Free events in Columbus, OH

A complimentary dinner workshop at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, Northwest Columbus Chapel in Powell offers guidance for anyone considering arrangements for themselves or assisting a loved one. The conversation includes cremation and funeral service options, Veteran benefits, Medicaid spend down assistance, details about a Lifetime Price Guarantee, and ways to plan ahead that can help protect family members from rising costs. A meal is provided with no obligation to purchase. Seating is limited, and RSVPs are requested. If this message reaches you during a time of illness or loss, please accept sincere apologies.

Spend 10 minutes with a CMA educator for a closer look at a single work of art. This pop-up series highlights a variety of works on display, with signage near the Welcome Desk pointing visitors to the featured artwork. The experience is free with general admission, and no registration is required.

Night Shift returns to The Pizzuti with natural wines curated by Kyle Huffman of Cordial Cocktail Club & Bottle Shop and music from DJs. Explore the exhibitions Tavares Strachan: The Day Tomorrow Began and Bar Room. Registration is free and includes access to the exhibition and Bar Room. Timed exhibition entry may apply based on capacity, so visitors can ask at the Welcome Desk upon arrival.

RAM offers free dental, vision, and general medical services to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. No identification or insurance is required. Clinic capacity may be reached early, particularly for dental and vision care, and patients may need to choose between those two services. Staff and volunteers will explain the arrival process and next steps. Those arriving early should bring food, water, any medications, and clothing suitable for the weather. Bathrooms are available at the parking site.

Connect with a small group of local men for a free fitness workout focused on building strength, improving fitness, and keeping one another accountable. The 45-to-60-minute session combines a ruck, which is walking or hiking with a weighted backpack, with bodyweight exercises such as push-ups, squats, and planks. Workouts are adapted for different fitness levels, and the group stays together so everyone can finish. Bring water and a backpack with a few dumbbells, wrapped bricks, or water bottles for weight. A 10-to-20-pound load is suggested, and beginners can start with an empty pack. The workout is open to all men, costs nothing, and has no sign-ups or sales pitches. The group meets in all weather.

Enjoy casual multiplayer games of Magic: The Gathering in the Commander Constructed format. Commander centers on legendary creatures, big plays, and epic battles among friends. There is no entry fee, and all are welcome.

Enjoy free general admission to the museum on Sundays, with special exhibition admission included. Explore the Walter Wing or work on a puzzle together in a gallery, with experiences to discover throughout the museum. Free admission is supported by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All and Free for the Future Campaign donors.

At Pinnacle Pets Play & Stay, this free, small-group socialization session gives young puppies a gentle start with new experiences during a key stage of development. In a closely supervised environment, puppies meet new canine friends and people while the team observes body language, guides positive interactions, and prioritizes safety and success. Puppies can explore at their own pace, engage with others, or take breaks, learning that novelty can be enjoyable without pressure. The experience builds early confidence and resilience in unfamiliar settings, laying groundwork that supports future training, daycare, grooming, and boarding. Group size is intentionally kept small to maintain a calm atmosphere and allow attention to each puppy’s comfort level and personality. The session is free and limited to 9 puppies. It is intended for puppies 10 weeks to about 5 months old, and owners stay with their puppies throughout. Health requirements include Bordetella, Distemper and Parvo, Canine Influenza Virus, and a negative fecal test. A rabies vaccine is required once age-appropriate, typically between 12 and 16 weeks.

During turbulent and upsetting times, this new moon rite offers space to cleanse, ground, center, and shield. It is free and open to all skill levels, with a focus on caring for ourselves so we can better support others.

Powell’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony honors the courage and sacrifice of those who have served. The ceremony will take place at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial, with Council Chambers as the location in the event of inclement weather. Before the ceremony, the community is welcome to take part in a flag refresh at Powell Cemetery, led by the Powell Veterans Committee, to ensure the flags honoring local veterans are standing tall and pristine. The keynote speaker is Major General Deborah Ashenhurst, a retired U.S. Army and National Guard officer and former Director of the Ohio Department of Veteran Services. Following the ceremony, veterans are welcome to a free luncheon in the East Room of City Hall.

A weekly drive-through produce distribution serving qualifying Licking County residents at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Produce is brought directly to your vehicle. On a first visit, bringing photo ID and/or proof of address can help with registration. Please follow signs and directions upon arrival.

Enjoy an open hot jazz jam and dance welcoming musicians, vocalists, dancers, and listeners of all experience levels. A SwingColumbus instructor leads a short solo dance workshop, with a new mini-routine each month, before the bandstand opens for musicians to join and swap in and out as they like. The welcoming, supportive event is free, and contributions to the tip jar help keep the monthly jam active.

Enjoy a trivia event that is free to play and open to the public.