SMART RIDECENTRAL OHIOCENTRAL OHIO LIVE
Looking for things to do in Columbus and Central Ohio? Explore upcoming concerts, theater, comedy, sports, festivals and conventions over the next four weeks. Check official event details, then plan the trip there and back with Smart Ride.
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Monday refresh · 8 a.m. Eastern
Sep 26 – Oct 23, 2026
This edition is awaiting a fresh review. Check the official event pages for the latest dates and status before making plans.
YOUR MONDAY LINEUP
One free email every Monday with live music, plays, musicals, comedy, sporting events, festivals, and conventions coming up over the next four weeks, plus help planning your ride there and back.
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MAKE SOME PLANS
A curated selection, with a little help getting there.
All times are Eastern. Tickets are sold by event providers.
39 selected events · Sep 26 – Oct 23
Thursday–Sunday, 7:30–10:30 p.m. · separate festival ticket; daytime Zoo admission not included
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Musical · selected performances through October 18 · rated PG-13
Garden Theater · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · Short North Stage
Play · selected Thursday–Sunday performances with matinee and evening times
Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · CAPA / Columbus Children’s Theatre
Grandview Hop · local vendors and family activities · 5–9 p.m.
Grandview Avenue, between First and Haines avenues · Columbus
· 5:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Plan a drop-off near the festival and agree on a pickup point away from the busiest pedestrian areas.
Verified Sep 26 · Festival for Good
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tribute
Woodlands Tavern · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride A smaller club show on West Third Avenue. Confirm show details and arrange your return pickup before heading inside.
Verified Sep 26 · Woodlands Productions
Comedy · PG-13 language
Southern Theatre · Columbus
· 3:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · CAPA
Soccer
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Make a downtown evening of it, with your trip home arranged before kickoff.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Crew
Stand-up comedy
Lincoln Theatre · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · CAPA
Film in concert
KEMBA Live! · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. doors ET
Plan the ride An indoor concert outing that pairs well with dinner downtown. The listed time is doors, not showtime.
Verified Sep 26 · PromoWest Productions
Stand-up comedy · 21+ with valid ID · doors 5:30 p.m.
Columbus Funny Bone · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Funny Bone
The UGLY Tour
Nationwide Arena · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Enjoy the arena show with a planned ride home instead of keeping track of a parked car.
Verified Sep 26 · Nationwide Arena
The Rats in a Cage Tour
Schottenstein Center · Columbus
· 8:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride An 8 p.m. start makes advance return-ride planning useful. Confirm pickup arrangements before the show.
Verified Sep 26 · Schottenstein Center
Local soul band
Natalie’s Grandview · Columbus
· 8:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Pair a local soul show with an evening out. Share your King Avenue pickup and return plans when requesting a ride.
Verified Sep 26 · Natalie’s Grandview
Charlie’s Stage · 5–6:30 p.m.
Natalie’s Grandview — Charlie’s Stage · Columbus
· 5:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride An early evening of live music in a small room. Check seating arrangements with the venue and plan transportation around dinner.
Verified Sep 26 · Natalie’s Grandview
Saturdays and Sundays October 3–25, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. · included with daytime Zoo admission
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
With The Get Up Kids · all ages
Newport Music Hall · Columbus
· 6:30 p.m. doors ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · PromoWest Productions
The Gathering
Nationwide Arena · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Meet friends for the concert and plan transportation for both legs of the evening.
Verified Sep 26 · Nationwide Arena
Broadway musical · selected matinee and evening performances · recommended ages 12+
Ohio Theatre · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · CAPA
Mutiny for the Masses Tour
Nationwide Arena · Columbus
· 8:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride For a later arena show, agree on a flexible return plan with Steve before your evening begins.
Verified Sep 26 · Nationwide Arena
With Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross
Schottenstein Center · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride A country concert with friends is a good occasion to leave the driving to someone else.
Verified Sep 26 · Schottenstein Center
Adults-only evening, 7–10 p.m. · ages 21+ · event ticket required
COSI · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · COSI
Stand-up comedy · multiple showtimes October 8–10 · 21+ with valid ID
Columbus Funny Bone · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Funny Bone
Columbus Symphony · October 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center · Columbus
· 7:30 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Pair a downtown dinner with orchestral movie music, and discuss both stops when arranging your ride.
Verified Sep 26 · CAPA
Fri 5–11 p.m. · Sat 10 a.m.–11 p.m. · Sun noon–7 p.m.
