Plan Ahead: 20+ October events in Columbus

Break out your calendar and get ready to make the most of October 2023 with these events, shows, and pop-ups in Columbus, Ohio.

CBUStoday skyline fall

Plans are better with friends — send this to your best friend so they don’t miss out this month. | Photo via Canva

Table of Contents

No need for a witch’s brew — we’ve got a perfect concoction of Columbus events bottled up and ready to go. Here’s what you can’t miss this October.

Monday, Oct. 2-Sunday, Oct. 8

  • CBJ vs. St. Louis Blues | Monday, Oct. 2 | 7 p.m. | Nationwide Arena | $27-$270+ | Cheer on the Jackets in one of the final games of the preseason.
  • Jesus Christ Superstar | Tuesday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Times vary | Ohio Theatre | Watch this touring Broadway show before it moves on to a new city.
  • Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and De La Soul | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | Schottenstein Center | $90-$230+ | This star-studded lineup features the biggest names in 90s rap and hip-hop.
  • Ilana Glazer | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 8 p.m. | Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Theatre | $40-$125 | This comedian created the highly successful “Broad City” on Comedy Central.
  • OSU Football vs. Maryland Terrapins | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 12 p.m. | Ohio Stadium | $50-$150+ | The Buckeyes are back in Columbus and look to defeat this Big Ten foe.
Ohio Stadium | Photo via @johnhueth

Do you prefer noon, afternoon, or night games? | Photo via @johnhueth

Monday, Oct. 9-Sunday, Oct. 15

  • Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Mershon Auditorium | Jam out with the former drummer of The Beatles.
  • Chris Tucker | Tuesday, Oct. 10 | 8 p.m. | Palace Theatre | $40-$249 | Laugh along with this comedian who has starred in movies like “Rush Hour.”
  • Science Trivia with COSI | Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Land-Grant Brewing Co. | Free | Gather your friends and compete to win free tickets to the next COSI: After Dark.
  • John Oliver | Thursday, Oct. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Mershon Auditorium | No need to flip to HBO on this evening — the famed comedian, actor, and talk show host will be right here on campus.
  • Are You Afraid of the Art? | Saturday, Oct. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Open Door Art Studio & Gallery | Free | Browse spooky art made my local artists + enjoy a masquerade ball with refreshments and music.
Land-Grant's beer garden is open for summer patio experiences | Photo by CBUStoday

Land-Grant also hosts trivia and movie nights on Tuesdays. | Photo by CBUStoday

Monday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 22

  • CBJ vs. Detroit Red Wings | Monday, Oct. 16 | 8 p.m. | Nationwide Arena | $27-$270+ | We don’t give a damn for the whole state of Michigan, and that extends to our bitter hockey rivals.
  • KFC Radio | Thursday, Oct. 19 | 7 p.m. | Newport Music Hall | $40 | Listen to a live recording of this highly popular podcast from Barstool Sports.
  • Collab Fest 2023 | Friday, Oct. 20 | 4-10 p.m. | BrewDog DogTap | $10 | Five local breweries partnered with BrewDog to make a collaboration beer.
  • OSU Football vs. Penn State Nittany Lions | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 8 p.m. | Ohio Stadium | $119-$308+ | Cheer on the Buckeyes as they look to defeat this Big Ten team who they haven’t lost to since 2016.
  • Chelsea Handler | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 8 p.m. | Palace Theatre | $59-$329 | Spend an evening with this comical and witty talk show host, author, and advocate.
Nationwide Arena | Photo via CBUStoday

The Blue Jackets look to bounce back after a down year in 2022. | Photo via CBUStoday

Monday, Oct. 23-Tuesday, Oct. 31

  • Halloween Bar Crawl | Friday, Oct. 27 | 4 p.m.-12 a.m.. | Howl at the Moon | $9 | This six year tradition brings costumed Columbusites together for a night of imbibing at local bars.
  • Haunted Fest | Friday, Oct. 27 | 6 p.m. | KEMBA Live! | Let the bass carry you away at this EDM festival featuring Deadmau5.
  • Shania Twain | Friday, Oct. 27 | 7 p.m. | Schottenstein Center | $60-$225 | Dance the night away to this country star with hits that span multiple decades.
  • HighBall Halloween | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 4-11:59 p.m. | Short North Arts District | Wear the most extravagant costume you can find and join in on this annual high-fashion party.
  • Central Ohio Trick or Treat | Tuesday, Oct. 31 | Times vary | Throughout Columbus | Dress up the kids in their favorite Halloween costume and go door-to-door collecting candy. (Save some Reese’s Cups for your favorite City Editors, too.)
Which concert at the Columbus Commons are you most excited for? | Photo via @columbuscommons

What food truck is your favorite at the Commons? | Photo via Columbus Commons

All month

  • Food Truck Court | Wednesday + Thursday | Times vary | Columbus Commons |Stop by on Wednesday mornings for breakfast food trucks starting at 7:30 a.m., or lunch food trucks on Thursday starting at 11 a.m. This service ends after October.
  • Ghost Trolley | Friday + Saturday | Times vary | The Ohio Railway Museum | Take the kids on a family-friendly hay ride with a few light scares along the way.
  • All Hallows’ Eve | Saturday | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | Ohio Village | Take a step back into history and see how Halloween was celebrated in the 1800s.
  • Harvest Blooms | All month | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Franklin Park Conservatory | Explore the nature center as it has been seasonally decorated with 1,000+ pumpkins, gourds, and flowers.