COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This summer is packed with Central Ohio’s favorite festivals, including Red, White & BOOM!, Jazz and Rib Fest and Dublin Irish Festival, along with numerous star-studded concerts at the largest venues in the city.
See all the events, festivals and shows in Columbus this summer below.
Nationwide Arena at 7:30 p.m. on June 28
- AJR will embark on The Maybe Man Tour this spring, a 43-city tour across the continent.
Goodale Park from June 28 to 30
- ComFest, a volunteer-run festival honoring community and activism, returns to Goodale Park with crafts, community organizations, local vendors and more.
Red, white and BOOM!
Battelle Riverfront Park, Bicentennial Park and McFerson Commons Park from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 3
- The largest Independence Day celebration in the Midwest, drawing more than 400,000 people annually to downtown Columbus.
Disney’s ‘The Lion King’
Ohio Theater now through July 17
- More than 100 million people around the world have seen Disney’s Broadway production of “The Lion King.” Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “The Lion King” features some of Broadway’s most recognizable music, from Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.
More than 100 million people around the world have seen Disney’s Broadway production of “The Lion King.” (Photo courtesy/CKeynoteUSAA)
Chris Stapleton | All-American Road Show
Schottenstein Center at 7 pm on July 19
- Stapleton will perform in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center on July 19, 2024, with special guests Marcus King and Nikki Lane. The “All-American Road Show” will take place after Stapleton releases his new album “Higher.”
Columbus Ribs and Jazz Festival
Scioto Mile from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 19 and 20, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 21
- The summer tradition offers rib connoisseurs the chance to try ribs, brisket, pulled pork and more at 20 barbecue vendors, including After Hours BBQ, Chicago Barbeque Company, Fat Boy Q and Texas Outlaw BBQ. 17 other food truck vendors will also offer a variety of menu options.
Ohio State Fair
Ohio State Fair and Exhibition Center July 24 – August 4
- The fair will return in late July featuring more than a dozen acts, including KIDZ BOP, Boys II Men, Lauren Daigle, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Stephen Sanchez and more.
Columbus Food and Wine Festival
Downtown Columbus July 26-28
- Visit the sixth annual Columbus Food and Wine Festival to sample local restaurants and bars.
Coffman Park August 2-4
- Since 1988, the first weekend in August has been reserved for what the festival calls “the world’s largest three-day Irish celebration.” The festival will feature a series of concerts, Irish dancing, shopping and more.
Schottenstein Center at 8 pm on August 7
- Award-winning composer Hozier’s most extensive headlining run in North America, The Unreal Unearth Tour, will continue through 2024 adding a whopping 37 new shows.
Hozier performs at OVO Arena Wembley on December 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Lorne Thomson/Redferns)
Blink-182 | One more tour
Schottenstein Center at 7 pm on August 13
- The band will be joined by special guest Pierce The Veil for the performance, which is scheduled to be the penultimate concert as part of the North American leg of the tour.
Children’s Gambino | The new world tour
Schottenstein Center at 8 pm on August 15
- Gambino, also known as Donald Glover Jr., will promote his new album, “Atavista,” with a tour that includes 33 stops across North America.
Jhené Aiko | The Magic Hour Tour
Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on August 22
- Six-time Grammy-nominated R&B artist Aiko announced she would be heading out on a headlining tour for the first time in five years.
New kids on the block | The Magic Summer Tour 2024
Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on August 23
- Reimagining the hit 1990 tour of the same name, Donnie, Joey, Jordan, Jonathan and Danny will bring back the magic for fans old and new, this time with very special guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
(Photo courtesy/Live Nation)
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation from August 30 to September 2
- Festival-goers will enjoy an authentic taste of Greece, with handmade food and pastries, live dance and music, cathedral tours and more.
Ohio Expo Center September 6-8
- Dozens of vendors line the exhibition center with German favorites like brats, cream puffs and, of course, beer. Throughout the weekend, attendees can watch people compete in a variety of games such as rock toss and barrel grab.
Weezer | Journey to the Blue Planet Tour
Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on September 7
- Weezer will perform in Columbus as part of the rock band’s upcoming tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their self-titled debut album.
‘MJ’
Ohio Theater September 10-15
- The art of Michael Jackson comes to Columbus with “MJ,” a jukebox musical that follows the making of Jackson’s 1992 “Dangerous World” tour. MJ goes beyond the star’s singular moves and signature sound , offering a rare glimpse into the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson to legendary status.
Roman Banks as “MJ” and the cast of “MJ’s” First National Tour. (Photo courtesy/Matthew Murphy)
Bluey’s great move
Palace Theater at 6 pm on September 18 and 19
- The beloved family of Australian dogs, including Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli, will come to life on stage in a show that “features puppets, live actors and iconic sets.”
Charli XCX, Troye Sivan | sweat tour
Nationwide Arena at 7:30 p.m. on September 20
- Pop songwriters Charli XCX and Troye Sivan are teaming up to headline an arena tour coming to central Ohio this fall.
Sivan will arrive after his European tour in support of his third album, “Something to Give Each Other.” (Photo courtesy/Live Nation) XCX has just announced their sold-out “Brat 2024” tour in the UK. (Photo courtesy/Live Nation)
Palace Theater at 8 pm on September 20
- The Price Is Right Live is the hit interactive show giving eligible people the chance to hear their names and “Come On Down” heard to win. Prizes can include appliances, vacations, and possibly a new car.
Sabrina Carpenter | The short and sweet journey
Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on September 23
- Carpenter, the songwriter of “Espresso” who recently opened for Taylor Swift, is kicking off her first headlining tour in Columbus.
(Photo courtesy/The Lede Company)
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