Let’s explore social events in Columbus, OH happening this week. Local events are a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Look through this page and consider going out and socializing during one of these social events.
Social events are great and offer a world of possibilities. You can make new friends, learn new skills, see things from different perspectives and it’s fantastic for your mental health. And never before has companionship and being able to spend time with others been as important as it is today.
You probably remember being a kid and going up to another person your age and saying, “Do you want to be friends?” and that was pretty much that. Friend made. Alas, it’s not quite as simple now that we’re grown up, but it doesn’t have to be as difficult or as awkward as we think. There are thousands of people out there who would love to meet up with others, finding them just takes a bit of help and that’s what we’re here for.
On this page, we hope you’ll find some interesting events in Columbus where you can make some new friends.
Local Groups’ Events in Columbus
Friday Evening Coffee/Beer & Dinner@ Roosevelt Coffeehouse Olentangy Brewing Co
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: Roosevelt Coffeehouse at Olentangy River Brewing Company
Join us for a casual chat over coffee/ Beer & Dinner at Roosevelt Coffee (Lewis Center)!
Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!(…)
Pickleball. FREE
◦ When: Wednesday, Feb 5th
◦ Where: Milo-Grogan Community Rec Center
We will migrate our play INSIDE temporarily unless it is above 40° then we will play OUTSIDE weather permitting.
I have some extra pickle ball paddles and balls if you don’t have one. Definitely bring your own paddle if you have one and bring some balls if you have them.
Legal Stuff: The event hosts/Organizers are just fellow member volunteers. By participating in any event, you assume all risks(…)
International Film: THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG at the Gateway Film Center!
◦ When: Tuesday, Feb 4th
◦ Where: Gateway Film Center
Join us as we get together to see the winner of the Jury Prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival and what should be an excellent political-thriller, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG. The film is set in Iran and follows a judge in the Revolutionary court who grapples with paranoia as nationwide political protests intensify following the death of a young woman. Here are details, a trailer and plan for t(…)
Wine Tasting – Newcomers Night
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: Alive Mvmt & Yoga
This is “***New Members Night***.” If you are one of the many folks on the fence about coming to your first wine tasting with the *Hilliard Wine Club*, this is the night to come. There will be many other new people, so you won’t be alone. And the regulars will be there to help make you feel welcome. We’re a relaxed and warm group. We hope to see you.
**SIDE NOTE:** New members are welcome to ALL (…)
Friday night social: Let’s go to an improv show. (I’m in it!)
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: undefined
Experience the Thrill of Improv Comedy – Another Night of Laughs!**
🎭 **Event**: Longform Night at The Nest Theatre
📅 **Date**: Friday, February 7
🕗 **Time**: 8:00 PM
📍 **Location**: The Nest Theatre
Missed the last show? No problem! We’re back with another evening of unscripted comedy and endless laughs at The Nest Theatre. Join us as the performers take to the stage, spinning audience sugg(…)
Cashflow 101 Networking Experience
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: 4182 Worth Ave
📢 **RSVP Required – Limited Capacity** 🎟️
Please note that due to limited capacity, we cannot guarantee entry, food, or seating. Kindly understand that space is limited.
Join us for a **FREE public event** with provided **refreshments**!
Get ready for an exciting game meetup! We’re thrilled to have you join us.
Rest assured, we have ample space to accommodate multiple game playing.
Game tim(…)
Columbus Yarn Club at the Grandview Heights Library
◦ When: Tuesday, Feb 4th
◦ Where: Grandview Heights Public Library
**Winter weather note:** If the weather is bad and I need to cancel the meet up, I will publish that information here not later than 3 PM on the day of the meet up. Please be sure to check for this information
5:45-7:45 in Conference Room B. Library lower level.
Bring your yarn projects, meet new friends!
Plenty of parking in the lot, in the overflow lot across the street, and on the street.
