Wednesday, July 29, the Ohio State Fair turns up the volume in Columbus as the Celeste Center concert series kicks off with rock veterans Styx and special guest Don Felder. The fair runs 12 days through Aug. 9 and mixes kid-focused entertainment like the Be Like Blippi tour with marquee nights from Alison Krauss, Nelly, Bailey Zimmerman and “Weird Al” Yankovic. Buy a concert ticket in advance, and you get same-day fair admission folded into the price, so the show easily becomes a full evening of rides, livestock, exhibits and deep-fried everything.
The WCOL Celeste Center lineup is stacked from opening night on. Styx starts things off July 29, followed by Be Like Blippi on July 30, The S.O.S. Band & The Dazz Band on July 31, Alison Krauss & Union Station on Aug. 1, Sammy Kershaw on Aug. 2, for KING + COUNTRY on Aug. 3, Nelly on Aug. 4, “Weird Al” Yankovic with Puddles Pity Party on Aug. 5, Bailey Zimmerman on Aug. 7 and a Gin Blossoms and Blues Traveler bill with Spin Doctors on Aug. 8. The full run of shows and individual event pages are listed through the Ohio State Fair.
What to know about tickets and prices
Seats are priced by act and section, and The Columbus Dispatch reports that Styx tickets land in the mid $60s to high-$70s, while top Bailey Zimmerman seats can climb past $350. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, and buying in advance includes admission to the fair that same day, which can knock out the separate gate cost. There is often a per-buyer cap when sales first open, so fans should expect the hottest nights to sell quickly.
Accessibility and family-friendly policies
The fair’s accessibility guide notes that every paid Celeste Center concert includes American Sign Language interpretation. Interpreters are positioned on a riser at the front of Section 105, with reserved seating that keeps them in clear view. Free assisted listening devices can be checked out at the Celeste Center box office. For families, children age 3 and older need their own ticket, while kids under 3 can sit on a lap without one. The fair also offers sensory-friendly morning hours and companion ticketing for guests who need support, according to the Ohio State Fair.
Plan your night
The Celeste Center is an indoor, air-conditioned venue that seats around 10,000 people and provides on-site will call along with paid parking. COTA buses serve the fairgrounds for those who would rather skip the parking lot shuffle. For the biggest headliner dates, especially the Aug. 5 “Weird Al” show, The Columbus Dispatch notes that many seats were already spoken for, so it is wise to buy early or look to the lower-price sections if you are determined to get in. For tickets and the latest event details, head to Ticketmaster or check the fair’s schedule page.
