Columbus Area Free Outdoor Concerts

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Compiled by Pat Marida. Email additional concerts to patmarida@outlook.com. 

Pat Marida. Photo courtesy of
the Green Party

All events are free except where otherwise noted. 

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VARYING DAYS:  

  1. JULY 4: Doo Dah Parade, Stepoff at 1 pm at Goodale Park. STAY TUNED FOR BANDS. Music from 11 am-7 pm at the gazebo. 
  1. STAY TUNED (AUGUST): ProMusica Summer Music Series Spend a magical evening in the Grand Mallway of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, with world-class orchestral performances each night. Pack a picnic (no outside alcohol permitted). Gates open at 6 pm, concerts begin at 8 pm. Concerts are approximately 1 hour with no intermission.  
  1. COLUMBUS COMMONS: 160 S. High St. Free. (Some concerts at the link have admission charges, those below are FREE.  Beverage sales and food trucks are available on site beginning at 6 pm and the shows begin at 7 pm. Bring chairs, blankets and food, no outside alcohol or coolers. 
  • Friday, May 22 – The Navigators 
  • Sunday, May 24 – Shadowbox Live Presents: Women of Rock 
  • Saturday, June 6 – Honey and Blue, Blucone and Lungu Vybz 
  • Thursday, August 27 – Fort Hayes Music Program and Joey Aich 
  • Friday, September 4 – The Dead Revival Band with the Groove Brothers Band       

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SUNDAYS  

  1. SUNDAY, June 28–Scioto Mile Concert at the Bicentennial Park Stage beginning at 7 p.m. Columbus Symphony Orchestra
  1. SUNDAYS:  Goodale Park Music Series, 12:30-2 pm at the Gazebo. With a local food truck.
  • July 12–Folquinox
  • July 19– Mt. Air
  • July 26–King Serpent
  • Aug. 2–Gathering Stars
  • Aug. 9–Ron Holmes – Eclectism
  1. SUNDAYS:  Concerts on the Green in Worthington, 7 pm, Northwest Quadrant of the Village Green, corner of SR 161 and High St.
  • May 24  Street Players
  • May 31 Honey & Blue
  • June 7     Fabulous Johnson Brothers
  • June 14 Worthington Civic Band
  • June 28 Ladies of Longford
  • July 5    Worthington Chamber Orchestra (5 PM) &  Mojoflo (7:00 PM)
  • July 12   John Schwab Duo
  • July 26   Hadden Sayers
  • August 2      OSU Alumni Marching Band
  • August 9      Conspiracy 
  1. SUNDAYS: Westerville Sounds of Summer Concert Series (See Westerville Events Calendar) At Alum Creek Park Amphitheater, 221 W. Main St. in Westerville, from 6:30-8 pm.  Parking available at Westerville Senior Center (310 W. Main St.) and Astronaut Grove Park (290 W Main St.) with limited spots at Alum Creek Park N.
  • May 31   Battle of the Bands 
  •  June 7 Fleetwood Gold 
  •  June 14 Westerville Jazz Orchestra 
  •  June 21 Lightning Express (Everly Brothers Tribute) 
  •  June 28 Scioto Valley Brass and Percussion Company
  •  July 5 Westerville Concert Band 
  •  July 12 NO CONCERT 
  •  July 19 British Invasion 
  •  July 26 Westerville Concert Band 
  •  Aug. 2 Long Play (Local 70s & 80s Group) 
  •  Aug. 9 Westerville Jazz Orchestra 
  •  Aug. 16 Eliminator (ZZ Top Tribute) 
  •  Aug. 23 Westerville Symphony 
  •  Aug. 30 Turn to Stone (ELO Tribute Band)
  1. SUNDAYS: Sundays at Scioto: Scioto Park amphitheater, 7377 Riverside Dr., Dublin, 5 -7 pm.

The park closes when at capacity. These go the latest in the season, through September. 

