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A guide to the season's biggest events in Columbus, including festivals, concerts, films and fun activities for kids.
Week 1
1 Boston. With guest Kansas at the Ohio State Fair, 7 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. (800) 745-3000. Family Concert Series. Featuring puppets of No Strings Attached, 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. FountainSide. See June 6. MojoFlo. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. 1-2: 4-Day Art & Play. See July 30. 1-5: Ohio State Fair. See July 25.
2 The Andy Shaw Band and Lydia Loveless. 6:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 645-5281. The Band Perry. With guest the JaneDear Girls at the Ohio State Fair, 7 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. (800) 745-3000. Food Truck Food Court. See June 7. MojoFlo. 7-8:30 pm, Amelita Mirolo Barn at Sunny 95 Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5310. The Prince and the Showgirl and My Week with Marilyn. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6. Paws in the Plaza. See June 7. ProMusica Summer Concert Series. See July 12. 2-3: The Birds. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. 2-Sept 2: The Servant of Two Masters. Outdoor performance by Actors’ Theatre, Thu-Sun 8 pm, Schiller Park. Free. 444-6888.
3 Cars 2. Outdoor movie, dusk, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Commons for Kids. See June 1. First Fridays. See June 1. Lords Of Literature. 7-9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. Phantomz. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Rhythm on the River. See June 8. Summer Lunch-Time Performing Arts Series. See June 1. Swiss Family Robinson. Drive-in movie, dusk, Mountview Baptist Church, 2140 Fishinger Rd. Free. 583-5300. Toy Story 3. Outdoor movie, dusk, Fryer Park, Grove City. Free. 277-3060. Zookeeper. Activities 7 pm, movie 8 pm, Zoombezi Bay wave pool. Adm. 645-3550. 3-4: Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest. Live blues, beer garden, ribs and kids’ activities, Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 11 am-11 pm, downtown Canal Winchester. Free. 270-5053 or 834-9727. 3-4: Tidd Family Fishing Derby. Pitch a tent at the pond and fish all night, Fri 6 pm-Sat 8 am, Roger A Reynolds Municipal Park Lake, Hilliard. Adm. 876-5200. 3-5: Dublin Irish Festival. Irish music, food, dance, crafts and cultural exhibits, Fri 4 pm-midnight, Sat 11 am-midnight, Sun 11 am-9 pm, Coffman Park 520 Emerald Pkwy, Dublin. Adm. 410-4545.
4 Buckeye Sports Fest. Meet-and-greet with OSU athletes and coaches, interactive activities and more at the Ohio State Fair, 11 am-1 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. 644-3247. Cool Runnings. Outdoor movie plus food trucks, games, music and more, music 7 pm, movie 9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. The Lost River Band. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Mud Volleyball Tournament. Annual single-elimination tournament benefiting Meals-on-Wheels, 9 am, Beulah Park. Free (registration fee to play). 277-3050. Olde Village Market Day. Yard sale, sidewalk sale and more, 9 am-2 pm, West Columbus Street. Free. 833-2855. Short North Gallery Hop. See June 2. Victoria Justice. At the Ohio State Fair, 7:30 pm, Ohio Expo Center. Adm. (800) 745-3000. WaterFire. With Grassinine. See June 2. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. Wilco. With Lee Ranaldo Band, 6:30 pm, The LC. Adm. 461-5483. 4-5: Guys and Dolls. Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
Week 2
5 The British Invasion. 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. Chapel Brass of the Salvation Army. 7 pm, Village Green, Worthington. Free. 436-2743. Cornerstone Gospel Quartet. 7 pm, Heritage Park, Groveport. Free. 586-4017. Dublin Irish Festival. See Aug 3. FitClub Summer Cross Fit Games. Participants of all fitness levels and ages compete, noon-5 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. columbuscommons.org. Guys and Dolls. See Aug 4. Jason Aldean. With guest Luke Bryan at the Ohio State Fair, 7:30 pm, Crew Stadium. Adm. (800) 745-3000. Navigation Sunday. Celebrating the beginning of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage, noon-6 pm, Santa Maria ship. Adm. 645-8760. Ohio State Fair. See July 25. Taste of New Albany. Sample cuisine from more than 20 restaurants and 18 vendors, performance by Arnett Howard, 5-7:30 pm, Market Street Square, 200 Market St. Adm. 855-4400. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. Woody Pines. 7-8:30 pm, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. 5-Sept 2: The Servant of Two Masters. See Aug 2.
