21 listings in Columbus, OH: free events and always-free spots for the coming weekend.
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Tuesday–Friday, noon–5pm
Riffe Gallery, Vern Riffe CenterColumbus
The Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery shows the work of Ohio artists and collections from the state's museums. Admission is always free and open to the public, Tuesday–Friday, noon–5pm, through the High Street entrance. On view: 'Ohio Thrives', October 31, 2026 to January 8, 2027.
Verified Oct 28 · oac.ohio.gov
No catch
Mon 2–7pm, Tue–Thu 12–7pm, Fri 12–6pm, Sat 10am–2pm
Mid-Ohio Market at Norton RoadColumbus
Mid-Ohio Food Collective's Norton Road market works like a grocery store where everything is free: choose your own fresh food and pantry staples, and ask about help with other needs. Hours: Monday 2–7pm, Tuesday–Thursday 12–7pm, Friday 12–6pm, Saturday 10am–2pm. Save your spot in line online. Ready-to-heat prepared meals from Mid-Ohio Kitchen are also offered here on some days.
Verified Oct 28 · mofc.org
No catch
Mon 3–7pm, Tue–Fri 12:30–7pm, Sat 9:30am–1:30pm
Mid-Ohio Market at Gantz RoadColumbus
Mid-Ohio Food Collective's markets work like a regular grocery store, except everything is free: pick your own fresh food and pantry basics, and get help with other needs like healthcare, housing and job training. Gantz Road hours: Monday 3–7pm, Tuesday–Friday 12:30–7pm, Saturday 9:30am–1:30pm. You can save your spot in line online. Can't get there? Send someone you trust with a proxy form.
Verified Oct 28 · mofc.org
No catch
First Saturday of each month, 4–8pm
Short North Arts District, High StreetColumbus
Since 1984 the Short North has held Gallery Hop on the first Saturday of every month, 4–8pm along High Street: galleries open new exhibitions, open studios show work in progress, and musicians, dancers and chalk artists turn the sidewalks into stages. It's free; shops and restaurants run specials too. The next one is Saturday, November 7.
Verified Oct 28 · shortnorth.org
No catch
Daily, 6:30am–7pm (Oct–Mar); 6:30am–9pm (Apr–Sep)
Inniswood Metro GardensColumbus
Inniswood Metro Gardens sets more than 2,000 plant species and themed gardens (rose, herb, conifer, a woodland rock garden with waterfalls, and the 2.8-acre Sisters' children's garden) inside a wooded nature preserve. Metro Parks lists no entry fee. October–March the gardens are open 6:30am–7pm.
Verified Oct 28 · metroparks.net
No catch
Park daily 6:30am–8pm, nature center 9am–6pm (Oct–Mar)
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Nature CenterColumbus
Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park covers 7,358 acres of forest, prairie and wetland, and bison have been reintroduced to roam two enclosed pastures; the Darby Creek Greenway trail runs between them. The nature center is open 9am–6pm October–March and the park 6:30am–8pm. Metro Parks lists no entry fee.
Verified Oct 28 · metroparks.net
No catch
Daily, dawn to dusk
Chadwick Arboretum & Learning GardensColumbus
Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens is an urban green reserve of more than 30 acres on Ohio State's main campus, with gardens, trees, a labyrinth and spots to picnic, fish or watch birds. It's open year-round from dawn to dusk and there is no admission fee. Parking in the surrounding lots is pay-and-display.
Verified Oct 28 · chadwickarboretum.osu.edu
No catch
Daily 8am–7pm (Oct–Mar); 8am–9pm (Apr–Sep)
Scioto Audubon Metro ParkColumbus
Scioto Audubon Metro Park, just south of downtown, has what Metro Parks calls the largest free outdoor climbing wall in the country: three towers and two arches, 35 feet high, over 7,000 square feet. The four auto belays are up from late March to late October (weather permitting) and come down each year for recertification; the rest of the year bring your own ropes. Climbers bring their own harness. The wall is open 8am–7pm October–March and 8am–9pm April–September. The park also has the free Columbus Rotary Obstacle Course.
Verified Oct 28 · metroparks.net
Catch: Bring your own climbing harness (and ropes when auto belays are down) · Under 16 must be with an adult
Daily 9am–5pm (Oct–Mar); 9am–7pm (Apr–Sep); 2nd Tuesday opens at noon
Blacklick Woods Metro ParkColumbus
Blacklick Woods Metro Park's Canopy Walk takes you through the tree canopy 40 feet above the ground in one of central Ohio's best beech-maple forests. It's completely free and open every day, 9am–5pm from October through March (9am–7pm April–September). It stays closed until noon on the second Tuesday of each month for cleaning.
Verified Oct 28 · metroparks.net
No catch
Oct–Mar: Tue–Thu and Sun 9am–5pm; Fri–Sat 9am–sunset
Slate Run Living Historical FarmColumbus
Step back to the 1880s at Metro Parks' Slate Run Living Historical Farm near Canal Winchester. Costumed staff and volunteers do the daily chores, you can tour the restored 1856 farmhouse and barn, and see pigs, geese, turkeys and Percheron horses. Admission is free. October–March hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 9am–5pm; Friday and Saturday 9am to sunset (closed Mondays). From January to March some buildings close and activities are limited.