  • Sept. 13: stay tuned for our 2026 lineup
  • Sept. 20:
  • Sept.  27: 
  • Oct. 4: 
  1. SUNDAYS:  Bexley Jazz in the Park: at Havenwood Park in Bexley, 5:30 to 7 pm. Food Trucks.
  • MONDAY, MAY 25: Largemouth Brass Band
  • SUNDAY, JUNE 21: RLJQ Afro Cuban Jazz
  • SUNDAY, JULY 19: Andy Woodson & the Paw Paw Orchestra
  • SUNDAY, AUGUST 16: Arch City Big Band
  1. SUNDAYS: Torrence Road Island Sunday Concerts: On E. Torrence Rd. where Torrence splits between north and south. (At about 363 on the south and 364 on the north) From 6-8 pm, with a food truck. Donations taken.  Facebook Group.
  • May 10: Antoine Fatout featuring Brasileira
  • May 31: Whirlybirds
  • June 21: Ladies of Longford
  • July 12: The Ramblin’ Bluegrass Ensemble
  • Aug. 2: The Moonbats
  • Aug. 23: The Hip Replacements
  • Sept. 13: The Leytze Jazz Five
  • Oct. 4: Roscommon Sessions
  1. 2026 SUNDAYS: Columbus Park of Roses Summer Concert Series, 7 pm.
  1. SUNDAYS:  Pickerington Summer Concert Series at Sycamore Creek Park Amphitheater, at the end of Hereford Dr. in Pickerington, 6:30 – 8:00 pm.  
  • Sunday, June 21 – RockHouse
  • Sunday, August 16 – British Invasion
  1. Sunday at Central (Indoors), 3 pm, switches between two locations: Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th and the Broad Street Presbyterian Church, 760 E. Broad St. Runs Sept. through May, check the website for updates.  
  • 5-31-26 at Broad Street Presbyterian Church

  TUESDAYS

  1. TUESDAYS: Grandview Library Music on the Lawn Tuesdays in June/July, 7-8 pm at the Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave. One food truck.  Call 614-486-2951 after 6 pm about weather cancellation. 
  • 6/02 – The Conspiracy Band (R&B/Funk) 
  • 6/09 – Phil Dirt & the Dozers (Vintage rock) 
  • 6/16 – EMILÍ (Funk/Pop/Disco) 
  • 6/23 – Clave Sonic (Latin/Jazz/Fusion) 
  • 6/30 – The British Invasion (‘60s Music) 
  • 7/07 – Good Company (Funk/Pop/Soul)
  • 7/14- Topher James and Biscuit Brigade (R&B/Soul) 
  • 7/21 – The High Definitions (Blues/Rock)
  • 7/28 – Blue Cats (Blues)
  1. 2026 TUESDAYS:  Tribute Tuesdays— a happy hour concert series celebrating the best of the ’90s. On select Tuesdays in June, July and August. Great music, food and drinks, all along the Scioto Mile. Food and beverage sales start at 5 p.m., with the live tribute band performance at 6:30 p.m. 

THURSDAYS

  1. THURSDAYS:  CRC Third Thursdays, 5-9 pm.  Live music, food trucks, local brews outside the Clintonville Resource Center, 3222 N. High St. 
  • June 18–Dad Band
  • July 16–Devil Doves
  • August 20– Funky Brewster
  • Sept. 17–Six Feet Apart
  1. THURSDAYS: King Arts Complex Heritage Music at Mayme Moore Park, 240 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. *Concert lineup to be announced in May 2026.
  • July 9th, 16th, & 23rd, 2026 from 6 PM – 9 PM
  • July 30th & August 6th, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

FRIDAYS

  1. FRIDAYS: Scioto Mile Concerts at the Bicentennial Park Stage beginning at 7 p.m.
  1. 2026 FRIDAYS: Columbus Rec & Parks  Bicentennial Park Summer Concerts, 233 Civic Center Drive. 
  1. FRIDAYS at East Market, 212 Kelton Ave.  Live music indoors in the Railhouse from 7-10 pm. The webpage has no artists listed.
  1.  Franklinton Friday Open Studios:  Second Friday of each month from 6-10 pm at 400 W. Rich Street. Art, food, and community! Explore over 150 open artist studios and discover unique works from local artists. 

SATURDAYS

  1. 2026 SATURDAYS:Alum Creek Marina Summer Music Series, 4000 Hollenback Rd, Lewis Center, 5-8 pm. 
  1. 2026 SATURDAYS:PBJ & Jazz Kids Concerts, 12 noon at Topiary Park, 480 East Town St.
  1. Studio Saturdays. Open Studios, Market, Food Truck, and Gallery. The last Saturday of every month from 10:00AM – 2 PM at 401 West Town St.  Come explore, meet artists, and support local businesses! Event by 400 Square.   

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COLUMBUS AREA SUMMER OUTDOOR FESTIVALS and EVENTS 

 All events below are free except where otherwise noted.  

