Looking for your next summer adventure? Lancaster, Ohio, is just a short drive from Columbus and home to an epic 10-day festival (because one weekend just isn’t enough time for all the fun!).
Mark your calendars because the Lancaster Festival is just down the road and jam-packed with exciting events.
From July 19-29, 2023, Lancaster will be buzzing with music, art, family and lots of free activities.

The sun sets as the Lancaster Festival Orchestra performs on the campus of Ohio University in Lancaster, Ohio, Saturday evening, July 25, 2009. (Photo by Timothy E. Black)
The festival starts with a day of Art on July 21 with the Downtown Lancaster Art Walk, and finishes with the Sheryl Crow concert on July 29.
Chalk the Block
July 19-21, 2023. Chalk your own block- Small Squares $6 Large Squares: $12 (each comes with chalk!), or walk around and enjoy all of the creations during the Artwalk on July 21.
Art Walk
Friday, July 21, 2023. Artwork from over 50 artists will be displayed in 34 downtown Lancaster businesses on July 21. The streets of downtown Lancaster are closed to traffic as visitors stroll through the beautiful and historic downtown Lancaster.
Enjoy live music on three stages, plus several businesses are hosting musical acts.
Festival Fair Day
Saturday, July 22 • 9:30-3:00 at Fairfield County Fairgrounds
Cost: $5 adults / KIDS ARE FREE
This day at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds is for kids and families! Experience Operator for a day. Build a birdhouse, see super tricks by Performance Dogs of Ohio, or catch the entertainment on the stage and much, much more!
Experience AHA! for FREE
Sunday, July 23 • Noon-4:00pm
AHA! A Hands on Adventure, A Children’s Museum
Bring the little ones to try out Lancaster’s incredible AHA! A hands-on activity, Children’s Museum. 2:00 performance by Fairfield Strings and Keyboard’s Youth Symphony.
Children’s Corner at Zane Square Stage, Downtown
Free daily musical performances for kids and families! Bring your family out to sing and dance in one of our beautiful park areas.
Monday, July 24– Jessica and Friends
Tuesday, July 25– MadCap Puppets: When You Wish Upon a Fish
Thursday, July 27– Bob Ford
Friday, July 28– ML Dance Academy
Bike Races for Kids
Friday, July 28 • 5:30pm at the Parking Lot, Job and Family Services
Decorate your wheels, grab your helmet and head for the races! Prizes for best bike decorations and prizes for race winners presented by Fairfield Medical Center.
Community Brunch
Saturday, July 29 • 10:30-Noon at Zane Square Stage, Downtown
Cost: $15 adult / $10 child / $5 toddler, $8 cocktails
A fun, casual brunch filled with food and friendship on the final morning of this Festival season.
Feature Concerts at Wendel Concert Stage
This isn’t the full concert listing – see full festival schedule here!
ANDY GRAMMER with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra
Saturday, July 22, 2023, 8 pm • Wendel Concert Stage, Ohio University – Lancaster Campus
Tickets are $10-$55 for general admission
RED HOT CHILI PIPERS
Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 7:30 pm • Wendel Concert Stage, Ohio University – Lancaster Campus
Tickets are $10-$40 for general admission
Monday Night Jazz: The Byron Stripling Band And Friends
Monday, July 24, 2023; 8 pm Wendel Concert Stage, Ohio University – Lancaster Campus
Tickets are $10-$40 for general admission
Chamber Music Classics: Argenta Trio
Thursday, July 27, 2023; 7 pm Wendel Concert Stage, Ohio University – Lancaster Campus
Tickets are $20-$25 for general admission
Grand Finale Concert: SHERYL CROW and the Lancaster Festival Orchestra
Saturday, July 29, 2023, 8 pm at Wendel Concert Stage, Ohio University – Lancaster Campus
Tickets are $10-$55 for general admission
Jon Wesley Armstrong and the Crow Mountain Prophets perform at Friday Night Bandstand in Lancaster, Ohio, Friday, June 12, 2009. (Photo by Timothy E. Black)
Festival Fair Day
Saturday, July 22, 2023 • Fairfield County Fairgrounds • 9:30 am – 3:00 pm. Kids Free; Adults $5
Family fun at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. There will be music, pop-up entertainments, animals, creative activities and food trucks.
Featuring: Operator for a Day, The Works, Paws and Claws Animal Encounters, Fairfield County Strings and Keyboards, Millersport Community Theatre, The Wayfarers, Supa Fun Band, Train Rides, Adelphi Band, Instrument Workshops, Balloosions, Build-a-Birdhouse, crafts and demos.
Main Street during the Artwalk in downtown Lancaster, Ohio, Friday, July 24, 2009. (Photo by Timothy E. Black)Other festival events include: happy hours with live performances, family events, and so much more!
Check out the full schedule for event times and details. Follow along on Facebook for more details and events.
- Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list
- Free and cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Inexpensive Date Nights in Columbus
- Columbus Happy Hours
- Bucket list of free and cheap fun for kid in Columbus
- Free outdoor concert roundup around Columbus
- Over 325 Central Ohio and Columbus Festivals
- Free outdoor movies around Columbus
- Discounted and Free Museum Days in Columbus
- Over 20 Farmers Markets around Columbus
- Best places to pick berries in Columbus
- Best places to pick apples and peaches in Columbus
Leave a Reply