Verified Oct 28 · metroparks.net
No catch
Tue–Wed 9:30am–5pm, Thu–Fri 9:30am–7pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 10am–4pm
Wexner Center for the ArtsColumbus
The Wexner Center for the Arts on Ohio State's campus is free for everyone during regular gallery hours, with contemporary art exhibitions and free tours. Galleries are open Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30am–5pm, Thursday and Friday 9:30am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 10am–4pm (closed Mondays). Galleries close between exhibitions, so check the current schedule. Bags, large purses and umbrellas are checked before you enter.
Verified Oct 28 · wexarts.org
No catch
Sun and Tue–Fri, 1–5pm
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Sullivant HallColumbus
Ohio State's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum holds the world's largest collection of cartoon and comics art, with a permanent highlights exhibit and rotating galleries. Admission is free and walk-ins are welcome. Galleries are open Sunday and Tuesday–Friday, 1–5pm (closed Monday and Saturday). They also close for holidays (this fall: Nov 11, Nov 26–27, Dec 24–25), so check the hours page.
Verified Oct 28 · cartoons.osu.edu
No catch
Weekdays during Court hours
Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial CenterColumbus
Walk through the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center, a 1930s Art Deco landmark, and the Court's Visitor Education Center with exhibits on Ohio's court system. Free self-guided tours are open to the public during Court hours, no appointment needed; call ahead to confirm today's hours. Groups of 5 or more can book a free guided tour at least 2 weeks ahead (4 weeks for student groups) by emailing courttours@sc.ohio.gov. It's a secure building: visitors in 6th grade and up go through security screening, and adults are asked to show photo ID.
Verified Oct 28 · supremecourt.ohio.gov
Catch: Security screening; adults asked to show photo ID
Any day
Columbus Metropolitan Library branches
Columbus Metropolitan Library's Culture Pass for Franklin Park Conservatory admits two adults and six children once within seven days. Check it out in person with your library card at the Driving Park, Martin Luther King or Shepard branch; passes can't be reserved and supplies are limited.
Verified Oct 28 · columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Columbus Metropolitan Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations
Any day
Columbus Metropolitan Library (Main Library and 13 branches)
Columbus Metropolitan Library's Culture Pass gets up to six people of any age into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium free. Check one out in person with your library card at the Main Library or the Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard or Whitehall branch. Passes can't be reserved and supplies are limited. Use it the day you check it out or the next day. It doesn't cover parking, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club or The Wilds.
Verified Oct 28 · columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Columbus Metropolitan Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations · Parking not included
Any day
Columbus Metropolitan Library branches
Columbus Metropolitan Library runs the Digital Skills Hub, a multi-session course for adults who are new to computers and the internet or want to brush up. Sessions run at different branches through the year. Finish the course and you can earn a free Chromebook if you're eligible. Registration is required through Connect Central Ohio (connectcentralohio.com/digital-skills-hub); for help call the library at (614) 645-2275.
Verified Oct 28 · events.columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Registration required · Free Chromebook only if you finish and are eligible
Any day
Columbus Metropolitan Library branches
Columbus Metropolitan Library's Culture Pass admits eight people of any age to the Ohio History Center, valid for seven days, plus 10% off at the café and gift shop. Check it out in person with your library card at the Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights or Northside branch; passes can't be reserved and supplies are limited.
Verified Oct 28 · columbuslibrary.org
Catch: Columbus Metropolitan Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations
Any day
Worthington Libraries (Old Worthington, Northwest, Worthington Park)Columbus
Worthington Libraries lends Culture Passes to the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in downtown Columbus: two adults and five children per pass, one visit, expiring three days after pickup (children under 5 are free anyway). Pick one up at the accounts desk of any of the three Worthington libraries. Passes are first-come, first-served and can't be reserved; call, email, text or chat the library to check availability.
Verified Oct 28 · worthingtonlibraries.org
Catch: Pick up in person at a Worthington library; see the library’s pass rules · Limited passes, no reservations
Any day
Delaware County District Library branchesColumbus
Delaware County District Library cardholders can check out a Culture Pass for free admission to the Columbus Museum of Art or CMA at The Pizzuti for two adults or seniors and up to four children under 18, plus $5 parking at the Broad St. museum. Use it within seven days. Passes are in-person only, can't be reserved and supplies are limited. An adult cardholder may borrow one pass at a time.
Verified Oct 28 · delawarelibrary.org
Catch: Delaware County District Library card required · Limited passes, in person, no reservations · One pass at a time per adult cardholder
Any day
Licking County LibraryColumbus
Licking County Library lends EcoBlu digital radon gas monitors so you can test your home: it plugs in and gives a reading in about 10 minutes. Borrow it for 14 days (not renewable) with a Licking County Library card in good standing; reserve it through the catalog. Educator cards can't be used, and the replacement cost if lost is $45.
Verified Oct 28 · lickingcountylibrary.org
Catch: Licking County Library card in good standing required · $45 replacement cost if lost
Any day
Worthington Libraries (Old Worthington, Northwest, Worthington Park)Columbus
Worthington Libraries lends day passes to the Worthington Community Center covering the pool, open gym, fitness floor and indoor track. Each pass is for one person, up to four per household, for one day. Pick one up at the accounts desk of any Worthington library; passes are first-come, first-served and can't be reserved. Fitness classes, swim lessons and day camps aren't included.
Verified Oct 28 · worthingtonlibraries.org
Catch: Pick up in person at a Worthington library; see the library’s pass rules · Limit four passes per household · Classes and lessons not included
