If you’re looking for fantastic live theater and arena tours, you don’t need to go all the way to New York or the West End. Columbus has our own thriving theater community and concert scene, including independent theaters, historic venues, and national 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 2026 spring season!
The Ohio Theatre. Source: CAPA.
Ohio Theatre
This historic venue holds over 2,700 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:
- The Ten Tenors 30th Anniversary Tour, March 3
- Amadeus Live with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, March 6-7
- Rachmaninoff 3 with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, March 14
- The Outsiders, presented by PNC Broadway in Columbus, March 17-22
- Symphony Pride Membership, March 27
- Shostakovich 8, March 27-28
- Shucked, April 7-12
- Beethoven, Schumann, & Brahms, April 17-18
- La traviata presented by Opera Columbus, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and CAPA, April 25-26
- Orff: Triumph of Aphrodite featuring the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Chorus, and Ballet Met, May
- Hadestown, May 15-17
The Riffe Center Theatre. Source: Author Photo.
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:
- Jaja’s Hair Braiding presented by The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, March 5-22
- The Apiary at Studio Two Theatre in The Riffe Center, March 12-28
- Sounds of the City presented by the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, March 14
- For the Love of Dance!, March 20-28
- CSYO Youth Orchestra Concert, March 29
- Let's Misbehave: The Songs of Cole Porter, April 10-11
- Mozart & Schnittke, April 11-12
- Primary Trust presented by The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, April 23-May10
- La Bohème, May 13-17
Lincoln Theatre. Source: CAPA.
Lincoln Theatre
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:
- The Casey Elchert Memorial Pole Championship, March 14-15
- Backstage at The Lincoln: Honor Her, March 19
- Mae Martin: The Possum, March 22
- Sean Jones, April 9
- The Journey: Breaking Barriers, April 11
- Backstage at the Lincoln: The Sound of La'Toya, April 16
- The Boys Are Back In Town Tour, April 17
- Let's Go to the Movies, April 23-26
- Coast to Coast Tour: Colin James, Matt Andersen, & Terra Lightfoot, April 30
- Dirty Laundry, April 30-May 16
- Schooled on Poetry, May 7
- Menopause The Musical 2: Cruising Through ‘The Change’®, May 8-10
- Fleetwood Gold - AMPLIFIED!, May 22
The Short North Stage
Short North Stage
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:
- Miss Saigon, March 19-April 19
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, May 14-June 7
The Southern Theatre. Source: CAPA.
Southern Theatre
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:
- Annie presented by The Butterfly Guild of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, March 6-8
- Zarna Garg: Million Dollars Excuses, March 12
- Le Consort, March 14
- Jordan Jensen BUS-TED UP Tour, March 15
- Lucy Darling: Viva, March 16-17
- Take It To The Limit - A Tribute to The Eagles, March 18
- Hotter than That presented by the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, March 20-22
- Step Afrika! The Evolution Tour, March 25
- Adam Ray: WHO IS ME Tour, March 27
- Tom Papa: Grateful Bread Tour, March 28
- Chris D'Elia: Go For It!, April 4
- Handyman Hal Comes to Town, April 16
- Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Woodwind Quintet, April 18
- Dan Soder: The Golden Retriever of Comedy Tour, April 19
- Guys & Dolls presented by CCT, April 24-26
- The Loren Lounge, featuring the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, May 1-3
- NAKED CLASSICS: Appalachian Spring, May 15
- Copland & Shostakovich, May 16-17
- The Cooper-Bing Competition, May 17
Palace Theatre. Source: CAPA.
Palace Theatre
This historic venue is a restored movie palace designed in the style of France’s Palais de Versailles, seating over 2,600 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 I.D.
Where:
34 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- “Attack on Titan” Beyond the Walls Concert Tour - March 7
- Dirty Dancing in Concert - March 8
- Lords of the Sound “The Music of Hans Zimmer,” March 12
- Chelsea Handler: The High and Mighty Tour, March 14
- Bob Dylan: Rough And Rowdy Ways Tour, April 12
- The Temptations and The Four Tops: Celebrating 40 Years, April 16
- Bat Out of Hell - The Musical, April 19
- Il Volo In Concert, April 29
- The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight, May 1
- Morgan Jay: Goofy Guy Tour, May 2
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:
- Angelina Ballerina Sandbox Series, March 21-22 & 29
- Adventures of Frog and Toad Sandbox Series, April 18-19 & 26
- Guys & Dolls at the Southern Theatre, April 24-26
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:
- Cuffing Season: A Blind Dating Comedy Show, March 7
- The 27th Annual Theatre Roulette, March 19-April 4
The Wexner Center for the Arts | Source: The Ohio State University
The 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:
- In My Dreams presented by the Wexner Center for the Arts and The Ohio State University Office of Academic Affairs, April 2
- Day of Listening with Claire Chase Family Programming, April 12
- Counterpoints performance by The Ohio State University students, April 26
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:
- Bangers: The Best Sketch Comedy and Music of 2025, January 8-March 28
- Leather and Lace: A Music Tribute to the Women of Rock, February 1-May 22
- Dirty Talk: A Sexy Sketch Comedy and Music Experience, April 2-August 15
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:
Columbus Performing Arts Center (Van Fleet Theatre)
549 Franklin Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43215
What:
- Groundhog Day the Musical, February 27-March 8
- Fun Home, May 22-31
Nationwide Arena | Source: Nationwide Arena via Facebook
Nationwide Arena
Home to the Columbus Bluejackets National Hockey League team, Nationwide Arena offers 20,000 seats to large touring national and international concerts and events.
