The Best of Columbus: Free Summer Events

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School is almost out for summer! There are tons of concerts, festivals, outdoor movies and special free summer events happening in Columbus! Take a look at our list of the free summer events that we’ve rounded up and I bet you could find something going on nearly every day of the week! This is a great way to keep your kids engaged and a chance for you to have fun too!
*Be sure to use the links to confirm these events are still happening as sometimes weather and other factors cause changes. 

Ongoing Free Summer Events

*We gather many of these events into our monthly guide (Ex. Guide to the Month of May) or on the Local Events Calendar on our site so it makes it easy to view what’s happening each day. 

  • Lolli-Pops! Summer Children’s Concerts on Powell Village Green – Select Mondays, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM – interactive concerts on the lawn!
  • Music on the Lawn at Grandview Heights Public Library – Tuesdays in June and July, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM – concert on the lawn with a food truck on site!
  • Summer Stories on the Lawn at Grandview Heights Public Library – Tuesdays in June and July enjoy story hour on the lawn with fun songs too. 10:15 a.m.- 10:45 a.m. 
  • Movies by Moonlight at Easton – Tuesdays at dusk – enjoy a movie on the Town Square! 
  • Sounds on the Town Concerts at Easton – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – concert series on the Town Square!
  • Celebration at the Station at Hilliard’s Station Park- Thursdays, concerts begin at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and food trucks are available.
  • Polaris Live at Polaris Fashion Place – free concerts at the Lifestyle Center every Thursday beginning at 6:30 PM! Family-friendly activities begin at 6:00 PM.
  • Fryer Flicks on the Hill at Fryer Park – Thursdays at dusk – family friendly movies in Grove City!
  • Summer Performance Series at Coffman Park Amphitheater – various performances on Thursday nights, including a magician! 
  • Sprouts Night Out at Hilliard Station Park- Two Fridays this summer from 6:00- 8:30 p.m. enjoy bands, bubble lady, body art and so much more! 
  • Shakespeare in the Park at Schiller Park- Thursdays-Sundays at 8:00 PM – free performances of Shakespeare’s work!
  • Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts– Every Saturday, a free craft from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. No registration is required. 
  • Music and Art in the Park  at Stradley Place in Canal Winchester- Third Friday of the month May through July enjoy a free summer concert featuring art demonstrations and activities along with the music. 

  • Commons for Kids at Columbus Commons – Fridays, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – inflatables, story time, games, activities, free carousel rides and much more!
  • First Fridays in Delaware– First Friday of the month in Downtown Delaware, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – There’s a themed event, free children’s activities and businesses stay open later. 
  • 4th Fridays in Westerville – The fourth Friday in Uptown Westerville from April – September, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM- The businesses stay open later, 100+ street vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities and more.  
  • Movie Nights at the Commons– 1 movie in May, June and July at the Commons with Jeni’s ice cream and Tortilla open to purchase items! 
  • Summer Sizzle Concert Series at George Edge Music Park – Fridays, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM – family-friendly concerts in Grove City!
  • DIY Class with Kids at Home Depot– The first Saturday of the Month. Please preregister. 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
  • Rhythm on the River at Bicentennial Park – select Fridays, 7:30 PM – free concerts at the Scioto Mile!
  • Bexley Main Event on Capital University’s Main Lawn – Select Fridays, 6:30 PM – kids crafts and activities precede a family-friendly movie!
  • Creekside Live in Gahanna- 2nd & 4th Fridays in June, July and August. One band begins at 6:00 PM and the other starts at 7:30 PM.
  • Music in the Village in Shawnee Hills- every Friday night from June 8 – August 10. The band starts playing at 6:30 p.m. and will continue until 8:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Also, be sure to check with the local restaurants that offer boxed dinner specials and after concert promotions.
  • Upper Arlington Movies in the Park at Thompson Park – Select Fridays June – August bring a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars. topiary park
  • Grandview Hop – Last Saturday of the Month, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM – sidewalk merchants, live performances and more!
  • Gallery Hop – First Saturday of the month, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM – galleries and shops stay open late, sidewalk performances, special events and more!
  • Franklinton Fridays and the 400 Market – Second Friday of the month, businesses begin to open around 4 pm and the 400 Market starts at 7 pm – various activities include an art crawl, music, unique vendors and more. Check out the link to the event page as things vary each month.
  • PBJ & Jazz Concerts in Topiary Park – Select Saturdays, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM – story hour, concert and crafts in Topiary Park!goodalepark
  • Goodale Park Music Series – Sundays at 12:30 PM – live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun! This begins July 8 and will take place the following 6 Sundays. 
  • DAC Sundays at Scioto – Select Sundays, 7:00 PM – various musical tastes are represented in this series of concerts in the Scioto Park Amphitheater!
  • Powell Street Market – Select Sundays, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM – enjoy vendors and crafters, food trucks and pony rides!
  • Concerts on the Green in Worthington – Sundays at 7:00 PM – family-friendly concerts on the village green!
  • Summer Concert Series in Pickerington – Sundays at 7:00 PM – family-friendly concerts in Sycamore Park!
  • Free Concerts at Columbus Commons – several free concerts this summer at Columbus Commons!
  • Farmer’s Markets – click on the link for a list of local farmers markets listed by day!
  • Touch a Truck Events – there are several touch a truck events happening this summer.

One Time Free Summer Events and Festivals:

  • Carnival Event hosted by Credit Union of Ohio – June 8, 2018, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM – This fun and FREE event is a great opportunity to enjoy live music, food, games, prizes, a bounce house and more with friends and family. This is open to members and non-members.  Read more here: Credit Union of Ohio Free Carnival.
  • Columbus Arts Festival – June 8-10, 2018 – shop local artists, hear live music, participate in hands-on art projects, visit the Children’s Gallery and much more!
  • Creekside Jazz and Ribs Festival- Family Fun Zone– June 15 -17, 2018 at Creekside Gahanna- fun for the whole family at this 3-day event! The Family Fun Zone is free and includes games, crafts, and more. Tickets into the main festival are available for purchase. 
  • Columbus Children’s Festival at Westerville North High School – June 16, 2018, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – sports tournaments, family activities, fun zone, and more!
  • Worthington Arts Festival – June 16-17, 2018 – juried art show with live music! Celebrating their 26th year!
  • Family Day at Pizzuti Collection – June 17, 2018 – the gallery is free on this special day and families can take a guided tour, participate in art-inspired activities and more!
  • Powell Festival – June 22 & 23, 2018 – food trucks, fireworks, live bands, a Kid Zone and more!
  • Red, White & Boom – July 3, 2018 – Columbus’ 4th of July celebration including a parade, children’s park and, of course, fireworks!
  • Summer Jam Westgate – July 14, 2018 – live music, artists, food trucks and children’s activities!
  • Jazz & Rib Fest – July 20-22, 2018 – three stages of jazz music, tasty ribs for sale and activities for kids!
  • Super Hero Day at Easton – August 11, 2018, 11:00 PM – 4:00 PM – dress as your favorite superhero for this special day which includes live music, activities, and visits from your favorite superheroes.

 We hope you have fun at some of these free summer events!