|
May 1, 2026
Contact: Kerry Francis, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, 614-908-5834
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department Announces 2026 Summer Festival Season
COLUMBUS - Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has an exciting list of free summer events for everyone to enjoy in downtown Columbus along the Scioto Mile!
“This summer, the downtown riverfront offers an excellence of free family entertainment,” said Bernita A. Reese, M.S., CPRP, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. “Spend time with friends and family in Bicentennial Park, and cool off at the fountain as you enjoy spectacular music and food all summer long!”
The 2026 Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s summer lineup includes:
FountainFest:
Kick off the summer by celebrating the Scioto Mile Fountain opening over Memorial Day weekend! Presented in partnership with Downtown Columbus, Inc., this free event will be held on Saturday, May 23, from 12-4 p.m. in Bicentennial Park. Enjoy inflatables, fountain activities, stiltwalkers and bubble artists. Music will be provided by DJ IQ. A special treat will include a show on the Bicentennial Park Stage by Puppy Pals Live - The Action-Packed Comedic Stunt Dog Show. In this family fun show, adopted and rescued dogs perform spectacular stunts and breathtaking feats that kids and adults will love!
Scioto Mile Concerts:
Through partnerships with Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Columbus Jazz, free outdoor concerts will return to the Bicentennial Park Stage on select evenings! Join us on June 5, June 28, July 10, Aug. 14, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25, beginning at 7 p.m. Check out the great acts we have coming to downtown Columbus!
Friday, June 5 – Blind Boys of Alabama (Six-time GRAMMY Award-winning gospel-Americana legends)
Sunday, June 28 – Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Friday, July 10 – Ruthie Foster (GRAMMY Award-winning blues singer-songwriter)
Friday, Aug. 14 – Dumpstaphunk (New Orleans funk powerhouse)
Friday, Sept. 18 – Columbus Jazz Orchestra
Friday, Sept. 25 – Dan Tyminski Band (14-time GRAMMY Award-winning bluegrass virtuoso)
Jazz & Rib Fest:
Mark your calendar for a full weekend of hot ribs and cool jazz! Jazz & Rib Fest will be held July 24-26 at West Bank Park and Bicentennial Park. Check out the headliners below.
West Bank Park Stage presented by ABC6/FOX 28
Friday, July 24 – Keiko Matsui and Jonathan Butler
Saturday, July 25 – Huntertones and Jeffrey Osborne
Sunday, July 26 – Adam Hawley and PJ Morton
Bicentennial Park Stage presented by Columbus Jazz
Friday, July 24 – The Nancy Wilson Way – a tribute to the life and legacy of Columbus legend, Nancy Wilson
Saturday, July 25 – Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Byron Stripling
Sunday, July 26 – Jon Lampley
Brass Band Stage – New for 2026
Located at the intersection of the Main Street Bridge and Belle Street, the Brass Band Stage will feature New Orleans-style brass band performances by New Basics Brass Band, Largemouth Brass Band and Mike Wade & The Nasty NATI Brass Band throughout the weekend.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Department has partnered with Columbus Jazz to select top jazz artists to perform during Jazz & Rib Fest! Learn more about the lineup. You won’t want to miss the hottest festival of the summer! Learn more about Jazz & Rib Fest.
CBUS Soul® Fest:
End the summer on a high note! Join us over Labor Day weekend for CBUS Soul® Fest at Bicentennial Park on Friday, Sept. 4, and Saturday, Sept. 5, from 4-10 p.m., and celebrate Columbus’ music, food and culture!
Friday, Sept. 4 – Stokley along with DJ BLAKUNICORN, Cherimondis J, N’Shai Iman
Saturday, Sept. 5 – Lalah Hathaway along with DJ IQ, Gabrielle Solange, Ria Blaq
Learn more about CBUS Soul® Fest.
To learn more about Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, visit ColumbusRecParks.com.
|