7 Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. The Help. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. The Misfits and Don’t Bother to Knock. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6.
8 311 and Slightly Stoopid. With the Aggrolites, 6:30 pm, The LC. Adm. 461-5483. Family Concert Series. Storytelling with Candace, 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. FountainSide. See June 6. NexLevel. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. Summer Literary Picnic. Reading by Margaret Peterson Haddix with catered dinner or bring your own, tour 5:20 pm, dinner 6:15 pm, reading 7 pm, Thurber House side lawn. Adm. 464-1032. 8-9: Dinner at Eight. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
9 Food Truck Food Court. See June 7. Niagara and Ladies of the Chorus. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6.
10 Aladdin. Outdoor movie, 9 pm, Everal Barn and Homestead. Free. 901-6500. Cars 2. Outdoor movie, dusk, Thompson Park, Upper Arlington. Free. 583-5300. Commons for Kids. See June 1. Dolphin Tale. Outdoor movie, dusk, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Free Willy. Dive-In Movie, 8:30 pm, Hunters Ridge Pool, 341 Harrow Blvd, Gahanna. Members free, nonmembers adm. 342-4250. Gaslight. 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939. JazZoo. See July 13. Phillip Fox Band. 7-9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. The Smurfs. Activities 7 pm, movie 8 pm, Zoombezi Bay wave pool. Adm. 645-3550. Soul Kitch’n. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Summer Lunch-Time Performing Arts Series. See June 1.
11 2nd Saturdays. See June 9. Family Fun Days. Back to school crafts, 11 am-2 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory. Adm. 645-8733. Farmers’ Festival. Celebration of Ohio’s produce with vendors, music, demos and kids’ activities, 8 am-4 pm, North Market. Free. 463-9664. The Floorwalkers. 7-9 pm, Rotary Stage at Creekside Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. KidsFest & Back to School Expo. End-of-summer festival for kids 5-12 and their parents, 1-4 pm, Crooked Alley Kidspace, 630 Wirt Rd, Groveport. Free. 836-3333. PBJ & Jazz. Concert and kids’ art activities, featuring Matt and Natalie Adams, noon-2 pm, Topiary Park. Free. 294-5200. Rob Adams. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Teddy Bear Safari. Stations throughout the zoo provide teddy bear checkups, 9 am-7 pm, Columbus Zoo. Adm; kids who bring a teddy get in free. 645-3550. Water Play Science Day. Explore how we use water to splash, soak and move ourselves from one place to another, 11 am-3:30 pm, COSI. Adm. 228-2674. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. 11-12: Festival Latino. Celebration of Latino culture with food, dance and music, 11 am-8 pm, Genoa Park. Free. festivallatino.net. 11-12: Funny Lady. Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 & 7:30 pm, Ohio Theatre. Adm. 469-0939.
Week 3
12 Festival Latino. See Aug 11. Funny Lady. See Aug 11. OSU Alumni Band. 7 pm, Village Green, Worthington. Free. 436-2743. The Paradise Island Band. 7-8:30 pm, Sycamore Park Amphitheater, Pickerington. Free. 833-2211. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. Westerville Symphony. 6:30 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 901-6500. 12-Sept 2: The Servant of Two Masters. See Aug 2.
13 Endless Recess. Lolli-Pops! kids’ concert, 10:30-11:30 am, Village Green Park Amphitheater, Powell. Free. 396-3322.
14 Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. The Muppets. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200.
15 FountainSide. See June 6. The Liquid Crystal Project. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200. 15-19: Farm Days. Farming equipment on display, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun noon-6 pm, outside COSI. Adm. 228-2674.
16 Food Truck Food Court. See June 7. How to Marry a Millionaire. Marilyn Monroe series. See July 6. ProMusica Summer Concert Series. See July 12. War of the Worlds. Outdoor movie, 8 pm, Wexner Center Plaza. Free. 292-0330. 16-26: The Complete Works of Shakespeare—Abridged. Outdoor performance by Actors’ Theatre, Thu-Sun 7:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 444-6888.