Where
200 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- Three Days Grace, March 8
- Journey Final Frontier Tour, March 16
- Demi Lovato, April 27
The Schottenstein Center
The Schottenstein Center
This campus-area arena with over 18,000 seats is home to both The Ohio State Buckeye’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, and the men’s hockey team. When sports fans aren’t filling the venue, you can find major national music and comedy tours here or at The Ohio Stadium.
Where
555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210
What:
- Dancing with the Stars, March 10
- Monster Jam, April 10-12
- Phil Wickham, April 17
- Luke Combs at The Ohio Stadium, April 25
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, April 30-May 3
- Bruno Mars at The Ohio Stadium, May 20
- Megan Moroney, May 29
KEMBA Live!
KEMBA Live!
KEMBA Live! Is an Arena District-area concert venue that has both indoor and outdoor staging and event spaces, hosting live music performances all year long.
Where
405 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- Stephen Wilson Jr. – Gary The Torch Tour, March 6
- OCL 44 Arnold Classic MMA Cage Fighting, March 7
- Josiah Queen - The Mt. Zion Tour, March 8
- INZO - MIRRORVERSE TOUR - Know Good, Blookah, Lhasa Petik, March 12
- Houndmouth Presented by WCBE / The Bends, March 13
- Dark Star Orchestra, March 18
- Zara Larsson: Midnight Sun Tour 2026, March 21
- Sons of Legion – Soul to SØL Tour, March 22
- On Cinema - The Certified "Five Bags of Popcorn" Tour, March 26
For more April and May concerts, check out this link!
Newport Music Hall
Newport Music Hall
Located within the University District of Columbus near The Ohio State University’s campus, the Newport Music Hall indoor venue is known as “America’s Longest Continually Running Rock Club.”
Where
1722 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
What:
- COLUMBUS AGAINST THE WORLD: Adam Paddock x Douglas Katula x Sunday Driver, March 7
- Maggie Lindemann, Ayleen Valentine, March 8
- Shrek Rave - 18+, March 13
- Natalie Jane: the world i didn't want world tour, March 15
- Moonchild: Waves Tour Presented by WCBE, March 17
- JACQUELINE NOVAK: 2026 TOUR, March 26
- CIRCLE JERKS & GORILLA BISCUITS, March 27
- Gary Numan / Tremours, March 28
- GWAR, Soulfly, King Parrot, March 29
- Midnight Til Morning - World Tour 2026, March 31
For more April and May concerts, check out this link!
A&R Music Bar
A&R Music Bar
This intimate venue is located near both KEMBA Live! stages and above The Basement rock club and bar in the Arena District, regularly hosting both national touring musicians and local bands.
Where
391 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- John Michael Howell Spin The Wheel Tour 2026, March 3
- JERIS JOHNSON Tour in the USA / Butcher Babies, Eva Under Fire, LYLVC, March 5
- The Creekers, March 6
- Buffalo Traffic Jam, March 7
- Penelope Road / Harvey Street, March 8
- Aries / Gunnr, March 9
- Winyah / Edgehill, March 10
- Jordan Ward Presents: THE APARTMENT TOUR, March 14
- JMSN, March 19
- The Technicolors - VEAUX, March 21
- The Back Alley, March 27
- Where You At? Sounds by Satele, March 28
- Congress the Band, March 29
- Boys Go To Jupiter snarls, March 31
For more April and May concerts, check out this link!
The Bluestone
The Bluestone
Formerly a historic 19th-century Baptist church, the gorgeous Bluestone venue is a unique concert and event venue located off of E Broad Street in downtown Columbus.
Where
583 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- Eli Young Band, March 6
- Pecos & The Rooftops / Mac Hankins and The Moonlighters, March 12
- Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, March 13
- Lily Rose, March 27
- Two Feet: The Next Steps Tour, March 29
- For more April and May concerts, check out this link!
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! Tag us at the shows using #yesColumbus.
