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 9-11, 2022. 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!
Columbus Bottle & Barrel Fest: September 10, 2022. Local beer, wine, and spirits festival in Powell with, local fare, live music, your favorite craft beverages, and browse the shops of Columbus’ makers and artisans. The Ohio State game will be on the projector screen. Sample tickets and parking included with entry. 21+
Slice of Columbus: September 14, 2022. Over fifteen area pizza shops will serve their most savory pies. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample pizza and vote for their favorite pie with the “People’s Choice Award.” Event includes children’s activities, craft beers and wine.
Germania Oktoberfest: September 16-18, 2022. The oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest in Columbus
Annual General Mayhem Craft Beer and Music Festival: September 17, 2022 at Brewdog in Canal Winchester. Featuring over 100 fresh craft beers flowing, a line-up of music to rock your day away, swathes of street food and much more. Headlined by Alkaline Trio, have food trucks, and Not Your Mama’s Craft Fair
Creekside Hops & Vines Fest: September 17, 2022
Short North Tour of Homes: September 17-18, 2022
Delaware County Fair: September 17-24, 2022. Last county fair in the area – get your fair food!
Powell Street Market: September 18, 2022
Easton Fashion Night: September 22, 2022 from 5-8 pm. Fashionable activities, great discounts, giveaways and more
Columbus Coffee Fest: September 24-25, 2022
Chalk the Block at Easton: October 1-2, 2022. Artists create 10 foot chalk drawings in the square as bands perform.
Columbus Italian Festival: October 7-9, 2022
Haunted Statehouse Tours: October 14-15 and 21-22, 2022
Scrawl in Franklinton: October 15-16, 2022. Live creation of murals, art and more!
Circleville Pumpkin Show: October 19-22, 2022
Ongoing Date Night options
While these date nights happen throughout the year, there are special fall-themed date nights!
Chihuly Nights Dates
Second Saturday of July, August, September and October 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 $12-$22 for non-members, and $6-$11 for members. It’s a great date night idea!
- September 10
- October 8
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 22 – Oktoberfest (details)
- November 3 – Throwback Thursdays (’80s)
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 12 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 12–16
October 19–23
October 26-30
Tickets go on sale soon. Members qualify for discounted rates.
The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow: October 19-23, 2022 at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave. The park will transform into a fall wonderland featuring a drive-thru trail aglow with of artfully created scenes made from thousands of etched and carved pumpkins with whimsical lighting effects. Admission is $15 per vehicle. Book in advance!
Highball Halloween: Saturday, October 22, 2022
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 9, October 14, November 11 (second Friday of the month)
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: September 10, October 8, November 12
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 18, October 16, November 20 (typically third Sunday of the month). Shop and brunch on Gay Street.
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: September 23: Homecoming, October 28: Midnight Madness
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 14-15 and 21-22, 2022
German Village Monster Bash: October 15, 2022 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: October 28, 2022
Hitchcocktober Film Series at Gateway Film Center: September 29 – October 30, 2022
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: October 20-23, 2022
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.
Find more upcoming fall dates and fun for adults in Columbus!
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Friday, March 31, 2023
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Sunday, April 2, 2023
Monday, April 3, 2023
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
TBA for 2021
Freaky Flights Tours with ZipZone zip line, costume party, Halloween festival: tba for 2021
Halloween on the Hocking: October dates tba
Pumpkin Trek 2021
Dates: September 15 – November 30, 2021
Go on a pumpkin adventure through Grove City with the Annual Grove City Pumpkin Trek. Print out or pick up a “Trek Guide” at any of the 27 participating businesses. Enjoy the sights, scents, and flavors and earn a stamp for each purchase.
Once you collect 16 stamps on the Trek Guide, redeem it for a limited edition tee at Grove City Guide + Gear. Use #GCPumpkinTrek and #pumpkintrek as you set out on your Grove City pumpkin adventure.
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