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Upcoming Events in Downtown Columbus

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!

COSI Science Festival

Science is everywhere, and science is for everyone. The COSI Science Festival builds a diverse STEAM workforce and closes the STEAM skills gap by exposing individuals to science and technology where they live, learn, and lounge

COSI is kicking off the 2025 festival season with 3 days full of community science events, followed by the Big Science Celebration right here outside their building! 

🧑‍🔬 April 30-May 2- hands-on science events hosted by local innovators throughout Central Ohio!

💥 May 3 – Join 100+ experts & innovators in the parks surrounding COSI for a day full of explosive STEAM experiences at our Big Science Celebration!

Food Truck Food Court

Summer calls for sunshine which means enjoying lunch outside at Columbus Commons.

Bite into a variety of delicious and diverse food trucks every Thursday at Columbus Commons.  Bring your pup, your pals, or soak in the sun solo.

Free Play at the Commons

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.

CMA After Hours: Art History Happy Hour

CMA is open LATE every Thursday with $5 general admission. From 5:00–9:00 PM, enjoy dinner and drinks in the café, explore the galleries, shop in the store, and more.

Art History Happy Hour

6:00–7:00 PM

Tickets are $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

Join CMA in Schokko Café for a cocktail or mocktail. From 6:30-7:00 PM, enjoy a fun and informative 30-minute tour that explores different art styles and periods, all centered around a big idea.
 
Ticket includes one complimentary drink, the tour, and museum admission.

Get Tickets Here

 

COSI Science Festival

Science is everywhere, and science is for everyone. The COSI Science Festival builds a diverse STEAM workforce and closes the STEAM skills gap by exposing individuals to science and technology where they live, learn, and lounge

COSI is kicking off the 2025 festival season with 3 days full of community science events, followed by the Big Science Celebration right here outside their building! 

🧑‍🔬 April 30-May 2- hands-on science events hosted by local innovators throughout Central Ohio!

💥 May 3 – Join 100+ experts & innovators in the parks surrounding COSI for a day full of explosive STEAM experiences at our Big Science Celebration!

The Last 5 Years

With an incredible score by Tony Award-winner Jason Robert Brown, The Last Five Years winds its way through the joyful, sad, and bittersweet moments of a couple over the course of their five-year relationship. See the highs and lows from both sides of the story, starting at the end with Cathy and the beginning with Jamie. This emotionally powerful and intimate musical has captivated both audiences and critics, winning a Drama Desk Award, a film adaptation, and performances around the world. In this love story, the end is just the beginning.

COSI Science Festival

Science is everywhere, and science is for everyone. The COSI Science Festival builds a diverse STEAM workforce and closes the STEAM skills gap by exposing individuals to science and technology where they live, learn, and lounge

COSI is kicking off the 2025 festival season with 3 days full of community science events, followed by the Big Science Celebration right here outside their building! 

🧑‍🔬 April 30-May 2- hands-on science events hosted by local innovators throughout Central Ohio!

💥 May 3 – Join 100+ experts & innovators in the parks surrounding COSI for a day full of explosive STEAM experiences at our Big Science Celebration!

BIRDS, BREWS, & BURGERS FUNDRAISER

Join us for a COSI Science Festival event hosted by the Grange Insurance Audubon Center. Take a bird walk throughout the Scioto Audubon Metro Park with our educators and learn how to use the Merlin Bird ID app to explore the world of birding! After the bird hike, participate in a beer tasting experience sampling 5 Nocterra Brewing Company Beers and Hard Ciders while enjoying sliders (vegan sliders too) and Bird trivia. NEW THIS YEAR: The first forty people to register will also receive a Bird Bingo card for a chance to win even more prizes!
Participants must be 21+ years old.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Current Audubon members are $35 each, non-members are $45 each. Register at https://tickets.audubon.org/events/0195a4cc-7260-9d76-972c-fe5aa69d00ec
Members, please make sure your membership is current. We will check the status of all members registering for this event and will let you know if your membership has expired if you are not sure. Not a member? Sign up now and enjoy all the local perks and discounts.
FRIDAY MAY 2, 6:00pm to 8:30pm

BalletMet: Sleeping Beauty

Experience the timeless tale of Princess Aurora’s 100-year slumber, which can only be broken by a prince’s kiss. 

 

Get Tickets Here

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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. 

