If you’re looking for fantastic live theater, you don’t need to go all the way to New York or The West End. Columbus has its own thriving theater community, including independent theaters, historic venues, and larger touring shows.
Columbus is home to world-class dance companies, multiple symphonies, The Columbus Opera, and many venues for live music and comedy. Mark your calendars, because you won't want to miss these upcoming performances for the 2025 fall season – including some festive and spooky delights!
The Ohio Theatre. Source: CAPA.
The Ohio Theatre
This historic venue holds 2,791 guests in complete opulence, including a giant chandelier and red velvet seats. For those who have little ones, booster seats are available along with two nursing stations. Complimentary wheelchairs are also provided upon request.
Where:
39 E State St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
Beethoven 5, September 26 & September 28
Scheherazade, October 3 & 5
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child presented by PNC Broadway Columbus, October 12-October 26
OC All-Star Masterclass Concert, November 6
Jaws in Concert, November 7
Messiah, November 14- November 16
Some Like It Hot, November 18- November 23
The Riffe Center Theatre. Source: Author Photo.
The Riffe Center Theatre Complex
The Riffe Theatre houses three different studio-style theaters, located on the third floor of the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts in downtown Columbus. Booster seats and sensory bags are available upon request, in addition to complimentary wheelchairs.
Where:
77 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
The RESET: An Immersive Sound Healing Experience with Davin Youngs, September 21
Mariachi Herencia de México, September 28
Alice by Heart presented by The Contemporary Theater of Ohio, September 4- September 21
Simply the Best: The Music of Tina Turner, September 19 & 20
George Janko: MAN ON WATER Tour, September 26
Sheng Wang, September 27
Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance, September 30
Nurse Blake: But Did You Die? Comedy Tour, October 5
An Evening with Samin Nosrat, October 10
HOW?! The Magic Show, October 11
REMI REMI REMI, October 17-October 25
The Roommate, October 30–November 16
A Heart-Pumping Evening with Reed Timmer: America’s Most Famous Storm Chaser, November 2
Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars, November 4
Chelcie Lynn: The Loose Lips Tour, November 13
Henry Cho: The Empty Nest Tour, November 14
Shaun Cassidy: The Road To Us, November 15
Home Free: Let Me Come Home Tour, November 22
The Lincoln Theatre. Source: CAPA.
The Lincoln Theatre
The Lincoln Theatre, located on the east side of Columbus, is a historical landmark in African-American and jazz history. The theater focuses on sharing culture with diverse communities through multi-ethnic, multi-generational, and multi-purpose arts and education. Complimentary wheelchairs are available, along with assistive listening devices with a valid photo I.D.
Where:
769 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43203
What:
Wine Down Wednesdays: Cedric Easton, September 17
Celebrating Rahsaan Roland Kirk, September 18
A Handful of Keys, October 2
Día de los Niños (Day of the Children), October 5
Steve Gonsalves LIVE: A Life with Ghosts, October 10
The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, October 22
Tab Benoit, October 24
Samantha Bee: How to Survive Menopause, October 25
An Exclusive Evening with Jon Schmidt: Solo Piano Tour, November 7
Reza Rohani & Sara Naeini Live in Columbus, November 8
Girls Night: The Musical, November 30
The Short North Stage. Source: Author photo.
The Short North Stage/Garden Theatre
The Short North Stage operates as an intimate professional theater company in the Short North Arts District’s historic Garden Theatre. This Midwestern hub for live art has three venues, including a black box stage and Ethel’s Stage Left Lounge, where patrons can visit their full bar.
Where:
1187 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
What:
American Idiot, September 4-September 28
The Rocky Horror Show, October 16-November 1
The Wiz, November 20-December 28
A Christmas Carol, November 28-November 30
The Southern Theatre. Source: CAPA.
The Southern Theatre
The Southern Theatre is one of the oldest surviving theatres in the whole state of Ohio. Since its opening in 1896, the theater has hosted touring productions, shown silent films and motion pictures, and now presents dance, music reviews, and other art-focused events in Columbus. Listening devices are available upon request, along with sensory bags with a valid photo I.D.
