6/1 UPDATE: Looking for events? Summer is here (yeah, we can't believe it either). Check out the summer events page for upcoming events in June, July and August!
Call the March-April-May trifecta what you want: Spring, second winter, false summer...while the weather remains unpredictable, there's one thing you can count on: lots of events.
Be sure to bookmark this page, as we'll be constantly adding both one-time and recurring events to this list as we find them throughout the season. Something not on the list? Let us know on our Instagram @downtowncolumbus!
ONE-TIME EVENTS
MAY 2023
May 22 - 31
- 5/22: Celtic Throne -- Southern Theatre
- 5/23: The Cut Columnist and Humor Writer Mia Mercado, in Conversation with Satirist Brooke Preston -- Thurber House
- 5/23: NVMM Trivia Night at Taft's -- Taft's Brewpourium Columbus
- 5/24: Wednesdays@2: Mozart to Matisse - Song of the Lark & the Art of Jules Breton -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 5/25: 2023 CAPA Marquee Awards -- Ohio Theatre
- 5/25-5/28: Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest + Convention 2023
- 5/25-5/28: The Columbus Moving Picture Show -- Renaissance Downtown
- 5/26: Artist Comune Downtown Photo Walk with Urban Arts Space - 6 pm
- 5/26: 90s Night at Howl at the Moon Columbus
- 5/27: Poetry Night at Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee
- 5/27: National Ride for Freedom
- 5/27: CrossFit Hero Workout - "The Murph" -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/27: FREE Patio Yoga at Jackie O's on Fourth - 10 am
- 5/27: Open Studio with OAAE Guest Artist Mindy Staley -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 5/27: FREE Family Fun Day and Movie Night feat. Moana at Columbus Commons
- 5/28: FREE Shadowbox Live: Flower Power at Columbus Commons
- 5/28: Memorial Day Run, Walk, Ruck and Roll 5K Race
- 5/28: Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/29: Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/30: Hippo Campus with Gus Dapperton -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/31: Blood Drive at the Huntington Center -- 9:30-3:30 pm
- 5/31: Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/31: Columbus Crew vs Colorado at Lower.com Field
RECURRING EVENTS
- Yoga at National Veterans Memorial and Museum / Thursdays at 6 pm, Sundays at 9 am
- Jiu Jitsu at National Veterans Memorial and Museum / Mondays at 6:30 am, Wednesdays at 6:30 am, Thursdays at 6:30 am and 6 pm, Fridays at 6:30 am, Saturdays at 9 am, Sundays at 9 am
- King Tut open at COSI - March 18 through Labor Day
- Columbus Crew games
- Columbus Clippers games
- Columbus Blue Jackets games
- Free Sundays at Columbus Museum of Art
- Open studios at Columbus Museum of Art -- every Saturday from 10:30 am - 3:30 pm
- Matinee Mondays at Barrel and Bottle -- North Market
- Cooking classes at CSCC Mitchell Hall
- 4/1-4/29: Central Growth at Blockfort
- 5/5-5/27: Anthem 100 at Blockfort
- Columbus Commons events (fitness, breakfast, food trucks)
PAST EVENTS:
MARCH 2023
March 1-5
- 3/2-3/5: Arnold Sports Festival
- 3/4: Columbus Crew Home Opener
March 6-12
- 3/7-3/12: Beetlejuice - Ohio Theatre
- 3/8: Kelsea Ballerini – Palace Theatre
- 3/9-3/12: The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World Pt II - Southern Theatre
- 3/9-3/12: You Can't Take it With You -- Columbus Performing Arts Center
- 3/9: Bruce Springsteen at Nationwide - POSTPONED on 3/9
- 3/9: COSI After Dark: Mardi Gras
- 3/10: Fashion Night Out at Common Thread
- 3/10: Columbus Brew Festival - COSI
- 3/10: Blake Shelton -- Nationwide
- 3/10: Leanne Morgan -- Palace Theatre
- 3/10-3/18: BalletMet - A Celebration of New Works
- 3/11: Drag Brunch at CMA - SOLD OUT
- 3/11: Columbus Brew Festival - COSI
- 3/11: Downtown Disco at The Bluestone
- 3/11: Hills Market 10 Year Anniversary Party
- 3/11: Teen Open Studio with Local Teaching Artist LaShae Boyd -- CMA
- 3/11: Virtual Conversation on “LA Woman: Kali, Artographer” - CMA Online
- 3/11-3/12: Spring Big Book Sale -- Main Library
