One of the best parts about summer in Columbus? Columbus Commons!

If you’re looking for free things to do in Columbus Ohio this summer, this downtown gem is back for 2026 with over 200 events—many of them FREE.

From concerts and food trucks to family-friendly activities and fitness classes, there’s truly something happening all season long. Whether you’re grabbing lunch at Food Truck Thursdays, dancing under the stars at a live concert, or bringing the kids for carousel rides and outdoor movie nights… this is one spot you’ll come back to again and again.

Columbus Commons Summer 2026 Highlights

✨ 200+ free events
🎬 Family movie nights
🎶 Free concerts
🛝 Kids programming every week
🌮 Food trucks + farmers market
💪 Free fitness classes
💦 Splash pad + downtown fun

FREE Concert You Don’t Want to Miss

Common Ground Concert (FREE 🎉)

• 📅 August 15, 2026
• 🎤 Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers
• 📍 Columbus Commons

✔️ Free to attend
✔️ Tickets REQUIRED
✔️ Tickets released July 15 (early access July 14)
👉 Set a reminder—this will go fast!

New for 2026

Downtown Columbus Farmers Market

• Fresh produce + local vendors
• Thursdays | 11 AM – 2 PM (May 7 – Sept 24)
• 📍 Columbus Commons

“Heartscape” Art Installation

• 12-foot colorful installation
• Located at High Street entrance
• Coming summer 2026

Pickleball Courts (FREE Play!)

• Opening summer 2026
• 8 courts at The Peninsula

Daily Things to Do at Columbus Commons

Free Carousel Rides

• Daily | 11 AM – 7 PM (April 20 – Sept 30)

Food + Treats

• Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
• Tortilla Street Food
• Hours: Monday – Wednesday , 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Monday , April 20 – September

Weekly Events at Columbus Commons

Best Events for Kids & Families

Commons for Kids

• Fridays | 10 AM – 1 PM (June 5 – Aug 14)
• Inflatables, crafts, face painting
• See the list of themes and featured activities each week here.
• One of the best free kids activities in Columbus

Family Movie Nights

• 7 PM start
• Free popcorn while supplies last
• June 5 : Aladdin , June 26 : Zootopia 2 , July 1 0 : Up , Aug . 21 : Elemental , Sept. 18 : Shrek

Free Play Days

• Tues + Thurs | 11 AM – 4 PM
• Giant blocks, parachutes, soccer balls

Food + Midday Events

Taco Tuesday

• Tuesdays | 11 AM – 2 PM
• Eat tacos and more from your favorite Latin food trucks paired with live music in the Bosque.

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Breakfast at the Commons

• Wednesdays | 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Food Truck Food Court

• Thursdays | 11 AM – 2 PM
• 10+ trucks + live music + farmers market

Free Fitness + Activities

Free Fitness Classes

• Tuesdays – HIIT by Quality Wellness Performance & Coaching
• Wednesdays – Yoga by RawYoga614
• All skill levels
• Sign up for class updates here

Kickball Leagues

• Mon + Tues evenings
• Registration required
• See Details Here

Live Music + Special Series

Local + Live Concert Series

All start times at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Summer calls for live music, drinks, and local markets. Find it all at the Local + Live concert series

• Friday , May 22 – The Navigators , a charity concert benefiting Families Flourish
• Sunday, May 24 – Shadowbox Live Presents: Women of Rock
• Saturday , June 6 – JoyFest, featuring Honey and Blue, Blucone and Lungu Vybz , 1 p.m .
  • Presented in partnership with Zora’s House B e sure to check out the Woman – of – Color – Owned Vendor Market while you enjoy the show !
• Thursday, Aug . 27 – Back to School Night , featuring live music performances by the students of the Fort Hayes Music Program and Joey Aich
• Friday, Sept . 4 – The Dead Revival Band with the Groove Brothers Band: A Celebration of The Allman Brothers, including custom projections by local digital arts collective, ReMix

Black Flix & Chill

• Presented in partnership with Black Flix & Chill Cbus
• Enjoy a movie on the lawn with f ree popcorn while supplies last. Bring a blanket or chair and grab a drink from the bar . Stay tuned for a chance to vote for the movies you want to watch!
• Thurs day , July 23, Sat urday , Aug. 29, Fri day , Sept. 1 1 | 7 p.m.

