulsen Trio

Hamilton

A revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation.

HAMILTON is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. HAMILTON features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire. In addition to its 11 Tony Awards, it has won Grammy®, Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

Tickets Required

Dash For Donation

Lifeline of Ohio’s Dash for Donation 2025

Join us on Saturday, July 12, for the Dash for Donation! We are thrilled to be surrounded by all the connections to donation in Downtown Columbus on that day. Please help us raise awareness about the crucial need for organ, eye and tissue donation.

Registration is OPEN! www.dashfordonation.org

Scioto Arts Market

The Scioto Arts Market (SAM) is a monthly, themed pop-up community event featuring makers, bakers, art, food trucks, nonprofits, and more from May through October (Saturdays from 10 AM – 2 PM). 

This exciting monthly event series, produced by the CYP Club in the parking lot at National Veterans Memorial & Museum, is designed to foster creativity, engagement, and connection in downtown Columbus. Join us along the scenic Scioto River. All SAM events are free to attend!

Mark Your Calendar for our 2025 Season Dates & Themes!
💗 Saturday, May 17 – “Columbus Volunteer Fest” (Volunteerism & Nonprofits)
🎉 Saturday, June 14 – “614 Day Celebrations” (Columbus Pride & Local Love)
🌎 Saturday, July 12 – “Around the World” (Global Cultures & Traditions)
⚽ Saturday, August 9 – “Sports, Fitness & Outdoors” (Active Living & Adventure)
🐶 Saturday, September 13 – “Dogs, Cats & Pets” (A Paw-some Celebration!)
🎃 Saturday, October 18 – “Halloween/Fall/Harvest” (Seasonal Fun & Festivities)

This market will be hosted at the National Veterans Memorial & Museum parking lot (300 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215), offering prime visibility, easy access, and on-site parking for vendors and attendees alike.

What to Expect:
✨ Each arts market will align with an added theme bringing fresh energy and unique activities every time
🛍️ 70+ pop-up shops & Ohio artisans
🚚 Up to 10 food trucks each month
🎶 Live music & performances
🎨 Local art & interactive displays
👧 Kids’ activities & family-friendly fun
🚗 On-site parking for easy access
Pl🇺🇸, FREE entry to the National Veterans Memorial & Museum for all six events!

Whether you’re searching for handmade treasures, farm-fresh goodies, or a fun way to spend your Saturday morning, the Scioto Arts Market is the place to be. Shop, explore, and celebrate with us!

Columbus Book Festival

The 2025 Columbus Book Festival will feature a whole new lineup of 200+ national and Columbus-based authors, panel discussions, author talks, book signings and more!

The Festival Marketplace will brim with dozens of bookish retailers, community exhibitors, an entertainment lineup, local food court and the popular Indie Author Alley pavilion and Friends of the Library Big Book Sale tent.

As always, this event is free and open to all book lovers.

FREE Kayak Day

Boat launch under the Main Street Bridge, near Bicentennial Park  

The views from the Scioto River are priceless, but you can experience them for free. All experience levels are welcome to enjoy a complimentary kayak, tandem kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental on Downtown’s FREE Kayak Days. Dates are subject to change based on weather and river conditions. 

All experience levels are welcome to enjoy a complimentary kayak, tandem kayaking and SUP rentals.

How it works ⤵️

  • Get in line under the Main St Bridge, near Bicentennial Park
  • A staff member will greet you in line to sign the required waiver
  • One your waiver is signed, you will be given a wristband
  • Wait your turn in line
  • Climb aboard your kayak or SUP and enjoy the best views of Downtown Columbus

⚠️ Please note this event is first-come-first-served. The line will close when we reach maximum capacity of riders, which will occur before 5pm. We will provide updates on our IG stories!

 

Some things to keep in mind🚨⤵️

  • Kids must be at least 5 years of age to participate.
  • Children 12 and under must ride with a parent.
  • Life vests are required and will be provided.
  • The demand for this is HIGH. Arrive early for your best chance at riding!
  • Please note that dates are subject to change based on weather and river conditions.
  • Watch our IG stories for line closure updates!

 

Shaping Stories: Art, Identity, and Home

This family-friendly afternoon is inspired by Louise Nevelson: Dawn to Dusk, an exhibition celebrating the work of a groundbreaking immigrant artist who transformed found materials into powerful reflections on identity and home.

The program includes storytelling by local immigrants, hands-on sculpture with found materials, and reflections on how identity and belonging shape art.

This program is free with registration.

Blog Posts to Get You in the Know.

