Rossen Milanov, Music Director

Next Event:

Nationwide Picnic with the Pops

2026 Tickets on sale now!

Nationwide Picnic with the Pops!

Catering Menus for TABLES Catering Menus for General Admission
Beverage Order Form Beverage Policy

TITLE SPONSOR

HOST SPONSOR

WEATHER POLICY
LOCATION OF PERFORMANCES
GENERAL ADMISSION (LAWN SEATS – PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR)
ACCESSIBILITY

Accessible entrances: All entrances accessible. 

Accessible restrooms: Located behind Jeni’s Scoop Shop. Temporary ADA restrooms may also be added on the east entrance, by the Town and Damien intersection. 

Audio description & ASL services: Available upon request, with reasonable notice by contacting access@capa.com.

Listening devices: At FOH green tent, ask technician for a device. 

Braille Programs: Ask a volunteer for a copy. If you need a Braille program for another Symphony-related event, please email nhickman@columbussymphony.com

TABLE SEATING AT NATIONWIDE PICNIC WITH THE POPS
WILL CALL
GROUPS

Tent:  A limited number of tents with additional lawn space are available for groups of 25-35 and come with an 8ft table to accommodate food and drinks.  Bring your own chairs. 

Lawn: You may also take advantage of our general admission lawn area for your group—we recommend all arriving early to sit together! We do not reserve lawn space for groups.  

Tables: Elevate your experience with tables! Tables are available at a 10% discount, (minimum 2 tables required). 

To learn more or secure your group discount, please contact Rodney Thomas at rthomas@columbussymphony.com.

PARKING, RIDE SHARE, AND TRANSIT


Parking is available at the Columbus Commons Main Parking Garage located at 55 East Rich Street, just steps away from the park, as well as in the Underground Garage beneath the Columbus Commons (entrance at 191 South Third Street). To expedite your exit, you may pay for your parking at the Pay On Foot machines with credit card or cash, then present your paid ticket at the exit gate. Card-only payment is also accepted at the exit gates. Garage staff will be be available to assist patrons at the exits. Please do not overcrowd parking garage elevators. Additional info at columbuscommons.org.

We recommend that users of Uber, Lyft, and other ride share services use the corner of Rich Street and High Street on the southwest side of the Columbus Commons as a drop-off and pick-up location. All downtown COTA routes (Lines 1-12, 102 and CMAX) also stop just steps from the Commons.

FOOD & BEVERAGE POLICY

Unlike other events at Columbus Commons, patrons may bring their own food, beverages, alcohol, and/or coolers to all performances. Food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) can also be purchased from on-site Columbus Commons vendors, Tortilla Street Food, and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Soft drinks, water, and alcoholic beverages can also be purchased at any of the CAPA bar stands during Nationwide Picnic with the Pops. Concessions are available through intermission. Alcohol is permitted only in the table and lawn areas. No alcohol consumption is permitted outside the park area.

EVENT POLICY

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for lawn seating. Low tables and coolers are permitted but may not be larger than 32″L x 19″W x 16″H. Coolers may not contain beverages totaling 50+ quarts. Pets are not allowed on the property during Picnic with the Pops. Skateboards, solicitation or unauthorized sales, handbills, weapons, plastic tarps, tents, and the use of stakes are not permitted. Patrons who wish to smoke are asked to do so outside any of the entrance gates. Vaporizers are strictly prohibited. Columbus ordinance forbids smoking near building entrances. Flash cameras, cell phones, laser pointers, and/or video and audio recorders of any kind are not permitted during the performance.

TABLE DECORATING CONTEST

Guests are permitted to bring items to decorate their table in a chance to win gift cards to Cameron Mitchell restaurants. Decorations must adhere to all other event, beverage, and food policies. Decoration of your table automatically enters you into the contest. Winners will be announced at the top of the show. We recommend decorating your table as gates open for proper screening before the show.

Volunteering with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops offers a dynamic opportunity to support the arts while engaging with the community. Volunteers serve as ambassadors, ensuring guests receive exceptional service at outdoor summer concerts held at Columbus Commons. Roles are diverse, and benefits include free concert admission, complimentary parking, and the chance to earn tickets to future performances. Volunteers who participate in multiple events are invited to a special appreciation gathering, and one outstanding individual is honored annually with the Betty Fickell Volunteer of the Year Award. This program not only enriches Columbus’s cultural scene but also fosters meaningful connections among volunteers and patrons alike.

Sign up to volunteer with the button below!