  • May 21-Sept 6: ACTORS’ THEATER 2026  features four plays at Schiller Park (German Village) Amphitheater Stage​.  All plays are Thursdays through Sundays @ 8 pm. FREE, donations.  Modernized versions of Shakespeare plays and more. 
  • May 23-24, Sat/Sun: Asian Festival – on Memorial Day Weekend at Franklin Park, 1755 E. Broad St.  Sat. from 10 am-8 pm; Sun., 10 am-6 pm.  
  • June -Aug: CAPA SUMMER MOVIES at the Ohio Theater, 39 E. State St. Admission $6, $5 for seniors. Hear the Mighty Morton organ! 
  • June 5-6, Sat/Sun: Central Ohio Folk Festival – At the new Bank Run Metro Park, 1570 Rohr Road in Lockbourne. Four performing stages, 30+ music workshops, ongoing jam tents, kids’ programming, crafts. General admission tickets are good for both days. Under 18 is free. PRE-SALE General Admission – $10 (adults 18 & over). ON-SITE General Admission – $15 (adults 18 & over).  
  • June 12-14, Fri/Sat/Sun: Columbus Arts Festival  Second Weekend in June along Columbus’ downtown Riverfront.More Than 200 Local and National Artists. Friday 11am-9pm; Sat. 10am-9pm; Sun. 10am-5pm.  
  • June 19, Friday: Juneteenth Ohio Festival, STAY TUNED   noon to 11 pm at 303 W. Broad St. Free until 3 pm, $15 after that. 
  • June 19-20, Fri/Sat: Columbus Pride Festival and Parade. The Festival is at Goodale Park – Friday from 4to 10 pm; Sat. 11-8pm.  Pride March is Saturday: Step Off @ 10:30 AM, stay tuned for route–in 2024 stepoff was from the corner of Broad St. & High St. 
  • June 19-21, Fri/Sat/Sun: Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival in Gahanna. Tickets are at various prices for the day, $30 for both days.  See the link for the 2026 lineup.  
  • June 20-21, Sat/Sun: Worthington Art Festival on Worthington Village Green at the intersection of High Street and State Route 161, Saturday 9am– 5pm; Sunday 11am to 5pm.   
  • June 26-28, Fri/Sat/Sun: Community Festival (Comfest) Last full weekend in June at Goodale Park, Multiple stages. All kinds of fun.  Stay tuned for hours, workshops, speakers, and performances.  
  • July 11-12 Sat/Sun: Westerville Music and Arts Festival at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave. in Westerville. Admission: $2.00, under age 10 free. Saturday 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-4pm. Music all day on 2 stages and in a tent.
  • July 24-26 Fri/Sat/Sun: Jazz & Rib Fest. At West Bank Park and Bicentennial Park, along the Scioto Mile downtown riverfront. In a circle along the Rich St. and Main St. bridges. Music on 3 stages, see bands at the link. ??Fri/Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-8pm. 
  • July 31-Aug 2 Fri/Sat/Sun:  Dublin Irish Festival (Admission charge). Sunday, Aug. 2, guests will receive free admission between 9:30 and 11am. At Coffman Park, 5200 Emerald Pkwy, Dublin. 7 stages.
  • Aug. 22-23: Festival Latino at Columbus Commons and Ohio Theater.  STAY TUNED. 
  • Sept. 4-5, Fri/Sat–Labor Day weekend CBUS Soul Fest at Bicentennial Park from 4-10 pm.  Friday, Sept. 4 – Stokley along with DJ BLAKUNICORN, Cherimondis J, N’Shai Iman. Saturday, Sept. 5 – Lalah Hathaway along with DJ IQ, Gabrielle Solange, Ria Blaq 
  • ? Sept. 7 Mon: Labor Day Arts Festival,  STAY TUNED. Upper Arlington, 10 am–5 pm at Northam Park, 2850 Tremont Rd.
  • Sept. ?  Hot Times Community Music & Arts Festival, 240 Parsons Ave. on the Ohio Health Department lawn. 
  • Sept. ? , Sat: Hot Licks Blues Festival. On the street at 100 E. Broadway in Granville. Noon to 10 pm, FREE, charge for VIP tickets.  
  • Sept. 11-13: (yes, Sept.) Fri/Sat/Sun: Columbus Oktoberfest at the Ohio Expo Center. FREE, $15 parking. Fri. 5pm-12 midnight; Sat 12 noon-12 midnight; Sun 12 noon-8 pm.    
  • Oct. 9-11, Fri/Sat/Sun: Columbus Italian Festival. ADMISSION $10?? At Saint John the Baptist Church in Italian Village, 186 Lincoln St.  Fri 5-11pm; Sat 12 noon-11pm; Sun 12 noon-7pm. SUNDAY the parade steps off at 1:00 PM from Goodale Park, traveling down High Street to Warren Street before making its way into the Columbus Italian Festival grounds. 

MANY EVENTS AT THE 4 WEBSITES BELOW 

1. COLUMBUS ON THE CHEAP has an amazing list of things to do, including ENTERTAINMENT & THE ARTS; FESTIVALS & ANNUAL EVENTS; EVENTS CALENDAR; FREE & CHEAP EVENTS; FAMILY& KIDS.  

2. Experience Columbus Festivals and Annual Events

3. Eventbrite Festivals in Columbus and Eventbrite Best Events in Columbus

4. Columbus Underground Event Calendar. Tons of good info on Columbus happenings. 

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 Last but not least:  Check out the Ohio Nuclear Free Network website!

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