School is out and summer is here! Getting out of the house to spend time with friends and family in warmer months doesn’t have to break the bank. Check out our recommendations for free summer fun in Columbus below!
Movies
Beer Garden Movie Series
Land-Grant Brewing | Tuesdays
Land-Grant’s Beer Garden Movie Series kicks off the summer on May 24 featuring a lineup that has a little something for everyone. Call at 313-LG-MOVIE (313-546-6843) to hear the upcoming flick for the week or request to join this private Facebook group for all the details.
Movies by Moonlight
Easton | Tuesdays in June, 8:45 p.m.
Easton’s summer outdoor movie series features favorites for the whole family! Each family unit will be required to sit in a designated social-distancing circle on the town square. Check out the lineup here.
Free Movie Nights at Columbus Commons
View The Lion King on June 24 and Sing 2 on July 22 on a huge movie screen! Learn more here.
Music
Upper Arlington Music in the Parks
Various locations | Thursday evenings
Find upcoming events and registration information here.
Easton Unplugged
Easton | Thursday evenings
Enjoy Easton’s new acoustic concert series on The Yard in the lifestyle center’s newest district, located near Forbidden Root, The Beeline Bar and more. Line-ups and more information can be found here.
Land-Grant Brewing Music Series
Land-Grant Brewing | Thursdays, 6 p.m. and Sundays, 3:30 p.m.
Head over to Land-Grant’s Beer Garden to hear local artists every Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon, weather permitting. Check out upcoming performances here.
Live @ Polaris
Polaris Fashion Place | Thursdays, 6:45 p.m.
From June 3 – Aug. 26, enjoy live music at the parking lot near the flag poles at the main entrance of Polaris Fashion Place. Find the full concert series lineup here.
Music on the Lawn
Grandview Heights Public Library | Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Grandview's Music on the Lawn series is back for its 36th season of free music ranging from funk, folk, blues, and soul. Each week will also offer a different food truck courtesy of the Central Ohio Food Truck Association, purchases from which will partially benefit the library. Find the full line-up of music and food here.
Free Summer Concerts
Columbus Commons | Various dates and times
Free summer concerts are back at The Columbus Commons, featuring local favorites Sheryl Crow, Saved by the 90s, Navigators and more. Food and beverage vendors open at 6 p.m. with music beginning at 7 p.m. Find out more information, including parking and permissible items, here.
Fitness
Fitness at the Commons
Columbus Commons | Wednesdays, 12 pm, 5:30 & 6:30
Each Wednesday from May to September, there will be free fitness classes at the Columbus Commons thanks to United Healthcare and Seven Studios. The evening will start with Cardio and end with Yoga.
Yoga on the Square
Easton | Fridays, 8:30 a.m.
Start your Fridays off right with a free yoga class on Easton’s Town Square, just south of Brio. This introductory class is taught by instructors from Life Time Fitness Easton and is open to anyone ages 13 and older on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more here.
Yoga at the Market
Worthington | Saturdays
Do good for your mind, body and being by enjoying the benefits of yoga, while visiting the Worthington Farmers Market! Classes are free and open to everyone, regardless of ability.
Outdoors
Columbus has ample opportunities for fun in the sun! Get outdoors at any of its 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
- Batelle Darby Creek Metro Park : See bison roam freely
- Hayden Run Metro Park: Find the 30-foot waterfall nestled in the busy suburb of 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 its beauty!
Attractions
When the rain comes, the fun doesn’t have to end. Consider free entry offerings from one of these cultural arts institutions:
- Wexner Center for the Arts : Always free for everyone
- Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum and Library : Always free for everyone
- Columbus Museum of Art : Free on Sundays