- 3/12: Columbus Youth Jazz Studio Performance -- Southern Theatre
March 13 - 19
- 3/16-3/19: Columbus International Auto Show -- Greater Columbus Convention Center
- 3/16-3/17: Taylor Tomlinson – The Have It All Tour – Palace Theatre
- 3/17-3/18: Carl Flunt Would Protect You from Trucks -- MadLab Theatre
- 3/17 & 3/19: NCAA March Madness -- Nationwide Arena
- 3/18: Paula Poundstone @ Southern Theatre
March 20-26
- 3/23: Kane Brown -- Nationwide Arena
- 3/23-4/2: But You Could've Held My Hand by CATCO -- Riffe Theater Complex
- 3/24 - 4/2: Community Theatre Triple Feature - Volume One at Columbus Performing Arts Center
- 3/24: They Might Be Giants -- The Athenaeum Theatre - SOLD OUT
- 3/24: Scriptless in Seattle Live Comedy -- MadLab Theatre
- 3/24 and 4/1: Film Columbus Teen Screenwriting Workshop and Competition -- CCAD
- 3/25: Brunch & Blooms at Freedom a la Cart
- 3/25: Abe Lincoln Is Back! -- Kelton House
- 3/25: Future and Friends - One Big Party Tour
- 3/25: The Fashion Presentations: Spring Edition at Urban Arts Space
- 3/25: Genealogy Forum - Columbus Main Library
- 3/25: The Irish Tenors: 25th Anniversary Tour w/ Columbus Symphony -- Palace Theatre
- 3/25: Poetry Night at Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee
- 3/25-3/26: New Vision Dance Company Presents: "Up Close and Personal vol. 6" -- MadLab Theatre
- 3/26: The Simon & Garfunkel Story - Southern Theatre
March 27-31
- 3/23-4/2: ...But You Could've Held My Hand by CATCO -- Riffe Theater Complex
- 3/28: Historical Fiction Author & Scholar David Wright Falade -- Thurber House
- 3/28-4/5: Spring Art Breaks at Columbus Museum of Art
- 3/29: Welcome Home Ceremony National Vietnam War Veterans Day at National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 3/29: And That's Why We Drink: On The Rocks Tour at Riffe Center Theatre Complex
- 3/30: 4-Course Chef's Dinner Event at The Keep
- 3/30: Breaking the Fourth Wall: Community Theatre and the COVID-19 Pandemic Film Screening - Urban Arts Space
- 3/30: Brett Young at KEMBA Live!
- 3/31: Artist Commune Pop-up Exhibition at Urban Arts Space
- 3/31-4/1: Rigoletto at Ohio Theatre
- 3/31: Jim Messina at Southern Theatre
- 3/31: Jo Koy 2023 World Tour at Palace Theatre
- 3/31-4:2: Community Theatre Triple Feature by Aethereal Jest Arts Council -- Columbus Performing Arts Center
APRIL 2023
April 1 - 9
- 3/23-4/8: But You Could've Held My Hand by CATCO -- Riffe Theater Complex
- 4/1: Columbus Crew vs. Salt Lake
- 4/1: Calidore String Quartet at Southern Theatre
- 4/1: Life After: A Conversation on Life After Involvement with the Criminal Legal System
- 4/1: Drag Brunch with Anisa Love at The Walrus
- 4/1: Music of Egypt - Bill Manchester and 614 Music Works at Main Library
- 4/1: The Heart of DoDEA: Championing Military Children (Rally Point) at National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 4/1: Operation HEAL*ARIOUS Comedy Night at National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 4/1: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Florida Panthers at Nationwide Arena
- 4/2: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Ottawa Senators at Nationwide Arena
- 4/2: Craftin' Outlaws Marketplace at Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/2: Choo Choo 9 Miler and 5K -- Genoa Park
- 4/4: Columbus Clippers Home Opener
- 4/4: Community Blood Drive at National Veterans Memorial and Museum from 10 am - 4 pm
- 4/5: Two Year Cafe Anniversary at Freedom a la Cart
- 4/5: Dr. Taylor Byas Poetry Reading & Author Talk -- Columbus State Community College Library
- 4/6: Conversation with Gina Osterloh and Sheilah ReStack at Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/6: Pecos & The Rooftops at The Bluestone
- 4/7-4/9: Paw Patrol LIVE at Ohio Theatre
- 4/7: For King and Country "What Are We Waiting For" - Nationwide Arena
- 4/8: 10 Minutes on the Dot: Picasso Edition at Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/8: Rock Columbus at A&R Music Bar
- 4/8: Dan Cummins: Burn it All Down Tour at Riffe Center Theatre Complex
