Summer Theater Performances

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, because you won't want to miss these upcoming performances for the 2025 summer season!

Columbus Commons

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:

Picnic with the Pops:
A Boy Band Symphony, June 14

Rick Ross – A Night of Symphonic Hip Hop, June 21

Yacht Rock Symphony with Ambrosia, June 28

Tower of Power, July 5

Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony, July 12

Windborne - the Music of Journey, July 19

The Ohio State University Marching Band, July 25 & 26

Nationwide Popcorn Pops:

Popcorn Pops, featuring The Columbus Symphony, June 20

Where the Wild Things Play, July 18

Free Columbus Commons Concerts:

Parker Louis and the Deeptones, June 8

Nelly, July 20

Mojo x Yoncé…A MojoFlo Beyoncé Show, July 31

Zoo Trippin’, Paul Valdaiviez & The Devious Boys, and the High Definitions, August 14

The Dead Revival Band and The Groove Brothers Band: A Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band, August 29

Performance at Schiller Park

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 2-August 11

Emma, May 22 - June 15

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, June 19-July 13

Shane, July 17-August 10

She Kills Monsters, August 14-31

ohio theatre

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:

Kimberly Akimbo, PNC Broadway in Columbus, June 3-8

CLUE: A Walking Mystery (Outdoor Event in the Short North Arts District), June 5-15

Hamilton, PNC Broadway in Columbus, July 8-20

The inside of the Riffe Center performing arts complex

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:

Black Voices, presented by BalletMet, June 6-14, 2025

Pod Meets World: The Kids (Still) Wanna Jump Tour, June 19

35-n-Thrivin’ Gay Men’s Chorus Performance, June 28 & 29

Lincoln Theater Marquee

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:

Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore, presented by Opera Project Columbus, June 6 & 8

Victor Herbert’s Naughty Marietta, presented by Opera Project Columbus, June 13 & 15

Wine Down Patio Jazz Series, June 25, July 16, August 20

Over the Rhine, August 2

DEMOLA LIVE!, August 3

Key of Us Free Community Instrumental Concert, August 16

Ladies & Tangents: Girls Gone Mild Tour, August 22

The inside of The short north stage, garden theater

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:

Waitress, July 10-August 10

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.