Free events in Columbus, OH

Yoga on the Square brings Easton’s outdoor yoga series to Town Square with a free, all-levels class led by Life Time instructors. Sessions focus on building strength, increasing flexibility, and practicing mindful movement. Open to guests ages 13 and older. Participants should bring a yoga mat for a refreshing start to the weekend.

Nationwide Children's Hospital presents this family-friendly series with free fun for kids and a new theme each week.

Get ready for the new school year at the Back-To-School Style Drop, where families can pick up clothing and school essentials at no cost. Items are available for all ages, helping everyone head into the first day feeling prepared and confident.

Night Shift: Au Naturel returns for the summer with an evening in the sculpture garden, featuring natural wine selections curated by Kyle Huffman of The Bottle Shop and DJ sets. Step into the galleries to take in Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began and spend time in Bar Room. Admission is free with registration, which includes access to the exhibition and Bar Room. The galleries close earlier, while Bar Room continues later into the night. This program is made possible with support from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. Image courtesy of Toi Tucker Photography.

Enjoy a free outdoor movie projected on a large screen, welcoming families. Pack a chair or blanket and settle in near the screen for a cozy viewing. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Each week, motorcycle enthusiasts gather at Throttle Co for a laid back meetup with complimentary coffee. The pours come from a rotating lineup of local and regional coffee shops and roasters, keeping things fresh from week to week. It also serves as a regular gathering spot for the Litas Columbus, including both established riders and newcomers.

Children of all ages are welcome to a free community event featuring bounce houses, games, and creative craft stations. Enjoy temporary tattoos and the fun of a balloon artist. Lunch will be provided with hot dogs, chips, fruit, and water.

PlayStreets at Linden Fresh Market offers a free, family-friendly block party that encourages neighbors to step outside and make lasting memories. Enjoy music, games and activities, food trucks, book giveaways, face painting, and inflatable attractions, with more fun in the mix.

Spend 10 minutes in a focused conversation with a CMA educator centered on a single artwork. This brief pop-up talk is part of a series that highlights different pieces on view, offering a new focus each time. Look for signs near CMA’s Welcome Desk to find the featured work that day. Admission covers the experience, and no registration is needed.

Celebrate two years of creating memories with an anniversary gathering at The Loft at the Fort studio, home of Mime Wolf Inn Casting. Complimentary beer and wine will be available, along with charcuterie and snacks. Look for the entrance marked by a golden ladder on the door, then take the staircase to the second floor.

Open to the public, this community dog walking event at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center gives shelter dogs the exercise, fresh air, and one-on-one time they need. The shelter routinely cares for 200 to 300 dogs, and help from neighbors makes a meaningful difference for each one. No pre-registration is required, and newcomers are welcome. RSVPs are only for receiving updates and reminders. Because this is an outdoor, weather dependent activity, any changes will be shared on the event page with as much notice as possible. Shelter staff support volunteers throughout the visit, from pairing you with a suitable dog to providing waste bags, treats, and harness leads. Personal leashes and collars should be left at home. On arrival, head to the large fenced walking yard behind the building, enter through the gate, and check in at the registration table. The yard is to the right as you enter the driveway and is enclosed with black wrought iron fencing. This is a family friendly opportunity, though primary dog walkers must be 18 or older. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Photos are encouraged, and social posts can use the hashtag #FCDSAdoptables. Owned pets should remain at home unless attending a meet and greet for a potential adoption. Anyone interested in fostering or adopting can speak with staff. Donations of dog treats are especially appreciated at this time.

General admission is free every Sunday, made possible by support from Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All & Free for the Future Campaign Donors. Admission to special exhibitions is included. Friends and families can explore at their own pace, visit the Walter Wing, or work on a puzzle together in a gallery. There is something to discover around every corner. Photo by JToland Photo.

Enjoy a free mat Pilates session at Dorrian Green in Downtown Columbus. Presented in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks, this fitness class invites participants to get moving together. Please complete the required waiver before participating.

The Sunday program of the 42nd annual St. James Lutheran Brats & Crafts Festival spotlights live music from Elaina Arthur and the Columbus Maennerchor, and includes a traditional German church service. Across the festival, there are classic German dishes, homemade desserts, a beer wagon, and an arts and crafts fair, along with activities for children. Admission and parking are free.

