Best events in
Columbus

As evening energy often starts in walkable neighborhoods, there are countless events and things to do in Columbus, OH. The city's pulse can be felt in the creative corridors of the Short North Arts District and the historic streets of German Village. From major concerts and theatre productions downtown to intimate comedy shows and gallery openings, the local scene has a distinct rhythm.

A night out can begin by exploring the artist studios during Franklinton Fridays before catching a show or grabbing a drink nearby.
Downtown's historic venues, including the Ohio Theatre and Palace Theatre, present everything from Broadway tours to symphony performances.
The city's food hall scene, with spots like North Market Downtown and Budd Dairy Food Hall, offers a social hub for dining and drinks.

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After 8pm

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Nail Bite / Strange Culture

Thursday • 8:00 PM

Black Swan Bar & Grill

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Reggaeton Paradise | Columbus | Pre-Halloween Edition | 18+

Friday • 9:00 PM

Aurora Nightlife

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ORANGE SODA - 2000s HipHop and R&B Dance Party HALLOWEEN EDITION

Fri, Oct 30 • 10:00 PM

40 E Long St

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FEATURING R&B PRESENTS: THE 100% R&B PARTY

Sat, Nov 14 • 8:00 PM

Lincoln Theatre

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Nail Bite / Strange Culture

Thursday • 8:00 PM

Black Swan Bar & Grill

Check ticket price on event

Reggaeton Paradise | Columbus | Pre-Halloween Edition | 18+

Friday • 9:00 PM

Aurora Nightlife

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ORANGE SODA - 2000s HipHop and R&B Dance Party HALLOWEEN EDITION

Fri, Oct 30 • 10:00 PM

40 E Long St

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FEATURING R&B PRESENTS: THE 100% R&B PARTY

Sat, Nov 14 • 8:00 PM

Lincoln Theatre

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Popular in Columbus

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AI Rising Conference: Beyond the Hype

Tomorrow • 8:00 AM

1739 N High St

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Fall Kickoff 3.0

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM

College Green

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Pursuit 15th Anniversary & Loft Grand Opening

Wednesday • 6:00 PM

The Pursuit Loft

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VOLUME UP SUMMIT 2026

Thursday • 4:00 PM

The Maroon Culture Lab

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Summit on Sustainability

Wed, Oct 28 • 8:00 AM

Hilton Columbus Downtown

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Excellence Black Tie Weekend 26'

Thu, Oct 29 • 8:00 PM

Center of Science and Industry (COSI)

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Columbus Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Sat, Oct 31 • 4:00 PM

DraftKings Sports & Social Columbus

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Greater KidsLinked Columbus STEM & Arts Expo Registration (11.8.26)

Sun, Nov 8 • 12:00 PM

1560 Polaris Pkwy

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AI Rising Conference: Beyond the Hype

Tomorrow • 8:00 AM

1739 N High St

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Fall Kickoff 3.0

Tomorrow • 6:00 PM

College Green

Check ticket price on event

Pursuit 15th Anniversary & Loft Grand Opening

Wednesday • 6:00 PM

The Pursuit Loft

Check ticket price on event

VOLUME UP SUMMIT 2026

Thursday • 4:00 PM

The Maroon Culture Lab

Check ticket price on event

Summit on Sustainability

Wed, Oct 28 • 8:00 AM

Hilton Columbus Downtown

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Excellence Black Tie Weekend 26'

Thu, Oct 29 • 8:00 PM

Center of Science and Industry (COSI)

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Columbus Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Sat, Oct 31 • 4:00 PM

DraftKings Sports & Social Columbus

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Greater KidsLinked Columbus STEM & Arts Expo Registration (11.8.26)

Sun, Nov 8 • 12:00 PM

1560 Polaris Pkwy

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Online Events

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thursday • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Autisme online in verbinding

Wed, Nov 25 • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thursday • 6:00 PM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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Autisme online in verbinding

Wed, Nov 25 • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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This Weekend

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R.S.V.P. Rosé Shades of Pink Brunch Day Party Social

Today • 12:30 PM

Mandrake Rooftop

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Singing Bowl Workshop 103 | hOm at Radiant

Today • 2:30 PM

Radiant Yoga and Wellness

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80s &. 90s Hip Hop and R&B Sip&Paint

Today • 4:30 PM

Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce

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Ultimate K-Pop Party: Music, Dancing & Fun!

Today • 2:00 PM

North High Brewing - Dublin

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Like My Coffee: Season 3

Today • 7:00 PM

The Hashtag Comedy Club

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Somatic Breathwork with Seth

Today • 7:00 PM

929 Harrison Ave

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R.S.V.P. Rosé Shades of Pink Brunch Day Party Social

Today • 12:30 PM

Mandrake Rooftop

Check ticket price on event

Singing Bowl Workshop 103 | hOm at Radiant

Today • 2:30 PM

Radiant Yoga and Wellness

Check ticket price on event

80s &. 90s Hip Hop and R&B Sip&Paint

Today • 4:30 PM

Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce

Check ticket price on event

Ultimate K-Pop Party: Music, Dancing & Fun!

