Your guide to summer fun in Ohio:
Central Ohio Events
Events happening in Columbus and central Ohio
Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File
Ariana Grande
Value City Arena, West Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road
Date: July 1
The ponytailed pop star told Columbus “thank u, next” when Coachella double-booked her original April tour date. She moved the local show to July, and the anticipation might be enough to fuel all of Red, White & Boom.
Admission: $46.95 to $336.95
[JORDAN STRAUSS/INVISION]
Twenty One Pilots
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd
Dates: June 29-30
Ohio’s biggest export is industrial machinery, but some would argue the alt-rock/pop/electro band is a close second.
Admission: $79.50 to $588
Adam Cairns | The Columbus Dispatch
ComFest
Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.
Dates: June 28-30
Some might say ComFest, with its spirit of celebrating the collective good, is a step back in time, specifically to the ’60s. Enjoy music, workshops, food, drink and an eclectic variety of vendors.
Admission: free
“Young Americans or Stargirl Was Here”
Endeavor Theatre, MadLab Theatre, 227 N. 3rd St.
Dates: June 28-29
The new theater company debuts with C.K. Thompson’s new one-act comic-drama about a young man who returns to his college town to attend a wedding and reconsiders his past and future.
Admission: $10, or $8 in advance
“Grease”
Columbus Performing Arts Center, 549 Franklin Ave.
Dates: through July 7
Imagine Productions revives the Broadway musical comedy chronicling the senior year of Rydell High School students in 1959.
Admission: $23
“Master Harold … and the Boys”
Fritsche Theatre at Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville
Dates: through June 30
Otterbein Summer Theatre presents South African playwright Athol Fugard’s racial coming-of-age drama, set in 1950s South Africa, about how institutionalized bigotry can affect family and relationships.
Admission: $25
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Date: June 23
The logistics of fitting a music festival into Nationwide Arena remains a mystery, but Wilson’s determination to create a good time is clear. He will be surrounded by country-adjacent all-stars Alison Krauss, the Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show and Dawes.
Admission: $45 to $603.30
Brooke LaValley | The Columbus Dispatch
New Kids on the Block
Value City Arena, West Lane Avenue and Olentangy River Road
Date: June 22
Blockheads have gained a few gray hairs in the 36 years since the boy band first formed, but the evening should transport them back to their skateboarding days. For added nostalgia, Salt-n-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty By Nature will also perform.
Admission: $26.95 to $690
Provided by Amblin Entertainment/Universal Pictures
Westerville Classic Movies
Westerville City Hall courtyard, 21 S. State St.
Dates: through Aug. 16
“A League of Their Own,” with movie showings every other week; future films: July 5, “My Fair Lady”; July 19, “Inside Out”; Aug. 2, “Jurassic Park”; Aug. 16, “Guardians of the Galaxy”
Admission: free
[DISNEY ENTERPRISES]
Free movie night
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, South High and East Rich streets
“Mary Poppins Returns,” the remake of the children’s classic that stars Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda, will be shown after a Popcorn Pops performance by the Columbus Symphony. On July 19 “How to Train Your Dragon The Hidden World” will be shown.
Admission: Popcorn Pops: $12, or $10 for ages 2 to 12, free for children younger than 2 (movie is free)