Sure, it’s a tad balmy these days, but what’s a little hot weather when outdoor adventures await? The latest round of weekend happenings is full of open-air events that are so cool, you’ll forget to sweat.
The Actors’ Theatre of Columbus will present “Shakespeare in the Park,” Downtown will get jiggy with a silent disco, Fourth Fridays return and an annual beer and wine festival comes to Delaware.
If you don’t mind perspiring a bit, sign up for the 2025 Walk to End Lupus Now, a major fundraiser for the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter.
But if you can’t stand the heat, there are several air-conditioned options as well. You can read about all of these events below. To have this list delivered to your inbox each week, sign up for the Life in the 614 newsletter.
Actors’ Theatre to stage Shakespeare in the park
The Actors’ Theatre of Columbus goes back to its roots with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the first play the company staged when it was founded in 1982.
The play, which puts an updated spin on one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, will be performed Thursdays through Sundays through July 13 at Schiller Park Amphitheater, 1000 City Park Ave. The show will not be presented on July 3-4.
Admission is free; donations are accepted at intermission. Watch the show in comfort by reserving a chair or blanket in advance. (theactorstheatre.org)
Urban Arts Space show offers numerous tie-in events
More than a dozen free events are coming up at Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., Suite 130, in connection to the exhibition “If You Say So,” a collaboration between local author Michelle Herman and her artist husband, Glen Holland.
The gallery’s reading room will be stocked with copies of Herman’s book, “If You Say So,” a collection of poignant essays that include reproductions of Holland’s paintings.
Workshops, classes, talks, panel discussions, Q&As, talkbacks and performances will be held throughout the show, which runs through July 12.
All events are free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested online for each event. (uas.osu.edu/if-you-say-so)
Steve-O to clown around at Columbus Funny Bone
As a guy who was willing to do whatever it took to become famous, Steve-O was enrolled in Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Clown College before finding his niche on a Johnny Knoxville reality show.
The outlandish daredevil and TV personality will bring his comedy act to Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center, for shows at 7 p.m. June 26, 7 and 9:45 p.m. June 27 and 6:30 and 9:15 p.m. June 28. Doors open early for all shows; check online for times.
Buy tickets to see Steve-O
Weathervane gives youth a chance to dance in ‘Footloose’
Kick off your Sunday shoes and lose your blues because it’s time to cut “Footloose” with Weathervane Playhouse. The troupe’s youth-theater students will present the musical at 7 p.m. June 26-27, 1 and 7 p.m. June 28 and 1 p.m. June 29 at the playhouse, located at 100 Price Road, Newark.
Follow along as Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farm town where dancing is banned. Suitable for the whole family, “Footloose: Youth Edition” celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people, guiding them with a warm heart and an open mind.
Tickets are $15, including fees, and can be purchased online, by calling the box office at 740-366-4616 or at the theater on the day of show. (weathervaneplayhouse.org)
Silent disco to take place beneath UnderCurrent
Hit the street and move your feet to a beat that only you can hear at the UnderCurrent silent disco, taking place from 5-8 p.m. June 27 at Gay and High Streets.
Choose from three stations of hits and get to grooving, enjoy free frozen treats while supplies last, have a bite at a food truck and grab a DORA beverage from a nearby bar or restaurant.
The free event is presented by Downtown Columbus Inc. in partnership with Day by Day Project, a nonprofit organization that uses music to transform memory care for people with dementia. (bit.ly/44eBNw6)
Fourth Street Fridays to come back for second year
Fourth Street Fridays return to Italian Village from 6-10 p.m. June 27 with a celebration of the event’s first anniversary. Attendees can enjoy exclusive deals from neighborhood restaurants and bars, live music, raffles, yard games and more.
The celebration also will include the launch of a summer movie night series, beginning with an outdoor showing of “Independence Day” at 9 p.m. in the north lot of Budd Dairy Food Hall, 1086 N. Fourth St.
All attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Tickets for the movie are $10 online or at the door while supplies last. (bit.ly/4eeUC6I)
Walk toward a worthy cause: ending lupus now
The 2025 Walk to End Lupus Now, the state’s biggest fundraiser for the Lupus Foundation of America, Greater Ohio Chapter, will be held on June 28 at COSI, 333 W. Broad St. Check-in/registration starts at 10 a.m. and walkers depart at noon.
All proceeds go to help fund research and support programs for the more than 67,000 Ohioans living with lupus.
Registration is $20 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 2-12; available online or by calling 1-888-NO-LUPUS. (lupusgreaterohio.org/walk)
Used Kids Records to sling vinyl at BrewDog show
Used Kids Records of Columbus is taking the store on the road! The indie record sellers will join 30-plus other vinyl vendors at Stanley Records’ BrewDog Record Show, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 28 at BrewDog, 96 Gender Road, Canal Winchester.
Used Kids’ stock — preowned and priced to sell — will run the gamut from metal, classic rock, jazz and country to pop, indie rock, soul and soundtracks.
Early admission at 10 a.m. costs $5 at the door. Admission after 11 a.m. is free. RSVP online. (bit.ly/4k7q20q)
Beer and wine fest to pop a cork in Delaware County
Attendees will have more than 50 tasting opportunities including beer, wine, cider, mead and whiskey at the annual Delaware County Beer & Wine Festival, to be held from 3-8 p.m. June 28 in Boardman Arts Park, 154 W. William St., Delaware.
Nonalcoholic coffee and smoothie-tasting options are new to the festival. There also will be food trucks, a market with more than a dozen artisans, live music, raffles and a silent auction.
Festivalgoers must be at least 21 to enter. All tasters must have a government-issued photo ID. No children or babies in strollers will be allowed.
Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door, if available. Admission includes six tastes and a commemorative glass. (boardmanartspark.org)
Local musicians to salute Peter, Paul and Mary
Peter, Paul and Mary used music to entertain, educate, inspire and energize Americans to work for a better world. Four veteran Columbus musicians will pay tribute to the folk trio at 4 p.m. June 29, at the Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave.
Bill Cohen, Joanne Blum, Joe Lambert and Heidi White will share quips, memories and songs such as “Jet Plane” and “If I Had a Hammer,” plus lesser-known Peter, Paul and Mary songs. The audience also will be invited to sing along on a few numbers.
A $15 donation is suggested at the door. Half of the proceeds will go to the Clintonville Community Resource Center. (facebook.com/billcohensings)
Entertainment and Things to Do reporter Belinda M. Paschal can be reached at bpaschal@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Need plans? These 10 cool things to do will fill your calendar
Reporting by Belinda M. Paschal, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