S(…)
Board games at the Beer Hall
◦ When: Wednesday, Feb 5th
◦ Where: Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall
CBC will be dedicating their private event space “The Rabbit Hole” to a night of fun board games, drinks, and dining! They will have a dedicated bartender in the Rabbit Hole who can fill orders for food and drinks from their extensive menu. Please support the bar and keeping the event free by opening a tab and enjoying the provisions!
CBC will provide numerous popular games but please bring any g(…)
Dinner and Drinks at Pastimes Pub & Grill (New Albany)
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: Past Times Pub and Grill
Join us for a delightful evening of dinner, drinks, and great company at Pastimes Pub & Grill.
**Menu Highlights:**
**Appetizers**:
Start your meal with various appetizers, including wings with over 30 sauces, dry rubs, and other pub favorites.
**Main Courses**:
Enjoy a selection of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and wraps, all prepared with fresh ingredients to satisfy your cravings.
**Daily Speci(…)
International Syrah Day – 8 Feb., 6:30 PM
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: Oak Creek Village Clubhouse
International Syrah Day\*\*. I can’t think of a better day to celebrate.
Timothy is our wonderful co-host at the beautiful **Oak Creek Village Clubhouse** in Lewis Center (very close to Highbanks Metro Park, west of Polaris shopping district) See some the photos below. Enjoy lush Syrah wines, hot appetizers by the glowing fireplace with new and old friends.
Each person / couple brings a bottle S(…)
Humanist Program
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: Columbus Metropolitan Library: Parsons Branch
The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called “Going to HCCO” and we still like to think of it as our flagship event.
Event Presenter and Topic:
Chris Highland, Humanist Chaplain and Syndicated Columnist
**Christian Supremacy vs. Secular Democracy”**
**Summary of the Presentation:** The MAGA Cult represents what can h(…)
Co-work from Columbus Metropolitan Library
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: 96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
Join **Columbus Co-Work Collective** for a productive (and social) work session at the **Columbus Metropolitan Library**! With its bright, open spaces, quiet study areas, and free Wi-Fi, it’s the perfect spot to focus and get things done alongside other remote workers and freelancers.
After a solid morning of work, we’ll take a break and head to **HangOverEasy** for lunch—great food, good convers(…)
Blue Turtle Tea & Spices Reopening
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: undefined
Blue Turtle is reopening at a new location. Some of us enjoyed browsing through their tea stock at their previous place. (Note: that was more of a store than a cafe, which may still be the case for this new place.) They are now at:
16 E. College Ave.
Westerville, OH 43081
Their special event is from 11am-5pm, and this event is a limited drop in from 12-1pm, but if you can’t stop by when we are t(…)
Holding Space: Zen Meditation & Sound Bath
◦ When: Tuesday, Feb 4th
◦ Where: Inner Wisdom Healing Center LLC (Nicole Warner LMT)
**A monthly held space to just BE, with Zen meditation led by Inner Wisdom Healing Center practitioners and a sound bath by Ryan Warner.**
***Join*** us in community to hold space for yourself, down-regulate your nervous system, and experience true relaxation amongst all of life’s everyday stressors.
An Inner Wisdom Healing Center practitioner will lead a FREE 15-minute Zen-style meditation at 6(…)
Hobby Night | Paint and Sip | Share Your Project and Show us Your Passion!