Sunset Movie Series (October)

• Thursdays in October | 7 p.m.
• Enjoy a Halloween – themed movie on the lawn with free popcorn while supplies last. Bring a blanket or chair and grab a drink from the bar . Bar and food truck open at 6 p.m. Movie starts at 7 p.m.
• Oct. 1 : Wicked for Good, Oct. 8 : Ghostbusters, Oct . 15 : Beetlejuice, Oct. 22 : The Craft, Oct. 29 : The Sixth Sense

One-Day Events You Should Plan For

• Family Fun Day
  • Saturday, May 23 | 12 p .m. to 4 p.m.
  • Find giant inflatables, face painting, crafts , live music, and more activities . Down the street , cool off at FountainFest featuring the Scioto Mile Fountain and more free activities.
• Harvest Fair
  • Saturday, Sept. 12 | 12 p.m. to 4 p.m
  • Enjoy fall – themed family fun including giant inflatables , a pumpkin patch, a live petting – zoo, face painting, live music, crafts and more

More Free Downtown Columbus Events

Scioto Mile Fountain

• Daily | 11 AM – 7 PM (May 22 – Sept 7)
• Perfect for hot summer days
• Scioto Mile Fountain Sensory Friendly Hours
  • When: Mondays , May 25 – Sept . 7 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Where: Bicentennial Park, 233 S Civic Center Dr.
  • Enjoy the fountain with reduced loud, sudden sounds and music. All ages welcome

Dorrian Green Events

• Tuesdays | June–Aug
• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m
• 50 South Belle St, just out front of COSI
• Find free family fun , including giant inflatables, games, a themed activity station, a food tru c k , and the Dorrian Green water feature.

Free Kayak Days

• July 11 and July 12
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• First come, first served
• Boat launch under the Main Street bridge, near Bicentennial Park

Downtown Fitness Classes

• In partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks. Sign up here for updates.
• When: June 1 – September 28
• Schedule:
  • Mondays
    • 6:15 PM – Mat Pilates
  • • 7:15 PM – Yoga by 614FitClub (Bicentennial Park)
    Thursdays
    • 6:15 PM – HIIT
  • • 7:15 PM – Yoga by Quality Wellness (pop-up locations TBA)
    Sundays
    • 10:15 AM – Mat Pilates
    • 11:15 AM – Yoga by 614FitClub (The Peninsula)

NEW! Art in the Park

• In partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks
• When: Last Sunday of the month | 1–3 PM | June – September
• Where: Topiary Garden at Deaf School Park: 480 E Town St
• Learn a new craft each month
  • Activities include:
    • Terrarium building
    • Painting
    • Crocheting
    • And more

NEW! Downtown Silent Disco Series

• In partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks
• When: 6–8 PM
• Where + Dates:
  • May 28 – Topiary Garden at Deaf School Park
  • July 23 – Lazarus Building Galleria
  • September 3 – 88 High Water Alley
• Dance your way through multiple music stations
  • Features chart-toppers + popular hits
  • Set at different outdoor locations around Downtown

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Street Beats

• When: May – September (times vary)
• Where: Various Downtown locations
• Live musicians throughout Downtown
  • Locations include:
    • Gay Street
    • Columbus Commons
    • The Peninsula
    • And more

Parking Info

• Main Garage: 55 E Rich St
  • Parking here supports all the free programming!
• Columbus Commons Underground Garage: 191 S. Third Street
• On-Street Parking (Free on Sundays)

This is easily one of our favorite free things to do in Columbus Ohio in the summer. Some days it’s a quick stop for carousel rides and lunch, other days it turns into a full afternoon with the kids, and sometimes even a movie night or concert to end the day. It’s just one of those places that makes summer feel fun and easy and we always end up coming back more than we planned.