Saint John the Baptist Church, 168 E. Lincoln Street · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your festival day and preferred return time when requesting transportation. Follow event traffic instructions for pickup.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Italian Festival
Stand-up comedy · ages 12+
Palace Theatre · Columbus
· 8:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · CAPA
Football · Homecoming
Ohio Stadium · Columbus
· Time to be announced ET
Plan the ride Plan ahead for a campus game day. Kickoff is still TBA; finalize ride times after the official announcement.
Verified Sep 26 · Ohio State Athletics
With quannnic
A&R Music Bar · Columbus
· 6:30 p.m. doors ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · PromoWest Productions
Industry trade show; not open to the public. Show floor: Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Mon 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Greater Columbus Convention Center · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride For registered industry attendees. Coordinate hotel or home pickup around your own education and exhibit schedule.
Verified Sep 26 · Pizza Expo Columbus
Hockey
Nationwide Arena · Columbus
· 6:15 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride The arena lists a 6:15 p.m. start. Build your pickup around the earlier game time and plan for the return.
Verified Sep 26 · Nationwide Arena
With Ike Reilly featuring Shane Reilly · doors 6 p.m.
Rumba Cafe · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride An intimate club concert on Summit Street. Arrange your ride home and agree on a permitted meeting point.
Verified Sep 26 · Celebrity Etc Presents
Major League Soccer
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field · Columbus
· 7:30 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride A midweek match with a ride home already arranged can keep the evening simple.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Crew
Stage Door Cabaret Series
Midland Theatre · Newark
· 7:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · Midland Theatre
With The Ark Band and DJ Sammy · special Bob Marley tribute set
The Bluestone · Columbus
· 7:00 p.m. doors ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · PromoWest Productions
The Burning Up Tour All Over Again
Nationwide Arena · Columbus
· 7:30 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Make a Friday night of it. Request your ride early and coordinate the after-show meeting point.
Verified Sep 26 · Nationwide Arena
Live at Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium · Columbus
· 6:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride This show is at Ohio Stadium. Discuss an accessible meeting point and allow extra time around the stadium.
Verified Sep 26 · Schottenstein Center / Ohio Stadium
Soccer
ScottsMiracle-Gro Field · Columbus
· 8:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride An 8 p.m. kickoff makes planning your return trip particularly helpful.
Verified Sep 26 · Columbus Crew
Electrical industry convention · registration required · session locations and hours vary
Greater Columbus Convention Center and associated session venues · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Runs October 21–24, continuing beyond this edition’s window. Confirm your session venue and arrange daily rides around your personal agenda.
Verified Sep 26 · Independent Electrical Contractors — SPARK
Don't Look Down Tour
Schottenstein Center · Columbus
· 8:00 p.m. start ET
Plan the ride Arrange your evening transportation ahead of time, including how to meet after the show.
Verified Sep 26 · Schottenstein Center
Live stage musical · selected performances through October 31 · rated R
Garden Theater · Columbus
· Dates & times: see official schedule ET
Plan the ride Choose your performance or visit time before requesting a ride, and arrange a return pickup with Steve.
Verified Sep 26 · Short North Stage
Try another search or check the official calendars below.
Browse the dated event lineup for Columbus and Central Ohio concerts, theater, comedy, sports, festivals and conventions. With JavaScript enabled, use the event-type and area filters or search for an artist, team or venue. This is a selected four-week lineup, so check the official calendars below for additional events.
Each listing links to the official event or ticket page and shows when its information was verified. Times in this guide are Eastern. Check the official listing before purchasing tickets or leaving home; schedules, ticket availability and venue rules can change. Smart Ride does not sell event admission.
Request event transportation from Smart Ride Central Ohio and choose Round Trip for both journeys. Include your pickup location, party size and return plans. Steve will confirm availability and meeting details. If the finish time is uncertain, discuss the return plan before booking; an event listing does not guarantee a ride.
Our independent CMH Airport Guide covers John Glenn Columbus International Airport news, construction updates, history and local travel notes, with links to official sources.
A LITTLE PLANNING GOES A LONG WAY
Concerts can run late. Games can go into overtime. Festivals and conventions may have different hours each day. Discuss your return plan before the event and keep your phone available for pickup coordination.
Venue traffic controls can affect meeting points. Follow venue instructions and agree on a safe, permitted pickup location with Steve.
EXPLORE CLOSE TO HOME
Explore local events, places to visit and narrated history in these Columbus-area communities. The guides are free, with daily source reviews scheduled.
Looking for more dates? These venue pages and event calendars are part of our weekly review.
An independent guide by Smart Ride Central Ohio. We are not affiliated with the venues, teams or performers listed. Event dates, times and availability can change. Verify details with the linked official source before buying tickets or arranging transportation. Ride notes are Smart Ride’s planning suggestions. This is a selected lineup, not a complete regional calendar. Reviews are scheduled weekly; the date above shows the last completed review.