First Friday of every month · 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Free & open to the public
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Stops
4h
Duration
Free
Admission
Interactive Map
All Stops on the Hop
Participating Venues
This Month's Stops
Tap any stop for hours, what's featured, and directions.
Timeline
Night of the Hop
First Friday runs 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Here's how the night typically flows.
6:00 PM
Doors Open
Gallery Hop Begins
All participating venues open simultaneously. This is the least crowded window - ideal for galleries that get packed later. Start north of High & Buttles and work your way south.
7:00 PM
Peak Energy
High Street Fills Up
The main strip from Goodale to 5th Ave hits peak foot traffic. Most galleries host artist receptions and live music during this window. Great time to be on foot, bar-to-gallery hopping.
8:00 PM
Sweet Spot
Best Time for Restaurants & Bars
Dinner rush starts to clear. Many Short North restaurants offer hop specials. Boutiques stay open late. Crowds at galleries start to thin - good time to actually talk to the artists.
9:00 PM
Final Hour
Last Lap
Most galleries begin wrapping up at 9:30. Hit any remaining stops on your list. The bar and restaurant scene stays lively well past 10 PM if you want to extend the night.
10:00 PM
Wrap
Gallery Hop Closes
Official hop ends. The Short North stays active - Ace of Cups, Tip Top Kitchen, and the High St. bar corridor are all walkable for an after-hop.
Know the Area
Short North Zones
Gallery Hop is walkable end-to-end. These are the three main clusters to plan around.
North End
Goodale & Beyond
Quieter, more gallery-forward. Starts at Goodale Park. Ideal first stop - less crowded early in the night and anchored by longtime arts institutions.
Core Strip
High St. - 5th to Buttles
The heart of the hop. Densest concentration of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants all on one walkable stretch. Budget the most time here.
South End
Short North x Downtown
Where the Short North bleeds into the Arena District. Lofts, rooftop bars, and creative studios. Closer to parking garages - a good entry or exit point.
First Time?
What to Know Before You Go
Gallery Hop has been running since 1984. Here's what regulars wish they knew the first time.
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Parking - Don't Fight High Street
The High St. garages fill fast after 7 PM. Use the Nationwide Arena garage off Neil Ave or street park on 4th, 5th, or in the side streets east of High. Budget 10 minutes to walk in.
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Wear Comfortable Shoes
A full hop is 1.5 to 2 miles on foot. The Short North sidewalks are brick in spots. Comfortable walking shoes will carry the night - you'll thank yourself at stop nine.
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Drinks Are Part of the Experience
Most galleries offer complimentary wine or beer during the hop - it's part of the tradition. You're not obligated to buy anything. Pace yourself if you're hitting eight or more spots.
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Talk to the Artists
Many galleries have the featured artists in the room. They want to talk. Don't be intimidated - the Gallery Hop culture is approachable. Ask questions. That's the whole point.
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Rain Doesn't Cancel It
Gallery Hop runs every first Friday regardless of weather. A rainy hop is actually a great experience - thinner crowds, cozier galleries. Bring an umbrella and lean in.
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Use This Map - Not Just Google
Google won't show you which venues are Gallery Hop participants. Use the map above to see exactly who's participating tonight, their hours, and what's featured - then tap Directions from each card.
In the Field
How Gallery Hop Works
01
Find Your Stops
Browse all participating venues on the map or filter by type. See what each stop is featuring tonight before you go.
02
Navigate in Real Time
Tap "Near Me" to find your closest stop. Get directions to any venue directly from the map. Free and open all night.
03
Book the Space
Love a venue? Send a booking inquiry directly from their page on CBUSEVENTS. The full ecosystem is one tap away.
Is Your Venue Participating?
Get your Gallery Hop stop in front of thousands of Columbus residents planning their First Friday. List on CBUSEVENTS free and opt into the Gallery Hop guide. Takes five minutes.