Annual Lancaster Festival: Artwalk, concerts, food, and fun

Looking for your next summer adventure? Lancaster, Ohio, is just a short drive from Columbus and home to an epic 10-day festival. 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 18-25, 2026, Lancaster will be buzzing with music, art, family and lots of free activities. 

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)

The festival starts with a day of Art on July 17 with the Downtown Lancaster Art Walk, and finishes with the Lady A concert on July 25.

Chalk the Block

July 17-19, 2026. 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.

Art Walk

Friday, July 17, 2026. Artwork from over 50 artists will be displayed in 34 downtown Lancaster businesses. 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. 

image: Destination Downtown Lancaster

Festival Fair Day

Saturday, July 18, 2026 • 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! 

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 20 – MASC Dance Party
Tuesday, July 21 – MadCap Puppets- Monkey See, Monkey Do
Thursday, July 23 – Toadstool Shadow
Friday, July 24 – Magical Mr. J

Bike Races for Kids

Friday, July 24 • 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.

Featured Concerts at Wendel Concert Stage

This isn’t the full concert listing – see full festival schedule here!

DOUBLE TRIBUTE NIGHT!: Elton Rohn & Dancing Dream!
Saturday, July 18, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Wendel Concert Stage, OHIO Lancaster
Adult lawn $45/$55 at gate; Child/Student (3-17) $10; $500 Table of 10.
Fireworks follow the performance, FREE parking, bring your own picnic or purchase on-site. Beverages can be pre-ordered or purchased on the concert site. Limited bring-in beverages are allowed. 

Gary Sheldon Community Orchestra
Sunday, July 19, 2026, 2:00 pm – Free Event!
Location: Zane Square Concert Stage, Main & Broad

Chamber Music Classics: Stars, Stripes & Strings
Sunday, July 29, 2026, 8:00 pm
Adult $25; Child/Student $10
Location: First United Methodist Church, 163 E Wheeling St, Lancaster, OH 43130 Lancaster, OH

A Night on Broadway: From Silver Screen to Center Stage – Love Stories with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra
Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 8:00 pm:
LOCATION: Fairfield Christian Church 1965 N. Columbus St Lancaster, OH 43130
Broadway stars Morgan James and Michael Maliakel join the Lancaster Festival Orchestra in a night devoted to love songs from popular Broadway hits! 

The Covered Bridge Music Series is Back
July 22, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: Wendel Concert Stage, 1570 Granville Pike Lancaster, OH 43130
The popular music series featuring singer / songwriters, Americana and up and coming stars returns after a break since 2020. Join us for a night under the stars as this amazing series returns.

The Lancaster Festival Orchestra Masterworks Concert
July 23, 2026 8:00 pm
Location: The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption in Lancaster, OH
With music as grand as the beautiful, historic sanctuary, the Lancaster Festival Orchestra shines in the classical music concert. This season features pianist Maxim Lando.

Downtown Friday Night: BRYON STRIPLING AND FRIENDS
Friday, July 24, 2026, 6:30–9:00 pm – Free Event
Location: Zane Square Concert Stage, Main & Broad
Master of jazz, Byron Stripling comes to the square as a special thank you to the community that kept the music going. Last year’s flooding was devastating, but Bryon and his friends are here to brings smiles to all.

FINALE: LADY A with the Lancaster Festival Orchestra
Saturday, July 25, 2026 
Adult lawn $45/$55 at gate; Child/Student (3-17) $10; $700-$850 Table of 10
Location: Wendel Concert Stage, Ohio University, Lancaster Campus
Fireworks follow the performance, FREE parking, bring your own picnic or purchase on-site. Beverages can be pre-ordered or purchased on the concert site. No bring-in beverages are allowed. 

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)

Check out the full schedule for event times and details. Follow along on Facebook for more details and events.

Find more festivals here! 

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