Follow Us On Social Media

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
NEW ART GALLERIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND DOWNTOWN 🖼️🖌️ 

It’s about to get real artsy on the corner of Gay & High Street as new art galleries join the ever-vibrant Gay Street District! The grand opening celebration for Brandt Gallery, Chaos Contemporary Craft, and Lindsay Gallery is on Saturday, April 12 from 5-8pm. 

ABA Gallery launches a new African art and culture gallery featuring handcrafted African clothing, jewelry, and wood carvings. The grand opening celebration kicks off on Friday, April 11 at 12pm and goes all weekend long. 

Last weekend, Hammond Harkins Gallery celebrated their grand opening on High Street. These new additions join the existing Sarah Gormley Gallery & No Place Gallery in the district. 

ALSO! Downtown is getting a new gym on High Street! 💪🏋️ Quality Wellness Performance & Coaching is celebrating their grand opening on Monday, April 14 from 4-6pm. Enjoy a free trial class, wellness workshops and health assessments during April 14-18. Take 15% off your discount if you sign up for a membership during this week. 

Check them all out ⤵️
🖼️ Brandt Gallery, 76 N High St
🖼️ Chaos Contemporary Craft, 78 N High St
🖼️ Lindsay Gallery, 82 N High St
🖼️ ABA Art Gallery, 147 N High St
🖼️ Hammond Harkins Gallery, 103 N High St
🖼️ Sarah Gormley Gallery, 95 N High St
🖼️ No Place Gallery, 1 E Gay St
💪Quality Wellness Performance & Coaching, 117 N High St
GIVEAWAY: COLUMBUS FURY TICKETS 🔥🏐

Bring on the heat 🔥 Columbus Fury is celebrating Columbus at 614 NIGHT on Friday, April 18 as they take on the Orlando Valkyries at Nationwide Arena! 

We’re serving it up and giving away THREE pairs of tickets to the the big game!

Here’s how to enter to win a pair of two tickets:
🏐Like this post
🏐Follow @downtowncolumbus and @columbusfury
🏐Comment below and tag your volleyball buddy! 

3 winners will be randomly selected and notified by DM. Giveaway closes on Monday, April 14 at 9am. No payment information is required to enter or win. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram.

BONUS: Want to secure your tickets to the game early? Take $15 off your tickets with our discount code at the link in our bio! First serve is at 7pm.
The LONGEST public artwork in Columbus is BACK 🪢

After hibernating for the winter season, Janet Echelman’s, “Current” made its spring debut over the weekend! Reigning above the intersection of Gay & High Streets, the sculpture lowers the ceiling of the cityscape for the Gay Street District 🏙️

“Current” returns to the intersection as more local businesses bloom and bud in the neighborhood 🌸 Businesses including Evolverie Clothing, Brandt Gallery, Artisans &, and Soul 2 Go join the area with Quality Wellness, Restalgic Atelier and more art galleries on the way. 

The UnderCurrent series will be back this year where we shut down the street for an afternoon of pedestrian-only activities! Last year, folks came out for the Natural Wine Festival, Oyster Fest, Silent Disco and more! Stay tuned for the full season line-up. 

About “Current” ⤵️
As the longest public artwork in Columbus, the sculpture is made of 78 miles of richly-colored twine woven into over 500,000 knots. “Current” was made in collaboration with a bio-engineering firm to ensure the safety of birds and other animals to navigate without harm. It’s illuminated daily at sunset 🌆
If you’re the type of person that will stop for the world’s largest ball of twine while on a road trip, you can DIY your own sightseeing list with these Downtown spots! From the world’s largest gavel to an 800 pound Mr. Peanut sign to the wooden hand-carved carousel at the Commons, you’ll want to check all of these hot spots off your list: 

🧑‍⚖️ World’s Largest Gavel
📌Supreme Court of Ohio, 65 S Front

🥜Mr. Peanut Sign 
📌The Peanut Shoppe, 4 E Broad St

🎠 Wooden, Hand-Carved Carousel
📌Columbus Commons, 160 S High St

🏓World’s Largest Ping Pong Paddle 
📌Pins Mechanical Co, 141 N 4th St

🌭Hot Dog Statue 
📌Tasty Dawg, 107 S High St

🌳Sculpture Garden
📌Topiary Park, 480 E Town St

🦌Scioto Mile Deer
📌Rich Street Bridge, Genoa Park, Riverfront behind COSI