Live music in Columbus, OH

Private School brings the Been Wild Tour to Donatos Basement, with Symposia.

Enjoy live music from Royal Forest, performing classic rock and country, followed by Perplexor and Serpentine Silver, both playing classic rock. The venue also offers a food menu, signature cocktails, and a large selection of craft beer.

Full bands are welcome at this open mic, with a house drum kit provided. Each group gets a 15-minute slot, with opportunities available throughout the evening. It’s a relaxed setting for sharing live music with a room full of music lovers.

Amy Rigby blends the insight and humor of country and folk songwriting with classic rock craftsmanship and a punk DIY spirit. Her honest, energetic songs find poetry in everyday life, drawing on the tradition of classic country while exploring themes including aging, mortality, and youthful missteps. Her latest album, Hang In There With Me, features eleven songs written by Rigby and recorded by her husband, Wreckless Eric. A full food and drink menu will be available before and during the show.

Enjoy an evening of karaoke at Oldfield's North Fourth Tavern, with more than 75,000 songs to choose from. Sing a favorite, perform a duet, or cheer on other singers. The night is hosted by Liam, known as “the Gentleman,” and features $4 Chitt Shows.

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.

The Menzingers headline a North American tour featuring Hot Water Music and Weakened Friends. The event is open to all ages.

Magic Dick joins forces with Terry Davidson and Friends for a blues and rock and roll performance, continuing a collaboration that has spanned nine years. Vocalist Long Tall Deb joins the band for this special show.

An evening at 1801 Tavern features live music, food, and a lively bar atmosphere. This local favorite is hosting a high-energy band that will keep the fun going throughout the night.

Experience a performance by 23 Southbound Acoustic at The Grainery Live.

Forró Fridays bring the fun of forró to casa cacao.

The Groove Brothers Band celebrates The Allman Brothers Band with carefully selected songs from the group’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame catalog, including “Ramblin’ Man,” “Midnight Rider,” “Whipping Post,” and “Jessica.” The performance shares the band’s enduring Southern Rock legacy with longtime fans and new listeners alike.

Celebrity Etc presents a live performance featuring Lee Emi with Cal in Red. The event is open to all ages. Guests under 21 are subject to a $3 cash underage fee at the door.

Rock this Way returns to The Ugly Mug Bar & Grill in Canal Winchester. For more information, contact the venue at (614) 920-1604.

Hilliard Arts Council presents La Cage aux Folles, a musical about Georges, who runs a gay nightclub, and his partner Albin, a drag artist. When their son announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative politician, the couple navigates thorny family dynamics and social expectations. Many will recognize the story from The Birdcage, the Robin Williams and Nathan Lane film adapted from this musical.

An evening of experimental performance features hybrid media artist Paul Catanese, collaborative movement and sound collective MouseVision, experimental electronic musician Mkl Anderson’s solo project DREKKA, and experimental musician and percussionist Jake Kundu. The artists bring together practices spanning modular synthesis, tape-based media, voice, Butoh, improvisation, dark ambient, drone, and contemporary percussion.

A seven-piece, female-led band featuring a lively horn section delivers an energetic blend of grooves and rockers that is sure to get feet moving. A favorite at the Veil Bar at Eldorado Scioto Downs, they serve up a crowd-pleasing mix of rock, soul, pop, and dance.

Enjoy a Friday night of karaoke at Ledo's, with more than 75,000 songs to choose from. Sing a favorite, team up for a duet, or cheer on the performers. The evening also features $4 shot specials and is hosted by Liam the “Gentleman.”

Devin Henry performs live at The O on Lane for a pregame concert before every home Ohio State football game.

Headcleaner features Julie Marghilano in an extended set, with Corals also performing. Marghilano’s work spans vinyl-focused DJ sets, hardware-driven live performances, downtempo vibroacoustic healing performances, and music production workshops for FLINTA artists. Headcleaner is a consent-forward, anti-harassment collective. Anyone who feels uncomfortable in the shared space can alert a resident or Summit staff member.

After hours, the Conservatory welcomes visitors for an illuminated showcase of the Chihuly Collection, professionally lit to stand out against the interior setting. The evening features live music and a tour with a guide to enhance the experience from start to finish.

The We Are Messengers Halfway Home Tour centers on the journey of faith, offering an evening of honest storytelling and songs like “Come What May” and “Wholehearted.” Early dates in the run feature Andrew Ripp with favorites such as “Fill My Cup” and “Jericho,” while later dates welcome Allison Eide with music including “Love Who I Am.” A limited number of VIP tickets are available and include early entry to choose seats, a pre-show Q&A with We Are Messengers, and a VIP laminate. Late arrivals will forfeit the Q&A, and refunds are not available. The lineup may change. To ensure valid tickets at face value, use the official ticketing partner and avoid resellers.

