Hot Hits Weekend Best Bets: 6/26-6/28/26

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Central Ohio residents and visitors will find a wide range of entertainment, cultural and family-oriented events across the region during the weekend of June 26-28, with community festivals, live performances, sporting events and downtown activities highlighting the final weekend of June.

One of the region's signature annual events, ComFest, returns to Goodale Park throughout the weekend. The community festival, widely known as one of the nation's largest noncommercial festivals, traditionally features live music, local artists, community organizations and family-friendly activities. The festival has long been a fixture of Columbus' summer calendar and draws thousands of attendees each year.

Downtown Columbus will host several family-oriented programs and performances. At Columbus Commons, families can attend a presentation of Sergei Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" on Friday evening, offering younger audiences an introduction to orchestral music. Organizers say the event is designed to engage children and families through storytelling and live performance.

The city's arts scene also remains active heading into the weekend. The Columbus Museum of Art continues its summer programming season, including extended-hours events featuring live music, food and gallery access. Museum officials have promoted the programs as opportunities to connect visual arts with community engagement during the summer months.

Sports fans can find action at Huntington Park, where the Columbus Clippers conclude a homestand during the weekend. The Triple-A affiliate remains one of the area's most popular summer attractions and continues a long tradition of professional baseball in downtown Columbus.

Collectors and hobby enthusiasts are expected to gather at the Greater Columbus Convention Center for Columbus CardFest, scheduled for June 26 and 27. Event organizers say the show will feature sports cards, trading cards, memorabilia dealers and special guests, drawing attendees from throughout Ohio and neighboring states.

Music lovers will find additional options throughout the region. Columbus' summer entertainment calendar includes concerts at venues across the city, while CAPA's summer programming continues with film screenings and a "Picnic with the Pops" performance featuring the music of Tom Petty on Saturday.

Tourism officials note that late June remains one of the busiest periods of the year for local events, with festivals, concerts and outdoor activities helping drive attendance throughout downtown Columbus and surrounding communities. Experience Columbus encourages visitors to verify schedules and event details directly with organizers, as times and programming can change.

Looking ahead, Central Ohio's summer festival season will continue into July with major events including Red, White & Boom festivities, the Jazz & Rib Fest and the Ohio State Fair later in the summer.