Need plans for the weekend? Here are 10 fun things to do in Columbus.

Michael Grossberg, Margaret Quamme, Peter Tonguette, Erica Thompson and Belinda M. Paschal
·6 min read

Mickey Mouse, dinosaurs and cosplay characters−oh my! There's plenty of fantastical fun to be had in Columbus this weekend and beyond. A Cosplay Happy Hour hits Otherworld on Thursday; Jurassic Quest stomps into the Ohio Expo Center on Friday; and Disney on Ice skates into Nationwide Arena next week.

If that's a little too much action, sit back and enjoy some music from bands McGuffey Lane and The Steel Wheels, which will be playing local venues. For a more introspective event, check out “Dry Talks: An Open Discussion on Sobriety" at Gravity Events Space on Thursday. Read on for more details on those events and more!

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The music of world-famous K-pop boy band BTS will be among the tunes spinning during a K-pop-themed night Saturday at A&R Music Bar.
The music of world-famous K-pop boy band BTS will be among the tunes spinning during a K-pop-themed night Saturday at A&R Music Bar.

K-pop party pops up at A&R Music Bar

UH2BT will present an all-ages K-pop-themed night at A&R Music Bar, 391 Neil Ave. (next to Kemba Live), where doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday. The event will feature music by K-pop sensations BTS, as well as Blackpink and others. The interactive "pop-up" party will offer related merchandise, raffles, giveaways and more. Tickets are $17 in advance at axs.com, and $20 day of show, with contactless forms of payment preferred. Note: Only small bags and one-gallon or smaller clear plastic bags, such as Zip-Loc bags, are permitted in the venue. Large bags including backpacks, purses, drawstring bags, totes, etc. will not be allowed.

'Bonnie and Clyde' reprise takes the stage

Shadowbox Live will present an encore run of its popular 2022 premiere of “No Return: The Deadly Dance of Bonnie and Clyde” at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and 2 p.m. Sundays from Jan. 19 to Feb. 26 at 503 S. Front St. With Top 40 pop-rock songs and an original script with a fresh interpretation, the dance-theater piece explores the romantic legend and lives of the star-crossed 1930s outlaws from their first meeting to the bitter end. Tickets cost $40 to $240 for tables of one to six. (614-416-7625, shadowboxlive.org)

The City of Powell's Third Friday event, January Jubilee, will feature ice sculpting demonstrations and a bonfire, as well as coffee, hot cider and hot chocolate for purchase.
The City of Powell's Third Friday event, January Jubilee, will feature ice sculpting demonstrations and a bonfire, as well as coffee, hot cider and hot chocolate for purchase.

January Jubilee kicks off Third Fridays

The City of Powell will hold its first Third Friday event of 2023, January Jubilee, at Village Green Park, 47 Hall St., from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. The free event will feature ice sculpting demos and a bonfire, and the Columbus Coffee Co. will be onsite with coffee, hot cider and hot chocolate for purchase. Calm and Scents Candle Co. will hold a candle-making workshop in the East Room. Pre-registration and pre-payment of a $20 workshop fee required at Powell.RecDesk.com. Seats are limited. Completed candles must be picked up between 8-9 p.m. the night of the event. Registrants younger than 18 must have an accompanying adult to participate.

Beloved characters will strap on their skates for Disney on Ice, which starts a multiple-day run next Wednesday at Nationwide Arena.
Beloved characters will strap on their skates for Disney on Ice, which starts a multiple-day run next Wednesday at Nationwide Arena.

Classic cartoon characters skate into Nationwide

Fifty Disney characters will take to their skates in Disney on Ice at Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. See Elsa from “Frozen,” Timon and Pumbaa from “The Lion King,” Woody and Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story,” Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and many more. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Jan. 25-26; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 27; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Jan. 28; and 11 a.m. Jan. 29. Tickets start at $20. Kids 2 and younger are free but must be seated in caregivers' laps. (nationwidearena.com)

Country rockers McGuffey Lane will perform at their annual "Zachariah's Red Eye Reunion" on Saturday at Kemba Live.
Country rockers McGuffey Lane will perform at their annual "Zachariah's Red Eye Reunion" on Saturday at Kemba Live.

