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Music and Arts in Columbus, Ohio

When visiting Columbus, Ohio, culture and arts activities will stand out as highlights of your visit. You can experience everything from live music and museums to musical theater, fine art galleries, and more. Simply put, Columbus culture truly has something for everyone.

Check out which art things to do in Columbus, Ohio. These are attracting the most attention right now:

Theater Productions for the Season

Columbus never lacks a good show. You can find musicals, comedies, dramas, and performances that defy easy description in virtually every part of the city. Notable venues include Short North Stage, Shadowbox Live, the Riffe Center, and Madlab.

  • Theater
    Miss Saigon

    Thu, Apr 16 +more dates • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Live Music
    Backstage at the Lincoln: The Sound of La’Toya

    Thu, Apr 16 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Live Music
    The Temptations and The Four Tops: Celebrating 40 Years

    Thu, Apr 16 • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Revised)

    Thu, Apr 16 - Fri, Apr 17 • 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Leather and Lace: A Music Tribute to the Women of Rock

    Thu, Apr 16 +more dates • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Beetlejuice Jr.

    Fri, Apr 17 +more dates • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Live Music
    FLOETRY presents SAY YES The Tour

    Fri, Apr 17 • 8:00 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Maladies by Chris Sherman

    Fri, Apr 17 +more dates • 8:00 pm

    Other

  • Live Music
    Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Woodwind Quintet

    Sat, Apr 18 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Dirty Talk: A Sexy Sketch Comedy and Music Experience

    Sat, Apr 18 +more dates • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Bat Out of Hell – The Musical

    Sun, Apr 19 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Primary Trust

    Thu, Apr 23 +more dates • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio Performs Primary Trust

    Thu, Apr 23 +more dates • 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Let’s Go to the Movies

    Thu, Apr 23 +more dates • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Guys and Dolls

    Fri, Apr 24 - Sun, Apr 26 • Times Vary

    Other

  • Theater
    Guys & Dolls

    Fri, Apr 24 +more dates • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Romeo & Juliet

    Fri, Apr 24 - Sat, May 2 • Times Vary

    Other

  • Live Music
    Great Artist Gala – Renée Fleming

    Fri, Apr 24 • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    La traviata

    Sat, Apr 25 - Sun, Apr 26 • Times Vary

    Other

  • Live Music
    La Traviata

    Sat, Apr 25 - Sun, Apr 26 • Times Vary

    Other

Explore Central Ohio Through Great Museums

The eclectic selection of museums in Columbus (and the greater metropolitan area) is well worth your time. Our fair city has museums for history buffs, science lovers, art aficionados, hobbyists, and just about anyone else.

Highlights include the Columbus Museum of Art, the Early Television Museum, the Ohio History Center, and Thurber House.

Popular Theatres and Theater Companies

The many theatres in Columbus don’t just feature traditional dramas. The Palace Theatre, for example, is a great spot for live music, stand-up comedy, and more. Film buffs, meanwhile, will love the repertory screenings at the Gateway Film Center and Ohio Theatre.

Galleries Worth a Visit

The Short North Arts District is a great place to start exploring the city’s art scene. This Columbus, Ohio, arts district features multiple galleries and museums, including the Wexner Center for the Arts. You’ll also find many other galleries throughout the city. Examples include the Cultural Arts Center of Columbus, Ohio, and avant-garde spots like Art Outside the Lines.

Culture and Arts Events

Some of the greatest music and arts in Columbus, Ohio, are part of special annual events. For anyone visiting in late July or early August, the Ohio State Fair is an absolute must. But no matter when you stop by Columbus, you’ll encounter unique music, dance, crafts, culinary, and cultural festivals.

  • Talks & Readings
    Newark Earthworks Lecture Series

    Thu, Apr 16 • 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    2026 Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

    Thu, Apr 16 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Film Night: Singin’ in the Rain

    Fri, Apr 17 • 6:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    2026 Ohio State Moving-Image Production Senior Showcase

    Fri, Apr 17 - Sat, Apr 18 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    The Stranger (2026)

    Fri, Apr 17 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Talks & Readings
    Speaking of History… The Towboat W.P. SNYDER Jr.

    Sat, Apr 18 • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Up in Smoke (1978)

    Sat, Apr 18 • 9:30 pm

    Other

  • Classes & Workshops
    Stand Strong, Flow Together

    Sun, Apr 19 • 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    The Apostle (1997)

    Mon, Apr 20 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    The White House Effect

    Wed, Apr 22 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Michael (2026)

    Thu, Apr 23 - Fri, Apr 24 • 4:30 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Pretty Ugly: The Story Of The Lunachicks (2026)

    Sat, Apr 25 • 4:30 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Mahakaal (1994)

    Sat, Apr 25 • 9:30 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Tender Mercies (1983)

    Mon, Apr 27 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Talks & Readings
    Civil Discourse and Debate with James Carville & Reince Priebus, Moderated by Li

    Tue, Apr 28 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Election (1999) with Gramercy Books

    Tue, Apr 28 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Cinema
    Power To The People: John & Yoko Live in NYC (2026)

    Wed, Apr 29 +more dates • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Grease

    Thu, Apr 30 - Sun, May 3 • Times Vary

    Other

  • Theater
    Dirty Laundry

    Thu, Apr 30 +more dates • 8:00 pm

    Other

  • Dance Performance
    Boardman Celebration Day

    Fri, May 1 • 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

    Other

  • Things to Do
    Lue Elizondo – Persona Non Grata Tour

    Fri, May 1 • 7:00 pm

    Other

  • Live Music
    The Loren Lounge

    Fri, May 1 - Sun, May 3 • Times Vary

    Other

  • Live Music
    Orff: Triumph of Aphrodite

    Fri, May 1 - Sat, May 2 • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Theater
    Leather and Lace: A Music Tribute to the Women of Rock

    Fri, May 1 +more dates • 7:30 pm

    Other

  • Live Music
    The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

    Fri, May 1 • 8:00 pm

    Other

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