Hot Hits Weekend Best Bets - 5/15-5/17/26

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Central Ohio is packed with concerts, festivals, theater productions and outdoor activities heading into the weekend of May 15-17, giving residents and visitors a wide range of entertainment options across the region.

One of the weekend's biggest attractions is the annual Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival at Historic Crew Stadium, which continues through Sunday. The four-day rock festival features national touring acts and thousands of fans from around the country, continuing its run as one of the largest music events in Ohio.

Downtown Columbus and the Arena District will also remain busy with performances, sporting events and nightlife throughout the weekend. Event organizers say warmer spring weather and the return of large outdoor gatherings are expected to drive strong attendance across Central Ohio venues.

Among the major venues hosting events this weekend is Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, which continues to serve as a hub for community events and entertainment activities throughout May.

The touring Broadway production of the Tony Award-winning musical "Hadestown" will make stops Friday and Saturday evening at the Ohio Theatre. The production blends Greek mythology with folk and jazz-inspired music and remains one of the nation's most popular touring theater shows.

Live music fans can also find performances throughout the Short North, University District and downtown neighborhoods. Newport Music Hall and other local venues are scheduled to host touring artists and regional acts throughout the weekend.

Family-friendly activities are also scheduled around the region. Community calendars highlight outdoor festivals, spring markets, zoo attractions and children's programming taking place across Franklin and surrounding counties. Organizers encourage families to check event schedules ahead of time, as weather conditions could affect some outdoor events.

Tourism officials say Columbus continues to see strong spring event traffic as festivals and outdoor entertainment return in full force ahead of the summer season. Experience Columbus and local tourism organizations continue promoting the city's growing mix of arts, sports and entertainment offerings.