McGuffey Lane to make music with friends

Local band McGuffey Lane, formed in the 1970s, will hold its annual “Zachariah's Red Eye Reunion” at 7 p.m. Saturday at Kemba Live. Current members of the band, including guitarist and lead vocalist John Schwab and mandolinist Molly Pauken, will join other musical friends in celebrating both the band's history and the venerable campus venue where they used to play. Tickets: $20 (promowestlive.com).

Cosplay Happy Hour will offer music and drinks inspired by anime and video games from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday at Otherworld.
Cosplay Happy Hour will offer music and drinks inspired by anime and video games from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday at Otherworld.

Cosplay, anime, gaming and more at happy hour

Whether or not you're attending Ohayocon, you can meet up with other cosplayers at Cosplay Happy Hour from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday at Otherworld, 5819 Chantry Drive. Explore the various environments of Otherworld, and enjoy music and drinks inspired by anime and video games. Masks are welcome but must be removed for identification at the door. No prop weapons. Open to 18 and older only. Shuttles will be running between Otherworld and the official hotel of Ohayocon, Drury Inn. Tickets: $25 (otherworldohio.com)

The Steel Wheels will bring their blend of bluegrass, Americana and folk to the Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater at the Columbus School for Girls on Saturday.
The Steel Wheels will bring their blend of bluegrass, Americana and folk to the Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater at the Columbus School for Girls on Saturday.

The Steel Wheels roll into Columbus

Virginia-based band The Steel Wheels will appear at the Agnes Jeffrey Shedd Theater at the Columbus School for Girls at 8 p.m. Saturday as part of the Six String concert series. The five-member band plays a mix of bluegrass, Americana and folk, with songs mostly written by lead singer Trent Wagler. They play an assortment of instruments including fiddle, banjo, guitar, drums and keys. Tickets: $30. (sixstring.org)

Jurassic Quest will fill the Ohio Expo Center with animatronic dinosaurs, crafts, rides, bounce houses and more Friday through Sunday.
Jurassic Quest will fill the Ohio Expo Center with animatronic dinosaurs, crafts, rides, bounce houses and more Friday through Sunday.

Jurassic giants roar to life at Expo Center

Dinosaurs will come to life Friday through Sunday during Jurassic Quest at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave. Take a self-guided tour through a herd of animatronic dinosaurs, large and small; interact with baby dinosaurs; watch the walking dinosaur show; and stop at the craft table to do some coloring or make paper dinosaurs. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets start at $22. Kids younger than 2 are free. Some activities, including rides and bounce houses, require special tickets or additional costs. (jurassicquest.com)

Columbus Symphony Music Director Rossen Milanov will conduct a program featuring music by Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn.
Columbus Symphony Music Director Rossen Milanov will conduct a program featuring music by Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn.

Symphony presents classical music heavyweights

In the world of classical music, what three names pack a bigger punch than Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn? Works by the three legendary composers will be front and center during concerts this weekend by the Columbus Symphony. At 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Music Director Rossen Milanov will lead the musicians in performances of an overture by Beethoven, “Symphony No. 36” by Mozart and “Symphony No. 100” by Haydn. Tickets start at $9.84. (columbussymphony.com)

Candace Read will be among panelists discussing personal stories of sobriety at an event on Thursday.
Candace Read will be among panelists discussing personal stories of sobriety at an event on Thursday.

Celebrate Dry January with like-minded community

Taking part in Dry January this year? Consider attending “Dry Talks: An Open Discussion on Sobriety,” 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at Gravity Events Space, 480 W. Broad St. Enjoy a mocktail from W*nder CBD, and hear personal stories about sobriety from local panelists, including Rob of Snot Fair Vintage, Ashley Rome and Candace Read. Jesse Cale will moderate. Tickets are $7, which includes one mocktail. (Search “Dry Talks” at eventbrite.com.)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 fun things to do in Columbus this weekend