COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — This summer is packed with central Ohio’s favorite festivals, including , the Jazz and Rib Fest and the Dublin Irish Festival, along with numerous star-studded concerts in the city’s biggest venues.
View 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 arena tour across the continent.
Goodale Park from June 28 to 30
- ComFest, a volunteer-organized festival honoring community and activism, is returning to Goodale Park with arts and crafts, community organizations, local vendors and more.
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, attracting more than 400,000 people annually to downtown Columbus.
Disney’s ‘The Lion King’
Ohio Theatre now through July 7
- 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, by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.
Chris Stapleton | All-American Road Show
Schottenstein Center at 7 p.m. on July 19
- Stapleton is performing in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center on July 19, 2024, with special guests Marcus King and Nikki Lane. The “All-American Road Show” is coming after Stapleton releases his new album “Higher.”
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 Summertime tradition offers rib connoisseurs a chance to sample ribs, brisket, pulled pork and more at 20 barbeque vendors, including After Hours BBQ, Chicago Barbeque Company, Fat Boy Q, and Texas Outlaw BBQ. An additional 17 food truck vendors will also offer a variety of menu choices.
Ohio State Fair
Ohio Expo Center and State Fair from July 24 to Aug. 4
- The fair is returning in late July with more than a dozen acts performing, including KIDZ BOP, Boys II Men, Lauren Daigle, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Stephen Sanchez and more.
Columbus Food and Wine Festival
Downtown Columbus from July 26 to 28
- Visit the 6th annual Columbus Food and Wine Festival to get a taste of local restaurants and bars.
Coffman Park from Aug. 2 to 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 number of concerts, Irish dance, shopping and more.
Schottenstein Center at 8 p.m. on Aug. 7
- Award-winning songwriter Hozier’s most extensive headlining run in North America, The Unreal Unearth Tour, will continue into 2024 adding a whopping 37 new shows.
Blink-182 | One More Time Tour
Schottenstein Center at 7 p.m. on Aug. 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.
Childish Gambino | The New World Tour
Schottenstein Center at 8 p.m. on Aug. 15
- Gambino, otherwise known as Donald Glover Jr., will promote his newly released 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 Aug. 22
- A six-time Grammy-nominated R&B artist, Aiko announced she would be going on a headlining tour for the first time in five years.
New Kids on the Block | The Magic Summer 2024 Tour
Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on Aug. 23
- Reimagining the smash 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.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedralfrom Aug. 30 to Sept. 2
- Festival-goers will get an authentic taste of Greece, with hand-made food and pastries, live dance and music, cathedral tours and more.
Ohio Expo Center from Sept. 6 to 8
- Dozens of vendors line the expo 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 like the stone throw and keg hold.
Weezer | Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour
Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on Sept. 7
- Weezer is performing in Columbus as part of the rock band’s upcoming tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their self-titled debut album.
‘MJ’
Ohio Theatre from Sept. 10 to 15
- Michael Jackson’s artistry comes to Columbus with “MJ,” a jukebox musical that follows the making of Jackson’s 1992 “Dangerous World” tour. MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status.
Bluey’s Big Play
Palace Theatre at 6 p.m. on Sept. 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 puppetry, live actors and iconic sets.”
Charli XCX, Troye Sivan | Sweat Tour
Nationwide Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 20
- Pop songwriters Charli XCX and Troye Sivan are teaming up to co-headline an arena tour coming to central Ohio this fall.
Palace Theatre at 8 p.m. on Sept. 20
- The Price Is Right Live is the hit interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to hear their names called and “Come On Down” to win. Prizes may include appliances, vacations and possibly a new car.
Sabrina Carpenter | The Short n’ Sweet Tour
Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on Sept. 23
- Carpenter, the “Espresso” songwriter who recently opened for Taylor Swift, is kicking off her first headlining tour in Columbus.
