Table of Contents
Queue the *NSYNC playlist... it’s gonna be May.
From festivals to spectacles, save this page for 20+ can’t-miss events this month in Columbus.
Wednesday, May 1-Sunday, May 5
- Columbus Clippers vs. Toledo Mud Hens | Wednesday, May 1-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Huntington Park | $8-$24 | Enjoy themed events each game like Puppypalooza today or Family Day on Sunday.
- Jon Batiste | Thursday, May 2-Friday, May 3 | 8 p.m. | Southern Theatre | $98-$298 | Listen to smooth hits from this five-time Grammy Award-winning musician and singer.
- Columbus Fury vs. Omaha Supernovas | Saturday, May 4 | 7 p.m. | Nationwide Arena | $25-$150 | Cheer on Columbus’ professional volleyball team as they play one of the top teams in the league.
- Gunna | Saturday, May 4 | 8 p.m. | Schottenstein Center | $40-$131 | With 37+ million monthly listeners on Spotify, Gunna is one of the biggest names in rap music.
- Fritz the Nite Owl 50th Anniversary | 11 p.m.-1 a.m. | Grandview Theatre & Drafthouse | $15 | Watch “Back to the Future” while Fritz pops in with fun facts, pop culture, and jokes throughout the film.
Jon Batiste is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter — talk about a performer who can do it all. | Photo via Wikicommons
Monday, May 6-Sunday, May 12
- TINA: The Tina Turner Experience | Tuesday, May 7-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre | $40-$125 | Celebrate the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” at this concert and tribute show.
- CCAD Fashion Show | Thursday, May 9 | 6:30-9 p.m. | KEMBA Live! | $40-$500 | Fashion students from CCAD will unveil their freshest, wildest, and most thoughtful designs in a nonstop show.
- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: The Greatest Show On Earth | Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Schottenstein Center | $20-$90 | This circus-style show promises to push the limits of human potential through daring acts and stunts.
- Sneaker Freaks | Saturday, May 11 | 1-6 p.m. | Ohio State Fairgrounds | $14-$275 | Buy, trade, and sell sneakers from brands such as Jordan, Nike, and Adidas.
- Columbus Fury vs. San Diego Mojo | Saturday, May 11 | 7 p.m. | Nationwide Arena | $25-$150 | Spend your Saturday evening watching the Fury take on this west coast foe.
- Columbus Crew vs. Cincinnati FC | Saturday, May 11 | 7:30 p.m. | Lower.com Field | $103-$849 | There’s rarely a dull moment in the match when these two Ohio-based soccer clubs face off.
Columbus defeated Cincinnati in the final match they played against each other last year. | Photo via Columbus Crew
Monday, May 13-Sunday, May 19
- Columbus Clippers vs. Louisville Bats | Tuesday, May 14-Sunday, May 19 | Times vary | Huntington Park | $8-$24 | Start your week with Dime-A-Dog night, or stop by later in the week for other specials like Thirsty Thursday.
- Science Trivia with COSI | Wednesday, May 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Land-Grant Brewing Co. | Free | Flex your science knowledge to win tickets to the next COSI After Dark event.
- Heart | Wednesday, May 15 | 8 p.m. | Schottenstein Center | $35-$179 | Rock out with this Seattle-based band that rose to fame in the 70s-80s.
- Bill Burr | Thursday, May 16 | 7:30 p.m. | Schottenstein Center | $53-$93 | Laugh with this Massachusetts-based comedian who is known for his hot takes and NSFW opinions.
- Frank Caliendo | Friday, May 17-Saturday, May 18 | Times vary | Columbus Funny Bone | $37 | Spend an evening with this comic who gained his fame thanks to spot on impressions of well-known celebrities.
Bill Burr has specials and original TV shows available on Netflix. | Photo via Wikicommons
Monday, May 20-Sunday, May 26
- Jeni’s Strawberry Jam | Saturday, May 25-Sunday, May 26 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Land-Grant Brewing Co. | Free | Celebrate the start of strawberry season with a pint of Jeni’s Strawberry Jam ice cream + Land-Grant’s Strawberry Jam beer.
- 2024 Ohio Black Expo Riverfront | Saturday, May 25-Sunday, May 26 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Genoa Park | $15-$1,000 | This cultural festival celebrates Columbus’ Black businesses, leaders, and creators all weekend.
- “Moana” | Saturday, May 25 | 8-10 p.m. | Columbus Commons | Free | Bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch this family-friendly Disney film.
Extra blankets are a must for outdoor movies when temperatures become chilled. | Photo via @columbuscommons
Monday, May 27-Friday, May 31
- Columbus Clippers vs. Lehigh Iron Pigs | Tuesday, May 28-Sunday, June 2 | Times vary | Huntington Park | $8-$24 | Finish out your May with Minor League Baseball, beer, and hot dogs.
- Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution | Wednesday, May 29 | 7:30 p.m. | Lower.com Field | $35-$504 | We’re expecting a win as the Crew faces one of the worst teams in the MLS.
- Breakaway Music Festival | Friday, May 31-Saturday, June 1 | Historic Crew Stadium | Times vary | $25-$1,009 | This EDM music festival is back with headliners like Kaskade, Tiësto, and Two Friends.