RiverCenter for the Performing Arts is turning 25, and the 2026-2027 season reflects exactly what this stage was built to do: bring world-class performance to the heart of Columbus. Since opening in 2002, more than three million patrons have walked through our doors, experiencing everything from Broadway tours to legendary musicians. This milestone season is not just a look back, it is a confident step forward, with one of the most diverse and ambitious lineups in RiverCenter’s history.
Broadway is Back
This season marks a major moment for RiverCenter as Broadway returns in a big way. Audiences can look forward to beloved productions including The Music Man, Mystic Pizza, Hadestown, and Legally Blonde. These national tours signal a renewed energy for our stage and reaffirm RiverCenter’s place on the touring map, bringing the kind of productions our community deserves right here to Columbus.
A Lineup That Spans Genres and Generations
Beyond Broadway, the 25th Anniversary Season brings together an extraordinary mix of artists and experiences in a season that offers unforgettable nights of live music. Folk-rock, bluegrass, gospel, and American songbook traditions are represented by artists like The Avett Brothers, Béla Fleck Take 6, and Arturo Sandoval, while performances like Syncopated Ladies and Cirque Éloize bring movement, rhythm, and visual spectacle to the stage.
Catch standout comedy performers like John Crist, while tribute performances and special events celebrate iconic music and shared cultural moments. The season also continues RiverCenter’s commitment to family programming, with productions like Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live! and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! creating memorable first theater experiences for young audiences.
A Stage for the Community
For 25 years, RiverCenter has been more than a venue. It is a gathering place where Columbus comes together to experience something meaningful. As the home of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Schwob School of Music, RiverCenter plays a vital role in sustaining the local arts community. Through initiatives like ArtsReach, thousands of students across the Chattahoochee Valley continue to experience live performance, often for the very first time.
This season reflects that mission in full, balancing world-class touring acts with community-centered programming that keeps the arts accessible, relevant, and alive in the Chattahoochee Valley.
Be Part of the Celebration
Broadway season subscriptions for the 2026-2027 season go on sale May 15, offering early access, the best seats, and exclusive savings. Patrons can choose from Broadway subscription packages, or build their own season with flexible bundles starting June 16th. Single tickets will be available beginning July 17.
As RiverCenter approaches its 25th Anniversary in 2027, this season is a celebration of where we have been and where we are going next. It is a season built for this community, shaped by its audiences, and designed to bring people together in the way only live performance can.
The curtain is rising on RiverCenter’s next chapter.