◦ When: Wednesday, Feb 5th
◦ Where: Archmore Business Web
**Share Your Project Night – A Creative Hobby Gathering**
Come and showcase what you’re passionate about! Whether you enjoy **painting miniatures**, **crafting**, **writing**, or **building models**, this is your chance to share a project or hobby you’re working on with others who appreciate creativity. **Bring your tools and ideas**, and join a supportive, inspiring community of fellow makers. **(…)
Ohio State Capitol Protest | 50 Protests | 50 States | 1 Day
◦ When: Wednesday, Feb 5th
◦ Where: Ohio Statehouse
Join us at the Ohio Statehouse Capitol Building in Columbus to protest against fascism and to defend democracy! This is one of fifty protests planned for this day at every state’s capitol building #50501
When: Wednesday\, February 5\, 2025 \| Noon \- 4pm
Where: Ohio Statehouse \| 1 Capitol Sq\, Columbus\, OH 43215
In just 7 days we’ve already witnessed a deluge of executive orders from ending bi(…)
DoJo (Informal Python Meeting)
◦ When: Thursday, Feb 6th
◦ Where: Nocterra Brewing Co
**New Location for February 2025 – Nocterra Brewery in Audoban Park (Columbus OHJ)**
Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we’ll have extension cords and power strips). If there’s something you(…)
IxDA Chat ‘n Pancakes (bagel edition)
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: Barry Bagels
Pancakes are round, bagels are round, so logically, one can be substituted for the other, at least for the purposes of chatting ‘round.
Join members of the Central Ohio UX and Design community for our monthly morning meetup. New faces, old friends, we look forward to seeing you all.(…)
Casual Boardgames – make friends, then beat them in games
◦ When: Thursday, Feb 6th
◦ Where: Olentangy River Brewing Company
Welcome to Casual Boardgames, where we enjoy classic tabletop games and social deduction games while bonding over good food, drinks, and great conversations.
We started this group to meet new people and make new friends, and bonding over games in a relaxed atmosphere is a great way to do that.
We currently meet near route 23 and Polaris Parkway, and this is close to areas like Powell, Lewis Cent(…)
WEDNESDAY ***NEW LOCATION & TIME!!*** 2 – 6 mile run at Highbanks Metro Park!
◦ When: Wednesday, Feb 5th
◦ Where: Highbanks Metro Park
Weekly FUN run at Highbanks Metro Park,on North High Street. (north of 270), through the trails and hills at Highbanks Metro Park Come join us and meet your fellow Columbus runners!. We meet at the third parking lot of the Oak Coves Picnic Area—near the restrooms.
Each Wednesday the runs will start at 6:15 pm with a brief warm up and then out for a group run of 2 to 6 miles, based on the runner’s(…)
Tips to meet people at social events
You can make more friends at one party by showing interest in them than in a month by trying to meet people online. Meeting new people and making genuine connections in local events can be fun and easy if you go with the right mindset.
When it comes to meeting new people, nothing beats showing up in the real world. But none of the tips will work if you are not coming from the right place. Keep an open mind when attending social events. Reframe strangers as potential friends, it will make it much easier to approach conversations and fully engage in them.
When choosing an event, keep an eye on interesting themes, something you can relate to. Meeting new people in the context of mutual interest increases your chances of being friends.
Research events with the types of people you want to meet. They could be people in your age group, your field of work, or a specific neighborhood. Do not be too strict though, loosen up a little bit from your expectations.
Go where people are intentionally looking to make friends such as networking events where it feels normal and expected to walk up and introduce yourself.
In this digital era, apps and websites are the most convenient solutions for finding out about local events. If you are not sure where to look for events happening in Columbus, you can try out Experiencecolumbus.com, Columbusonthecheap.com, or Capa.com.
RELATED: How To Meet People In Columbus, Ohio
KidsLinked Worthington KidsFest & Camp Expo Registration (2/7)
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: Worthington Community Center
Fun for the entire family- Enjoy a bounce park, mini golf, games, entertainment & find lots of summer camps at the expo!
2025 State of Tech (powered by OhioX)
◦ When: Thursday, Feb 6th
◦ Where: Ohio Statehouse – The Atrium
Join us at the Ohio Statehouse for the 2nd annual State of Tech presented by Deloitte.
Find your Valentine Speed Dating + Mixer ❤️
◦ When: Thursday, Feb 6th
◦ Where: Pins Mechanical Co
Single and tired of aimlessly swiping online?
Exhausted with the online dating apps? Come & Join us IRL! 20s 30s, 40s.
