The Common Ground Concert Series is a partnership with Downtown Columbus, Inc. and CAPA
FREE Nelly Concert
RESCHEDULED DATE: Saturday, September 27
3:00 pm Park will close to the public. All items left in the park at that time will be removed. Claiming your spot before 6 pm is not permitted.
6:00 pm Gates, food trucks and bars will open. The only entrance into the park will be from East Rich Street, directly across from the Columbus Commons Main Garage, located at 55 E Rich St. Please expect long lines to enter.
7:30 pm Local opener, L+H Duo, starts
8:30 pm Nelly takes the stage
Parking for Columbus Commons events is easy and convenient! The most convenient garage is the Columbus Commons Main Garage – two entrances to this garage are available at 55 E. Rich Street and 65 E. Main Street. If you park at the Main Garage, you’ll be closest to the park entrance. Parking rates will be $20 per vehicle, and cash and credit card will be accepted upon entering the garage. If you’re taking Uber or Lyft, the ideal drop-off zone address is 54 E. Rich Street, which will place you near the concert entrance.
Got your tickets? Review all the information you need for the concert!
Parking for Columbus Commons events is easy and convenient! The most convenient garage is the Columbus Commons Main Garage – two entrances to this garage are available at 55 E. Rich Street and 65 E. Main Street. If you park at the Main Garage, you’ll be closest to the park entrance. Parking rates will be $20 per vehicle, and cash and credit card will be accepted upon entering the garage. If you’re taking Uber or Lyft, the ideal drop-off zone address is 54 E. Rich Street, which will place you near the concert entrance. The Columbus Commons Underground Garage will not be available for general admission event parking.
The only general admission entrance is at the southern end of Columbus Commons near 55 E Rich Street. Please be prepared to have your digital or printed tickets scanned and bags searched. This entrance is handicap accessible.
We know you’re excited to claim your spot for the concert! The park will be closed to the public starting at 3pm on the day of the concert. If you arrive before gates open, Columbus Commons security will ask patrons to exit the park (no chairs or other personal belongings left behind – park must be clear starting at 3pm). Security personnel will permit lines to begin forming on the sidewalk of E. Rich Street, so we kindly ask that you do not arrive at Columbus Commons any earlier than 3pm. Gates open at 6pm.
The concert will proceed rain or shine; though severe weather may delay or cancel the event. Columbus Commons personnel will be monitoring weather closely and will be ready to activate emergency weather procedures per the Columbus Commons emergency weather plan if necessary. You are permitted to bring a personal handheld umbrella.
We are not able to reimburse parking.
A ticket does not guarantee entry. The best way to ensure entry is to arrive early. Safety of our patrons is our top priority. It is possible that due to safety concerns, access to the park may be restricted, even preventing some guests with tickets from entering the concert. Columbus Commons and CAPA staff will work with public safety officials to ensure safe conditions are maintained, and guests will be allowed in when conditions become safe once again.
For the latest updates regarding Nelly at the Commons, text “NELLY2025” to (614) 957-2369 to subscribe to text messaging updates.
Columbus Commons’ two cafes, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Tortilla Street Food, will be open, along with several of our favorite food trucks. At the bars, you will be able to purchase a selection of Pepsi products, water, beer, wine and a specialty cocktail. Cash and card will be accepted. Please note: no ATM will be onsite. Expect long lines at the food trucks and bars; feel welcome to bring in your own food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Yes, however outside alcohol is not permitted. You may bring one small, handheld cooler no larger than 16 quarts, which will be subject to search upon arrival. Bars and multiple food vendors are on site for the concert. All personal belongings are subject to inspection, and prohibited items will not be allowed in and are subject to removal once in the park. In addition to large coolers, wagons are not permitted due to limited space for patrons. See the full list of prohibited items below.
Seating space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No chairs are provided, and guests are welcome to sit directly on the grass. Feel welcome to bring a chair to sit on, and be prepared to sit close to your neighbors; we expect a full house! No chairs will be able to be placed before gates open. Gates open at 6pm. Please note: blankets, tarps, large coolers and wagons are not permitted. See the full list of prohibited items below.
There will be a reserved area in the northeast portion of the North Lawn for ADA seating. Plus, an ASL interpreter will be on stage during the performance.
Due to limited space, dogs other than service animals are not permitted for these concerts.
We have a no re-entry policy.
Yes, visitors can enjoy a ride on the carousel for free until 9pm, weather permitting.
Yes, you can take photos and videos with your cell phone. Professional cameras are not permitted.
Yes, all ages are welcome, but all patrons are required to have a ticket.
Medical personnel will be on-site for first aid needs. Columbus Police and other security staff will be on-site monitoring park activity. All patrons will pass through security screenings, including hand-held metal detectors and bag checks. For your safety and security, all patrons and their personal belongings, including bags and coolers, are subject to inspection before entering the park. Please allow additional time for this process. Weapons of any kind and alcohol are prohibited.
There will be two permanent restrooms open, located behind the Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams scoop shop, in addition to several portable restrooms located on the east side of the park. Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities are also available on the East side of the park near the Town Street entrance.
Know everything you need to know about securing your tickets!
Downtown Columbus, Inc. and CAPA partner to present free nationally renowned artists to the community at Columbus Commons. Free Common Ground Concerts to date include Bruce Hornsby, Blues Traveler, Sheryl Crow, The Beach Boys, Martina McBride, Boyz II Men, Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Caillat, Sugar Ray, Tonic, and Lit. Be sure to read all the frequently asked questions below and learn how to claim your tickets for unforgettable free music in the heart of Downtown Columbus!
Yes, FREE tickets are required. This is a free concert thanks to Downtown Columbus, Inc. and CAPA. Tickets are limited in quantity to ensure a safe environment for patrons (max 2 tickets per person). We expect tickets to go quickly, so mark your calendars for each ticket release date. See dates above.
Yes, tickets are required for everyone. This gives an accurate count of how many people are in the park so we can monitor attendance with health and safety officials.
A ticket does not guarantee entry. The best way to ensure entry is to arrive early. Safety of our patrons is our top priority. It is possible that due to safety concerns, access to the park may be restricted, even preventing some guests with tickets from entering the concert. Columbus Commons and CAPA staff will work with public safety officials to ensure safe conditions are maintained, and guests will be allowed in when conditions become safe once again.
We will not be able to accommodate day-of walk-ups due to crowd capacity.
Tickets can be accessed via your account at wallet.capa.com. Ticket barcodes will be available starting 4 hours prior to the performance.
For more information, visit the CAPA webpage page. If you have any questions about retrieving your ticket, reach out to mytickets@capa.com
Tickets purchased from another source may be counterfeit, and we cannot guarantee you will have a seat upon arrival.
For all questions related to the concert, look at the FAQs below or submit your question to our general inquiry inbox, which you can find here.
For all questions regarding tickets, reach out to the CAPA Ticket Center by emailing mytickets@capa.com
Due to the rainy forecast, Free Play at the Commons is canceled today. (9/25)