Cultural Heritage

🎲 INTERNATIONAL MONDAY BOARD GAME NIGHTS @ Voyager Craft Beer Bar 🍺 Every Monday @ 19:00 \| Voyager Craft Beer Bar Forget the Monday blues. We’re turning the start of the week into a night of strategy, social deduction, and world-class craft beer. Whether you’re a ruthless tactician or just here for the laughs, your seat at the table is waiting. This isn’t just a one-off event—we are building Ljubljana’s premier boardgaming community. Our mission? To make Mondays your favorite night of the week. 👉 Join the Boardgame WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GQ939ioFYXY6pK71oXfh4h 🌍 International & Inclusive We are a global crowd! The primary language of play is English, making this the perfect spot for expats, nomads, and locals to connect. No cliques, no gatekeeping—just good vibes. 🎲 WHAT WE PLAY Mostly fun, social, easy-to-learn games: party games bluffing & social deduction light strategy quick, interactive games Think: laughing, debating, teaming up, betraying your friends 😄 👉 Not super “hardcore nerdy” — but those games are welcome too. Got your own? BRING IT! We encourage you to bring your favorite games from home. Share the games you love with the community. 🍻 Why Voyager? We’ve moved to Voyager Craft Beer Bar for a reason. Great gaming deserves great beer. Swap the basic drafts for premium, independent craft brews while you plot your next move. 💡 How it Works Come Solo or with Friends: Most people show up alone. We’ll get you into a group immediately. 📍 Event Details 📅 When: Every Monday @ 19:00 📍 Where: Voyager Craft Beer Bar 💶 Entry: Free (Support the venue by grabbing a craft beer or a drink!) 👉 Join the Boardgame WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GQ939ioFYXY6pK71oXfh4h Connect with the community beforehand and after the event. Find players for a game you love before Monday arrives. 🌍 Part of Ljubljana International Hosted by the city's biggest international community. Follow us for more: 👉 linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational

🎲 LJUBLJANA INTERNATIONAL MONDAY BOARD GAME NIGHTS 🍺 @ Voyager Craft Beer Bar \| Every Monday @ 19:00 Forget the Monday blues. We’re turning the start of the week into a night of strategy, social deduction, and world-class craft beer. Whether you’re a ruthless tactician or just here for the laughs, your seat at the table is waiting. This isn’t just a one-off event—we are building Ljubljana’s premier boardgaming community. Our mission? To make Mondays your favorite night of the week. 👉 Join the Boardgame WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GQ939ioFYXY6pK71oXfh4h 🌍 International & Inclusive We are a global crowd! The primary language of play is English, making this the perfect spot for expats, nomads, and locals to connect. No cliques, no gatekeeping—just good vibes. 🎲 WHAT TO EXPECT 15+ players every week 20+ games to choose from 🎲 WHAT WE PLAY Mostly fun, social, easy-to-learn games: party games bluffing & social deduction light strategy quick, interactive games Think: laughing, debating, teaming up, betraying your friends 😄 👉 Not super “hardcore nerdy” — but those games are welcome too. Got your own? BRING IT! We encourage you to bring your favorite games from home. Share the games you love with the community. 🍻 Why Voyager? We’ve moved to Voyager Craft Beer Bar for a reason. Great gaming deserves great beer. Swap the basic drafts for premium, independent craft brews while you plot your next move. 💡 How it Works Come Solo or with Friends: Most people show up alone. We’ll get you into a group immediately. 📍 Event Details 📅 When: Every Monday @ 19:00 📍 Where: Voyager Craft Beer Bar 💶 Entry: Free (Support the venue by grabbing a craft beer or a drink!) 👉 Join the Boardgame WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GQ939ioFYXY6pK71oXfh4h Connect with the community beforehand and after the event. Find players for a game you love before Monday arrives. 🌍 Part of Ljubljana International Hosted by the city's biggest international community. Follow us for more: 👉 linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational

🍻 LOO-BLAH-NAH International ZAP Pub Quiz – Every Tuesday @ 19:00! 🧠 Every Tuesday @ 7 PM 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center (Adamič-Lundrovo nabrežje 1) 🗣 Quiz in ENGLISH \| 💶 €5 per person \| 👥 Teams of 2–5 Join us every Tuesday evening at Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center for a fun, competitive, and social international pub quiz. ⚠ IMPORTANT: EXCLUSIVE & INTIMATE This venue is cozy! We have a strict limit of 50 people. Registration is highly advised—secure your spot before it fills up! 👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/V5fJieLx3ySXjnoS7 🎯 WHAT IS IT? Teams of 2 to 5 people compete in 4 rounds of 10 questions. General knowledge, pop culture, movies, music, geography, weird facts & surprises. The top 2 teams win rich prizes 🏆 (drinks, bar goodies, and eternal bragging rights). 🙋‍♀ NO TEAM? NO PROBLEM! Want to come but don’t have a team? 👉 Join the Ljubljana International WhatsApp Community and just write that you’d like to attend the Tuesday Pub Quiz. We’ll connect you with other like-minded people and make sure you get a spot at a fun international table. 🔗 Join the WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 🕹 HOW IT WORKS 1️⃣ Register your team in advance (recommended – the venue fits only \~50 people). 2️⃣ Arrive around 18:45 at Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center. 3️⃣ Pay €5 per person at the bar (cash/card). 4️⃣ Grab a drink 🍺 and get comfy with your team. 5️⃣ Play 4 rounds × 10 questions – all in English. 6️⃣ Top teams win prizes & glory. 📍 EVENT DETAILS 📅 When: Every Tuesday 🕖 Time: 19:00 (quiz starts shortly after) 📍 Where: Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center 💶 Entry: €5 per person 👥 Team size: 2–5 players 🗣 Language: English 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Vibe: Fun, friendly, international & a bit competitive 📅 SCHEDULE Every Tuesday: 🕖 18:45: Arrival, drinks, and finding your team. 🧠 19:00: Quiz starts! 🏆 21:00: Winners announced & celebratory drinks. ⚠ LIMITED SEATING – REGISTRATION ADVISED The pub holds around 50 people, so spots can fill up quickly. To secure a place for your team: ✅ Register your team in advance here: https://forms.gle/V5fJieLx3ySXjnoS7 ✅ Or join the WhatsApp group and say you’re coming here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 📲 Come for the quiz, stay for the people. Make Tuesday your new favorite pub night at LOO-BLAH-NAH International ZAP Pub Quiz! This event is organized by Ljubljana International, ZAP Events and Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- 🍻 LOO-BLAH-NAH International ZAP Pub Quiz – Vsak torek ob 19:00! 🧠 Vsak torek ob 19:00 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center (Adamič-Lundrovo nabrežje 1) 🗣 Kviz v ANGLEŠČINI \| 💶 5 € na osebo \| 👥 Ekipe 2–5 oseb Pridružite se nam vsak torek v Pubu LOO-BLAH-NAH Center na zabavnem, tekmovalnem in mednarodnem pub kvizu! ⚠ POMEMBNO: INTIMNO & OMEJENO ŠTEVILO MEST Prostor je majhen in sprejme največ 50 ljudi. Zato priporočamo obvezno registracijo – zagotovite si mesto, preden se zapolni! 👉 Registracija: https://forms.gle/V5fJieLx3ySXjnoS7 🎯 KAJ JE TO? Ekipe 2 do 5 oseb tekmujejo v 4 krogih po 10 vprašanj. Teme vključujejo splošno znanje, pop kulturo, filme, glasbo, geografijo, nenavadna dejstva in presenečenja. Najboljši dve ekipi prejmeta lepe nagrade 🏆 (pijače, nagrade iz bara in večna hvala & slava). 🙋‍♀ NIMAŠ EKIPE? NI PROBLEMA! Želiš priti, pa nimaš ekipe? 👉 Pridruži se WhatsApp skupnosti Ljubljana International in napiši, da želiš na torkov pub kviz. Povezali te bomo z drugimi udeleženci in ti zagotovili ekipo. 🔗 WhatsApp skupina: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 🕹 KAKO DELUJE 1️⃣ Registriraj svojo ekipo vnaprej (priporočljivo – prostor sprejme samo 50 ljudi). 2️⃣ Pridi ob 18:45 v Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center. 3️⃣ Plačaj 5 € na osebo na baru (gotovina/kartica). 4️⃣ Vzemi pijačo 🍺 in se udobno namesti s svojo ekipo. 5️⃣ Igraj 4 kroge po 10 vprašanj – vse v angleščini. 6️⃣ Najboljši ekipi prejmeta nagrade & slavo. 📍 PODROBNOSTI DOGODKA 📅 Kdaj: Vsak torek 🕖 Čas: 19:00 (kviz se začne kmalu po tem) 📍 Kje: Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center 💶 Vstopnina: 5 € na osebo 👥 Velikost ekipe: 2–5 igralcev 🗣 Jezik: Angleščina 🌍 Vibe: Zabavno, prijazno, mednarodno & malo tekmovalno 📅 URNIK Vsak torek: 🕖 18:45 – prihod, pijača, oblikovanje ekip 🧠 19:00 – začetek kviza 🏆 21:00 – razglasitev zmagovalcev & druženje ob pijači ⚠ OMEJENA MESTA – PRIPOROČENA PRIJAVA Da si zagotovite mesto: ✅ Registrirajte svojo ekipo: https://forms.gle/V5fJieLx3ySXjnoS7 ali ✅ Pridružite se WhatsApp skupini in napišite, da prihajate: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 📲 Pridite zaradi kviza, ostanite zaradi ljudi. Naj torek postane vaš novi najljubši pub večer z LOO-BLAH-NAH International ZAP Pub Quiz! Organizirajo: Ljubljana International, ZAP Events in Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center.