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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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15+ EVENTS THIS WEEKEND ☀️⬇️

It’ll be a JAM-PACKED summer weekend of events here Downtown — maybe even the busiest so far this year 👀 From free kayak rides, the @columbuslibrary book festival, to street festivals, there are so many ways to get out and about this weekend 🚣 

Here’s your full lineup ⬇️

THURSDAY, JULY 10 📅 ⤵️
🖌️BAM at @columbusmuseum (FREE)
🦠COSI After Dark: The Empire Strikes Bash
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
🤸 Fountain Fitness Classes (FREE)

FRIDAY, JULY 11 📅 ⤵️
🏅Commons for Kids: Sports (FREE)
🍻 DORA at Dusk (FREE)
🎤 Summer Concert Series at The Junto (FREE)
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
⚾ Columbus Clippers Game 

SATURDAY, JULY 12 📅 ⤵️
🏃Dash For Donations 
🛍️Scioto Arts Market (FREE)
📚Columbus Book Festival (FREE)
🚣 Free Kayak Day (FREE)
🎻 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops at @columbuscommons
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
⚾ Columbus Clippers Game

SUNDAY, JULY 13 📅 ⤵️
🦉UnderCurrent Bastille Day Festival (FREE)
🛍️ Not Your Mama’s Big Summer Market with @notyourmamascraftmarket & @thekeecolumbus (FREE)
📚Columbus Book Festival with @columbuslibrary (FREE)
🤸 Fountain Fitness Contemporary Dance Classes (FREE)
🎼 Hamilton at Ohio Theatre
⚾ Columbus Clippers Game
🎄11th Annual Columbus Disabilities Festival (FREE)

Check out the full event calendar at the link in our bio to never miss a Downtown event!
FREE KAYAK DAYS coming up this summer🚣☀️

All experience levels are welcome to enjoy complimentary kayaks, tandem kayaks and SUP rentals on Saturday, 7/12 and 8/9🤩🛶

How it works ⤵️
➡️Get in line under the Main St Bridge, near Bicentennial Park 
➡️A staff member will greet you in line to sign the required waiver
➡️Once your waiver is signed, you will be given a wristband
➡️Wait your turn in line
➡️Climb aboard your kayak or SUP and enjoy the best views of Downtown Columbus
⚠️ Please note this event is first-come-first-served. The line will close when we reach maximum capacity of riders, which will occur before 5pm. We will provide updates on our IG stories!

Some things to keep in mind🚨⤵️
➡️Kids must be at least 5 years of age to participate.
➡️Children 12 and under must ride with a parent.
➡️Life vests are required and will be provided.
➡️The demand for this is HIGH. Arrive early for your best chance at riding!
➡️Please note that dates are subject to change based on weather and river conditions.
➡️Watch our IG stories for line closure updates!

🚣 Free Kayak Days
🗓️ July 12 & August 9
🕐 1 - 5 pm
📍 Boat launch under the Main Street Bridge, near Bicentennial Park and the Scioto Mile Fountain.
NEW POP-UP SCIOTO ARTS MARKET THIS SATURDAY, 7/12 🎨🛍️🎶

Looking for your Saturday afternoon plans? Check out this new monthly market by @cypclub featuring local treasures, handmade crafts, freshly made goods, and more from 70+ local vendors! 

It all happens at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum (300 W Broad St)! Admission is FREE and parking is $5. Enjoy live music, art, face painting, bounce house, and food trucks while you stroll through the market! 

Want to make it a whole afternoon? Here’s what you can do afterwards⤵️
🎟️ Visit @nationalvmm (admission is free during the market!) 
🧪 Walk over to @cosiscience for a science-filled stroll 
🥞 Grab rooftop brunch at @brasseye at The Junto 
⛳ Play putt putt (for free!) at the Lawn at High Water Alley + take a spin on Los Trompos 
🚣 BONUS: Across the river, get in line for a complimentary kayak or paddleboard ride at Free Kayak Day (1-5pm) 

Check out the monthly line-up happening 10 am - 2 pm 🗓️⤵️

🌎Around the World
🗓️Saturday, July 12

🏅Sports, Fitness & Outdoor
🗓️Saturday, August 9

🐕Cats, Dogs & Pets
🗓️Saturday, September 13

🍂Halloween, Fall & Harvest
🗓️Saturday, October 18
NEW FREE DANCE & FITNESS CLASSES 🤸‍♂️🧘

Find your next workout here at Scioto Mile Fountain — the vibes can’t be beat 🙌

Every Thursday, there are two evening fitness classes: a full body workout and yoga. On Sundays, there are two dance classes including Baby Dance Club, contemporary dance, and dance aerobics. 

Here’s how to participate ⬇️
✅ Sign the waiver at the link in our bio 
✅ Opt in to emails so you can get updates and cancellation notices
✅ Bring your own mat for yoga classes + water!

There’s no need to RSVP — just show up!

FULL SCHEDULE ⬇️ mark those calendars!

🗓️Thursdays thru August 28
🚨 no classes July 3, July 17, or August 14
🕐 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm Full body workout with @itslindseyveronica from @614_fit_club
🕐 7:30 pm – 8:15 pm Yoga with @rach_czer from @614_fit_club

🗓️ Sundays thru August 24 (except the last Sunday, see below) 
🚨 no classes June 22, July 20, and August 10
🕐9:30 am – 10:15 am Contemporary Dance with Myles Lawson @artisandancestudio
🕐10:30 am – 11:15 am Contemporary Dance with Myles Lawson @artisandancestudio

🗓️ Last Sunday of the month (June 29, July 27, and August 31)
🕐9:30 am – 10:15 am Baby Dance Club with Russell @fluxflowdancecenter
🕐10:30 am – 11:15 am Dance Aerobics with Fili @fluxflowdancecenter

Looking for even MORE fitness classes? Columbus Commons has free HIIT workouts on Tuesdays with @quality_wellness_columbus and Slow Flow Yoga on Wednesdays with @rawyoga614 🌟