Donny Benét and Otnes are performing an all-ages show.

A live MWC event is planned at India Oak Bar & Grill. More details will be provided closer to the event.

Cherry Blonde returns to Fenders for a live performance.

Tracing a journey from quiet poise to spirited movement, this program opens a season dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s passing. Music director Antoine T. Clark leads the Worthington Chamber Orchestra in Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnol and Manuel de Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain, featuring guest pianist Orlay Alonso in a showcase of Spanish color and atmosphere. The program culminates with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, a work Wagner praised for its dancing energy.

A fairytale celebration brings families together in Central Ohio at Paulette's Palace inside the Worthington Mall. Enjoy onstage vocals and choreography, greeting sessions with plenty of photo opportunities set in ornate palace scenes, a glittery makeover area, crowning moments with tiaras, and an interactive palace themed dance party. Tickets are required for both adults and children. VIP admission is $50 and limited to 15 spots, and general admission is $30. Each child will receive a complimentary Raising Cane's kids meal and a swag bag courtesy of Raising Cane's. Proceeds support Paulette's Passion, a nonprofit devoted to brightening the lives of children facing serious illnesses and disabilities.

Musicians from various Columbus bands gather each week for a performance session featuring Irish pub tunes, traditional music, American music, and pop. The session offers a relaxed way to spend a Sunday afternoon and wind down the weekend.

Enjoy an open jam session hosted by Clayton, welcoming musicians and singers of all experience levels and styles. Bring an instrument or share a song onstage, or simply enjoy the music. All-day happy hour is also offered.

Wage War’s Emergency Broadcast Tour features performances by Wage War, We Came As Romans, Varials, and Cane Hill. Presented by 99.7 The Blitz, the show is indoors and open to all ages.

Experience sombr’s blend of arena pop, indie longing, and glam charisma, with songs that explore young love through vulnerable, expressive storytelling. A self-taught producer and the sole writer and co-producer of his songs, the New York City artist began recording in a makeshift bedroom studio while studying classical music and vocal performance. His breakout single “back to friends” topped Spotify’s Global and U.S. charts, reached the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, and led Alternative Radio. His debut album, I Barely Know Her, was co-produced by Tony Berg, and sombr has also earned a Best New Artist GRAMMY nomination and MTV VMA recognition.

Enjoy a Sunday night of karaoke at Cazuela's North Campus, with more than 70,000 songs to choose from. Sing a favorite, share a duet, or cheer on the performers during an evening of music, laughs, and lively performances. Hosted by Ryan Canon.

The Wldlfe performs with Landon Conrath and Adam Paddock in an all-ages show. A VIP package includes a general admission ticket, early entry, a meet and greet and photo with The Wldlfe, an acoustic performance, a Q&A, a pin set, a meet-and-greet laminate and lanyard, and priority merchandise shopping. The VIP package has limited availability. Guests under 21 are subject to a $3 cash fee at the door.

Enjoy a reggae night featuring The Flex Crew and DJ P. Funk. The event is for guests 21 and older, with separate ticket prices for women and men. Women receive free admission until 11 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of karaoke at AWOL Bar. Pick a song and take the mic, whether you love performing or prefer cheering on friends.

Celebrate the upcoming release of “Kaleidoscope” with two sets of original compositions, featuring talented Capital musicians as special guests. The performance is sponsored by WXCU Radio.

Enjoy a karaoke night with a stage, lights, a state-of-the-art sound system, and multiple quality microphones for singing solo or as a group. The kitchen offers food during its operating hours, and a happy hour menu is available. The bar serves craft cocktails, whiskey, draft drinks, wine, and bucket specials.

half•alive brings the Billions Tour to The King of Clubs, with Julianna Zachariou.

Em Beihold’s Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter Tour features an all-ages show. A VIP package is also available, including a general admission ticket, early venue entry, access to a pre-show soundcheck and Q&A, a group photo with Em Beihold, a specially designed tote bag, a commemorative VIP laminate and lanyard, and priority merchandise shopping. The VIP package has limited availability. Attendees under 21 are required to pay a $3 cash underage fee at the door.

Austin Giorgio brings a night of music and emotion, performing songs including “You Put a Spell On Me” and “Dangerous Hands.” The performance features his blend of pop and dark romance, along with a first taste of new music set to define 2025. The experience explores love, tension, and the thrill of the unknown. The event is open to all ages.

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 an evening of line dancing with music and company at The Horseshoe. The night includes lessons for dancers of different experience levels, with an intermediate lesson possible before the regular lessons if enough dancers are interested. Drinks are available.

Celebrate the middle of the week with karaoke as Benny and Friends are there every Wednesday night.