📚🍻 ZAP Pub Quiz – Your New Wednesday Tradition! Powered by Ljubljana International 🧠✨ If you want a fun night, new friends, good vibes, and a mix of internationals & locals — this is the Wednesday event you don’t want to miss. Come solo. Come with friends. Either way, we’ll put you in a team and you’ll leave knowing new people. 📍 The Place, Plečnikov trg 1 ⏰ Every Wednesday @ 19:00 💶 €5 entry • All English • Open to everyone ✨ The Vibe 🌍 A big, friendly, international crowd 😄 Easy to socialize — zero awkwardness 🍺 Chill drinks + good music + fun atmosphere 🧠 5 trivia rounds (memes, geography, music, movies, pop culture) 🏆 Prizes & bragging rights 🔥 Great mid-week energy boost It’s not about winning — it’s about connecting, laughing, and having a good time. 🕹️ How To Join 1️⃣ Join our WhatsApp Group Team forming + updates happen here: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 2️⃣ Sign Up (recommended!) This helps us organize seating & teams: 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 3️⃣ Show up (solo or with friends) 4️⃣ Pay €5 at the bar 5️⃣ Grab a drink 🍺 6️⃣ Meet your team & enjoy the quiz! 👥 Teams 👫 Teams of 2–8 players 🙋 Solo players get matched right away 💬 Coordination is super easy through WhatsApp WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK Sign-Up Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 🕺 Timeline 🕧 18:30–19:00 — Arrivals, chit-chat, team formation 🧠 19:00–22:00 — Quiz (5 rounds) 🏆 22:00+ — Prizes + after-quiz drinks 📍 Essentials 📅 Every Wednesday 📍 The Place, Plečnikov trg 1 💰 €5 🗣️ English 👥 Teams 2–8 🍻 Friendly, social, international crowd 🔗 Important Links 🌍 All links in one place (Linktree): 👉 https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational 💬 WhatsApp Group: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 📝 Quick Sign-Up: 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 💡 If you want a mid-week plan that’s fun, social, relaxed, and full of new people — you’ll love this quiz night. 📲 See you on Wednesday — come meet the community! 🎉✨

