The summer is heating up in Columbus, and so is our live theater scene.
If you’re looking for fantastic shows, 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, outdoor stages, historic venues, and larger touring shows.
Columbus is home to world-class dance companies, free outdoor Shakespearean theatre, multiple symphonies, The Columbus Opera, and many venues for live music and comedy. Mark your calendars (and get your pass for the Columbus Live Music Trail), because you won't want to miss these upcoming performances and concerts for the 2026 summer season!
Source: Downtown Columbus Inc.
The Columbus Commons
This Columbus Commons is a community park in downtown Columbus that hosts over 200 events annually, including free concerts, outdoor movie nights, and ticketed entertainment. Check out the summer Picnic with the Pops series featuring the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and other live performances for all ages.
Where:
160 S. High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
What:
- Ledisi with the Columbus Symphony, June 13
- Wyclef Jean with the Columbus Symphony, June 20
- Windborne: The Music of Tom Petty, June 27
- Guster with the Columbus Symphony, July 11
- LeAnn Rimes with the Columbus Symphony, July 18
- Alan Parsons Live Project, July 25
- The Ohio State University Marching Band, July 31 & August 1
- Common Ground Concert - Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers: Indigo Park Tour, August 15
Source: Nationwide Arena via Facebook
Nationwide Arena
Home to the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL team, Nationwide Arena offers 20,000 seats for large touring national and international concerts and events.
Where:
200 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- Don Toliver: Octane Tour, June 9
- Cody Johnson, July 17-18
- Lil Wayne, July 23
- Barry Manilow, August 2
- Zac Brown Band, August 14
Source: 6-Drone-4
Ohio Stadium
Commonly known as "the Horseshoe" or "the 'Shoe," Ohio Stadium is the permanent home of the Ohio State University Buckeye Football team. During the offseason, you can attend shows by national recording artists, comedians and more.
Where:
411 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus, OH 43210
What:
- Buckeye Country Superfest at The Ohio Stadium, June 13
- AC/DC Power Up Tour at The Ohio Stadium, July 15
Source: Ohio State University
The Schottenstein Center
This campus-area arena with over 18,000 seats is home to both The Ohio State Buckeyes’ 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.
Where:
555 Borror Dr, Columbus, OH 43210
What:
- Buckeye Country Superfest at The Ohio Stadium, June 13
- Josh Groban, June 24
- Lionel Richie with Earth, Wind & Fire, June 27
- AC/DC Power Up Tour at The Ohio Stadium, July 15
- CAAMP, August 29
Source: PromoWest Productions
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:
- The Last Dinner Party: From the Pyre Tour, June 9
- Young the Giant – Victory Garden Tour with Cold War Kids, June 26
- YUNGBLUD: IDOLS - THE WORLD TOUR, August 2
- Gavin Adcock: The Day I Hang It Up Tour, August 28
For the full summer concert schedule, check out this link!
Source: PromotWest Productions
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:
- Earlybirds Club, June 27
- Blackberry Smoke: Rattle, Ramble and Roll Tour, July 18
For the full summer concert schedule, check out this link!
Source: PromoWest Productions
A&R Music Bar
This intimate venue, located near both KEMBA Live! and above The Basement rock club and bar in the Arena District, regularly hosts both national touring musicians and local bands.
Where
391 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- Jessica Baio - The Other Side Tour, June 21
- Wild Child presented by WCBE, July 22
For the full summer concert schedule, check out this link!
Source: PromoWest Productions, 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:
- Pattie Gonia: SAVE HER! Feat. Sequoia and VERA!, June 10
- Jo Dee Messina, The Bennett Hall Band, Miranda Bury, June 11
- Buckeye Country Superfest presents Sierra Ferrell, June 12
- Dexter and The Moonrocks, Cigarettes @ Sunset, High June, June 18
- Redferrin, July 10
- Braxton Keith, Carson Peters & Iron Mountain, July 31
For the full summer concert schedule, check out this link!
Source: Actors' Theatre of Columbus.
Actors’ Theatre of Columbus: Shakespeare in the Park
The Actors’ Theatre of Columbus is a performing arts organization that has provided free outdoor theater in Columbus for almost 40 years. Performances are almost every weekend all summer long, where seating is first-come, first-served. Grab your lawn chairs or blankets and get ready for everything from classic Shakespeare to more contemporary plays.
Where:
1000 City Park Ave, Columbus, OH 43206, At Schiller Park Amphitheatre (German Village)
What:
- Acting and Musical Theater Camps for Kids and Teens, June 1-July 24
- The Taming of the Shrew, May 21-June 14
- Peter and the Starcatcher, June 18-July 12
- Othello, July 16-August 9
- And Then There Were None, August 13-September 6
Source: CAPA Columbus.
The Ohio Theatre
The Ohio Theatre is a historic venue that 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:
- Water for Elephants, PNC Broadway in Columbus, June 9-14
- CAPA Summer Movie Series, June-August
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:
- Ancient Gods by the Gay Men’s Chorus, June 13-14
- Ilana Glazer Live, June 17
Source: CAPA Columbus.
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 ID.
Where:
769 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43203
What:
- SlapStik Comedy: On The Cover with Flame Monroe, June 20
- Wine Down Wednesdays: Don Carlos & Ill Atmospherics, June 24
- Wine Down Wednesdays: Sean Carney, July 15
- The Marvelous Miss Gender starring BOSCO, August 15
- Wine Down Wednesdays: Stephan Ballard, August 19
Source: Shadowbox Live
Shadowbox Live
Shadowbox Live is a collaborative theater and dinner venue featuring 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:
- Dirty Talk: A Sexy Sketch Comedy and Music Experience, April-August 15
- Flannel: A 90s Rock Musical, May-September 6
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:
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, June 4-7
- Pippin, August 6-30
Source: CAPA Columbus.
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:
- An Evening with Peter Sagal, June 7
- The Glenn Miller Orchestra, June 9
- Brains On! LIVE: Your Brain is Magic!, June 20
- You Should Know Podcast Presents: The YSK HOUSE Tour, July 17
Source: CAPA Columbus
The Palace Theatre
The historic Palace Theatre 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 I.D.
Where:
34 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- An Evening with Wilco, July 18
- The Princess Concert, July 27
- An Evening with Leslie Odom, Jr., July 28
- JOSH JOHNSON’S COMEDY BAND CAMP, July 31
- Nikki Glaser: The Stunning Tour, August 27-28
- JESSE & JOY - EL DESPECHO TOUR, August 30
Source: Columbus Children's Theatre
Columbus Children’s Theatre
The Columbus Children’s Theatre (CCT) brings the arts to children through family-friendly programming. CCT promotes theatre access for families and communities who may not have regular opportunities to enjoy live theatre, and provides regular theatre classes and educational programs for children.
Where:
177 E Naghten St, Columbus, OH 43215
What:
- Theatre 360 Summer Camps for Kids, June 1-August 7
- Beetlejuice Jr., August 7-23
- Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, August 15-23
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:
- Finding Nemo Jr., June 11-14
- The Lion King Jr., June 25-28
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:
Memphis, August 21-30
