July pops from the start, and doesn’t quit. Watching the Clippers, strolling through festivals, picnicking at the Pops, sitting in an outdoor café – these are all Columbus in July.
(Want me to add a July event? Send me the info.)
Red, White and Boom!
Columbus’ fireworks extravaganza, complete with roving entertainment, kids’ activities, food and loud noises.
When: July 3
Where: Downtown Riverfront and the Arena District
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; fireworks begin at 10:30 p.m.
Cost: free
Short North Doo-Dah Parade and Gallery Hop
The annual hilarity of the Doo-Dah Parade coincides with Gallery Hop night for way too much fun.
When: July 4
Where: Short North
Time: all day
Cost: free
Columbus Crew
Support “America’s hardest working team” against D.C. United during this Independence Day game.
When: July 4
Where: Columbus Crew Stadium, One Black & Gold Blvd, Columbus
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: adult: $16-$39; youth: $10-29; ticket info
CONCACAF Gold Cup Openers
CONCACAF is the confederation of Caribbean and North and Central American soccer teams, and the Gold Cup is THE event.
When: July 7
Where: Columbus Crew Stadium, One Black & Gold Blvd, Columbus
Time: 7 p.m. (Jamaica vs. Costa Rica) and 9 p.m. (El Salvador vs. Canada)
Cost: varies. Ticket info
Music on the Lawn
Picnics and blankets are the way to enjoy these fun community evenings.
When: weekly on Tuesdays
Where: Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. 1st Ave., Columbus
Time: 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: free
Actors' Theatre: The Tempest
Drama, soul-searching angst, magic, creepy Caliban and a really, really big storm play their parts in this Shakespeare play.
When: Thursdays-Sundays, July 2-Aug. 2
Where: Schiller Park in German Village
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: free, but donations are accepted.
Music in the Parks
Outdoor concerts with many moods of music.
When: weekly on Thursdays
Where: Upper Arlington Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd., Columbus
Time: 6:30-8 p.m.
Cost: free
Echoes in Time Theatre: "For the Ohio Country”
How could Ohio’s first settlers leave behind almost everything and everyone familiar to build a new home, a new state? This one-woman shows you why some people did, and what they went through.
When: weekly on Thursdays
Where: Ohio Historical Center/Ohio Village, 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: free entrance and parking for members of the Ohio Historical Society; non-members: Adults: $8; Seniors: $7; children 6-12: $4; parking: $4
Cocktails at the Conservatory
Music, cocktails, and a cool LED installation glowing gently in the Palm Room makes this a great place to chat with old friends and make some new ones.
When: weekly on Thursdays
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St. Columbus
Time: 5:30-10 p.m.
Cost: no cover; free parking; drinks cost
Summer Lunchtime Performing Arts Series
Bring your lunch and enjoy.
When: weekly on Fridays
Where: outside at the Ohio Statehouse, at the corner of Broad and High streets.
Time: noon to 1 p.m.
Cost: free
Concerts on the Creek
Pack your picnics and lawn chairs, and head for this lovely park in historic Olde Gahanna.
When: weekly on Saturdays
Where: Creekside Park, 123 Mill St., Gahanna
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: free
Mama Mia! (Broadway Across America – Columbus)
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And ABBA’s joyous music. Note: May not be appropriate for children under the age of ten.
When: July 7-12
Where: The Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. between Third and High streets.
Time: varies
Cost: varies.Ticket information.
The Bourbon Kings/The Brink/Ruckmoor
Openers: Antaean, Death by Snu Snu, Adrenaline Kid, To Kill A Monster, The Midnight Nice Guys
When: July 11
Where: Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St. (OSU campus)
Time: doors open at 5 p.m.
Cost: $8 in advance; $12 day of show
Billy Joel and Elton John
Together, and separately, each with his own band. What can I add?
When: July 14
Where: Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $53.50-$179. Ticket info.
Summer Movie Series at the Ohio Theatre
Enjoy adventure, laughter, love and blood-chilling creepiness during this annual Central Ohio classic film series.
When: July 17-August 30
Where: Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. between Third and High streets, Columbus
Time: varies.
Cost: adult: $4; senior citizens: $3.50 Best deal: strips of ten tickets for $25
Chimaira
Openers: Winds of Plague, Born of Osiris, The World We Knew
When: July 22
Where: Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St. (OSU campus)
Time: doors open at 6 p.m.
Cost: $15 in advance; $17 day of show
JazZoo Concert Series at the Columbus Zoo: Hot Jazz!
Don’t miss this sizzling night of jazz and a showdown between some of Columbus’ finest musicians. Featuring Artistic Director Byron Stripling and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra; Special Guests: Shawn Thunder Wallace, Chris Howes and Lisa Webster.
When: July 24
Where: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: varies. Ticket info.
The Dead Weather
Opener: Screaming Females
When: July 25
Where: Lifestyle Communities Pavilion,405 Neil Ave (Arena District)
Time: doors open at 7 p.m.
Cost: $30
Columbus Crew
Toronto brings it to Crew Stadium.
When: July 25
Where: Columbus Crew Stadium, One Black & Gold Blvd, Columbus
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: adult: $16-$39; youth: $10-29; ticket info
Ohio State Fair
Bands, food, arts & crafts, beer garden and Saturday fireworks.
When: Ju29-Aug 9
Where: Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.
Time: daily 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Cost: adult: $10, kids and senior citizens: $8
JazZoo Concert Series at the Columbus Zoo: Motown Memories
Celebrate 50 years of Motown. Featuring Artistic Director Byron Stripling and the Columbus Jazz Orchestra; Special Guest: Cynthia Hale.
When: July 31
Where: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell
Time: 8 p.m.
Cost: varies. Ticket info.
Dublin Irish Festival
There’s a 4-mile race, followed by three days o’partyin’ with Irish music, clogging, shopping, history and culture at Dublin’s internationally-known Irish bash.
When: July 31-Aug. 2
Where: Coffman Park, Dublin
Time: Fri.: 4-midnight; Sat.: 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun: 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Cost: varies
I try to keep this accurate, but make no guarantees…