First Thursdays Downtown Columbus, IN

06/02/2026

Congrats to Kyleigh Arnold for participating in May’s passport challenge and winning two $25 gift certificates for use at any participating downtown business!

Don’t forget to pick up your June passport on Thursday evening, or anytime throughout the month. Purchases at participating businesses earn you entries to win, with double entries for all purchases during the First Thursday event! Note: the passport does NOT need to be fully complete - just turn it in before the end of the month to either the Visitors Center or Viewpoint Books.

Are you going to participate this June?!

06/02/2026

Stop by 6th st Arts Alley on Thursday to check out this awesome event, and then head down towards 4th street for more shopping and festivities

📅 Thursday, June 4, 2026 · 5:00–7:00 pm
📍 Arts Alley Parklet · 6th Street, Downtown Columbus, IN
🎟️ Free and open to all

Electric Symphony — winners of Battle of the Bands 2025 — are bringing their sound to Arts Alley Parklet. 🎸

These young musicians earned their spot on stage, and now they're playing it live for you. Bring a lawn chair, grab a beverage from a downtown vendor, and hear what happens when local talent gets a real platform.

This performance is part of our Youth Arts initiative, helping young artists share their talent, build confidence, and become the next generation of creative changemakers

06/01/2026

Enjoy an evening of shopping, dining, drinks, activities, and special Coffee & Cocktails-themed deals at participating downtown businesses.

Visit your favorite shops, pick-up your June Passport for a chance to win $50 to spend at a participating location, and stop by 4th Street from 5–7 PM for Chamber-hosted fun, food, music, games, and interactive activities.

Participating downtown businesses:
Baker's Fine Gifts & Accessories: Open Late
Bespoke Events + Experiences: 21+ Public Drop in Hours + DORA drinks
Blondie's Salon & Spa : Sidewalk sale - up to 70% off boutique merchandise
Boutique Elise : Open Late
Columbus Area Arts Council : Arts Alley Event featuring Electric Symphony, winner of the 2025 Battle of the Bands
Gramz Bakery and Cafe : Open Late with a special drink menu
Hotel Indigo Columbus Architectural Center : Food & Drink specials at the Gallery Kitchen + Bar
Lucabe Coffee Co. : Booth set up on 4th street - coffee, mocktails, & dessert
My Whole Kitchen : Booth set up on 4th street
Pollert Design Associates Inc. : Open Late - all in store items 25% off, Decorative Pillows $59
The Zen Wellness Company : “Pi-Lattes” - Pilates Class, iced lattes from Dorothy's Playhouse, Sweet Treats from Hallie’s Sugar Shop
Viewpoint Books : Celebrating Chapter Two’s second birthday with 20% off one item at both locations, cupcakes at Chapter Two
White Star Meat Market & Deli : Open Late

05/18/2026

Grab a drink - coffee, cocktail, or water - no judgement, and join us on 4th Street for an evening of connection and growth. Plus the Downtown Merchants are staying open later for First Thursdays Downtown Columbus, IN!

05/06/2026

05/05/2026

Congrats to Maria for winning April’s downtown passport challenge and earning two $25 gift certificates to your participating business of choice!

May’s First Thursday event is coming up in two days - make sure to grab a passport (valid all month long), shop local at downtown businesses, and earn entries to win your own gift certificates! This months theme is ColumbusIN Bloom and we will have an outdoor vendor market along 4th street, a chalk art station so you can help Columbus “bloom”, and additional chalk art opportunities outside of each participating business that is staying open late for shopping and special deals.

04/15/2026

Local Vendors wanted for the outdoor vendor market on 4th street during the next First Thursdays event on May 7th from 4-8pm. Comment below or send us a message to get a link to the application!

04/09/2026

Congrats to Patia for winning the March Spring Awakening passport challenge by shopping local! She receives two $25 gift certificates valid at any of our participating businesses.

As a reminder, passports are valid all month long! If you didn’t pick one up during Aprils First Thursday Event, you can still stop by a participating businesses to grab one. Each purchase made counts as an entry to the raffle. Drop your passport off by April 30th to either Viewpoint Books or the Visitors Center.

04/02/2026

Hop and Shop with us tonight! While you’re out and about, grab a passport and get it marked each time you make a purchase. Hold on to it and keep racking up those punches for each purchase at a participating merchant all month - they each earn you an entry to win a gift certificate valid at any of the participating merchants.

Thanks for shopping and supporting local! See you tonight!

05/09/2025

Sign up to help 6th Street Arts Alley get its new stripes!!!

‼️ Volunteer ‼️ Visit https://www.artsincolumbus.org/arts-alley to sign-up!

🩶🤍🩵💛 Make your mark on the Arts Alley—literally! Join us for a community paint day where volunteers help bring the mural to life, one bold line at a time.

Public Paint Days:
Saturday, May 17 & Sunday, May 18

Each participant gets to paint a single line stretching curb to curb. Sign up is first come, first served—or sponsor a line to guarantee your spot and show your support for public art in Columbus.

This activity is recommended for ages 18 and older; youth ages 14–17 may participate with an accompanying adult. No artistic experience is required, but participants should be able to chalk a line on the ground and use a roller on a pole to paint while standing.

Let's make this happen, one line at a time!