Best events in
Columbus

A laid-back night out often means dinner and a show, and there are many events and things to do in Columbus, IN that fit this relaxed vibe. The city's downtown Arts & Entertainment District serves as a hub for community gatherings and performances. Much of the local scene is concentrated in walkable areas, making it easy to move from a meal to live entertainment.

Downtown's walkable 4th Street area creates a natural circuit for an evening out, with pubs like 4th Street Bar & Grill offering live music and karaoke.
Annual festivals celebrate community heritage, including the Columbus Scottish Festival, Fiesta Latina, and the culture-spanning Ethnic Expo.
Comedy nights and independent films find a home at venues like YES Cinema and Forge on 4th, while The Crump Theatre periodically hosts a range of live performances.

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Popular in Columbus

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Mosaic Lamp Workshop in Columbus, IN

Tomorrow • 11:00 AM + 5 more

Stillframes Art & Design

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Bluegrass Concert with Highroad from Nashville, TN

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:30 PM

Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark

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Mill Race Monster Festival

Fri, Oct 23 • 4:00 PM

Mill Race Park

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Paint and sip: Halloween Celebrations (buy 2 tickets and get a 3rd free)

Sat, Oct 24 • 10:30 AM

1405 Hutchins Ave

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Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Wed, Nov 4 • 6:30 PM

911 Washington St

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Rock The Legion!

Sat, Nov 21 • 4:00 PM

American Legion Post 24

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Candle Making Workshop

Fri, Dec 4 • 6:00 PM

Columbus Propeller Inc. MakerSpace

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Edible Alphabet - Making Potato Latkes with Fruit Compote

Fri, Dec 4 • 9:15 AM

Grace Lutheran Church

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Mosaic Lamp Workshop in Columbus, IN

Tomorrow • 11:00 AM + 5 more

Stillframes Art & Design

Check ticket price on event

Bluegrass Concert with Highroad from Nashville, TN

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:30 PM

Circle K Fieldhouse at NexusPark

Check ticket price on event

Mill Race Monster Festival

Fri, Oct 23 • 4:00 PM

Mill Race Park

Check ticket price on event

Paint and sip: Halloween Celebrations (buy 2 tickets and get a 3rd free)

Sat, Oct 24 • 10:30 AM

1405 Hutchins Ave

Check ticket price on event

Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Wed, Nov 4 • 6:30 PM

911 Washington St

Check ticket price on event

Rock The Legion!

Sat, Nov 21 • 4:00 PM

American Legion Post 24

Check ticket price on event

Candle Making Workshop

Fri, Dec 4 • 6:00 PM

Columbus Propeller Inc. MakerSpace

Check ticket price on event

Edible Alphabet - Making Potato Latkes with Fruit Compote

Fri, Dec 4 • 9:15 AM

Grace Lutheran Church

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Online Events

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wednesday • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

Wednesday • 7:00 PM GMT+1

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM EDT

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Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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From nearby cities

Reverse Applique Hand Embroidered Sweatshirts

Thu, Oct 15 • 6:00 PM

Columbus Propeller Inc. MakerSpace

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Kng Ego & Jo Tyler @ Kendall's Tavern

Sat, Oct 17 • 7:30 PM

Kendall's Tavern

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Wine Your Way Through 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 1:00 PM

200 Camp Moneto Rd

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Hoosier Hibachi

Tue, Oct 20 • 6:00 PM

The Property

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Mill Race Monster Festival

Fri, Oct 23 • 4:00 PM

Mill Race Park

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Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Wed, Nov 4 • 6:30 PM

911 Washington St

Check ticket price on event

Until We Split Premiere

Wed, Nov 11 • 8:00 PM

The Historic Artcraft Theatre

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Confederate Railroad @ Jackson Live & Event Center in Seymour, Indiana

Sat, Nov 14 • 7:00 PM

981 C Avenue E

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Reverse Applique Hand Embroidered Sweatshirts

Thu, Oct 15 • 6:00 PM

Columbus Propeller Inc. MakerSpace

Check ticket price on event

Kng Ego & Jo Tyler @ Kendall's Tavern

Sat, Oct 17 • 7:30 PM

Kendall's Tavern

Check ticket price on event

Wine Your Way Through 2026

Sat, Oct 17 • 1:00 PM

200 Camp Moneto Rd

Check ticket price on event

Hoosier Hibachi

Tue, Oct 20 • 6:00 PM

The Property

Check ticket price on event

Mill Race Monster Festival

Fri, Oct 23 • 4:00 PM

Mill Race Park

Check ticket price on event

Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Wed, Nov 4 • 6:30 PM

911 Washington St

Check ticket price on event

Until We Split Premiere

Wed, Nov 11 • 8:00 PM

The Historic Artcraft Theatre

Check ticket price on event

Confederate Railroad @ Jackson Live & Event Center in Seymour, Indiana

Sat, Nov 14 • 7:00 PM

981 C Avenue E

Check ticket price on event

Frequently asked questions about Columbus

What are some fun date night ideas in Columbus, IN?

