Rossen Milanov, Music Director

Next Event:

Beethoven Symphony No. 2

May 17, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Location of Performances

All concerts will be held at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the Columbus Commons (160 S. High St.) directly behind the Ohio Theatre. Gates open at 6pm and are located on Main and Rich Street, between High and Third Street. Nationwide Picnic with the Pops start at 8pm and Nationwide Popcorn Pops starts at 7pm. Park info is at www.columbuscommons.org.

General admission (lawn seats – please bring your own chair)

Nationwide Picnic with the Pops: General admission lawn tickets are $36.75 (fees may apply) for adults when purchased by phone at 614-469-0939 or online via www.PicnicWithThePops.com. Tickets for children ages 3-12 are $10.50. Children 2 and under are free.

Nationwide Popcorn Pops: General admission lawn tickets are $12.50 (fees may apply) for adults when purchased by phone at 614-469-0939 or online via www.PicnicWithThePops.com. Tickets for children ages 3-12 are $8. Children 2 and under are free.

Table Seating at nationwide picnic with the pops

Tables on the front lawn, near the stage, are available for purchase at each concert (subject to availability). Tables are sold in parties of 8-10 and range from $462-$893 per show. A limited number of tables for 4 are available for $315 per show. Catering for the table is available to order ahead of time through our local restaurant partners (TBA) at the discretion of the purchaser. For more information or to purchase a table call 614.469.0939.

Single table seats can be purchased in any quantity and range from $60-$90 (fees apply) per seat. Catering is not included. Table seats can be purchased in advance by phone at 614.469.0939, online at www.PicnicWithThePops.com, or in person at the CBUSArts Ticket Center (39 E. State St.).

will call

Will call is located at the Rich Street entrance only.

Group Discount at nationwide picnic with the pops

There are many options to ensure your group has the best time together while at Picnic with the Pops.

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

parking

Parking is available at the Columbus Commons Main Parking Garage, located at 55 E. Rich St., just steps away from the park. Spaces are also available in the lot Underground Garage beneath Columbus Commons (entrance at 191 S. Third St.). Parking is $10. Once parked in either garage, it is recommended that patrons pay for their parking at the Pay On Foot machines with credit card or cash prior, during, or after the event. That paid ticket will be used at the exit gates. Payment is also accepted at the 8 exit lanes in the Main Garage and the 2 exit lanes of the Underground Garage (card only at the exits). Garage event staff will be in the lanes assisting any patrons that need it. Please note the maximum capacities for the garage elevators before use as people tend to overcrowd for events.

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 in L x 19 in W x 16 in 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.

I’m a CSO Masterworks ticket subscriber and I need to exchange one or some of my tickets for the shows in the upcoming season due to a conflict. How do I exchange tickets?

As a subscriber, you can easily exchange your tickets for another Columbus Symphony Masterworks performance, provided that the exchange is requested at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled performance. For Saturday or Sunday performances, exchanges must be completed by 5pm on Friday. Keep in mind that the availability of the same seats cannot be guaranteed, but our team will make every effort to place you in comparable seating.

There are four ways to exchange your tickets:

If you have any questions about the exchange process, feel free to reach out to the CBUSArts Ticket Center at 614.469.0939. While there is no fee for ticket exchanges as a subscriber, if you choose to exchange to a higher-priced performance or seating location, the difference will be collected upon processing the exchange. Unfortunately, we cannot provide a refund or credit for differences when exchanging for a lower-priced performance or seating area.

I am a Masterworks subscriber and cannot make a performance, but I have tickets to the rest of the shows. What can I do?

There are a few options:

I’m not a Masterworks subscriber, am I still able to exchange tickets?

Yes. However, as a non-subscriber, there is a $5 per ticket exchange fee. You can still exchange tickets by following the same protocol as listed in the previous question. Please note that all exchanges must be completed at least 24 hours in advance of your scheduled performance.

I missed my scheduled performance due to an emergency. Do I have any options?

We understand, unforeseen circumstances and emergencies happen, we understand. If such a situation has prevented you from making exchange arrangements prior to your scheduled performance, call us. We will attempt to relocate you into a remaining performance of the same show, on a space-available basis only. NO refunds or donations are offered for missed performances.

What is the Columbus Arts & Culture Fee?

