This weekend is not messing around. Two big country concerts, an evening with a legendary American band, fireworks after the Clippers, and the World Cup Final on the big screen hosted by the Crew. The only real problem is that you can’t be in two places at once.
Every event below is verified before it makes the list just like our monthly guide. Here’s your weekend, Columbus.
This Weekend At A Glance
| Event | When | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis | Fri 6:05pm, Sat 7:05pm, Sun 1:05pm | Huntington Park | Ticketed |
| Cody Johnson | Fri & Sat, 7:30pm | Nationwide Arena | Ticketed |
| Greensky Bluegrass | Fri, 8pm | KEMBA Live! | Ticketed |
| Cocktails at the Conservatory: Summer of Sangria | Fri, 5:30–9:30pm | Franklin Park Conservatory | $35, advance only, 21+ |
| Gimme Gimme Disco | Fri, 9:30pm | Skully’s Music Diner | From $20 |
| An Evening with Wilco | Sat, 8pm | Palace Theatre | Ticketed |
| Picnic with the Pops: LeAnn Rimes | Sat, gates 6pm, show 8pm | Columbus Commons | Ticketed |
| Blackberry Smoke | Sat, doors 6pm | Newport Music Hall | Ticketed |
| Ocean Vuong with Maggie Smith | Sat, 6pm | Westerville North High School | $20 (includes signed book) |
| PBJ & Jazz with the Whirlybirds | Sat, noon | Topiary Park | Free |
| World Cup Final Watch Party | Sun, 3pm kickoff | ScottsMiracle-Gro Field | Free |
| Mt. Air at the Goodale Park Gazebo | Sun, 12:30pm | Goodale Park | Free |
Friday, July 17
⚾ Clippers Fireworks Night
Baseball is back from the All-Star break, and the Clippers open a weekend series against Indianapolis. $5 select small domestic drafts all night and fireworks follow.
Location: Huntington Park
When: Friday at 6:05pm (series continues Saturday 7:05pm and Sunday 1:05pm)
More info: Columbus Clippers
🤠 Cody Johnson at Nationwide Arena
Cody Johnson is in town for two nights, and both are festival-like. Friday night, Larry Fleet and Drew Baldridge open; Saturday it’s Ian Munsick and Walker Montgomery. If you only know “‘Til You Can’t,” come find out why his live shows sellout.
Location: Nationwide Arena
When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm
More info: Ticketmaster
🍹 Summer of Sangria at the Conservatory
Franklin Park Conservatory turns the gardens over to sangria sampling. Check out Chihuly glass and summer blooms with a glass in hand. Know before you go: it’s 21 and up and advance tickets only ($35, $30 for members).
Location: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
When: Friday, 5:30–9:30pm
More info: Franklin Park Conservatory
🎻 Greensky Bluegrass at KEMBA Live!
Two decades in, Greensky is still one of the best live acts in the jam-bluegrass world. All ages, 8pm.
Location: KEMBA Live!
When: Friday, 8pm
More info: PromoWest
🪩 Gimme Gimme Disco at Skully’s
An ABBA-heavy dance party with the rest of the 70s and 80s disco canon mixed in. Doors at 9:30pm, tickets from $20.
Location: Skully’s Music Diner
When: Friday, 9:30pm
More info: TicketWeb
Saturday, July 18
🎸 An Evening with Wilco
No opener, two full sets with an intermission, in one of the prettiest rooms in the city. Seeing Wilco at the Palace will be brag-worthy in the future.
Location: Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
When: Saturday, 8pm
More info: CAPA
🎤 Picnic with the Pops: LeAnn Rimes
LeAnn Rimes celebrates 30 years of “Blue” with the Columbus Symphony behind her, under the open sky at the Commons. Spots open up at 6pm, and you can bring your own picnic.
Location: Columbus Commons
When: Saturday, gates 6pm, show 8pm
More info: CAPA
📚 Ocean Vuong in Conversation with Maggie Smith
A big literary get: Ocean Vuong talks with Columbus’s own Maggie Smith, presented by Prologue Bookshop and Westerville Public Library. Doors open at 5pm, seating is first come, first served, and the $20 ticket includes a signed paperback of The Emperor of Gladness. Student tickets are $10 while supplies last but don’t include the book.
Location: Westerville North High School
When: Saturday, 6pm (doors 5pm)
More info: Prologue Bookshop
🥜 PBJ & Jazz at Topiary Park (Free)
Bring a blanket and the kids for a free, one-hour interactive jazz concert with the Whirlybirds at noon. Family story time precedes it at the Main Library at 11am which also has a hands-on art activity after from 1 to 2pm.
Location: Topiary Park, 480 E. Town St.
When: Saturday, noon
More info: Jazz Arts Group
🎸 Blackberry Smoke at the Newport
Southern rock. Doors open at 6pm, show at 7:30pm.
Location: Newport Music Hall
When: Saturday, doors 6pm
More info: PromoWest
⚾ Clippers: Bazzana Bobblehead Night
Saturday’s 7:05pm game hands out a Travis Bazzana bobblehead, but only to the first 1,000 fans through the gates.
Location: Huntington Park
When: Saturday, 7:05pm
More info: Columbus Clippers
Sunday, July 19
🏆 World Cup Final Watch Party at the Stadium
The World Cup ends Sunday, and the Crew are throwing the doors of ScottsMiracle-Gro Field open for a free watch party. There will be pre-match activities, as well as local food and drink vendors. Kickoff is at 3pm. If you’ve been following along with the World Cup in Columbus, this is the climax.
Location: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field
When: Sunday, 3pm kickoff
Cost: Free
More info: Columbus Crew
🎶 Mt. Air at the Goodale Park Gazebo (Free)
The Goodale Park Music Series continues with indie folk from Mt. Air at the gazebo, 12:30pm, free, and a quintessential Victorian Village. Grab lunch in the Short North and wander over.
Location: Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.
When: Sunday, 12:30pm
More info: Experience Columbus
⚾ Clippers Family Day
The series wraps with a 1:05pm Sunday matinee and Family Day at the ballpark. Afternoon baseball, then home in time (or walk over to the Crew watch party) for the World Cup Final’s second half if you hustle.
Location: Huntington Park
When: Sunday, 1:05pm
More info: Columbus Clippers
That’s the weekend, friends. Pick your lane, or be ambitious and show up to more than one. If you’re planning further out, the full July guide has you covered through the Ohio State Fair and beyond.
Get out there and have fun.
