Columbus Summer Fun 2022: Our events guide to concerts, festivals, theater, arts and more

Becky Kover, The Columbus Dispatch
·4 min read
Red, White & Boom is back! The event will take place July 1.
Red, White & Boom is back! The event will take place July 1.

Welcome, the unofficial start to summer.

For the first time in two-plus years, the slate of summer events is chock-full.

No need to dwell on the pandemic and the toll it has taken since March 2020, but one of the things we've learned from it is that we need to embrace life and the simple pleasures whenever we can, as safely as possible.

Columbus Arts Festival: Don’t miss these 10 things at the Columbus Arts Festival

That being said, many events are back this summer for the first time since 2020:

The Columbus Arts Festival will take place June 10-12; Red, White & Boom will be back in all its fireworks glory on July 1; and the Ohio State Fair will open to the public once again July 27 to Aug. 7.

So today, we are all about sharing the fun events in store for the next few months. We hope you enjoy reading about all that summer in Greater Columbus has to offer.

Singer-rapper Chris Brown will come to Nationwide Arena with rapper Lil Baby on July 31.
Singer-rapper Chris Brown will come to Nationwide Arena with rapper Lil Baby on July 31.

Pop music

No matter your favorite style or era of pop music — or whether you want to party indoors or outdoors — you should be able to find plenty of concerts you'll enjoy during the busiest summer music season in years.

Pop music: Check out our list of Greater Columbus' best summer concerts

Austin Butler, left, plays young Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks is his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in Baz Luhrmann's music drama "Elvis."
Austin Butler, left, plays young Elvis Presley and Tom Hanks is his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, in Baz Luhrmann's music drama "Elvis."

Movies

Whether you're awaiting the latest Hollywood blockbuster, or you want to see classic cinema on the big screen, summer is full of choice when it comes to movie watching at Greater Columbus theaters.

Movies: Check out the top films set for screening this summer in Greater Columbus

Kids walk through the midway at the Franklin County Fair in Hilliard.
Kids walk through the midway at the Franklin County Fair in Hilliard.

Festivals and fairs

For many people in Greater Columbus, summer means festival season...and for good reason! The Columbus Arts Festival; Red, White & Boom; and the Lancaster Festival are among the larger events, but there are plenty of community festivals and fairs going on this summer as well.

Festivals and fairs: Check out the festivals and fairs taking place this summer in Greater Columbus

Tracy Morgan will be at the Funny Bone Comedy Club Aug. 5-6.
Tracy Morgan will be at the Funny Bone Comedy Club Aug. 5-6.

Comedy

Let's face it: Who doesn't need a laugh? This summer, some of the nation's top comedians are coming to Greater Columbus, and you can also tickle your funny bone at area clubs and improv groups.

Comedy: Check out our list of the summer's top comedy offerings in Greater Columbus

Bobby Loyd (as Detective Carter) and Julie Whitney Scott (as Sgt. Donna Lloyd) in Abbey Theater of Dublin and Original Productions Theatre’s world premiere of “Voice of the Net.”
Bobby Loyd (as Detective Carter) and Julie Whitney Scott (as Sgt. Donna Lloyd) in Abbey Theater of Dublin and Original Productions Theatre’s world premiere of “Voice of the Net.”

Theater

From musicals and plays to new works and youth-oriented productions, Greater Columbus theatergoers will enjoy dozens of varied choices for live summer entertainment.

Theater: Check out our list of summer theater productions in Greater Columbus

The Ohio High School Athletic Association state track championships will take place June 3-4.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association state track championships will take place June 3-4.

Sporting events

From the Columbus Clippers to WWE Smackdown to Tour de Grandview, summer is full of a variety of sporting events to watch in Greater Columbus.

Sporting events: Check out our list of the top 10 sporting events this summer in Greater Columbus

BalletMet will again perform as part of the "Rhythm on the River" series.
BalletMet will again perform as part of the "Rhythm on the River" series.

Classical music and dance

Most classical music and dance organizations wrap up their official seasons in the late spring or early summer, but that doesn’t mean that the music stops or the movement ceases in the summer months.

Classical music and dance: Check out our list of summer performances in Greater Columbus

Mark Lomax of the Mark Lomax Trio
Mark Lomax of the Mark Lomax Trio

Jazz music

Jazz music can provide the perfect musical accompaniment to those wanting to take it easy, and this summer, there are no shortage of concerts and events in Greater Columbus to do just that.

Jazz music: Check out our list of summer jazz concerts in Greater Columbus

"Immersive Monet & the Impressionists" will begin June 18.
"Immersive Monet & the Impressionists" will begin June 18.

Visual arts

The summer of 2022 in Greater Columbus will be a summer of big art, with blockbuster exhibits at several venues, not just at museums and galleries, but in nontraditional locations as well.

Visual arts: Check out our list of the top art exhibits and events in Greater Columbus this summer

Author Margaret Atwood will visit the Palace Theatre on June 15.
Author Margaret Atwood will visit the Palace Theatre on June 15.

Book events

Notable authors will be visiting Greater Columbus throughout summer, and the popular Thurber House summer literary picnics celebrating Ohio authors will resume.

Book events: Check out our list of top summer author events in Greater Columbus

Summer is a great time to take in the sights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Summer is a great time to take in the sights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Can't-miss family fun

Don't forget about the old summer standbys worth a visit every year, where you can watch animals, explore gardens or learn about science and history.

Can't-miss family fun: Check out our list of dependable summer favorites, Greater Columbus places you'll want to visit again this year

bkover@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Summer fun in Columbus: Use our comprehensive guide to events