17 Charlotte’s Web. Outdoor movie, activities 7 pm, movie dusk, Scioto Mile. Free. 645-7995. Commons for Kids. See June 1. JazZoo. See July 13. Lone Raven. 7-9 pm, Friendship Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. The Mitchell Project. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Summer Lunch-Time Performing Arts Series. See June 1. 17-18: All-Ohio Balloon Fest. More than 30 hot air balloons, helicopter rides, musical performances and more, 2-10 pm, Union County Airport, 760 Clymer Rd, Marysville. Adm (12 and under free). (937) 243-5833. 17-18: Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival. Celebrating the birthplace of the commercial tomato, Fri 4-10 pm, Sat 10 am-10 pm, Huber Park, Davidson Dr south of E Main St, Reynoldsburg. Free. 866-4888.
18 A-Symmetry. 7 pm, Town Center Plaza, Grove City. Free. 277-3050. Mayor Coleman’s Neighborhood Pride Block Party. Home, neighborhood and bike safety tips, plus entertainment, performances and more, 10 am-3 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. columbuscommons.org. WaterFire. With the Floorwalkers. See June 2. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. 18-19: 10TV Health & Fitness Expo. Discover easy ways to make healthier life decisions, 10 am-5 pm, Greater Columbus Convention Center. Free. 461-5257.
Week 4
19 10TV Health & Fitness Expo. See Aug 18. Family Fun Days. Ice cream samples and sundae crafts, 11 am-2 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory. Adm. 645-8733. Farm Days. See Aug 15. GMHS Marching Band. 7 pm, Heritage Park, Groveport. Free. 586-4017. The High Street Stompers. 3-5 pm, Alum Creek Park Amphitheatre. Free. 895-6216. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. 19-26: The Complete Works of Shakespeare—Abridged. See Aug 16. 19-Sept 2: The Servant of Two Masters. See Aug 2.
21 Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. Karate Kid. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200.
22 Playhouse. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200.
23 Food Truck Food Court. See June 7.
24 Commons for Kids. See June 1. OhioHealth Fourth Friday. Dog Days of Summer with vendors, entertainment, kids’ activities and more, 6-9 pm, Uptown Westerville. Free. 794-0401. Summer Lunch-Time Performing Arts Series. See June 1.
24-25: Balloons & Tunes. Annual hot air balloon festival with live entertainment and kids’ activities, 5-9:30 pm, Beulah Park. Free. 277-3040.
25 Central Ohio Heart Walk. A one- or three-mile walk through downtown to benefit the American Heart Association, 7:30 am, Columbus Commons. Free. columbuscommons.org. End of the Summer Family Funday. Animal-themed family-friendly day with rides, games, entertainment, a petting zoo and more, 1-6 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. columbuscommons.org. Parrots of the Caribbean. 7-9 pm, Rotary Stage at Creekside Park, Gahanna. Free. 342-4250. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2.
Week 5
26 The Complete Works of Shakespeare—Abridged. See Aug 16. Weekend Sailing at Central Park Fountain. See June 2. 26-Sept 2: The Servant of Two Masters. See Aug 2.
28 Columbus Zoo at Easton. See June 5. “Follow Me” Summer Series. See July 3. Sherlock Holmes. Outdoor movie, dusk, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200.
29 Family Fun Days. Farmers’ Market Family Fun and creative movement with Mimi Chenfeld, 3-7 pm, Franklin Park Conservatory. Adm. 645-8733. Local Brews and Local Foods. See June 27. Luxury Brown. 6-9 pm, Easton Town Square. Free. 337-2200.
30 ALIVE! Bands to Watch. 6:30 pm, Columbus Commons. Free. 645-5281. Food Truck Food Court. See June 7.
31 Commons for Kids. See June 1. Family Friday Night. See July 27. Rhythm on the River. See June 8. 31-Sept 3: Greek Festival. Celebrate the culture and traditions of Greece with food, cathedral tours, music, exhibits and more, Fri-Sat 11 am-midnight, Sun noon-midnight, Mon 11 am-7 pm, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N High St. Adm. 224-9020. n
