Columbus Folk Music Series and Central Ohio Folk Festival

The folk music scene is strong in Columbus, and you have the chance to enjoy it all year long with the Columbus Folk Music Society Music Series and Central Ohio Folk Festival.

Columbus Folk Music Society Concert Series

A donation of $15 at the door is suggested, $10 for CFMS members and students, free for under age 12.

For more info, contact Bill Cohen at (614) 263-3851 or BillCohen@columbus.rr.com

Upcoming Folk Music Shows

Sat, Oct 25th, 7PM – Adam Remnant
Indie-Folk / Athens, OH
LOCATION OF SHOW: The Columbus Mennonite Church
35 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH
OPEN JAM 6PM / OPEN MIC 7PM / SHOW 8PM

Sat, Nov 22nd, 7PM – Holler Choir
String Band / Asheville, NC
LOCATION OF SHOW: The Columbus Mennonite Church
35 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH
OPEN JAM 6PM / OPEN MIC 7PM / SHOW 8PM

Sat, Jan 24th, 7PM – TBD
To Be Determined
LOCATION OF SHOW: The Columbus Mennonite Church
35 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH
OPEN JAM 6PM / OPEN MIC 7PM / SHOW 8PM

Sat, Feb 28th, 7PM – TBD
To Be Determined
LOCATION OF SHOW: The Columbus Mennonite Church
35 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH
OPEN JAM 6PM / OPEN MIC 7PM / SHOW 8PM

Full details will be released closer to the events, or see the website.

Fundraiser Concerts for the 2026 Central Ohio Folk Festival   

Sun, Nov 16, 2025
The Dirty Windows – presenting a John Prine Tribute   

A celebration of ALL things John Prine. Yep, you can’t get enough of John Prine!
The tribute band, the Dirty Windows, (named after one of Prine’s phrase turning lyrics) features Mike Hale, Ed Tatum, Brian Szuch and Renilda Marshall who will be serving up some fine John Prine once again for our concert goers!

1:30 Doors / 2:30 – 4:00PM Show. Food and drinks available.
Tickets: $15 (+ tkt fee) (pre-purchase recommended)
VENUE: Natalie’s Grandview / Music Hall Stage945 King Ave, Cols, OH

Sat, Feb 7, 2026
Pre-Valentine Concert with Bill Cohen & Friends

A fun-filled celebration totally around the theme of love and ALWAYS a few delightful surprises. Show starts at 7 pm. Free (AND) delicious refreshments.

Suggested donation at door: $15. A fundraiser for our 2026 Central Ohio Folk Festival.
VENUE: Northwest United Methodist Church  (Ministry Center space) 5200 Riverside Dr, Cols, OH

Annual Central Ohio Folk Festival

Folk it up with the Annual Central Ohio Folk Festival at Bank Run Metro Park in Lockbourne, Ohio (NEW LOCATION!) on June 6-7, 2025.

Festival features

Enjoy concerts, jam sessions, 30+ music workshops, dance, and kids’ activities including the instrument petting zoo. Bring your acoustic instruments to join jams and song circles. 

More than 30 hourly concerts on 3 different stages. You’ll hear a wide range of folk music — bluegrass, blues, singer-songwriter, Southern roots, Americana, Celtic, and more….songs that often reflect the struggles of everyday people.

A giant 1960’s-style folk music community sing-along to open the festival at 11 am Saturday, plus a poignant song circle to close the fest.

More than 30 workshops on songwriting, the history of folk music, joining a jam group, important musical figures, and how to play guitar, fiddle, ukulele, tin whistle, and other instruments. Some workshops will be for beginning players, and others will be for more advanced musicians.

There’s an area with special music, stories, workshops, and arts/crafts for children.  Plus, a perennial favorite — our “instrument petting zoo” to let youngsters handle folk instruments.  Festival mascot Darby Duck will also be on hand for the young and young-at-heart.  

Join in the 2 drum circles where everyone, young and old alike, is invited to pound on a drum or other rhythm instrument to a mesmerizing beat.

Central Ohio Folk Festival admission

No set admission; donations are welcome, which helps support the festival and keep it free. For donations of $20 of more, you’ll get a fun flexible flyer, a cookie and a sticker (while supplies last)!

The festival staffers are all volunteers, so 100% of the money that people contribute will help support this festival.

For more information, check out the Folk Festival webpage. 

Check out our huge list of festivals here!

Over 325 festivals in Columbus and Central Ohio in 2025

Check out other live music and concerts coming up!