COLUMBUS, Ohio—Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to summer and Experience Columbus, the destination marketing organization for the Columbus region, is launching a new campaign inviting visitors and locals alike to enjoy a season packed with milestone anniversaries, major sporting events and nationally acclaimed festivals. 

“Research shows that several things are affecting summer travel plans this year, from rising gas prices to economic uncertainty and that travelers are shifting their plans closer to home or opting for domestic trips over international ones,” said Sarah Townes, ECI, chief marketing and innovation officer at Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. “With major festivals nearly every weekend, walkable neighborhoods and award-winning attractions, Columbus offers a perfect stateside summer getaway.”  

Recognized as one the best big cities in the U.S. and one of the friendliest cities by Condé Nast Traveler readers and one of America’s next great food cities by Food & Wine, Columbus continues to gain national attention as a must-visit destination. This summer, the city’s culinary scene will continue to evolve with the highly anticipated opening of Amara, a Mediterranean restaurant along the Scioto Mile riverfront from acclaimed chef Josh Dalton of Veritas, recently named one of USA TODAY’s Best Restaurants for 2026. Combined with praise from USA TODAY 10Best, including COSI being named the nation’s No. 1 science museum, and Experience Columbus’ new Columbus Welcome Center in the heart of the Short North Arts District, Columbus is poised for a standout summer season. 
 

Major Milestones Shape the Summer 

From iconic institutions to world-class sporting events, Columbus is celebrating milestone moments all summer long with limited-time experiences, commemorative collaborations and special programming. 
 
the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday celebrates its 50th anniversary June 1–7 as it brings many of the world’s top golfers back to Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin. Tournament week will also include a special Gallery Hop Putting Challenge at the Columbus Welcome Center in the Short North Arts District on Saturday, June 6, from 4–8 p.m., where guests can test their putting skills for the chance to win prizes. Later in the summer, golf greatness continues as Scioto Country Club hosts the U.S. Senior Open July 2–5. 
 
Golf isn’t the only sport being celebrated this summer. Columbus is proud to be the official base camp of the Ecuador Men's National Soccer Team and is celebrating the FIFA World Cup with several community wide watch parties. Columbus Crew will host a Soccer Celebration across Central Ohio June 12 through July 19 with watch parties at Bridge Park in Dublin, Columbus Commons Downtown, Land-Grant Brewing Company in Franklinton and Chase Plaza at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Fans can cheer on Ecuador during a friendly between the team and Guatemala on Sunday, June 7 at 4 p.m. Eastern.  
 
Columbus’ milestone-filled summer will be celebrated during the latest season of Experience Columbus’ yes, Columbus podcast, created in partnership with iHeart Radio. New episodes, available now on Experience Columbus’s website, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts and YouTube, feature deep dives into the people, places and anniversaries helping define the city’s story. Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts. 
 

Signature Festivals Return 

Summer festival season once again brings hundreds of thousands of visitors and locals together. The Columbus Arts Festival returns for its 64th year June 12–14, transforming the Downtown riverfront into a celebration of visual art, live performances and interactive experiences. The following weekend, Stonewall Columbus Pride returns June 19–20 and is expected to draw more than 700,000 attendees for one of the Midwest’s largest Pride celebrations, centered around this year’s theme, “Until We’re All Free.” The Columbus Book Festival is back for a third year July 11-12 at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Library and features a lineup of more than 200 authors, panel discussions, a marketplace and more.  
 
Closing out the summer season is CBUS Soul® Fest, shifting this year to Labor Day weekend Sept. 5-6. The festival features live music, local food vendors and celebrations of Black culture and creativity in Bicentennial Park Downtown.  
 

America 250 Celebrations in Central Ohio 

Finally, as America commemorates its 250th anniversary, Columbus will serve as a major hub for statewide celebrations and community events throughout the summer. Red, White & BOOM! returns Friday, July 3, bringing the Midwest’s largest fireworks display back Downtown alongside a parade, street festival and live entertainment. 
 
The celebration continues July 4 with Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnic, a free, multi-venue experience spanning the Ohio Statehouse grounds, Ohio Theatre and Columbus Commons. Programming throughout the day includes live music, family activities and free screenings of “Cars” and “Forrest Gump” at the Ohio Theatre. The evening concludes with a Columbus Symphony performance and more fireworks at Columbus Commons. While admission is free, registration is required for the concert.  
 
To learn more about how to make the most of the summer in Columbus, visit ExperienceColumbus.com/Summer.   

About Columbus 

Did you know Columbus is a top 10 best big city in the U.S. and one of the friendliest cities in the country according to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards and one of Food & Wine’s Next Great American Food Cities? Yes, Columbus. Columbus is bold, welcoming and forward-thinking. Home to world-class museums and attractions, historic and unique neighborhoods like the Short North Arts District, historic German Village and the Arena District — where four professional sports teams live on one street — Columbus has so much to offer. Visitors can learn what awaits in the 15th largest city in the country and Ohio’s capital by visiting www.ExperienceColumbus.com and following Experience Columbus on Instagram: @ExperienceColumbus, Facebook: @ExperienceColumbus, Threads: @ExperienceColumbus and TikTok: @ExperienceColumbus. 

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Media Contacts:
Leah Berger, APR, ECI: lberger@experiencecolumbus.com | 614-222-6145
Cameron Walker, ECI: cwalker@experiencecolumbus.com | 614-222-6146