For all subscription/membership renewals and tickets purchased on or after July 1, 2019, and for events taking place in the City of Columbus, a 5% ticket fee will be applied. The Columbus Arts & Culture Fee will be applied to for-profits & nonprofit arts, sports, and entertainment tickets, and admissions in the City of Columbus. The Columbus Arts & Culture Fee helps make the arts available to all by funding free festivals and events, exemplary artists, arts organizations, and programs that educate and engage audiences throughout Greater Columbus.

I’ve misplaced or lost my ticket(s), what do I do?

Call the CBUSArts Ticket Center as soon as you realize your tickets are missing. Please have your account number ready for the ticket center to assist in looking up your subscription/tickets to verify your seating and performance. We can reprint your tickets, thus making the original tickets void. If this happens less than 10 days before a performance we will hold the reissued tickets at Will Call to be picked up at the theatre of your performance. Will Call opens two hours before showtime. You will need a form of identification to pick up the tickets.

Is there a group ticket rate available for Columbus  Symphony performances?

Yes, our group sales Patron Engagement Manager and Group Sales Manager, Rodney Pew can assist you in purchasing a group of tickets. The group minimum for most shows is 10.

Do you offer a Senior Discount?

Certainly! You must be 65 years young or older to qualify. Just request the senior discount when you call or come in to purchase your tickets.

Do you offer a Student Discount?

Yes, indeed! Any high school or college student with a valid student ID can visit the CBUSArts Ticket Center the week of the show, starting on Monday at 9 am. During this time, students can purchase up to two tickets at $14 each per valid ID. This offer is applicable for Masterworks performances but is not valid for top-price level seating areas.

What is the CSO College Club?

Exclusively for college students, the CSO College Club offers the opportunity to attend all Masterworks performances for a $25 yearly membership. Benefits include the ability to purchase up to four additional student tickets for $8 each, access to post-concert events, and special membership emails. Visit or call the CBUSArts Ticket Center to sign up!

What are Friday Coffee Dress Rehearsals?

Each season patrons are invited to select working dress rehearsals to watch Music Director Rossen Milanov and the musicians of the Columbus Symphony put the final touches on the weekend’s performances. Tickets are $14 and include coffee and donuts. Dress rehearsals take place at 10am the Friday morning before concert weekends – to view this season’s upcoming Friday Coffee Dress Rehearsals visit our events calendar.

How do I redeem my ticket using the Culture Pass?

Culture Passes can be checked out in person from any Columbus Metro Library. Upon checkout, patrons will receive a promo code to apply on the CBUSArts website when selecting their seats online for their desired performance.

How do I register for the Young People’s Concerts? 

Use the convenient registration button located near each concert description. You may either supply credit card payment information or request an invoice be sent. 

When will I receive my tickets?  

We do not issue individual tickets. Instead, your school’s name will be listed with the ushers and you will check in upon arrival. You will be contacted to confirm your order. 

If I need to change or cancel my order at the last minute, what should I do? 

Please contact the Columbus Symphony Education Department immediately with any changes to your order. Additional seating may be purchased depending upon availability, but unfilled seats may not be returned after purchase. Please understand that refunds are not possible for any reason. 

Do you have pre-concert educational materials? 

Yes. Pre-concert materials for teachers and students are mailed or delivered approximately four weeks before the concert, so please include a street address. If you materials must go to a central delivery address, be sure to include that. 

What time should my group arrive at the Ohio Theatre? 

Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin.

How long will the concert last? 

Young People’s Concerts are approximately 45-60 minutes long. depending on the targeted age.  

Is parking available for buses? 

Parking is often available for buses on State St. across from the Ohio Theatre. Automobiles can be parked in the underground State House parking garage off Third Street for a fee or at an available parking meter. Additional information will be sent with pre-concert materials. 

Is the Ohio Theatre handicapped accessible? 

Yes. If your group includes students or teachers with physical disabilities, please be certain to note this on your registration.  

Are my students allowed to bring cameras? 

The use of flash photography and other recording devices during the concert is strictly forbidden. However, students may take pictures of the theatre before and after the concert. 

My group will need to eat lunch immediately after the concert. What should I do? 

Food and drinks are not permitted in the Ohio Theatre. If your group will be bringing lunches, you will be asked to leave them elsewhere in the theatre before entering the concert hall. Space for group lunches is available on the State House lawn, the Columbus Commons, or other nearby locations. Please let the education department know ahead of time if you plan to bring lunches.