Most everyone can agree that fall is fantastic in Ohio with sweater weather, changing leaves, football, bonfires, fall events and so much more. Grab a date and enjoy the fall season with these great fall dates in Columbus.
Single? Don’t worry – these fall dates in Columbus would be just as fun with a friend or group of friends. Just trade in the cuddling for good conversation, and you’re all set.
There’s always something new going on during the weekend, so check out our weekend calendar list first!
Fall Fun in Columbus
Fall Festivals
Skip the restaurant and bar scene and hit one of these great festivals with a date! Columbus love food and drink, and is home to tons of great festivals celebrating them. These are the perfect fall dates!
Columbus Oktoberfest: September 8-10, 2023. Try some delicious German food and beer at the Ohio Expo Center while listening to the musical performances on two stages and tons of events. Get in free to the Columbus Dispatch Home and Garden Show – also being held at the Expo Center!
Powell Street Market: September 10, 2023
Germania Oktoberfest: September 15-17, 2023. The oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest in Columbus
Creekside Hops & Vines Fest: September 16, 2023
Short North Tour of Homes: September 16-17, 2023
Delaware County Fair: September 16-23, 2023. Last county fair in the area – get your fair food!
Columbus Coffee Fest: September 23-24, 2023
Chalk the Block at Easton: September 23-24, 2023. Artists create 10 foot chalk drawings in the square as bands perform.
Columbus Italian Festival: October 6-8, 2023
Haunted Statehouse Tours: October 13-14 and 20-21, 2023
Scrawl in Franklinton: October 13-15, 2023. Live creation of murals, art and more!
Circleville Pumpkin Show: October 18-21, 2023
Ongoing Date Night options
While these date nights happen throughout the year, there are special fall-themed date nights!
Chihuly Nights Dates
Select Saturdays, from 7 pm – 10 pm. Chihuly Nights are an amazing way to see the conservatory after hours in a new light. The 19 Chihuly installations will be illuminated with the botanical gardens as a backdrop.
Check out the biomes in the conservatory and the historic John F. Wolfe Palm as it’s illuminated by James Turrell’s Light Raiment II.
The Conservatory food truck will serve a limited food menu, beer and wine. Botanica Gift Shop and Chihuly Gift Store will be open as well. Special admission is $15-$25 for non-members, and $7.50-$12.50 for members. It’s a great date night idea!
- September 9, 2023
- October 7, 2023
photo courtesy of Franklin Park Conservatory
Cocktails at the Conservatory
Enjoy fun nights with friends at a venue like no other from 5:30 pm – 9 pm. Each event features a new theme, a rotating cast of local drink vendors, live music, access to the Conservatory, and more.
Savor local sips and snacks as you revel in the gardens at golden hour. Ages 21+ only. Tickets are $30 for non-members, $25 for members.
- September 28, 2023 – Barrel Aged
- November 2, 2023 – Throwback Thursdays 70’s
Fall Fun in October
Fairfield County Trail of Scarecrows
Head to Fairfield County to the Trail of Scarecrows! Named “The Scarecrow Capital of Ohio,” Fairfield County has 14 communities displaying fantastic scarecrows during the entire month of October.
Visit them all, vote for your favorite, and share your pics by using #FCScarecrows. This self-guided experience is free and no reservations are necessary or required. Find a detailed map of scarecrow locations in various communities.
Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Don’t miss fall favorite Pumpkins Aglow starting October 11 from 5-9pm. Experience the magic of the harvest season at the Conservatory under the stars, surrounded by glowing pumpkins and enchanting scenery. Enchanting decorations throughout the gardens, a foggy creek and skeletons and ghosts. Two Pumpkin Houses stand ready to welcome guests this year.
Pumpkins Aglow includes exhibitions, gardens and collections, and Botanica Gift Shop and Greenhouse. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden will close at dusk. Guests will also enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, and more.
October 11–15, 18–22 & 25-29, 2023
Tickets are on sale now. Members qualify for discounted rates.
The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow
October 19-22, 2023 at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave. Wind your way through special exhibits and an enchanting trail of glowing pumpkins dotted throughout Heritage Park. Lots of activities are included with admission.
Tickets must be purchased in advance
$15 for Adults
$12 youth (ages 3-15) and seniors
FREE for children under 3
Highball Halloween
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Annual Halloween street party with entertainment, costume contests, and more. Event is at EXPRESS LIVE again!
Fall fun and Fall dates in Columbus
Grab your sweaters and enjoy the fall weather!
Apple picking: Wander through an orchard for fresh air and juicy apples. Find the best places to pick apples in Columbus.
