Free Attractions in Columbus
Consider free entry offerings from one of these cultural arts institutions.
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Wexner Center for the Arts | Free Admission Daily: The Wexner Center for the Arts is one of the nation’s premier cultural gems - an internationally-known contemporary arts center at The Ohio State University. The Center offers exhibitions, performances, films, artistic residencies and educational programs. Wexner Center for the Arts offers free admission daily.
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Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum and Library | Free Admission Daily: The Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum featuring rotating exhibitions from artists across the country and offering free admission to guests. The library (open by appointment) allows you to examine a complete history of comics in its archives.
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Columbus Museum of Art | Free Admission for Ages 25 and Under & on Thursday Evenings, Sundays: The Columbus Museum of Art offers free admission every Sunday (entry does not include access to special exhibitions). Enjoy the Museum's permanent collection and experience hands-on art activities for kids with a visit to The Wonder Room.
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Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Community Days: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens offers free general admission to Columbus and Franklin County residents on the first Sunday of every month (June 7, July 5 and August 2 this summer). *Please bring proof of residency to take advantage of this offer!
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Ohio Statehouse | Free Tours: Visit the Ohio Statehouse for a free guided tour. Tours begin at 10 am and end with the final tour at 3 pm. The Ohio Statehouse is open daily except on holidays. Please call in advance to schedule tours for 10 or more participants. Learn more.
Free Events in Columbus
Columbus' annual festival lineup "wows" crowds year after year. Here are some free events to check out this summer in the city.
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Columbus Arts Festival | June 12-14: Visit one of the most highly acclaimed arts festivals in the nation this June! Columbus Arts Festival will feature 230 visual artists, four performing arts stages and dozens of food options. Read 8 Reasons You Should Attend the Arts Festival and plan your visit.
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Stonewall Columbus Pride | June 19-20: Drawing more than 700,000 people each year, Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March is one of the highlights of the season. Come see why this free event was named among the top pride festivals in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler and read our Ultimate Guide to Columbus Pride.
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Red, White & BOOM! | July 3: Celebrate Independence Day in a big way this year at Red, White & BOOM! Taking place on the Scioto Riverfront, enjoy a parade, great food options, live music and the best fireworks show in the Midwest. Read Everything You Need to Know About Red, White & BOOM!
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Columbus Book Festival | July 11-12: Celebrate all things literary at the Columbus Book Festival. Now in its second year, The Columbus Book Festival includes book signings from your favorite authors, panel discussions, food and so much more fun at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. Learn more.
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CBUS Soul® Fest | Sept. 4-5: Celebrate Columbus' vibrant Black culture and history during CBUS Soul® Fest. Learn more about CBUS Soul and plan to attend the festival in September!
Want more? See a full list of summer events here.
Free Movies in Columbus
Summer movie series are a Columbus staple and this season is packed full of free screenings of your favorite shows.
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Free Movie Nights at Columbus Commons: Watch some of your favorite PG flicks under the stars this summer at Columbus Commons. Screening movies like Aladdin, Zootopia 2 and Elemental, Columbus Commons welcomes your family to enjoy for free. Get the details and find more free family fun.
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Upper Arlington's Movies in the Parks Series: Grab your lawn chair and join the City of Upper Arlington this summer for free Movies in the Parks! Screening your favorites like 8-Bit Christmas and Little Giants, you won't want to miss these fun opportunities for making memories. Learn more.
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Trivia and A Movie Tuesdays at Land-Grant: Happening Tuesday evenings throughout the summer in their Beer Garden, Land-Grant pairs two of our favorite things: Trivia and Movies, for FREE. Find the dates and film lineup.
Free Live Music in Columbus
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Groove is at The Yard | Easton: Grab a seat on a nearby patio or bring your lawn chair every Thursday, May through September at The Yard. These acoustic performances are the perfect way to kick off your free weekend fun. See the lineup and plan your visit today.
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Music on the Lawn | Grandview Heights Public Library: Enjoy free summer concerts every Tuesday in June and July from 7 - 8 pm. Enjoy tasty local food from the Central Ohio Food Truck Association's members. Find more information here.
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Free Concerts and Live Music | Columbus Commons: Columbus Downtown Inc. is offering a free concert this summer, featuring Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers on August 15. Also, this summer is the Local + Live Concert Series, select days from May through August at Columbus Commons. See the lineup.
Free Fitness in Columbus
Staying fit this summer in Columbus doesn't have to break the bank. Enjoy these free fitness opportunities all season long in the city.
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Free Fitness Classes | Columbus Commons: Featuring four classes per week in the evenings, May through September, find your fit at Columbus Commons this summer. Learn more.
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Yoga on the Square | Easton Town Center: Start your Friday mornings off with a little Zen at Easton Town Center. Classes are for anyone 13+ and are introductory level, focusing on strength, conditioning and flexibility. More information to be announced.
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Free Kayak Days at The Scioto Mile: Paddle along the river with Free Kayak Days courtesy of Columbus Downtown Inc., on July 11-12. Learn more.
Free Outdoor Activities in Columbus
Columbus has ample opportunities for free fun in the sun! Get outdoors at any of our many unique metro parks. Here are some of the things to look forward to:
- Scioto Audubon Metro Park: Check out the world’s largest free outdoor climbing wall or the quarter-mile Columbus Rotary Obstacle Course.
- Quarry Trails Metro Park: Check out the only urban Via Ferrata in the U.S.
- Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park: See a herd of bison roaming freely.
- Hayden Falls Park: Find the 30-foot waterfall nestled in this bustling neighborhood near Dublin.
- Chadwick Arboretum: Uncover this 60-acre urban oasis on OSU’s campus.
- Topiary Park: Enjoy the world’s only topiary recreation of a painting.
- Park of Roses: Surround yourself with thousands of roses in one of the largest public rose gardens in the U.S.
