Free events in Columbus, OH

Experience a free Reiki clinic led by Kelly Bisson. It welcomes anyone curious about Reiki as well as those who already value its wellness benefits but prefer a no-cost option. Each attendee receives a 15 to 20 minute session of Reiki from an advanced level practitioner. Registration is not required, and there is no fee.

Enjoy a free fitness class in the heart of Downtown, presented in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks. Keep active this summer with a session created to help you work up a sweat.

The event offers free carousel rides, parachute games, and hands-on building with Imagination Playground blue blocks. Attendees can kick around a soccer ball and enjoy plenty of space for self-directed play.

Boost your heart rate with a free outdoor HIIT cardio class on the North Lawn of the Commons. Take your workout outside at no cost. A fitness waiver is required before participating.

Enjoy a weekly card show centered on Pokémon, trading card games, and sports cards at Counterbalance Brewing Company. Expect a changing selection of tables featuring both TCG and sports cards, plus free giveaways and occasional special activities. Admission is free and the event welcomes all ages. Food and drinks are available from the brewery. For table availability and more information, email midwestsportscardshows@gmail.com.

Take your yoga practice outside on the North Lawn of the Commons with a free fitness class in an open-air setting. Center your body and mind as you move through the session surrounded by fresh air. A fitness waiver is required for participation.

Take your yoga practice outside with a free class on the North Lawn of the Commons. This open air fitness session is offered at no cost and requires a completed fitness waiver before participation.

Enjoy a relaxed trivia event with no charge to play, open to everyone.

A community drive-thru clinic is offering essential vaccines for owned dogs and cats at no cost while supplies last. Services are first come, first served. On arrival, look for orange signs and follow the drive-thru line for assistance. Keep pets safely controlled on a leash, in a crate, or otherwise contained. Wait times can vary, so plan ahead for warm weather and bring water for your animals. If a pet shows signs of heat stress, alert a staff member right away. Donations are welcome and help sustain these clinics. Supplemental pet food is not guaranteed at every clinic and, when available, is limited. Vaccines include a one-year rabies shot for dogs and cats 12 weeks and older, plus DAPP for dogs and FVRCP for cats beginning at 6 weeks of age. These clinics aim to reduce barriers to care, protect community health, limit the spread of disease, and help pets remain with the people who love them.

Now in its 10th anniversary season, Bronzeville Growers Market offers farm fresh produce from area growers, unique goods for the home, performances by local artists, and helpful resource tables, with even more to explore. Admission is free and the market welcomes visitors of all ages.

Power through a free downtown fitness session focused on high intensity interval training cardio at CCAD Park. Presented in collaboration with Columbus Recreation and Parks, this class is part of a summer series of complimentary workouts happening across the downtown area. Expect an energetic pace that gets you moving and builds a healthy sweat.

Presented with Columbus Recreation and Parks, this complimentary fitness class brings an energizing summer workout to Downtown. It offers a chance to get moving and work up a sweat at no cost.

Spend ten minutes with a CMA educator in a focused conversation about a single artwork. As part of the 10 Minutes on the Dot series, each pop up highlights a different piece on view. Follow the signs near CMA’s Welcome Desk to find the featured work for the session. The experience is included with general admission and does not require registration.

Back for the summer, Level the Vibes celebrates Columbus reggae history and culture in the sculpture garden. The event features DJ sets curated by Sammy Macchiato. Entry to the program and sculpture garden is free, and gallery access requires separate admission. Tickets for the exhibition Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began are available at the Welcome Desk.

Plant enthusiasts, indoor growers, and anyone curious about controlled environment agriculture can explore a free expo at Indoor Gardens’ Columbus location. The Ohio Grown Fall Expo brings together many vendors ready to answer questions, offer growing tips, and share complimentary samples and giveaways. Attendees can connect with knowledgeable experts in lighting, hydroponic systems, environmental controls, nutrients, and fertilizers, making it a helpful stop for hobbyists and those with commercial cultivation licenses alike. Look for a major sale during the event, plus complimentary food and a large raffle. Vendor spaces are not sold for this expo, and any request for payment to secure a spot is fraudulent.

Enjoy a relaxed day of Magic: The Gathering at VGMX with casual Commander games designed for multiplayer fun. Bring a friend and pilot a Commander Constructed deck built around a legendary creature, trading big plays and memorable moments at the table. There is no entry fee, and participants of all experience levels are welcome.

Sunday mornings offer a relaxed time to tend the garden, with opportunities for planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting, learning, and socializing. Participants may drop in as schedules allow or make it part of a weekly routine. Bring sun protection and a water bottle. Tools will be provided, and personal tools are welcome.

Help give shelter dogs the exercise and attention they deserve at a community dog walking event hosted by the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center. This is an outdoor, weather dependent activity, and any changes due to conditions will be shared on the event page. No pre-registration is required, and newcomers and drop-in volunteers are welcome. Shelter staff will guide participants throughout, from matching with a suitable dog to providing essentials like waste bags, treats, and harness leads, so there is no need for prior experience. Please leave personal leashes and collars at home. Upon arrival, head to the large, fully fenced walking yard behind the building, enter through the gate, and check in at the registration table. Comfortable, sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended. Families are invited, and the primary handler for each dog must be at least 18 years old. Personal pets should remain at home unless a meet and greet for adoption has been arranged. Photos are encouraged, and sharing with the hashtag #FCDSAdoptables helps spotlight dogs looking for homes. Anyone interested in fostering or adopting can speak with staff to learn more. Donations of dog treats are especially appreciated. The shelter often cares for 200 to 300 dogs, and community participation makes a meaningful difference for each one.

Free general admission is available every Sunday, made possible by support from Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All and donors to the Free for the Future Campaign. Admission to special exhibitions is included. Visitors can explore the Walter Wing, work together on a puzzle in a gallery, and enjoy time with friends and family. Engaging experiences can be found throughout the museum. Photo by JToland Photo.

Take a focused ten minutes with a CMA educator to explore a single artwork in depth. This pop up experience highlights a rotating selection of pieces on display, offering a brief yet insightful look at the collection. Look for signs near CMA’s Welcome Desk to find the featured work for the day. The program is included with general admission and does not require registration. Photo by JToland Photo.

This free practitioner-only Reiki share with Kelly Bisson brings together practitioners of all lineages and experience levels for communal practice. The session focuses on exchanging Reiki, learning from peers, and the opportunity to receive from several practitioners at once. Registration is not required.

Sound Bath Sundays is a monthly sound experience at Gravity, led by Gravitation Columbus. Held on the last Sunday of each month, it welcomes everyone and offers a chance to reset, unwind, and recharge. Attendance is donation based and there is no required fee.

Reggae Sundays brings music from The Flex Crew alongside DJ P. Funk. This 21+ event highlights reggae sounds for an upbeat night out. Admission is $10 for women and $15 for men.