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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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
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!
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, August 21, 2021- October 30, 2021
- 7 – 7:50 a.m. High intensity fitness classes with SHED Fitness
- 8 – 8:50 a.m. Yoga with SPENGA Fitness
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
Scarecrow Spooktacular 2021
Check out scarecrows all over Hilliard with the Scarecrow Spooktacular from October 14, 2021 – November 1, 2021. Find over 30 scarecrows! This fun event is FREE – go at your own pace! Find the map on the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce website.
Franklin County Engineer’s Office Touch-and-Ride-a-Truck
October 21, 2021 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, Ohio. Franklin County Engineer Cornell R. Robertson is thrilled to announce the return of the FCEO Touch-And-Ride-A-Truck, held at a new location at the Franklin County Fairgrounds. This Halloween-themed event is designed to give kids an opportunity to interact and learn about various equipment and vehicles. Our community partners will join us who offer services to the public or have equipment to display. Bring your family and friends out for a fa-boo-lous time! Staff will be passing out candy, and Halloween costumes are welcome!
Drug Take Back Day
Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Hilliard Division of Police is joining other communities on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Day.
Residents can use a simple drive-thru service at the police department, located at 5171 Northwest Parkway, to drop off their unwanted or expired medications in pill form. The disposal service is free and anonymous for consumers, with no questions asked.
Only pills are accepted. No needles, sharps, asthma inhalers, and illicit drugs will be accepted at the drop box. Residents are asked to black out any personal information — including names and address — marked on prescription bottles before bringing in the items.
HPD also has a prescription drug drop-off box located in the lobby of the Safety Services Building for residents to bring in unwanted medications in pill or capsule form throughout the year.
Columbus Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
Sunday, October 24, 2021 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Makoy Center, 5462 Center St, Hilliard.
his large show will feature artists and crafters selling their original handmade items at this beautiful venue! Admission is $3 to the public, children under 12 are free! A portion of proceeds will benefit local non-profit, Charity Newsies.
Beggar’s Night
Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Because Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, the recommended Trick or Treat date for 2021 is Thursday, Oct. 28. Trick or Treat in Hilliard will take place rain or shine. Parents are encouraged to exercise good judgment in allowing children to participate.
Each year, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission sets the Trick or Treat date for cities in central Ohio. When Halloween, Oct. 31, falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, Trick or Treat is held on the Thursday before Oct. 31.
Veterans Day Parade
Sunday, November 14, 2021 at 2:00 pm. At 2:00pm the parade will proceed out of (GATE 4) and head West on Northwest Parkway, South on Avery/Main Street, West on Cemetery Road to Scioto Darby Road and South on Veterans Memorial Drive, where it will conclude with a short ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.
Fun in Hilliard
See what's going on around Hilliard!
Upcoming events in Hilliard
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Saturday, December 4, 2021
Sunday, December 5, 2021
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Photo: Destination Hilliard
Past Events in Hilliard (tba 2021)
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.
Spring and Summer in Hilliard
With so many parks and community spaces, there’s always something to do in Hilliard during Spring and Summer.
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.
Trail Ride and Lunch
Wednesdays, May – November 17, 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
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!
National Night Out
August 3, 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.
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.
Visit the restored buildings on the grounds of historic Weaver Park, an 1850 period village. The historical buildings and museum will be open for tours and historical crafts and skills such as broom making, rope making, blacksmithing and bee keeping will be showcased. Take antique car rides for $1.00, and have your photograph taken in the jail cell for a fee of $5.00. There will also be food, drink and special events as part of Heritage Day.
New village attractions this year: Weston Harrington Monument, Jail Cell, Funeral Hearse, Norwich Pavilion and more! Visit and have a family fun day with us.
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
Fall fun in Hilliard
Old HilliardFest Street Festival
Saturday, September 4, 2021. Celebrating Hilliard, the annual event features vendors, food trucks, crafts, and live music. It’s a day of fun typically held on the second Saturday of September. Old Hilliardfest 2021 has moved to Labor Day Weekend to accommodate for an expanded memorial tribute for the anniversary of 9/11.
Hilliard 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at First Responders Park
September 11, 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. Details here.
The First Responders Park, in the center of Old Hilliard, memorializes those who died on 9/11 and pays tribute to the 403 First Responders who died making the ultimate sacrifice for their community. In 2010, a delegation of 20 individuals representing the City of Hilliard, Hilliard Police Department, The Norwich Township Fire Department, and the Hilliard community made the two day round-trip from Hilliard to New York City to escort home seven tons of steel from the World Trade Center.
This memorial features granite walls inscribed with the names of those who lost their lives, a reflecting pool, personalized pavers, a monument honoring fallen officers, and a metal sculpture made from the steel of the World Trade Center.
Mini Touch a Truck at Hilliard’s Station Park
Friday, September 17, 2021 from 10 am – 12 pm. This Children’s event features interactive fun with Big Trucks, Cars, Machines, Police and Fire Vehicles. Touch-A-Truck takes place at Hilliard’s Station Park (corner of Center and Main Streets in Old Hilliard)
Hilliard Fall Festival
Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 1-4 pm. Fall Festival welcomes the change of season with family fun! With food trucks, inflatables, games and crafts, pumpkin picking, petting zoo, pony rides, and even a hayride, it’s an event that’s perfect for all ages! Plus live music by Columbus’s own Lee Gantt
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