WILLIAM’S FAMILY 34TH ANNUAL VALENTINE’S DAY CABARET 2025
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: Abe’s Banquet Hall
This event is in it’s 34th year and is also one of Columbus, Ohio’s favored events. This Cabaret offers an enjoyable, safe night of fun.
Coffee Date: A Unique Valentine’s Day Experience
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: Stonewall Columbus
Don’t miss this Valentine’s Event! Open to all, centering Black and Brown LGBTQ+ folks. Enjoy coffee, conversation, vendors and community!
Dance2Fit Master Class w/ Jessica James in Columbus, OH
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: All in One Sports Center
D2F Master Class w/ Jessica James in Columbus, OH
Show Her The Money – Columbus, OH
◦ When: Thursday, Feb 6th
◦ Where: 629 N High St
Join us in championing women entrepreneurs in Columbus, OH!
Powered by Service, Sustained by Sisterhood, Positioned to Soar
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: The Berwick Banquet & Catering
Join us in celebrating a legacy of leadership, sisterhood, and service.
Encouragement in a Time of Anxiety: Meditation Workshop with Lama Karma
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: Columbus Karma Thegsum Chöling
Sharing the enlightenment song of a 20th Century master, Lama Karma shows us how to stay on our spiritual path, even in difficult times.
Serving Logistics Winter Mixer Feb 5, 2025
◦ When: Wednesday, Feb 5th
◦ Where: Brio Italian Grille
Come out and Join us for the first event of the year! We will have a brief update from the Ports and end the night networking
2025 HTMA-OH Expo – Vendor Booth Sponsorship
◦ When: Thursday, Feb 6th
◦ Where: Renaissance Columbus Westerville Hotel
This is a 1.5 day event for Healthcare Technology Managers and Technicians.
OEDA & OCPA Winter Seminar
◦ When: Wednesday, Feb 5th
◦ Where: The Plaza Hotel Columbus at Capitol Square
Join us for a two-day seminar where we dive into the impacts that these projects can have on a local, regional, and state economy.
Happily Ever After Show Series Year End Awards Banquet
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: Equus Now!
Join us for a night of celebration and recognition at the Happily Ever After Show Series Year End Awards Banquet!
February Wine & Personal Charcuterie – Columbus
◦ When: Tuesday, Feb 4th
◦ Where: TownHall Short North
Our 21st Edition of Wine & Charcuterie!
WEED DEMON: The Doom Scroll record release at Ace of Cups
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: Ace of Cups
Don’t miss the Weed Demon record release show at Ace of Cups Fri 2/07
Softball Winter Tune-Up All Skills Camp at Hilliard Darby High School
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: Hilliard Darby High School, Leppert Road, Hilliard, OH, USA
Elevate your softball skills at the 2nd Annual Winter Tune-Up All Skills Softball Camp hosted Saturday February 8th, 9:30 AM – 3 PM.
Valerie’s Valentines
◦ When: Saturday, Feb 8th
◦ Where: AWOL Bar
Glitz, Glam, and Cupid’s Chaos: A Valentine’s Drag & Dance Spectacular!
Wide Open Hearts Friends, Faith and Friday Nights
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: 2684 Columbus St
Come join us for a fun night with friends, faith, and good vibes at Wide Open Hearts – it’s the perfect way to kick off your weekend!
COLUMBUS BOLLYWOOD VALENTINES PARTY FT. DJ BROWNY @THE FORUM
◦ When: Friday, Feb 7th
◦ Where: The Forum
Columbus’ #1 desi party, Valentines edition, @The Forum on Feb 7th! Where Bollywood music meets Columbus’ nightlfe!
Lead with Resilience: How to Overcome Stress
◦ When: Thursday, Feb 6th
◦ Where: Graduate by Hilton Columbus
Stress can short-circuit your leadership and influence. This session will help you identify where stress comes from and how to overcome it.