- 4/8: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. New York Rangers at Nationwide Arena
- 4/8: Spencer Crandall at The Bluestone
- 4/8: Breakfast Forum - Justice or Just Us: Policies & Programs to Improve our Justice System at Way Down Yonder Beignets
- 4/9: Friends of Jewish Art Presents Anselm Kiefer: Painting as a Personal Voyage at Columbus Museum of Art
April 10 - 16
- 4/12: Zora Neale Hurston, Chronicled by Author & Scholar Dr. M. Genevieve West -- Thurber House
- 4/12: Spencer Sutherland -- The Bluestone
- 4/12: Poetry + Spoken Word Workshop -- Freedom a la Cart
- 4/12: Micro Market -- Lazarus Building
- 4/12: Bored Teachers Comedy Tour -- Southern Theatre
- 4/13: COSI After Dark (Theme: Prom: The Sequel)
- 4/13: New Jack City Live -- Palace Theatre
- 4/13: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena
- 4/13: Documentary Film: Julian Stanczak - To Catch the Light -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/13: Yoga -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/13: Making Money from Your Art: Publishing -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/14: Fashion Night Out at Common Thread
- 4/14: Friday Coffee Dress: Carmen Suite at Ohio Theatre
- 4/14: A Midshipman's Journey Opening Night at National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 4/14: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena
- 4/14: Lily Rose -- The Bluestone
- 4/14-4/15: Carmen Suite - Ohio Theatre
- 4/15: Vandelay at The Walrus
- 4/15: Columbus Crew vs. New England
- 4/15: Branding Your Business -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/15: Central Ohio Watercolor Society Opening Reception -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/16: Columbus Symphony Storytime -- Ohio Theatre (Free with Columbus Metropolitan Library card!)
- 4/16: Free Legal Clinic -- Columbus Main Library
April 17 - 23
- 4/18-4/23: Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
- 4/18: Built to Spill at The Athenaeum Theatre
- 4/19: Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations -- Ohio Theatre
- 4/19-4/20: 2023 Market Season Preview - Markets at Pearl at The Huntington Center
- 4/19: Women Empowering Change: Learning thru the Lens of a Sex Trafficking Survivor -- Southern Theatre
- 4/19: Jonathan McReynolds -- The Bluestone
- 4/20: Sullivan King -- The Bluestone
- 4/20: Member Preview Party -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/20-4/23: Ray Charles and the Roots of R&B -- Southern Theatre
- 4/21: Columbus Commons Season Launch
- 4/21: BRUCE-O-RAMA starring Bruce Campbell -- KEMBA Live!
- 4/21-4/22: Drake White -- The Bluestone
- 4/21: 2000's Party at Howl at the Moon Columbus
- 4/21: Bethel Music - Come Up Here Worship Nights -- Palace Theatre
- 4/21: Public Opening Day of Wendy Red Star: A Scratch on the Earth -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/21: Public Opening Day of Lesley Vance: always circled whirling -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/22: Earth Day Celebration with Green Columbus -- Genoa Park
- 4/22: 2023 Ohioana Book Festival -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/22: Sensory Saturday -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 4/22: Roosevelt Coffeehouse Anniversary
- 4/22: Mulch the Park at Topiary Park
- 4/22: Open Studio with OAAE Guest Artist Tiana Fergason-Nieves -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/22: Meet Your Creative Community: Erica Butler -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/22: What You Should Known About the Five DNA Testing Companies with Kelli Bergheimer -- Columbus Main Library
April 24 - 30
- 4/24: Free Legal Clinic with Attorney Mindy Yocum -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/24: LCERT Graduation Ceremony -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 4/25: Tamino at A&R Bar
- 4/25: New York Times Bestselling Author and Thurber Prize Finalist Laurie Notaro -- Thurber House
- 4/25: half alive: Conditions of a Punk (Tour) -- KEMBA Live!
