One of the best parts about summer in Columbus? Columbus Commons! This downtown gem is back with over 200 events this season—many of them FREE—offering everything from concerts and food festivals to family-friendly activities and fitness classes. Whether you’re looking to grab a bite at Food Truck Thursdays, dance under the stars at a live concert, or bring the family for carousel rides and outdoor movies, there’s something for everyone!
Here’s a breakdown of what you can look forward to at Columbus Commons in 2025:
Must-See Events at Columbus Commons
Free Common Ground Concert: Nelly Comes to Columbus!
📅 July 20, 2025
🎶 Headliner: Nelly – 3x Grammy-winning rapper
🎟️ Tickets Required (Free, released June 25 at 10 a.m.) Ticket releases are on a first come, first-served basis and they expect that they will be claimed quickly.
Tip: Subscribers to the Columbus Commons newsletter can access early ticket release on June 24—sign up now!
Daily Fun & Food
🎠 Free Carousel Rides – April 17 – Sept. 30, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
🍦 Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams & Tortilla Street Food – Open daily (hours vary). They open for the 2025 season on April 17. More information here.
Recurring Weekly Events
🥎 Kickball Nights – Mondays & Tuesdays, 5:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. (April – October) Register here.
⚽ Free Play – Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (May – October)
🧘 Free Fitness Classes – HIIT on Tuesdays, Yoga on Wednesdays (May 6 – Sept. 30)
🌮 Taco Tuesday – First Tuesday of each month, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 6 – Oct. 7)
☕ Breakfast at the Commons – Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (May 7 – Oct. 29)
🚚 Food Truck Thursdays – Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (May 1 – Oct. 30)
Family-Friendly Fun
🎉 Commons for Kids (Free!) – Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (June 6 – Aug. 8) Every Friday, kids of all ages can enjoy hands-on educational activities that align with the theme of the week. See the weekly themes here.
🎥 Friday Family Movie Nights – 7 p.m. (May 9 – Sept. 5)
- May 9: Finding Nemo
- June 20: Inside Out
- July 18: Surf’s Up
- August 1: Tangled
- September 5: Moana
Live Music & Movie Nights
🎶 Local + Live Concert Series – Various dates, 6 p.m. (Free!)
- May 23: Led Zeppelin & Pink Floyd Tribute
- June 8: Parker Louis & The Deeptones
- July 31: MojoFlo Beyoncé Show
- August 29: The Dead Revival Band – Allman Brothers Tribute
- August 31: Shadowbox Live – Aerosmith & Van Halen Tribute
- September 26: The Navigators
🎬 Sunset Movie Series – Thursdays in October, 7 p.m.
- Oct 2: Goosebumps
- Oct 9: Hocus Pocus
- Oct 16: The Goonies
- Oct 23: Wicked
- Oct 30: The Nightmare Before Christmas
One-Time Special Events
🌟 Free Family Fun Day – May 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Inflatables, face painting, crafts, and live entertainment!) RSVP on Facebook.
🎃 Free Harvest Fair – September 6, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and fall-themed fun!) RSVP on Facebook.
🐶 Free Howl-O-Ween – October 18, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. (A dog-friendly Halloween celebration!) RSVP on Facebook.
Plan Your Visit!
📍 Location: Columbus Commons, Downtown Columbus – 160 S High St, Columbus Ohio 43215
⏰ Hours: Open Daily, 7 am – 11 pm, (Closed on Holidays)
🅿️ Columbus Commons Main Garage: 55 E. Rich Street, Columbus Commons Underground Garage: 191 S. Third Street or On-Street Parking. More information here.
🌎 More Info: Columbus Commons Website
📆 Stay Updated: Subscribe to the Columbus Commons Newsletter for exclusive early access to concert tickets and event updates! You can sign up here.
Ready for an unforgettable summer? Pack a picnic, grab a blanket, and head to Columbus Commons for a season full of music, movies, food, and free fun! Hope to see you there!
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