Bar Bingo Columbus brings a lively game night to Lucky's Grille & Billiards. There is no cost to participate, and all are welcome. Host Drew Hanson keeps the energy high as players vie for prizes and bragging rights. Expect playful twists like the Tricycle of Shame and the Wheel of Consequences, plus weekly pop culture themes and the coveted Championship Belt.

This 21+ reggae night features The Flex Crew and DJ P. Funk. Admission is $10 for women and $15 for men.

Head to Bicentennial Park at the Scioto Mile for a free mat Pilates class created in collaboration with Columbus Recreation and Parks. This downtown summer fitness offering encourages you to get moving with a guided workout and is part of a series of no-cost classes.

In partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks, Dorrian Days returns to Dorrian Green with a lineup of no-cost activities for kids and families. Expect inflatable attractions and games, the COSI curbside van, a themed activity area, and a food truck. The park’s water feature provides a place to cool off. The day can also include a stop at COSI before or after, or a stroll across the river to Bicentennial Park for additional free fun.

Take a free ride on the carousel, play beneath a parachute, build with big blue Imagination Playground blocks, kick around a soccer ball, or come up with your own activities.

Take your workout outside with a free HIIT cardio class on the North Lawn of the Commons. This high energy session uses short bursts of effort to raise your heart rate and build stamina in an open air setting. A fitness waiver is required.

This free No Limit Texas Hold'em night at Counterbalance Brewing is part of a summer and early fall series. Several tables will be in play, $50 in prizes go to the top three players each night, and all experience levels are welcome. Food and drinks are available for purchase. Early online registration includes bonus chips, and newcomers are welcome at every event in the series.

The Conservatory Farmers Market brings together local growers and makers offering seasonal produce, baked treats, specialty foods, handmade goods, and health and beauty items. EBT is accepted for eligible purchases, and shoppers using EBT can receive Produce Perks Columbus incentives to use on fresh fruits and vegetables. Children can take part in VEGGIE CHAMPS, an ongoing activity that awards Veggie Bucks to spend with market vendors. The market continues in the rain, but it will be canceled if conditions become dangerous, including strong winds, lightning, or extreme heat.

A weekly evening card show brings together fans of Pokémon, trading card games, and sports cards at Counterbalance Brewing Company. Each week features a rotating selection of TCG and sports card tables, free prize giveaways, and occasional special activities. Admission is free, and the brewery has food and drinks available. For details about table space and other information, email midwestsportscardshows@gmail.com.

Take your yoga practice outside with a free class on the North Lawn of the Commons. The Commons hosts complimentary outdoor workouts, including yoga and cardio, at this location. A fitness waiver is required to participate.

Enjoy a recurring, free community jam and social dance centered on hot jazz. Everyone is invited to take part, so bring an instrument, your dancing shoes, and a friend or two. The evening begins with a complimentary workshop led by a SwingColumbus instructor who teaches a brief solo routine tailored to the brisk tempos of traditional jazz, with a new mini routine offered each month. After the workshop the bandstand opens. All instruments and singers are welcome to rotate in and out as they wish. Musicians and dancers of every experience level are encouraged to participate. COHJS and SwingColumbus foster a friendly, supportive, respectful, welcoming, safe, and enjoyable atmosphere for all. Admission is free, and a $5 tip for the jar helps keep the monthly jam going. Donations are also accepted through PayPal or Venmo, and every contribution supports these community events.

This downtown farmers market at Columbus Commons brings together vendors in one marketplace. It was featured on Good Day Columbus, where Kay spoke about the market held at this location.

The Bronzeville Growers Market celebrates its 10th Anniversary season with a community marketplace featuring fresh produce from local farmers and creative home products. Attendees can enjoy entertainment from local artists and explore informative resource tables, with much more in store. The event is free and open to all ages.

Ease into the weekend with BAM Thursdays, the Columbus Museum of Art series that brings together Bar, Art, and Music in the Patricia M. Jurgensen Sculpture Garden. Enjoy live performances, art on view, hands-on experiences, tasty bites, and refreshing drinks. It works for an after work wind down, a meet up with friends, or a spontaneous night out. Galleries stay open late with free general admission during the event, and museum hours are extended on Thursdays. Schokko Café offers limited indoor seating. Museum members receive 25 percent off food and nonalcoholic beverages. No reservation or ticket is required. Dining tables are available on a first come, first served basis. If the weather does not cooperate, activities move indoors to the atrium.

Experience a free yoga session at The Topiary Park, presented in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks. This downtown class is part of free fitness offerings available throughout the summer, encouraging people to get moving in the heart of the city.