Hot Hits Weekend Best Bets - 5/29-5/31/26

Columbus and Central Ohio are heading into the final weekend of May with a packed calendar that includes music festivals, live concerts, cultural celebrations and outdoor family activities as summer festival season ramps up across the region.

One of the weekend's largest draws will be Breakaway Music Festival at Historic Crew Stadium on Friday and Saturday. The two-day electronic music festival is expected to bring thousands downtown with performances from nationally known EDM artists including Kygo, GRiZ and Rezz. Festival organizers say gates open at 4 p.m. both days.

Country fans can head to the Schottenstein Center Friday night when Nationwide Arena district venues and nearby arenas host several touring acts throughout the weekend, including Schottenstein Center welcoming Megan Moroney on her "Cloud 9 Tour." Additional live music performances are scheduled across the city at venues including KEMBA Live!, Woodlands Tavern, Natalie's Grandview and Rumba Cafe.

Festivalgoers looking for cultural events can visit the annual Columbus Italian Festival in Italian Village. The long-running celebration features live entertainment, food vendors, religious processions and family activities through the weekend. Organizers say the event runs Friday through Sunday near St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church.

Sports fans will also have several options. Major League Pickleball Columbus is scheduled to continue through the weekend, bringing professional and amateur competition to Central Ohio. Meanwhile, the Columbus Clippers continue their homestand with themed nights and postgame entertainment planned at Huntington Park.

Families looking for daytime activities can visit Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens for seasonal exhibits and garden programming, while indoor attractions such as Magic Mountain Fun Center - East remain popular weekend destinations for children and teens.

Community and Pride-related events are also beginning to appear on the regional calendar as Ohio's 2026 Pride season gets underway. Several local organizations are hosting kickoff celebrations, performances and community gatherings across Columbus and surrounding suburbs this weekend.

Tourism officials say the final weekend of May traditionally marks the unofficial start of the summer entertainment season in Columbus, with festivals, concerts and neighborhood events continuing steadily into June.