Hilliard, Ohio is located just west of Downtown Columbus, and is an area rich with festivals, fun events, parks, and more. Hilliard is home to the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 2 public pools, a Community Center/Senior Center, Splash Pad at Hilliard Station Park, and over 27 parks and 41 miles of multipurpose trails.
You’ll also find unique attractions like an authentic 1800s Historical Village, the only U.S. Early Television Museum, First Responders Park, more than 41 miles of outdoor trails and the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Facility.
photo: Destination Hilliard
This year may not be “normal”, but there is still plenty of safe activities in Hilliard! With warm weather coming out, there will be plenty of fun outdoor activities in Hilliard all Spring and Summer.
Scroll down to see our calendar listing of all of the fun events coming up in Hilliard!
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Spring and Summer in Hilliard
With so many parks and community spaces, there’s always something to do in Hilliard during Spring and Summer.
Hilliard Farm Market
Tuesdays, May 25-September 28 from 4-7 p.m., at Hilliard United Methodist Church (5445 Scioto Darby Rd. Hilliard). Some vendors offer pre-order. Click here for the updates and food truck options, if available.
Hilliard DORA
A DORA is a designated outdoor refreshment area where residents age 21+ may purchase and carry alcohol. Old Hilliard’s designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) runs from June 1 – October 31, 2021. DORA hours are be noon-9 p.m., everyday.
The expanded boundaries will add Yabo’s Tacos, 5259 Franklin St; the Makoy Center, 5462 Center St; Benito’s, 5286 Center Street; Hillgarten, 4131 Main St; and the planned Junction by Westwood, 5460 Franklin Street to participating businesses. The DORA also includes Otie’s Tavern & Grill, 5344 Center St.; the Old Bag of Nails Pub, 4065 Main St.; Local Cantina, 3975 Main St.; Starliner Diner, 4121 Main St.; Legacy Smokehouse, 3987 Main St; Abner’s Casual Dining, 4051 Main St.; Crooked Can Brewing Company & Center Street Market, 5354 Center Street.
photo: Destination Hilliard
Celebration at the Station summer concert series
Free live music at Hilliard’s Station Park in Old Hilliard on Thursdays from June 3 – August 12 during Hilliard’s DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area).
Band schedule:
July 8 Mark Leach
July 15 The Wet Bandits
July 22 Conspiracy
July 29 The Menus
August 5 Trailer Park Ninjas
August 12 Radio Tokyo
Hilliard Arts Council Summer Concert Series
This Sunday evening concert series features an eclectic mix of performers and music styles. The concerts are free to the public and usually occur in front of the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center. The concerts are held during Hilliard DORA, which allows you to enjoy alcoholic beverages outside within a designated zone (read more about DORA above). Bring food and your beverage of choice from any of the 13 DORA participating establishments, or purchase from limited concessions available for purchase.
Click here for full concert schedule. Concerts are held at 7 pm from June 13 – September 26. No concert on Sept 5.
Free Fitness with Motivation at the Station
Motivation at the Station runs through August 14 (except July 3). The classes are open to all fitness levels and are 50 minutes long. Bring a mat, towel, or a blanket, plus water.
Saturdays, June 5 – August 14, 2021
- 7 – 7:50 a.m. High intensity fitness classes with SHED Fitness
- 8 – 8:50 a.m. Yoga with Mat Happy Yoga
Maintain distance from others at all times and wear a mask before and after your workout. Class are canceled if temperature is below 45 degrees at the time of class. Participants must register in advance. (use keyword search for Motivation to find the available dates and to register).
photo: Destination Hilliard
Sprouts Night Out
Families can enjoy a fun summer night with live music, kids activities, and food trucks from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration is required.
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Trail Ride and Lunch
Wednesdays, May – August, 2021 Grab your bike and explore local paved trails and try some new lunch spots each week on Wednesdays. Each ride is approximately 10 to 16 miles long with a scheduled lunch stop. Beginners are welcome; no riders are left behind. The ride is free, but registration is required. Participants must buy their own lunch and provide their own bike locks. Helmets are required. Some on-road riding may be required to reach the restaurant. Meet at 10:15 a.m., the ride starts at 10:30 a.m.
Trail Ride and Dinner
Go on an evening group bike ride on the Heritage Rail Trail and try some Old Hilliard restaurants during DORA! Each ride will be 13 miles long, starting at Hilliard’s Station Park and riding the Heritage Rail Trail out and back. Beginners are welcome; no riders are left behind. The ride is free, but registration is required. Participants must buy their own dinner and provide their own bike locks. Helmets are required. Meet at 5:45 p.m. at Hilliard’s Station Park (4021 Main St.), and the ride starts at 6 p.m.
