The Columbus Symphony Announces 2025 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops Lineup

The Columbus Symphony today announced the lineup for the 2025 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops, its annual summer outdoor concert series June 14–July 26, led by CSO Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz and held at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion (160 S. High St.) on the Columbus Commons. Gates open at 6 pm. Concerts begin at 8 pm.

Tickets go on sale at 10 am Tuesday, April 1, and can be purchased in-person at the CAPA Ticket Center (39 E. State St.), online at www.PicnicWithThePops.com or CBUSArts.com or by phone at 614-469-0939. General admission lawn tickets are $36.75-$52.50 in advance or at the gate. Lawn tickets for children aged 3-12 are $10.50-15.75. Children 2 and under are free. Full tables and single table seats are available for purchase from $63-$1,157. For more information, call 614-469-0939.

O’Brien joins the Columbus Symphony from the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida, where she served as Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement. During her tenure, she successfully architected and completed a $150 million comprehensive campaign and oversaw a team of 30 employees responsible for a $12 million annual fund, as well as public relations, communications, marketing, audience engagement, and guest services.

“Following an extensive national search, the Board of Trustees is thrilled to introduce Maureen O’Brien as the new President and CEO of the Columbus Symphony,” said Dr. Stephen Markovich, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “We have an incredible organization of musicians, staff, trustees, and supporters. With her combination of artistic vision, leadership skills, philanthropic expertise, and Midwest values, Maureen is the perfect arts leader to guide us into an exciting new future.”

In her new role, O’Brien will oversee all aspects of the orchestra, including artistic planning in collaboration with Music Director Rossen Milanov, fundraising, marketing, education, and community engagement. Additionally, she will lead the capital campaign to build a new performing arts hall that will create innovative access to arts and music education for the central Ohio community.

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2025 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops Lineup:

A Boy Band Symphony
Saturday, June 14
Stuart Chafetz, conductor

Get ready to experience a one-of-a-kind musical extravaganza with “A Boy Band Symphony!” This electrifying new show celebrates the timeless hits of the iconic boy bands featuring Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees, Erik-Michael Estrada of O-Town, and Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC. From infectious melodies to signature dance moves, “A Boy Band Symphony” promises to reignite the passion and excitement of beloved favorites such as “Bye Bye Bye,” “I Do (Cherish You),” “Liquid Dreams,” and more.

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Rick Ross
Saturday, June 21
Stuart Chafetz, conductor

The “Biggest Boss” Rick Ross lands in Columbus for “Hip Hop and Symphony,” a one-of-a-kind night featuring his chart-topping hits, bringing a new twist to fan favorites like “Hustlin’,”
“B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast),” and “Aston Martin Music,” elevating them with the lush,
symphonic sounds of the Columbus Symphony.

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Yacht Rock Symphony with Ambrosia
Saturday, June 28
Stuart Chafetz, conductor

Get ready for an extraordinary evening with the Yacht Rock Symphony, featuring the original artists who shaped one of rock’s most iconic eras. Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, and Peter Beckett (the voice of Player) will take the stage to perform their chart-topping Billboard hits from the 1970s and 1980s, including favorites like “You’re the Only Woman,” “How Much I Feel.” “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight,” and “Baby Come Back.”

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Tower of Power
Saturday, July 5
Elias Miller, conductor

For 57 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music with hits like “You’re Still A Young Man,” “Down to The Nightclub,” “So Very Hard to Go,” and “What Is Hip?” They join the Columbus Symphony for a night that will have you on your feet and dancing under the downtown stars!

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Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony
Saturday, July 12
Elias Miller, conductor

Experience this innovative multimedia experience featuring Dolly on screen, leading audiences in a visual musical journey of her songs, her life, and her stories. Accompanied by guest vocalists and musicians hand-picked by Dolly herself, audiences will hear new and innovative orchestrations of her hit songs, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love you,” in addition to her personal favorites and an as-yet unreleased selection from her upcoming Broadway musical.

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The Music of Journey
Saturday, July 19
Stuart Chafetz, conductor

Everyone will recognize the enormous hits in this production of one of the top-selling rock groups of all time! A full rock band and lead singer Juan Del Castillo fronts this high-energy show. It’s a full night of Journey’s hits you don’t want to miss!

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The Ohio State University Marching Band
Friday & Saturday, July 25 & 26
Stuart Chafetz & Dr. Christopher Hoch, conductors

An annual Picnic With the Pops favorite, TBDBITL joins the orchestra for a night of fight songs and traditions as we celebrate the National Championship and have the first tailgate of the upcoming season!

About the Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1951, the Columbus Symphony is the longest-running, professional symphony in central Ohio. Through an array of innovative artistic, educational, and community outreach programming, the Columbus Symphony is reaching an expanding, more diverse audience each year. This season, the Columbus Symphony will share classical music with more than 175,000 people in central Ohio through concerts, radio broadcasts, and special programming. For more information, visit www.columbussymphony.com.

The 2023-24 season is made possible in part by state tax dollars allocated by the Ohio Legislature to the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. The CSO also appreciates the support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city’s artists and arts organizations since 1973, and The Columbus Foundation’s Gertrude L. Jacob and Richard H. and Ann Shafer funds with the assistance of the Ingram-White Castle Foundation.