Downtown Columbus offers a classic dinner-and-a-show experience. Start with a meal, then catch an independent film at YES Cinema or see a comedy show at Forge on 4th. Many spots are within walking distance, creating a relaxed evening out.

Where can I find live music events?

Several local pubs feature live music on weekends. The Garage Pub and Grill has a family-friendly setting for its shows, while 4th Street Bar & Grill is a downtown spot for music and karaoke events.

Are there any recurring family-friendly events in Columbus?

The seasonal Columbus Farmer's Market is a popular family outing from May through September. CERAland Park also hosts various recreational activities and community events suitable for all ages throughout the year.

What is nightlife like in downtown Columbus?

The downtown nightlife scene is centered around a social, relaxed atmosphere. The area around 4th Street features bars and pubs with live music, making it ideal for a low-key evening rather than high-energy clubbing.

How can I experience local arts and culture events?

The city's Arts & Entertainment District is a great starting point for cultural events. The Commons hosts public gatherings, and the annual YESFEST celebrates independent film and creativity in the community.

What are some free things to do in the city?

Many annual cultural festivals offer free admission to the public. Events like Ethnic Expo and Fiesta Latina provide a chance to experience international music and food without a ticket, celebrating community diversity.

Is there a good spot for comedy shows?

YES Cinema & Conference Center is a key venue for live comedy nights. Forge on 4th also hosts comedy events in its speakeasy-style space, providing another option for a night of laughs downtown.

Can I find outdoor events in the Columbus area?

CERAland Park is a primary destination for outdoor activities and large-scale events. The park accommodates everything from sports to camping, and the seasonal Columbus Farmer's Market is another popular outdoor gathering.

Popular in Columbus

Mosaic Lamp Workshop in Columbus, IN

Bluegrass Concert with Highroad from Nashville, TN

Mill Race Monster Festival

Paint and sip: Halloween Celebrations (buy 2 tickets and get a 3rd free)

Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Rock The Legion!

Candle Making Workshop

Edible Alphabet - Making Potato Latkes with Fruit Compote

Mosaic Lamp Workshop in Columbus, IN

Bluegrass Concert with Highroad from Nashville, TN

Mill Race Monster Festival

Paint and sip: Halloween Celebrations (buy 2 tickets and get a 3rd free)

Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Rock The Legion!

Candle Making Workshop

Edible Alphabet - Making Potato Latkes with Fruit Compote

Online Events

How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Witch hunts and real lives

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Lean Global Connection 2026

How To Be Kind To Yourself - Shahroo Izadi

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

(WATCH ONLINE) Dr. Jonathan Sarna with Joseph Weisberg

Witch hunts and real lives

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Lean Global Connection 2026

From nearby cities

Reverse Applique Hand Embroidered Sweatshirts

Kng Ego & Jo Tyler @ Kendall's Tavern

Wine Your Way Through 2026

Hoosier Hibachi

Mill Race Monster Festival

Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Until We Split Premiere

Confederate Railroad @ Jackson Live & Event Center in Seymour, Indiana

Reverse Applique Hand Embroidered Sweatshirts

Kng Ego & Jo Tyler @ Kendall's Tavern

Wine Your Way Through 2026

Hoosier Hibachi

Mill Race Monster Festival

Hands On Fall Themed Charcuterie Workshop

Until We Split Premiere

Confederate Railroad @ Jackson Live & Event Center in Seymour, Indiana

Points of Interest near Columbus

What are some fun date night ideas in Columbus, IN?

Where can I find live music events?

Are there any recurring family-friendly events in Columbus?

What is nightlife like in downtown Columbus?

How can I experience local arts and culture events?

What are some free things to do in the city?

Is there a good spot for comedy shows?

Can I find outdoor events in the Columbus area?