Friday, May 14, 2021
Friday, June 11, 2021
Friday, July 9, 2021
Friday, August 13, 2021
Friday, September 10, 2021
Freedom Fest
July 3, 2021. Independence Day is an all day-celebration in Hilliard. Festivities include parade, followed by Freedom Fest at Municipal Park, with live music, food trucks, and games for kids and adults. Stick around for the spectacular fireworks show after dusk.
9 a.m. Parade departs from Franklin County Fairgrounds. The theme is “Stronger Together!” Monetary prizes this year will include: Best of Parade, Best Use of Theme and Most Patriotic. Live stream option will be available. Details.
3 p.m. – 11 p.m. Rides, Games, Swimming, and Festival Food at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park
9:45 p.m. Fireworks at Reynolds Municipal Park
Get the Scoop!
Wednesday, July 13, 2021 from 12 pm – 2 pm. Beat the summer heat with free ice cream from Graeter’s, family activities, a craft, and more at the splash pad. All participants must register.
Franklin County Fair
July 19-25, 2021: The Franklin County Fair returns as a full fair for 2021 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Admission to the Fair is $8. Most attractions and performances are FREE with admission (excluding select Grandstand events, rides, games and food). There are discount days, presale tickets, and more ways to save money – check them out here!
Heritage Day presented by the Hilliard Historical Society
August 28, 2021 from 11 am – 4 pm. Go back in time to the 1800’s during Heritage Day at Weaver Park. See the 1800’s period costumes as traditional crafters and artisans such as blacksmiths, broom makers and Civil War re-enactors bring the 1800’s to life. Village tours, bean soup prepared in a pot on the Village Green plus other food and drink options plus a bake sale to benefit the Hilliard Historical Society.
Visit the restored buildings on the grounds of historic Weaver Park, an 1850 period village. There will also be food, drink and special events as part of Heritage Day.
Swimming in Hilliard
Hilliard is home to two community swimming pools. Day passes and memberships available for 2021.
Hilliard Family Aquatic Center
Opens May 29
Hilliard Family Aquatic Center features slides, lazy river, multiple pools, zero depth entry kids area splash pad
3850 Veterans Memorial Dr., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$10, All guests must register for a two-hour time slot in advance. Time slot registration for members opens two weeks in advance. Time slot registration for non-members opens 48 hours in advance. Bring your own chairs and water!
Membership: Open to residents on May 3; if available they will go on sale to school district/non-residents May 17. Read all rules and regulations before purchasing.
Website: link
Clyde “Butch” Seidle Community Pool
Opens May 29
4450 Schirtzinger Rd., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$10, All guests must register for a two-hour time slot in advance. Time slot registration for members opens two weeks in advance. Time slot registration for non-members opens 48 hours in advance. Bring your own chairs and water!
Membership: Open to residents on May 3; if available they will go on sale to school district/non-residents May 17. Read all rules and regulations before purchasing.
Website: link
Upcoming events in Hilliard
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Friday, July 30, 2021
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Thursday, August 5, 2021
Friday, August 6, 2021
Saturday, August 7, 2021
Sunday, August 8, 2021
Monday, August 9, 2021
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Thursday, August 12, 2021
Friday, August 13, 2021
Saturday, August 14, 2021
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Monday, August 16, 2021
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Friday, August 20, 2021
Saturday, August 21, 2021
Sunday, August 22, 2021
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
photo: Destination Hilliard
Fall Fun in Hilliard
Fall is the BEST season in Ohio, so get outside and enjoy the cool weather and beautiful colors before everything turns cold and gray. Head to Hilliard to check out some of the fun activities going on this fall!
The following are from 2020 and will be updated in 2021 as details are announced.
Pumpkin Patchport Trail
October 1 – 31, 2020
Take part in a pumpkin scavenger hunt in Hilliard. Pick up a Patchport at a participating business, the community center, or print one from the Recreation and Parks Facebook page. Look for the “Pumpkin Patchport” sign displayed on the window of participating businesses from Oct. 1 – Oct. 31 then go inside to find a decorated pumpkin, get your Patchport stamped and receive a treat.
Turn your completed Patchport in at the Hilliard Community Center after Oct. 31 to receive a prize (you must have at least one Bingo line to be eligible). The participant with the most stamps will be given an additional prize. Print the pumpkin patchport and start today!