Today • 2:00 PM

North High Brewing - Dublin

Check ticket price on event

Like My Coffee: Season 3

Today • 7:00 PM

The Hashtag Comedy Club

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Somatic Breathwork with Seth

Today • 7:00 PM

929 Harrison Ave

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Frequently asked questions about Columbus

Where are the best venues for comedy shows in Columbus?

The Attic Comedy Club in Olde Towne East provides an intimate setting for stand-up, improv, and roast battles. For a different style, Shadowbox Live in the Brewery District blends sketch comedy and rock music into unique stage productions, offering a full night of entertainment.

Are there any free events in Columbus, OH?

Columbus Commons in the heart of downtown hosts over 200 free events annually, including concerts and fitness classes. Additionally, the annual ComFest in Goodale Park is a large, non-corporate community festival with local music and art that is always free to attend.

What are the best neighborhoods for art events?

The Short North Arts District is a primary hub, known for its monthly Gallery Hop event. For a more concentrated artist-studio experience, the Franklinton Arts District hosts Franklinton Fridays, where local galleries and workshops open their doors to the public.

What are some popular date night ideas in Columbus?

A classic date night could involve exploring the brick-lined streets of German Village before seeing a performance downtown. The area's historic theaters like the Palace Theatre host touring shows, while many nearby restaurants offer pre-show dinner.

Where can I find live music events?

Newport Music Hall on High Street is a staple for national touring rock acts, hosting regular live music events. For a different vibe, the historic Lincoln Theatre on the Near East Side is a landmark venue presenting a variety of jazz, soul, and international artists.

What kinds of family-friendly activities are available?

The North Market Downtown offers a great daytime outing where families can explore diverse food vendors. For outdoor fun, Columbus Commons provides ample green space and a schedule of public programming suitable for all ages, from movies to concerts.

How can I experience the local food and drink scene?

Food halls like Budd Dairy Food Hall and East Market offer a way to sample multiple local chefs in one spot, often hosting special food events. For fresh produce and local goods, seasonal farmers' markets such as the Pearl Market provide a taste of the region.

Which Columbus neighborhoods have the most active nightlife?

The Short North Arts District is known for its high-energy nightlife with many bars and late-night spots. For a more relaxed evening with craft breweries and unique bars in historic buildings, the Brewery District is another excellent destination.

After 8pm

Nail Bite / Strange Culture

Reggaeton Paradise | Columbus | Pre-Halloween Edition | 18+

ORANGE SODA - 2000s HipHop and R&B Dance Party HALLOWEEN EDITION

FEATURING R&B PRESENTS: THE 100% R&B PARTY

Nail Bite / Strange Culture

Reggaeton Paradise | Columbus | Pre-Halloween Edition | 18+

ORANGE SODA - 2000s HipHop and R&B Dance Party HALLOWEEN EDITION

FEATURING R&B PRESENTS: THE 100% R&B PARTY

Popular in Columbus

AI Rising Conference: Beyond the Hype

Fall Kickoff 3.0

Pursuit 15th Anniversary & Loft Grand Opening

VOLUME UP SUMMIT 2026

Summit on Sustainability

Excellence Black Tie Weekend 26'

Columbus Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Greater KidsLinked Columbus STEM & Arts Expo Registration (11.8.26)

AI Rising Conference: Beyond the Hype

Fall Kickoff 3.0

Pursuit 15th Anniversary & Loft Grand Opening

VOLUME UP SUMMIT 2026

Summit on Sustainability

Excellence Black Tie Weekend 26'

Columbus Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Greater KidsLinked Columbus STEM & Arts Expo Registration (11.8.26)

Online Events

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Lean Global Connection 2026

Autisme online in verbinding

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Lean Global Connection 2026

Autisme online in verbinding

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

This Weekend

R.S.V.P. Rosé Shades of Pink Brunch Day Party Social

Singing Bowl Workshop 103 | hOm at Radiant

80s &. 90s Hip Hop and R&B Sip&Paint

Ultimate K-Pop Party: Music, Dancing & Fun!

Like My Coffee: Season 3

Somatic Breathwork with Seth

R.S.V.P. Rosé Shades of Pink Brunch Day Party Social

Singing Bowl Workshop 103 | hOm at Radiant

80s &. 90s Hip Hop and R&B Sip&Paint

Ultimate K-Pop Party: Music, Dancing & Fun!

Like My Coffee: Season 3

Somatic Breathwork with Seth

Points of Interest near Columbus

Where are the best venues for comedy shows in Columbus?

Are there any free events in Columbus, OH?

What are the best neighborhoods for art events?

What are some popular date night ideas in Columbus?

Where can I find live music events?

What kinds of family-friendly activities are available?

How can I experience the local food and drink scene?

Which Columbus neighborhoods have the most active nightlife?