Family Events
FREE Carousel Rides
April 19 - September 30
Open Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., weather pending
(closed to the public during private events)
Pick your pony, hop on, and enjoy the fun – and free – carousel ride at the Commons. Of course, convivial calliope music also included. Did we mention it's free?
Brews in the Bosque Happy Hours
Thursdays in September
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Whether you live for local libations or just looking for something to do, bring the fam or your fur baby and join us for a beer.
We'll be serving up ice-cold cans of the most popular craft brews + a refreshing Commons Cocktail made with Middle West Spirits OYO Stonefruit Vodka + Lemonade. Tip one back, take in some tunes, and enjoy the backyard-meets-beer-garden vibe of this happy hour happening.
FREE Family Fun Day
Saturday, May 25
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Start your summer with a free party at the park. And by party, we mean HOURS of free family-friendly including:
- Inflatables from SuperGames including Beach Sunglasses Slide, Leaps and Bounds, Lego Obstacle Course, Vertical Rush, Wacky Bouncer, Wacky Kiddie Korner
- Craft personalized keychains and friendship bracelets with OSU Urban Arts Space
- Face Painting from Pretty as a Princess
- Balloon Twisting from Pretty as a Princess
- Plant and Grow Project facilitated by Lowes
- Experience a Butterfly Outreach with Franklin Park Conservatory
- Decorate a magnet frame and take home a fun family photo facilitated by We Amplify Voices
- Create Tie-Dye Butterflies with Ohio Craft Museum
- Make a smoothie with a blender bike with Molina Healthcare
- Create a Road-Map Inspired Craft with Ohio History Connection
- Columbus Commons Live T-Shirt Screen Printing with Rewind Press
- Sweet Treats for purchase from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and Cotton Sugar Co.
- Musical Performance from NACHO Street Band
- Capture a memorable moment with H&H Luxury's roaming photobooth
- Stilt walkers from The Amazing Giants
- Free Carousel Rides
- Lawn Games
- Four Food Trucks to choose from in addition to Tortilla and Jeni's including: Elevated Pizza, Zaki Grill, Island Noodles, and Elevated Kitchen.
Plus, hop on the FREE trolley over to Bicentennial Park to Fountain Fest, with plenty more free activities for the whole family including live music, yard games, and food trucks!
Popcorn Pops
Produced by Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Friday, July 12
5:30 p.m. - Gates Open
7 p.m. - Music Begins
Join The Columbus Symphony Orchestra and see what all the hullaballoo is about! Relax on the lawn and enjoy the Nationwide Popcorn Pops concert which includes many dance-worthy and carnival-inspired favorites. Stay around after the concert for a free screening of Ratatouille sponsored by the Columbus Commons.
Pre-concert activities begin at 5:30pm
This is a ticketed event. For ticketing information, please click here.
Momentum Presents "Stevie: Life in the Key of Wonder" - A Free Dance Performance
July 18
5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Momentum dancers take center stage in a dynamic display of choreography inspired by the legendary Stevie Wonder. Through expressive movements and rhythmic sequences, the performers will transport spectators on a journey celebrating life, love, and the universal language of music. Join Momentum as they showcase the culmination of their Summer Intensive program, celebrating the creativity, passion, and resilience of their talented dancers.
FREE Commons for Kids
Presented by Nationwide Children's Hospital
June 7 - August 9
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
When it comes to summer fun, kids are all-in. And Columbus Commons is the place to let kids, well, be kids. They get games, inflatables, and face painting, all for free thanks to Nationwide Children's Hospital. You get happy, worn-out little ones.
Check out our Commons for Kids page for full list of themes, activities, and vendors for each date.
FREE Harvest Fair
Presented by Autism Speaks
Saturday, September 7
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free fall-themed family fun for everyone to enjoy! Activities and entertainment include:
- Inflatables from SuperGames including Bobbing for Apples, Endzone Obstacle Course, Farmyard Playland, Football Bounce, Scarecrow Slide, and Wacky Kiddie Korner
- Downtown pumpkin patch ($3 per mini pumpkin, card only)
- Pumpkin decorating facilitated by OSU Urban Arts Space
- Facepainting and Balloon Twisting with Pretty as a Princess
- Sway Pole Performance from The Amazing Giants
- A full farm experience & apple cidering with Bring the Farm to You
- Pumpkin Carving by Rock on Ice
- Participate in sensory fun with Bridgeway Academy & Therapy Center
- Maximize the power of play with The Parachute People
FREE Movie Nights
Presented by Molina Healthcare
May 25, July 12, August 2, August 17, September 7
8:15 p.m.
There’s something enchanting about watching the stars of some of the hottest PG flicks under the stars of a steamy summer night. And talk about a big screen. We have a ginormous movie screen for a larger-than-life viewing of the show, plus six acres of lawn seating. No chair kicking or popcorn throwing here.
May 25 - Encanto*
July 12 - Ratatouille**
August 2 - The Secret Lives of Pets
August 17 - A Goofy Movie
September 7 - Coco*
*These dates follow our free Family Fun Day programming.
**For the July 12 free movie night, gates will open at 8 p.m. following a ticketed Columbus Symphony Orchestra Popcorn Pops performance. If you arrive before 8 p.m., you will not be permitted into the park until the previous ticketed event is finished.