📚🍻 ZAP Pub Quiz – Every Wednesday at The Place! Hosted by Ljubljana International 🧠✨ Looking for something fun, social, and international on a Wednesday night? Welcome to Ljubljana’s favorite weekly quiz night. Whether you come solo or with friends — we’ll make sure you have a team, a drink in hand, and a great night ahead. 🍺 📍 The Place, Plečnikov trg 1 ⏰ Every Wednesday at 19:00 💶 €5 entry • All in English • Everyone welcome ✨ What Makes This Quiz Special? 🌍 It’s the most international quiz in the city 😄 Super friendly atmosphere — easy to meet new people 🧠 5 creative rounds (music, memes, geography, pop culture, surprises) 🍻 Affordable drinks & great vibes 👀 Perfect for newcomers to Ljubljana 🏆 Fun prizes every week You don’t need to be a trivia expert. You just need to show up and enjoy the night. 🕹️ How to Join 1️⃣ Join our WhatsApp Group – all updates & team formation happen here: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 2️⃣ Sign Up (Recommended!) It helps us organize tables and teams: 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 3️⃣ Come solo or bring friends 4️⃣ Pay €5 at the bar 5️⃣ Grab a drink, meet your team & enjoy the quiz! 🎯 Teams & Groups 👫 Teams can be 2–8 players 🙋‍♂️ Coming alone? We’ll match you instantly 💬 All coordination happens in WhatsApp — super easy and fast WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK Sign Up Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 🕺 Wednesday Schedule 🕧 18:30–19:00 — Arrival & team matching 🧠 19:00–22:00 — 5 rounds of trivia 🏆 After 22:00 — Prizes, chats & post-quiz hangout 📍 Event Details 📅 Every Wednesday 📍 The Place – Plečnikov trg 1 💶 €5 entry 🗣️ English 🎯 Teams of 2–8 🍻 Friendly, social, international vibes 🔗 Useful Links 🌍 Linktree (all links together): 👉 https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational 📱 WhatsApp Group: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 📝 Quick Sign-Up: 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 💡 Whether you’re new in town, curious, social, or looking for mid-week fun — this quiz is one of the easiest ways to meet people and make your Wednesdays amazing. 📲 Come for the quiz. Stay for the people. See you on Wednesday! 🎉✨

We’re launching a beginner Bachata & Salsa course together with one of the best dance schools in Ljubljana — @utripplesa. You’ll learn the basics, get comfortable with the movements and simply enjoy dancing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for those who have been wanting to try partner dancing but didn’t know where to start. 📅 **Wednesdays at 17:00 (starting 20.05)** ⏱ **4 classes (1 hour each)** 💶 **Price:** €40 for the full course €37 per person if you join with a partner or a friend If you didn’t attend the trial class, you can join the **first session for €10** to see if you like it before committing to the full course. 👉 **Register here:** [https://forms.gle/Gp47pWi8Pk2QsKTu5](https://forms.gle/Gp47pWi8Pk2QsKTu5) Please make sure to **check your email and WhatsApp after registering** — we’ll send all confirmations and updates there. Let’s dance ✨

SLO: Stopite stran od ekranov in uživate na soncu! Z veseljem vas vabimo na Slovenia Game Dev piknik, ki bo potekal v soboto, 30. maja, na RIC SAVA piknik prostorih v Ljubljani. Družili se bomo na Piknik prostoru #9 med 14.00 in 20.00. Odlična priložnost za klepet z drugimi razvijalci, izmenjavo idej ali preprosto uživanje na prostem. Če imate zložljiv stol, priporočamo, da ga prinesete s seboj, da si zagotovite udoben prostor za sedenje. S seboj lahko prinesete tudi kakšne igre za na prostem, kot so frizbi ali žoge, da bo vzdušje še bolj zabavno. Da bomo lažje organizirali hrano in pijačo, potrebujemo čim bolj natančno število udeležencev: prosimo, označite "pridem", če zagotovo pridete. Komaj čakamo, da se skupaj podružimo, povežemo in uživamo v sproščenem popoldnevu! ENG: Get ready to step away from the screens and soak up some sun! We are excited to invite you to the Slovenia Game Dev Picnic on Saturday, May 30th, happening at RIC SAVA piknik prostori in Ljubljana. We will be hanging out at Picnic Space #9 from 14:00 until 20:00, making it the perfect opportunity to catch up with fellow devs, talk shop, or just enjoy the outdoors. If you have a foldable chair, we highly suggest bringing it along to ensure you have a comfy place to sit, and feel free to bring any outdoor games like frisbees or balls to keep the energy going. To help us with food and drink procurement, we need an estimated headcount: please react with a "Attend" if you are definitely coming. We can't wait to see you all there for a great afternoon of networking and relaxation!