Where:
21 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
The Second City 65th Anniversary Show, September 4
All-Star Vegas starring Piff the Magic Dragon, September 10
Chris Fleming, September 11
Rappaccini's Daughter, September 19 & 21
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare®: Hamlet, October 4
Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny, October 8
Rhapsody in Blue, October 10-October 12
Sasha Colby: Stripped II, October 14
The Psychology of Cults A Live Event, October 22
Voces8, October 25
Soweto Gospel Choir: Peace, October 29
Colin Hay, November 2
Steve Hackett - Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo, November 3
Re-Animator: 40th Anniversary Screening and Q&A, November 12
Collin Raye with special guest SJ McDonald, November 13
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox – Magic, Moonlight and Mistletoe Tour, November 19
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show, November 20
The Palace Theatre. Source: CAPA.
The Palace Theatre
This historic venue is a restored movie palace designed in the style of France’s Palais de Versailles, seating 2,695 patrons at the base of the LeVeque-Lincoln Tower. Complimentary wheelchairs are available upon request, in addition to booster seats, listening devices, and sensory bags with a valid photo ID.
Where:
34 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
"Weird Al" Yankovic: The Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour, September 14
Avatar the Last Airbender in Concert: The 20th Anniversary Tour, September 16
The Basement Yard: From The Basement to the World Tour, September 18
Kurtis Conner: The Goodfellow World Tour, September 20
The Witcher in Concert, October 2
Stardew Valley: Symphony of Seasons, October 7
Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, October 10
An Evening with David Sedaris, October 14
Dream Theater: Parasomnia Tour, October 18
Max Amini Live in Columbus!, October 28
PlayStation™: The Concert, November 2
An Evening With Joe Bonamassa, November 3
Black Violin Full Circle Tour, November 14
Ninja Kidz Live: Infinite Possibilities, November 15
A Drag Queen Christmas, November 21
Twilight in Concert, November 28
Los Tigres del Norte, November 29
Champions Of Magic: Holiday Spectacular, November 12
Source: Columbus Children's Theater.
Columbus Children’s Theater
The Columbus Children’s Theater (CCT) brings the arts to children through family-friendly programming. CCT promotes theater access to families and communities who may not have regular opportunities to enjoy live theatre, and provides regular theater classes and educational programs to children.
Where:
177 E Naghten St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
In the Land of Oz Immersive Halloween Experience, September 26-November 2
MadLab
MadLab is a nonprofit black box theater located in downtown Columbus that creates space for innovative original work. The goal is artistic experimentation without limits. MadLab premieres both original productions and hosts other Columbus-area performing groups.
Where:
227 N 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
Clowntime is Over, September 18-October 4
Source: The Ohio State University.
Wexner Center for the Arts
The Wexner Center is The Ohio State University’s contemporary lab and public gallery for exploratory art and live performances. The Center includes artistic residencies, educational programming, and art exhibits for students and the larger Columbus community.
Where:
1871 N High St, Columbus, OH 43210
What:
Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, September 18
A World of Music Jazz Series, September 18
Mark Lomax II (World Premiere), October 2
The Old Man and the Sea, presented by the Wexner Center, Opera Columbus, and Ohio State’s Office of Academic Affairs, October 10
Wanjiru Kamuyu, October 22
Marion Ramirez and Ojeya Cruz Banks, November 5
Doug Varone and Dancers, November 21
Source: Shadowbox Live
Shadowbox Live
Shadowbox stands as a collaborative theater and dinner space with live performances and music, including sketch comedy, tributes, metamedia productions, original art, and full musical theater works.
Where:
503 S Front St #260, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
Freakshow, September 4 - November 15
Sleepy Hollow, September 7 - November 16
Source: Imagine Productions of Columbus.
Imagine Productions of Columbus
Imagine is a theater group in Columbus with a history of inclusive performances, allyship, and artistic partnerships in the community. Based in the Columbus Performing Arts Center, the community theater nonprofit gives back while hosting a variety of plays and musicals each year.
Where:
144 N Wall St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
RENT, November 7-November 16
Continue to follow us for more live art and culture events, and be sure to follow CAPA, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and CBUSArts for all upcoming shows and art exhibitions in Columbus!
