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! 

MoviesLarge video screen at the Land-Grant Beer Garden

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

Columbus Commons | June 24 & July 22

View The Lion King on June 24 and Sing 2 on July 22 on a huge movie screen! Learn more here.

Music

Musician playing keyboards and singing into microphone at the Columbus Arts Festival

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.

FitnessEaston Physically Distant Yoga on the Square

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

The Columbus Park of Roses in Clintonville

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

Close up of artwork with patrons in background at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum

When the rain comes, the fun doesn’t have to end. Consider free entry offerings from one of these cultural arts institutions: