Concerts

ABOUT CONCERTS

From folk rock to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Commons is the official Downtown home for concert fans this summer. We produce a musical mix of free shows and rent the park to others to produce a variety of ticketed events that equates to no shortage of concert activity at the Commons. Check out the line-up and join us at the city’s center!

Event Calendar

Stage at concert

FREE CONCERTS PRODUCED BY CDDC

Columbus Downtown Development Corporation is proud to produce a lineup of incredible FREE performances each year! At these concerts, you’ll hear some great music while enjoying food from some of our favorite food trucks and drinks from our convenient bar, supported by Heidelberg Distributing and Middle West Spirits.

Easy and convenient parking is available just south of the park at the Columbus Commons Main Garage, located at 55 East Rich Street.

Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, please leave coolers at home. Food trucks and a bar will be available.

FREE Shadowbox Live Performance
Which One's Pink?
Sunday, May 27

Shadowbox Live® pays tribute to the legendary band Pink Floyd with Which One's Pink?. Split in two parts, act 1 tells the story of the band's founder, songwriter, and primary singer Syd Barrett through some of their most well-known songs. Act 2 pays homage to the album Dark Side of the Moon, paring the music with video excerpts and live action interpretation of The Wizard of Oz. Stirring, dark, and beautiful, Which One's Pink? is a sonic and visual journey.

FREE Navigators Concert

Presented by Cardinal Transportation
Friday, June 22

Bar and food trucks open at 6pm
Music will begin at 7pm

Free event featuring the Navigators, a group comprised of Columbus executives and professionals playing high-energy rock tunes from the 1960s to today. Since their formation in 2003, they have helped to raise more than $200,000 to help local and national charities such as the City Year Columbus, United Way, Salvation Army, Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Hilltop YMCA, the American Red Cross, and more. This year's show is benefiting A Kid Again, an organization supporting kids and families who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses.

Singer on stage

FREE Downtown Live Series

Thursday, July 12 - MojoFlo and Hoodoo Soul Band
Thursday, July 19 - The Floorwalkers and Angela Perley & The Howlin' Moons
Thursday, July 26 - Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root and Doc Robinson (and a special performance by Momentum Excellence at 5:30)

Unwind after work, enjoy the outdoors, and dig into the local music scene at the world-class Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion at Columbus Commons. Thursday nights in July at the Commons provide a perfect kick-off to the weekend. Concerts are free, bar and food trucks open at 5:30pm and music starts at 7pm.

Blankets and chairs are welcome; please leave coolers at home. Beverage and food-truck concessions are available on site.

Starting at 5:30, you can join the fine folks of Tabletop Game Café for some gaming fun right next to the bar tent!

Convenient parking is available at the Columbus Commons Garages, located at 191 S. Third St. and 55 E. Rich St.

Columbus Commons and CAPA Present:
Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers
Friday, August 24

CAPA and Columbus Commons are partnering together to bring you a night of FREE music you won't forget! Join us as Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers take the stage in the heart of Downtown Columbus.

Bruce Hornsby’s work displays a creative iconoclasm that’s been a constant in the artist’s two-and-a-half decade recording career. His commercial stock soared early on, when "The Way It Is" - the title track of his 1986 debut album – became one of the most popular songs on American radio. Despite his early mainstream successes, Hornsby has pursued a more personal, idiosyncratic musical path, focusing on projects that sparked his creative interest, including collaborations with the Grateful Dead, Spike Lee, Ricky Skaggs, Don Henley, Ornette Coleman, Bob Dylan, Bela Fleck, Justin Vernon, Bonnie Raitt, Pat Metheny, and Robbie Robertson. Hornsby’s performance will offer a glimpse of a restless spirit who continues to push forward into exciting new musical terrain.

Admission is FREE, no ticket is required.

Food trucks and a bar will be available at 6:00 pm. Music is set to begin at 8:00 pm. Blankets and chairs are welcome; please leave coolers at home.

bruce hornsby

FREE McGuffey Lane Concert

Friday, August 31

McGuffey Lane is back at the Commons! Their high-energy rock, country and contemporary music have been attracting attention throughout Ohio and the Midwest for nearly 20 years.

Bar and food trucks open at 6 pm with music getting started at 7 pm with the Buzzard Kings

FREE Shadowbox Live Performance
Evolutionaries: The Stories and Music of David Bowie and Prince
Sunday, September 2

Shadowbox Live® pays tribute to two changelings who revolutionized music, fashion, and pop culture. This show is unlike any other!

Bar and food trucks open at 6 pm with the show starting around 8 pm.

OTHER CONCERTS HOSTED AT COLUMBUS COMMONS

Summer 614
Saturday, June 2

Summer 614 brings some of your favorite R&B and hip hop artists from yesterday and today to Columbus Commons. With music, food, drinks and vendors you won't want to miss it. Artists will be announced soon - check the event website for more information.

This event is produced by the 22nd Foundation.

Harmony Project Presents: 1968
Thursday, June 7

1968: The music and social commentary of fifty years ago – a year that changed America forever – told through the voices of today.
One night, looking back at who we were, looking forward to who we hope to become.
Representing the beautiful mosaic of our great city, reflecting Robert Kennedy’s vision, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.

No ticket charge. Everyone seated together – on the great lawn of Columbus Commons.

Free tickets are required - check the event website for more information.

This concert is produced by The Harmony Project.