Pumpkin patches: Grab a few pumpkins and some adorable selfie’s, and head home to carve or paint them.
Free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus There’s ALWAYS something going on in Columbus when you are looking for something to do on the weekend.
Sunflower Fields in Columbus Most sunflowers bloom sometime between August and September, and there are a few fields that will still be in bloom through September (weather-depending)
Nature walks and scenic hiking trails in Columbus Take a walk in the crisp fall air (or Indian Summer heat) on one of these awesome trails.
Best Places for Canoeing and Kayaking in Columbus Get a double kayak or canoe and work together, or float side by side and soak up the fall.
Drive in Theatres in Ohio Go back to the classic-style dates with a drive-in movie!
Planetariums and Astronomy: Best places to see the stars in Ohio Bundle up and check out the stars together at one of these planetariums or observatories. Check for closures or visiting restrictions.
Skull Sessions before home Ohio State football games. Games are expensive, but the pep rallies are FREE before home games!
Happy Hour! Let’s face it – happy hour is a great date any time of the year. Discounted food and beverage, a more relaxed and social atmosphere, and early hours that leave the rest of your night free – which is especially good if its a first date AND last date! This huge happy hour list is always being added to – I’d love to know your favorite!
Explore over 20 farmers markets around Columbus – fall is my favorite time of the year for farmer’s markets!
Bonfire (or firepit), s’mores, and your favorite beverages. Easy but awesome.
Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio Take on a challenge together and aim to complete a few of these adventure trails. From beer trails, wine trails, donut trails, coffee trails, food trails, art trails, and more….these will be a blast to work through together (and make date-planning easy!) Some even come with a prize at the end when you complete it!
Butler County Donut Trail: Head to Butler County and hit all of the delicious donut shops in one trip, or head back for the rest on another day.
Columbus Ale Trail: Travel the Ale Trail through Central Ohio and find a new favorite craft beer.
Go for a hike! Exercise releases feel-good hormones and the fall trees are the perfect backdrop. Pack a picnic and enjoy one of the Metro Parks around Columbus or one of these highlighted hiking trails!
Enjoy the fall colors! Go on a drive to check out the fall leaves. Hocking Hills is a great option for this. Hike, grab lunch or dinner, and even stay the night in a cabin, bed and breakfast, or hotel. Check out our list of the best scenic drives to see fall leaves in Ohio.
If you really love nature, Fall is a great time for camping! Enjoy the the leaves, campfire, and a sleeping bag for 2!
Community Nights
Check out a different part of town with these monthly neighborhood days. Check out new shops, bars, and restaurants along the way, as many offer specials during these dates.
Franklinton Fridays: September 8, October 13, November 10 (second Friday of the month)
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: September 9, October 14
Powell DORA: Shop, dine and explore in the Powell Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). The DORA allows licensed liquor establishments in the designated area to sell alcohol at special times that can be carried out of their establishments in specially marked cups.
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: September 17, October 15 (typically third Sunday of the month). Shop and brunch on Gay Street.
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: September 22, October 27
Scare together with these fun Halloween activities
Get your heart pumping with these spooky fall dates.
Make sure to check back as the list will be added to throughout the season.
Spooky Ghost Tours around Columbus: So many chances to get scared with these Ghost Tours in Columbus and surrounding areas!
Haunted Statehouse Tours: October 13-14 and 20-21, 2023
German Village Monster Bash: October 14, 2023 Adult trick-or-treat route, dancing and drinking, costume contest and more!
Haunted Houses around Columbus: Get scared together and cuddle up to comfort each other afterwards. Most haunted attractions have reopened for 2021, and there are even a few new ones to scare you!
Plan your costumes! Pick out an adorable or hilarious couple Halloween costume. Find ideas here or on Pinterest.
Rocky Horror Halloween Show at Studio 35: October dates tba. The midnight cult-classic experience. The Tim Curry film will roll, and a live cast will perform in front of the movie. There is a pre show with costume contests and more. tickets are $10; will sell out. Typically held the 1st Saturday of the month, plus a special near-Halloween event!
Haunted Wine Cellar at the Wyandotte Winery: tba 2023
Hitchcocktober Film Series at Gateway Film Center: September 30 – October 30, 2023
Catch classic scary movies at Gateway Film Center this October during the Annual Hitchcocktober Screening. Enjoy movies by Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, everyday through the month of October at GFC.
Nightmares Film Festival returns to Gateway Film Center: tba
Don’t forget to check out our 50+ Best Free and Cheap Dates for every season in Columbus!
Know any other fall dates in Columbus? Leave them in the comments or send them to info@columbusonthecheap.com.
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