13 Fun Things to do at Columbus Commons this Summer (2025)

Columbus Commons is one of my absolute favorite destinations in the city of Columbus! Located in the heart of downtown Columbus, this six-acre park is the home of some of my favorite summer events and luckily for us, many of them are free!

The park has a huge green space perfect for concerts, kids’ activities, team sports, and exercise! Each summer the Commons packs its schedule full and there is something for people of all ages! Check out this list of free things you can do at Columbus Commons this summer!

1. Free Carousel Rides

Carousel rides are free at Columbus Commons every day from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM!

2. Permanent Food Stands

Columbus Commons is home to two permanent food stands: Tortilla Street Food and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. 

General hours are Monday – Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., April – September. (Hours are subject to change so always check in with social media or the Columbus Commons website for updates.)

3. Kickball Games

There are three sessions of kickball at Columbus Commons this summer! The season runs April through October! Register to play!

4. Free Fitness Classes

From May – September there will be free fitness classes by RawYoga614 and Quality Wellness on Tuesdays and Wednesdays! You must fill out the online waiver and release to participate in fitness classes. The schedule is as follows:

• Tuesdays: HIIT: 5:30 & 6:30pm
• Wednesdays: Yoga: 5:30 & 6:30pm

5. Breakfast at the Commons

Breakfast at the Commons takes place on Wednesday mornings from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM beginning May through October. Rotating breakfast food trucks will be available!

6. Food Truck Food Court

On Thursdays from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM beginning in May and running through October, you can have lunch from a food truck at the Columbus Commons Food Truck Food Court!

Enjoy live music, a selection of vendors from The Good Market and the Local Matters Veggie Van.

7. Taco Tuesday

On the first Tuesday of each Month, May – October from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, enjoy tacos and Latin cuisine from your favorite food trucks at Columbus Commons.

8. Free Play at Columbus Commons

On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, bring the kids to the Commons to play with the Imagination Playground big blue blocks, kick a soccer ball, or make your own fun. There will be a storytime with Columbus Metropolitan Library on the first Tuesday of the month!

9. Commons for Kids

On Fridays from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM head to Columbus Commons for a free event just for kids! Commons for Kids will take place on Fridays from Fridays, June 6- August 8, 2025 and these events include face painting, crafts, carousel rides and inflatables (on select weeks). No event on July 4!

Each week has a theme with featured activities and community partners. And of course, carousel rides are always free! This is one of the best free things to do this summer in Columbus!

10. Local + Live Concert Series

Throughout the summer, enjoy free live music at Columbus Commons beginning at 6:00 PM by local bands. Bar and food trucks will be available.

2025 Schedule is as follows: 

• Friday, May 23: A Song Remains: A Night of Led Zeppelin with The Dark Side of the Moon
• Sunday, June 8: Parker Louis and The Deeptones
• Thursday, July 31: Mojo x Yoncé… A MojoFlo Beyoncé show supported by Eric Rollin & Friends
• Thursday, August 14: Zoo Trippin’, Paul Valdiviez & The Devious Boys, and The High Definitions
• Friday, August 29: The Dead Revival Band and The Groove Brothers Band: A Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band
• Sunday, August 31: Shadowbox Live Performance of Rock This Way
• Friday, September 26: The Navigators Concert

11. Family Movie Nights at Columbus Commons

Watch an outdoor movie on the large screen at Columbus Commons! Movies begin at 7:00 PM.

2025 movie line up is:

• Friday, May 9: Finding Nemo
• Friday, June 20: Inside Out
• Friday, July 18: Surf’s Up
• Friday, August 1: Tangled
• Friday, September 5: Moana 2

12. Sunset Cinema at Columbus Commons

Every Thursday in October, you can enjoy a free, Halloween-themed, outdoor movie at Columbus Commons. Presented with CAPA and Downtown Columbus.

2025 Movies are:

• Thursday, October 30: The Nightmare Before Christmas
• Thursday, October 2: Goosebumps
• Thursday, October 9: Hocus Pocus
• Thursday, October 16: The Goonies
• Thursday, October 23: Wicked

13. Special One-Time Events

Throughout the summer there will be multiple one-time special events! Mark your calendar for these dates!

Common Ground Concert featuring Nelly

This free concert takes place July 20, 2025. Tickets will be released first to Columbus Commons email subscribers! Sign up here.

Family Fun Day

This Free Family Fun Day will take place on Sunday, May 24 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM and will include inflatables, face painting, live music, crafts and more!

Harvest Fair

A Free Harvest Fair will take place at Columbus Commons on Saturday, September 6th from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and will include fall-themed fun like a pumpkin patch, petting-zoo and inflatables, face painting, live music, crafts and more!

Howl-O-Ween

This dog-centric event will take place on October 18, 2025.

​Tips for visiting Columbus Commons:

• There is easy and convenient parking in the Main Columbus Commons parking garage located at 55 E Rich St, Columbus, OH 43215. There is also an underground garage located at 191 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215.
• If you’re not visiting for Breakfast at the Commons (which usually has a coffee truck) you can check out one of these nearby coffee shops!
• ​For an extended outing, take your kids to the nearby Ohio Statehouse for a free tour!
• Keep an eye on the Columbus Commons event calendar for weather updates, changes to the schedule and external events taking place in the park.
• Check out this list of restaurants in downtown Columbus to help plan your trip!