Did you know there’s a way to visit some of the best attractions and events in Columbus for FREE with your Library Card? Many Columbus area libraries offer Culture and Discovery Passes that will allow you to check out a pass for an event or experience for free. A few things to note:
- Many of these passes are in high demand, so be patient and persistent!
- These passes cannot be reserved, you have to check what is available when you are in the library (or you can call in some cases).
- My best advice: the libraries are a great (and FREE) family outing. Plan a trip to the library for a story time or other family event and while you are in the library, check and see what’s available. You never know what you might get! Just make it a point to check every time you’re in the library!
For more details, see the full list below. Information was taken from each library’s website. Call or visit the library with any questions!
Columbus Library
For in-person checkout only; non-reservable. Click here to check availability. Supplies are limited.
- Ballet Met – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. Valid for select performances only.
- Chamber Music Columbus – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. Valid for select performances only.
- CAPA – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. Valid for Summer Movie Series only.
- Columbus Children’s Theatre – Main Library, Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches.Valid for select performances only.
- Columbus Clippers – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. Valid for Sunday home games only during the regular season.
- Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus – Main Library, Linden, Martin Luther King, Parsons and Shepard branches.Valid for select performances only.
- Columbus Guitar Society – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.Valid for select performances only.
- Columbus Museum of Art – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.
- Columbus Symphony – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. Valid for Masterworks performances only.
- Columbus Zoo – Main Library, Barnett, Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard & Whitehall branches.
- The Dawes Arboretum – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations.
- Franklin Park Conservatory – Driving Park, Martin Luther King & Shepard branches.
- National Veterans Museum and Memorial – Main Library, Barnett, Franklinton, Martin Luther King & Parsons branches.
- Ohio History Center – Driving Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights & Northside branches.
- ProMusica – All Columbus Metropolitan Library locations. Valid for select performances only.
- Shadowbox Live – Main Library, Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard & New Albany branches.Valid for select performances only.
See additional details for all of these here.
Westerville Library Culture Pass
Looking for something fun to do? Visit the Columbus Museum of Art, free with your library card.
How It Works:
- Visit the library.
- Stop by the desk on the second floor.
- Show your library card.*
- Ask for free one-day admission to the Columbus Museum of Art (and Pizzuti Collection).
- Receive a pass for free admission (up to 8 people), free parking, and a discount at the museum’s store & cafe.**
- Enjoy! No need to return the pass. No expiration date.
Worthington Libraries Culture Passes
Treat the family— or just yourself— to fun excursions, courtesy of our Culture Pass program, which offers free admission to local museums and attractions. Learn more about specific admission details from each participating institution.
- Columbus Clippers: Two adults and four children or seniors per pass. Valid for Sunday afternoon home games during the regular season. Passes will be available two weeks prior to each game
- Columbus Museum of Art: Eight people per pass, one visit
- McConnell Arts Center: Limited availability tickets for select events
- National Veterans Museum and Memorial: Two adults and five children per pass. One visit. Expires three days after pick up
- The Dawes Arboretum: Six people per pass. Valid for one visit. Expiration date marked on pass
- Worthington Community Center: One person per pass. Valid for one single-day admission to Community Center. Expiration date marked on pass
Upper Arlington Library Discovery Passes
Check out a new Discovery Pass at our Tremont Road Branch!
You’ll experience free cultural and recreational activities from these local organizations: Columbus Museum of Art, National Veterans Memorial and Museum, ProMusica, Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Columbus Clippers.
Stop by the checkout desk and ask a staff member which passes are currently available.
Supplies are limited. Passes are first-come, first-served and are not able to be reserved. UAPL library card required.
Grandview Heights Library Culture Passes
The library’s Culture Pass program enables library cardholders to borrow passes from the library for free admission to cultural and educational institutions. These partnerships offers greater access to arts, culture, and education for all ages. A limited number of passes are provided to the library at no cost to patrons or the library.
- Columbus Museum of Art: Free admission for up to eight people. One pass at a time to use within a seven-day loan period.To reserve a pass, call the library at 614-486-2951. Passes must be picked up at the library.
- National Veterans Museum and Memorial: Each pass grants the passholder access to the museum for one visit. An adult cardholder may borrow one pass at a time to use within a three-day loan period.
Delaware County District Library Culture Pass
Check out a Culture Pass for admission to these central Ohio destinations — FREE with your DCDL card! Read more below, or download our Fact Sheet now.
- Central Ohio Symphony: The partnership between the Central Ohio Symphony and Delaware County District Library provides FREE admission for students (ages 18 and under). Half-price admission for each student’s accompanying adult.
- Columbus Museum of Art: Free admission for up to eight people, free parking and a discount at CMA’s store and cafe
Pickerington Library Experience Passes
You can have so much fun with free experience passes! Columbus Museum of Art, The Works, National Veterans Memorial and Museum and The Dawes Arboretum are just a few passes available at your library. You can reserve experience passes at both Pickerington Main Library and Sycamore Plaza Library.
Check current availability here.
Southwest Public Library Discovery Passes
You must be an SPL-registered patron aged 18 or older to check out a Discovery Pass. Discovery Passes may only be checked out at an SPL location and must be checked out in-person at the Customer Service Desk. Discovery Passes are limited and are first come, first served. If all passes to the institution you would like to visit are checked out, you will need to wait until a pass is checked back in and becomes available again.
- Columbus Museum of Art: Discovery Pass general admission is for 8 people. May be redeemed one time within 7 days of checkout.
- Franklin Park Conservatory: Discovery Pass general admission is for 2 adults & up to 6 children. May be redeemed once within 7 days of checkout. Must present ID upon entry.
- National Veterans Museum and Memorial: Discovery Pass general admission is for up to 2 adults and 5 children. May be redeemed one time within 3 days of checkout. Bring parking ticket inside to Welcome Desk for validation.
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