- 4/26: Public Speaker/Performer Career Panel Watch Party (Ages 12-17 years) -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/26: African American Interest Group with Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/26: Friends & Fiction - Sesquicentennial Author Series -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/27: Family Fun Day at Columbus Commons
- 4/27: Flowers After Hours -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/27: Randall King -- The Bluestone
- 4/28-4/30: Swan Lake by BalletMet – Ohio Theatre
- 4/28: World Ballet Series: Cinderella -- Palace Theatre
- 4/28: 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor Award Show – Southern Theatre
- 4/28-4/29: Grand Opening at The Kee
- 4/28: Artist Comune at Urban Arts Space - "The Verse" Poetry Night
- 4/28: Cinema Columbus Film Fest: Fashion Reimagined -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/28: Internship Fair for College and High School Students -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/28: The Prince Experience -- The Bluestone
- 4/28-4/29: Art in Bloom Weekend -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/28-4/30: Beecoming Home Art Gallery -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/29: The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes – Palace Theatre
- 4/29: Capital City Half Marathon
- 4/29: Poetry Night at Way Down Yonder Beignets and Coffee
- 4/29: Art, Architecture, and the Arbor: Connections Between the Built and Natural Worlds -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/29: Open Studio Blooms Family Event with Priscilla Teixeira -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/29: Potting Demonstration -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/29: Create an Ohara Ikebana Flower Arrangement -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/29-4/30: Shop Local Pop-Up delicate botanics -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/29: Building Costumes and Props with 501st Legion -- Columbus Main Library
- 4/30: El Dia de los Ninos - Lincoln Theatre
- 4/30: Tony Hadgood's Jazz -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/30: The Cooper-Bing Competition -- Southern Theatre
- 4/30: The History of Ikebana & Evolution of the Ohara School: Lecture & Demonstration -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/30: Using Flowers for Wellness and Wellbeing -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 4/30: Tony Hagood's Jazz Blossoms -- Columbus Museum of Art
May 1 - 7
- 5/2: Cindy Foley Farewell Celebration -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 5/3-5/6: COSI Science Festival
- 5/3: The Washington Post Humor Columnist and Thurber Prize Finalist Alexandra Petri, in Conversation with Satirist Brooke Preston -- Thurber House
- 5/3: College Readiness Prep -- Columbus Main Library
- 5/4: COSI After Dark -- COSI
- 5/4: May the 4th Be With You! -- Columbus Main Library
- 5/4: Trey Kennedy: Grow Up -- Palace Theatre
- 5/4: Sam Morril: The Class Act Tour -- Southern Theatre
- 5/4: Kevin Kaarl -- The Bluestone
- 5/4: Late Night Studio with COSI's Science Festival -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 5/4-5/21: The Wolves -- Riffe Center Theatre Complex
- 5/5: Druski: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Tour -- Palace Theatre
- 5/5: The Lone Bellow Trio -- Southern Theatre
- 5/5: Meet the Authors: "Forgotten War" and "Razor 03: A Night Stalker's Wars" -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/5: The Dolly Party -- The Bluestone
- 5/5-5/7: Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky -- Ohio Theatre
- 5/6: OPE N' AIR Festival -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/6: Wish You Were Here: The Sight and Sound of Pink Floyd Presents the Dark Side of the Moon -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/6: Printing with Lego Workshop -- Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative
- 5/6: Alley Islands Festival -- Blockfort
- 5/6: Chris D'Elia: Don't Push Me Tour -- Palace Theatre
- 5/6: Merz Trio -- Southern Theatre
- 5/5: Raising the Voices of Gold Star Families
-- National Veterans Memorial and Museum - 5/7: Graham Nash -- Southern Theatre
- 5/7: Jazz Arts Group - Columbus Youth Jazz -- Columbus Main Library
May 8 - 14
- 5/8: Resume Workshop for Teens -- Columbus Main Library
- 5/9: CATCO 2023-2024 Season Announcement -- Riffe Center Theatre Complex