Hilliard Fall Friday Night Flicks in the Park
Load your car with blankets and snacks, and enjoy a throwback drive-in movie experience this fall in Hilliard. (3800 Veterans Memorial Dr., Hilliard). Grab a snack at Lil Pearl Waffle Truck, opening at 7 p.m. Park in the lot in front of the Community Center.
Sept. 18, 2020: Playing with Fire
Oct. 23, 2020: The Goonies (rated PG, contains adult language and violence)
Registration is required! Search “movie” here: https://webtrac.hilliardohio.gov/web/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html
Trick or Treat/Beggar’s Night in Hilliard
October 29, 2020 from 6-8 pm
Suggestions for making it a safe trick-or-treat night include: wearing masks, having the adult handing out candy stay outside their house and wear gloves, not letting ghosts and goblins grab their own candy from the bowl, and ensuring children have parental supervision. See updates here.
HalloWaffle Walk
October 31, 2020 from 9 am – 11 am
Get another wear out of your Halloween Costume! Take a walk through Hilliard’s Station Park in your Halloween costume. Enjoy a waffle to-go by Coffee Connections, stop by our 3 treat stations, and take your Halloween costume photos with our fully decorated park. Participants may bring a non- perishable food item as a donation for the Hilliard Food Pantry.
Price is $6 for residents/$8 for non-residents, and registration is required for each person attending the event. Registration times are staggered in 15 minute increments to keep the crowds to a minimum. Use keyword “waffle” to register here: https://webtrac.hilliardohio.gov/web/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html
Pumpkin Bike Scavenger Hunt
October 31, 2020 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
As you cycle through Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park and enjoy the fall scenery, be on the lookout for the hidden bike tires. Locate all six tires and submit a PicCollage (or similar) to kturner@hilliardohio.gov by Monday, Nov. 2.
Holidays in Hilliard
tba for 2021
Holiday Tree Lighting in Hilliard
December 6; tba for 2021
Join us the first Sunday of December to ring in the holiday season! There are fun seasonal activities for kids, carolers, local events benefiting charities, and Santa makes an appearance for all the kids. The highlight of the event is the lighting of the City’s tree.
Past Events in Hilliard (tba 2021)
Earth Day in Hilliard
Join the City of Hilliard and the Environmental Sustainability Commission for Earth Day every April at the Community Center, 3800 Veterans Memorial Drive. Enjoy activities for kids and opportunities to learn about composting, the importance of bees to our environment, energy efficiency, conservation and more. During the event, there are three collections going on: Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Community Computer Alliance Technology, and Styrofoam.
Drive-in Movies at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park in Hilliard
Enjoy a FREE drive-in movies at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park. Bring the family, order dinner from the food truck, and enjoy the show. Register only one family member per car. Space limited; sign up here. Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park, Veterans Memorial Drive, Hilliard, Ohio
Wheels and Waffles
May 8, 2021 from 9:00 am – 11:00 AM. Celebrate National Bike Month with “Wheels and Waffles”! Take a bike ride on the Heritage Rail Trail and stop at Hilliard’s Station Park for a detour. Enjoy to-go waffles from Coffee Connections, live music, candy, and take a craft home. We’ll even have some of Hilliard’s First Responders available for a meet and greet. WubCo, LLC will be conducting free bicycle safety inspections.
All participants must register in advance. Cost is $6 for residents and $8 for non-residents.
PizZingo
Pizza and Bingo – from your car! Families will stay in their cars for drive-up bingo while they enjoy Papa John’s Pizza. Sound will be transmitted through a radio station. Winners will receive prizes. Each registration is for 1 cheese pizza per car. If you want an additional cheese pizza per car, please register for activity number 01a. If dietary restrictions are necessary, contact Geoff Dew at gdew@hilliardohio.gov.
National Night Out
Date tba 2021. Every August, Hilliard Division of Police hosts the community for National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. The event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention, as well as encourages community and police interaction.
9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
September 11; tba for 2021
The community is invited to join Hilliard Division of Police and Norwich Township Fire each Sept. 11 at First Responders Park as we remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Pennsylvania.
Hilliard Fall Festival
Date tba for 2021 Fall Festival welcomes the change of season with family fun! With food trucks, games and crafts, pumpkin picking, pony rides, and even a hayride, it’s an event that’s fun for all ages!
Old Hilliard Fest
TBA for 2021. Celebrating Hilliard, the annual event features vendors, food trucks, crafts, and live music. It’s a day of fun held on the second Saturday of September.
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