Hot Hits Weekend Best Bets - 4/3-4/5/2026

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Central Ohio is heading into the first weekend of April with a diverse lineup of events, ranging from live music and festivals to sporting events and family-friendly activities, offering residents and visitors multiple entertainment options from Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5.

Live music highlights the weekend, with legendary singer Patti LaBelle scheduled to perform Friday night at Mershon Auditorium on the campus of Ohio State University. The performance is part of a broader spring concert lineup bringing national touring acts to Columbus venues.

Additional concerts continue Saturday, including country artist Wyatt Flores, who brings his "Drive All Night Tour" to KEMBA Live! on April 4. The show will also feature Kashus Culpepper and includes a charitable component supporting music industry health initiatives.

Festival season also begins to take shape across Central Ohio. The Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival continues through April, with a featured event scheduled Saturday at Franklin Park. The celebration includes cultural programming, outdoor activities and a scavenger hunt centered around the park's blooming cherry trees.

Sports fans will find several opportunities to attend games throughout the weekend. The Columbus Fury professional volleyball team is slated to play Friday and Sunday, while the Columbus Blue Jackets host a home game Saturday night at Nationwide Arena as they continue their late-season push.

Downtown Columbus also features interactive entertainment, including "The Dinner Detective," a live-action true crime murder mystery dinner show scheduled for Saturday evening. The event combines theater and dining, placing attendees inside an unfolding mystery.

Family-friendly activities are available across the region, particularly with Easter-themed events. Seasonal attractions such as Easter Bunny photo opportunities at area shopping centers and free museum admission programs for select visitors are scheduled throughout Saturday.

Local arts and nightlife round out the weekend, with smaller live performances and community events taking place in neighborhoods like the Short North and at venues such as The Summit Music Hall, which hosts concerts and themed events throughout the weekend.

Columbus tourism officials note that spring marks a transition into one of the city's busiest event seasons, with a steady increase in concerts, festivals and outdoor activities expected throughout April and into the summer months.

Event organizers encourage attendees to check individual event listings for updates on times, ticket availability and potential changes.