- 5/9: Coheed and Cambria "NEVERENDER: NWFTWM" -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/9: Against the Current + Trophy Eyes -- The Bluestone
- 5/10: Micro Market at the Lazarus Building
- 5/10: Madagascar the Musical – Palace Theatre
- 5/10: Open Mic Night -- Freedom a la Cart
- 5/11-5/21: The Wolves at Riffe Center Theatre Complex
- 5/11: Food Truck Food Court at Columbus Commons
- 5/11: CCAD Fashion Show -- Kemba! Live
- 5/12: City and Colour Presented by WCBE -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/12: Sueco -- The Bluestone
- 5/12: Common Thread Fashion Night Out on Third Street
- 5/12-5/14: Annie – Palace Theatre
- 5/12 - 5/19: School of Rock -- The Musical by Columbus Childrens' Theatre -- Lincoln Theatre
- 5/13: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - Columbus Symphony – Ohio Theatre
- 5/13: Ohio Combat League Presents: OCL Boxing & Muay Thai -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/13: Moonlight Market at Gay and Pearl Streets
- 5/13: Columbus Crew vs. Orlando at Lower.com Field
- 5/13-5/14: Mother's Day Tea in the Garden 2023 - Columbus Modern Dance Company springtime performance -- Topiary Park
- 5/13-5/14: Herstory Art in Motion -- Riffe Center Theatre Complex
- 5/14: Mother's Day Brunch at The Walrus (Free mimosas and roses)
- 5/14: Mother's Day High Tea at Kelton House
May 15 - 21
- Monday 5/15: Latte Art Throwdown at Parable Coffee
- Tuesday 5/16: Pearl Market Kickoff in Pearl Alley
- Wednesday 5/17: John Mellencamp -- Palace Theatre
- Wednesday 5/17: Columbus Crew vs. LA at Lower.com Field
- Thursday 5/18: Harmony Project Concert for Community at Columbus Commons
- Thursday 5/18: Art Spot Reception at Greater Columbus Arts Council
- Friday 5/19: Roll Bicycle Company Pub Ride - starting on the Scioto Mile
- Friday 5/19: Wonderball 2023 - Columbus Museum of Art
- Friday 5/19: 2023 North Market Apron Gala
- Friday 5/19: Koe Wetzel: The Road to Hell Paso Pt. 1 -- KEMBA Live!
- Friday 5/19: My Brother My Brother and Me -- Palace Theatre
- Friday - Saturday 5/19-5/20: Columbus Symphony's Welcome to Spring -- Ohio Theatre
- Saturday 5/20: 2023 Komen Race for the Cure 5K at North Bank Park
- Saturday 5/20: Plant the Park at Topiary Park - 9 am start time
- Saturday 5/20: Palladium Entertainment Presents BRIT FLOYD 50 Years of Dark Side -- KEMBA Live!
- Saturday 5/20: The Adventure Zone -- Palace Theatre
- Saturday 5/20: Crawfish Boil at Pecan Penny's
- Saturday - Sunday 5/20 - 5/21: Columbus Taco Fest at Genoa Park
- Sunday 5/21: Essential Oil Image Transfers: Lavender Afternoon Workshop -- Phoenix Rising Printmaking Cooperative
- Sunday 5/21: 85 South -- Palace Theatre
- Sunday 5/21: Sunlight Market at Gay and Pearl Streets
- Sunday 5/21: Top Vegan Finale Event at Lennox Theaters
May 22 - 31
- 5/22: Celtic Throne -- Southern Theatre
- 5/23: The Cut Columnist and Humor Writer Mia Mercado, in Conversation with Satirist Brooke Preston -- Thurber House
- 5/23: NVMM Trivia Night at Taft's -- Taft's Brewpourium Columbus
- 5/24: Wednesdays@2: Mozart to Matisse - Song of the Lark & the Art of Jules Breton -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 5/25: 2023 CAPA Marquee Awards -- Ohio Theatre
- 5/25-5/28: Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest + Convention 2023
- 5/25-5/28: The Columbus Moving Picture Show -- Renaissance Downtown
- 5/26: Artist Comune Downtown Photo Walk with Urban Arts Space - 6 pm
- 5/26: 90s Night at Howl at the Moon Columbus
- 5/27: Poetry Night at Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee
- 5/27: National Ride for Freedom
- 5/27: CrossFit Hero Workout - "The Murph" -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/27: FREE Patio Yoga at Jackie O's on Fourth - 10 am
- 5/27: Open Studio with OAAE Guest Artist Mindy Staley -- Columbus Museum of Art
- 5/27: FREE Family Fun Day and Movie Night feat. Moana at Columbus Commons
- 5/28: FREE Shadowbox Live: Flower Power at Columbus Commons
- 5/28: Memorial Day Run, Walk, Ruck and Roll 5K Race
- 5/28: Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/29: Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony -- National Veterans Memorial and Museum
- 5/30: Hippo Campus with Gus Dapperton -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/31: Blood Drive at the Huntington Center -- 9:30-3:30 pm
- 5/31: Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade -- KEMBA Live!
- 5/31: Columbus Crew vs Colorado at Lower.com Field