Events & Lifestyle
Events, dining, and entertainment shaping local demand.
Old Hilliard Bank Building Becomes Lira Italian Kitchen
Westwood Collective will turn Old Hilliard's former Chase Bank building at 4056 East Main Street into Lira Italian Kitchen, with new apartments next door.
Columbus Rental Due Diligence Starts Before The Tour
Use Columbus rental due diligence before paying fees or signing a lease by checking ownership, code context, lease terms, campus rules, and maintenance.
Dublin Ohio Christmas Market Opens Nov. 21 at Riverside Crossing Park
Dublin's free Christkindlmarkt runs Nov. 21 to Dec. 24 at Riverside Crossing Park, but the operator's name has already shifted between city announcements.
Sugar Opens Aug. 27 at 504 Park St. in Columbus Arena District
One Hospitality opens the Sugar restaurant at 504 Park St. on Aug. 27 — Latin-Mediterranean dining with a ticketed Grand Opening Party from 5 to 11 p.m.
Hilliard Pickleball Club Still Says Coming Soon Before Target
Pickleball Kingdom’s Hilliard page still lists play as coming soon, so the reported late-August opening remains a target rather than a confirmed debut.
Micro Center Sets Aug. 22 Debut for Remodeled Columbus Store
Micro Center plans to unveil its remodeled Bethel Road store on Aug. 22. The retailer says the location remained open during construction.
The Line Training Restaurant Still Lists Opening as Coming Soon
Service!’s downtown Columbus training restaurant remains listed as coming soon, making its program clearer than its opening timetable.
Harvest Clintonville Reopened in 2024, Not After a 2026 Fire
Harvest Bar + Kitchen’s Clintonville reopening followed a July 2024 fire. The event was mistakenly republished as current news and is corrected here.
Welcome to the Farm Sets August 22 Short North Opening
Welcome to the Farm plans an August 22 opening at 906 North High Street, but its employment, lease, capacity and economic effects remain undisclosed.
Columbus Food Truck Festival Continues in Hilliard Through Tonight
The Columbus Food Truck Festival’s second day runs until 10 p.m. August 15 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, with more than 45 advertised vendors.
Anything Bagel Opens in Former Block’s East Columbus Shop
Anything Bagel opened August 14 at 6115 McNaughten Center, reviving the former Block’s shop while making claims about its inherited recipe and new program.
Crew Advances From Leagues Cup; Astor Park Is a Separate Story
The Crew advanced after three home matches, but claims that the tournament tested Astor Park leasing or nearby short-term rentals lack supporting data.
Bank Run Event Center Opens While Metro Park Work Continues
Bank Run’s reservable event facilities are operating in Lockbourne, but Metro Parks still labels the larger park under construction and limits general access.
Pelotonia’s 2026 Ride Used a New Short Route; Totals Are Pending
Pelotonia added a shorter downtown loop in Columbus for its August ride, but the organizer’s pre-event estimate should not be reported as a final rider count.
Festival Latino Columbus Move Changes Downtown Visitor Plan
Festival Latino is moving from Genoa Park to Columbus Commons and the Ohio Theatre, changing parking, weather planning and indoor programming.
Dublin Irish Festival Completed Its 39th Year at Coffman Park
The 2026 Dublin Irish Festival ran July 31 through August 2 at Coffman Park. Official pages confirm the program, but final attendance was not posted.
Ohio State Fair Opens With Two New Exhibition Buildings
The 2026 Ohio State Fair ran July 29–Aug. 9 with two new buildings and a broader fairgrounds capital program still underway.
Tonchin Plans First Ohio Ramen Shop in Columbus Short North
Tonchin is preparing its first Ohio restaurant at 965 North High Street, but neither the company nor public reporting has established an opening date.
Olde Towne East’s 2026 Home Tour Featured 11 Stops
Olde Towne East’s July 12 tour offered 11 homes, gardens and a church, but no public attendance or preservation-outcome report was available afterward.
Jazz & Rib Fest Sets Three-Day Scioto Mile Schedule
Columbus scheduled the free Jazz & Rib Fest for July 24–26 along the Scioto Mile, with music at West Bank and Bicentennial parks.
Great Southern Opens as Central Ohio’s 21st Metro Park
Great Southern Metro Park opened April 1 on the Scioto River in south Columbus, adding 70 acres of trails, prairie, play areas and fitness features.
Columbus Oktoberfest Returns, but It Does Not Prove Home Demand
Columbus Oktoberfest is scheduled for Sept. 11–13 at the Ohio Expo Center, while claims that the event raises German Village demand lack evidence.
COTA Line 30 Will Serve Hilliard, Not Dublin, in September
COTA’s finalized Line 30 will connect Hilliard, Upper Arlington, Ohio State and downtown in September; Dublin service will use an extended Line 1 instead.
Amara Brings Mediterranean Dining Back to the Scioto Mile
Amara has replaced Milestone 229 on the Scioto Mile, but the riverfront restaurant’s opening history is more complicated than the original announcement suggested.
Columbus Book Festival Confirms 120-Plus Author Lineup
The Columbus Metropolitan Library confirmed more than 120 authors for its free July 11–12 festival at Main Library and Topiary Park.