🌍 Ljubljana International Friday After Party @ Voyager 🍺 Every Friday from 23:00 → late (1AM) 30+ internationals. One spot. Best Friday night energy in Ljubljana. 🔥 What to expect The official afterparty of Ljubljana’s biggest international meetup. Meet new people (30+ attendees) Stronger vibe, better connections Music, drinks, and real energy The place where the night actually happens 🍺 Why Voyager? Craft beer. Proper selection. No basic drinks. At Voyager Craft Beer Bar you get: A wide range of local & international craft beers A more unique, premium bar experience The perfect setting to continue the night with your new crew 💬 Who comes? Internationals Erasmus students Digital nomads Young professionals Locals who want something more social Everyone is open. Everyone is here to connect. 📍 Event details 📅 Every Friday ⏰ From 23:00 until 01:00 📍 Voyager Craft Beer Bar 👥 30+ attendees (growing every week) 🌐 Stay connected Join the WhatsApp community (1000+ members): https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK Explore more events: https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational

📚🍻 Ljubljana International: ZAP Pub Quiz – Every Wednesday at The Place! 🧠✨ 🎉 NO TEAM? NO PROBLEM! 💬 All questions in English \| €5 entry \| Everyone welcome\! 🤔 Want to join the ZAP Pub Quiz but don’t have a team? ✈️ Just moved to Ljubljana? 🙈 Friends bailed last minute? Zero stress — we’ve got you. Every Wednesday at 19:00 at The Place (Plečnikov trg 1) we host a fun, friendly, international pub quiz night with 100+ people from all over the world! 🌍 ✨ WHY JOIN? ✅ Perfect for solo players – we match you with great people 🤝 Meet internationals, locals & Erasmus students 🧩 No trivia expertise needed – fun, mixed categories 🎯 A weekly tradition to build real friendships 🏆 Win prizes – beers, vouchers & bragging rights 🕹️ HOW IT WORKS 1️⃣ Join WhatsApp Group for team formation & updates: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 2️⃣ SIGN UP (RECOMMENDED!) Helps us manage teams & seating: 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 3️⃣ Introduce yourself & say you're coming 4️⃣ Come alone or with friends 5️⃣ Pay €5 at the venue (cash/card) 6️⃣ Grab a drink 🍺 & meet your team 7️⃣ Play 5 rounds of Trivia Madness 🎵🌍😂🎬🧠 🎯 TEAM FORMATION (IMPORTANT) 📌 Everything happens inside our WhatsApp group 📌 Solo players get matched automatically 📌 If you already have a team → just sign up together 👉 Join WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 👉 Quick Sign-Up Form (2 seconds): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 🕺 SCHEDULE 🕖 18:30–19:00 – Arrival, drinks & team formation 🧠 19:00–22:00 – 5 rounds of trivia 🏆 22:00+ – Prizes, drinks & after-party vibes 📍 DETAILS 📅 When: Every Wednesday 📍 Where: The Place, Plečnikov trg 1 💶 Price: €5 per person 👫 Teams: of 2–8 people (we help you find one!) 🗣️ Language: English 🍻 Vibe: Fun, friendly, international 🔗 Useful Links (Save These!) 🌍 Linktree (all links in one place): 👉 https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational 💬 WhatsApp Group: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 📝 Sign-Up Form: 👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-nHP7z815r8oxeyqlPTFRuQ_wSaQNZCgzRQ30nG9rIvB5-A/viewform 💡 Whether you're new in town, a trivia master, or just here for laughs — This isn’t just a quiz. This is Ljubljana’s favorite Wednesday tradition. 📲 Join, play, laugh, connect — and make Wednesdays legendary with Ljubljana International. 🎉✨

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (**Tremont** Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan