Do you have a go-to spot for watching fireworks? | Photo via Canva
Wooo-weee. We can hardly believe June is nearly over and July is just days away.
It’s time to pull out your planner, text the group chat, and plan for a memorable month. Here are the top events we recommend heading to in July.
Red, White & BOOM! Thursday, July 3 | Downtown Columbus
The largest fireworks festival in the Midwest returns, complete with a parade, street festival, and live music.
Doo Dah Parade Friday, July 4 | Short North Arts District
Anyone and everyone is welcome to march in the satirical parade, but don’t skip the block party + concerts.
Columbus Book Festival Saturday, July 12-Sunday, July 13 | Main Library + Topiary Park
Over 200 authors from Columbus and beyond will gather for two days of panel discussions, book signings, and more.
Jazz & Rib Fest Friday, July 18-Sunday, July 20 | West Bank Park + Bicentennial Park
Award-winning pitmasters will smoke and serve the eats while world-class jazz musicians serenade you.
Asked
Asked
What’s your favorite summer festival in Columbus?
A. Jazz & Rib Fest B. Columbus Arts Festival C. Red, White & BOOM! D. Other
CBUS Singles Summer Luau | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Historic Trolley District: East Market | $29 | Love is in the air at this luau-themed mixer with leis, island-inspired cocktails, and food vendors.
Steve-O | Thursday, June 26-Saturday, June 28 | Times vary | Funny Bone Comedy Club | $37+ | You and your crew will be in stitches when the “Jackass” star takes the stage.
Friday, June 27
Yoga on the Square | 8:30 a.m. | Easton Town Center | Free | Bring your mat and water bottle for an early morning flow in the heart of town.
Cosmic Sunset | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Pinot’s Palette - Short North | $42 | Sip a glass of wine and unleash your inner artist as an expert teaches you to paint a starry sky.
Saturday, June 28
Films for Families | 1-2:30 p.m. | Wexner Center Mershon Auditorium | $3 | Pick up some popcorn at the concession stand before watching “Good Morning” with your crew.
Sunday, June 29
Philadelphia Union vs. Columbus Crew | 6 p.m. | Lower.com Field | $53+ | We’re going to need a loud and supportive crowd at our home turf when the Crew takes on one of the top soccer clubs in the league.
Monday, June 30
Cap City Mahj | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | High Bank Distillery Co., Westerville | $45 | Socialize, strategize, and enjoy a complimentary cocktail at this Mahjong party fit for beginners and experts alike.
Tuesday, July 1
July’s Keg Tapping | 6-9 p.m. | Hofbrauhaus Columbus Brewery & Restaurant | Cost of purchase | Celebrate the start of July — aka Pilsner + Burger Month at the brewery — with live music, specialty eats, and a brand-new brew.
Music on the Lawn | 7-8 p.m. | Grandview Heights Public Library | Free | Order from a food truck, pick a spot on the lawn, and settle in for a live performance from Blue Spectrum.
Flaming entrees, skyline views, and delicious cocktails await at Astra Rooftop, a new restaurant + bar set to open on Friday, July 11 in the former Lumin Sky Bar space. Eager for a sneak peek?Snag tickets to its grand opening party the night prior.
Trending
Celebrity sighting alert. Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC recently visited his sister’s new Columbus salon, Collective Style & Social House, and posted on Instagram to prove it. Think he’ll visit again for a ‘90s boy band cut?
Real Estate
Take a look inside The Book House, a residence in the Merion Village neighborhood recently featured on the popular social media account Zillow Gone Wild. The 8-bedroom, 6-bathroom property lives up to its name with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that hold over 7,000 hardcover books.
Eat
Local food truck Los Agavez Taqueria made it onto Yelp’s list of Top 100 Food Trucks 2025, coming it at No. 45. Follow the truck that specializes in birria tacos via social media.
Concert
Reneé Rapp fans, rejoice. The former Broadway actress + present-day pop star will perform on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at Nationwide Arena. Want tickets? Presale begins at 10 a.m. today, while general sale will kick off at 10 a.m. tomorrow, June 27.
Outdoors
Don’t bug out, but some creepy crawlers are hatching in Ohio. Bagworms, aka caterpillars that are camouflage experts, will mature in July + August and can cause significant damage to plants. Be on the lookout for pine cone-shaped pests on your fauna. (NBC 4)
Planning a trip to Orlando, FL, or Knoxville, TN? 6AM City has you covered. ORLtoday + 865today newsletters are officially live, ready to cover all of the local happenings in these areas.
Sports
The Blue Jackets released their 2025 preseason schedule, which kicks off with a game against the St. Louis Blues on Sunday, Sept. 21. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Columbus Blue Jackets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
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Finance
It turns out all that glitters is gold — at least, in a gold IRA, which lets you hold real gold minus the storage hassle. (Gold is projected to hit $4,000 an ounce by 2026.) Grab your glitter.†*
The basics you need while they’re on sale. Amazon Basics just marked down tons of products in a sale exclusive for Prime members — time to restock the bathroom/office/supply closet shelves:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Here’s one more festival to add to your calendar in July: the Westerville Music & Arts Festival runs Saturday, July 12 through Sunday, July 13. If you aren’t familiar with the headliner, Ohio-based band North to Nashville, start listening to their music now.
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