Festival Season is here and there are fun events almost every weekend! Events and more details will be added throughout the season. If you see any missing, please leave a comment. Let me know what your favorite festival is!
Festivals in italics have not been updated for 2018 yet. I will update as the details become available
OCTOBER
Paws in the Plaza, Gahanna: October 4, first Thursday of the month
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: October 7
Columbus Mac and Cheese Festival: October 5 Samples all kinds of mac & cheese at Easton from restaurants around the city!
Liz Porter Photography Columbus Mac and Cheese
Ohio Gourd Festival (Delaware County): October 5-7
Columbus Italian Festival: October 5-7
The Fall Festival at the Farm at Walnut Creek: October 5-20 (Closed Sundays)
Old-Time Harvest Day in Grove City: October 6
Short North Gallery Hop: October 6 (first Saturday of the month)
Young’s Jersey Dairy Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival: October 6-7
Pies in the Park, Gahanna: October 7 Pizza Celebration!
Taste of Bexley: October 8
Upper Arlington Fall Fest: October 14
Franklinton Fridays: October 12 (second Friday of the month)
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: October 12
German Village Monster Bash: October 13 Adult trick-or-treat route, dancing and drinking, costume contest and more!
Ohio Sauerkraut Festival: October 13-14
Ohio 24 Hour Horror Marathon at Drexel: October 13-14
Circleville Pumpkin Show: October 17-20
Dublin Halloween Spooktacular: October 18
Ohio Smoked Meat & BBQ Festival: October 19-20
Haunted Statehouse Tours: October 19, 20, 26, 27
Boo at the Zoo: October 19-21 and 26-28
TRAUMA – Halloween Fetish Party: October 25-27
Highball Halloween: October 26-27 Annual Halloween street party in the Short North with entertainment, costume contests, and more.
Highbanks Harvest Fest: October 27 Wear your favorite costume and enjoy a fall celebration. Enjoy hayrides, jump in a giant leaf pile, make Halloween crafts, play games and roast marshmallows over a campfire.
Easton Pet Parade and Fall Festival: October 21
Halloween Family Fun Day at North Market: October 28
Grove City Boo on Broadway: October 31
Festivals in italics have not been updated for 2018 yet.
- Oktoberfest in Grove City:
- Experience Columbus Days – typically Columbus Day Weekend
NOVEMBER
Short North Gallery Hop: November 3 (first Saturday of the month)
Franklinton Fridays: November 9 (second Friday of the month)
Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Easton: November 16
Wildlights: November 17 through January 6
Howliday Bazaar: November 17
Christmasfair: November 17-18
Festivals in italics have not been updated for 2018 yet.
- TWIG Bazaar
- Craftin’ Outlaws Holiday Show
- Magical Day of Giving at Polaris Mall
- Gahanna Holiday Lights Parade and Celebration
- Marysville Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting
DECEMBER
Short North Gallery Hop: December 2 (first Saturday of the month)
Upper Arlington Winter Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Hollyfest Arts & Crafts Show: December 1
Village Lights: December 2
Ohio Statehouse Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting: December 6
Chanukkah Celebration, Easton
Lighting of the Luminaries, Ganther’s Place: December 8
First Night Columbus family-friendly New Years Eve Celebration: December 31
Past Festivals:
JANUARY 2018
Columbus Build, Remodel & Landscape Expo: January 5-7
Short North Gallery Hop: January 6 (first Saturday of the month)
AAA Great Vacations Travel Expo: January 19-22
(614) Magazine Restaurant Week Columbus: January 22-27. Over 100 restaurants offering 3 course prix fixes menus from $15-$40.
Buckeye Lake Winterfest: January 27. See Benny the Bass predict when spring will arrive, watch fireworks, and enjoy specials at businesses around the Lake.
FEBRUARY 2018
Columbus Blue Jackets Winter Park Ice Rink: February 2-25
The Chilly Open at the Columbus Zoo: February 3
Sweet Treats Dessert Festival: February 3
Short North Gallery Hop: February 3 (first Saturday of the month)
Franklinton Fridays: February 9 (second Friday of the month)
KidsLinked Worthington KidsFest: February 16
The Annual International Irish Triathlon at the Shamrock Club: February 17
Cheryl’s Cookies Annual Bake Sale: February 17
North Market Mix and Shake Cocktail Event: February 17
The Dispatch Home and Garden Show: February 17-25
National Margarita Day: February 22
PBR10K with Parker Lee Foundation: February 24
MARCH 2018
Arnold Sports Festival: March 1-4
Short North Gallery Hop: March 3 (first Saturday of the month)
Spring Avant-Garde Arts & Craft Show: March 3 at Makay Event Center
Made LOCAL Marketplace Spring Show: March 3
Franklinton Fridays: March 9 (second Friday of the month)
Best New Restaurants with Columbus Monthly: March 14
Over 100 Easter Events with Easter egg hunts, and photos with the Easter Bunny through April 7
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Columbus: March 17
Columbus International Auto Show: March 15-18. Admission is $5-$10; ages 9 and under free
Craftin’ Outlaws Spring Fling: March 18. Free admission includes all-day admission to Columbus Museum of Art
Dine Originals Week: March 19-25. Three course menus from $15-$40
Columbus International Film + Video Festival at CCAD: March 22-24
Cool Season Crop Sale at Chadwick Arboretum: March 23
Eggs, Paw and Claws at the Columbus Zoo: March 30-31
APRIL 2018
Paws in the Plaza in Gahanna: April 5 (first Thursday of the month)
Columbus Home Improvement Show: April 6-8
CCAD Art Fair: April 7
Short North Gallery Hop: April 7 (first Saturday of the month)
Starry Night Westerville: April 8. More than 60 exciting hands on activities for students in elementary and middle school. Starry Night is free and open to the public.
Big Book Sale at Columbus Main Library: April 12-15
A Taste of Clintonville: April 12
Franklinton Fridays: April 13 (second Friday of the month)
Ohioana Book Festival: April 14
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: April 14
Sprout Swap Cloth Diaper and Baby Carrier Consignment Sale: April 14
Grove City Lions Club Spring Craft Beer Fest: April 14
Puppypalooza at Huntington Park: April 17
All Things Brunch Festival: April 20. Tickets are $25-$30
MakerX The Columbus Maker Expo: April 21. MakerX will feature robots, drones, electronic music, digital art, maker spaces, 3D printing, VR/AR, game development, STEM learning, and more.
Blast! The Big Science Bash at COSI: April 21
Party for the Planet Earth Day Celebration at the Columbus Zoo: April 21
Earth Day Celebration at Genoa Park: April 22. Free for everyone!
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: April 22 (typically third or fourth Sunday of the month)
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: April 24 (and each 4th Friday through September)
Arbor Day Celebration at Chadwick Arboretum & Learning Gardens: April 27
S.P.A.C.E. Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo: April 28-29
Arbor Day Festival at Dawes Arboretum: April 28
Taste of Granville: April 28
Powell Chocolate Walk: April 28. Visit 30 businesses in Powell to receive a chocolate treat. Tickets are $20.
Gluten-free Food Allergy Fest: April 28-29
Andy Shaw Band presents: Wafflepalooza: April 29 Family-friendly concert at Brother’s Drake Meadery with all-you-can-eat waffles! Tickets are $3-$10.
Schmeckfest German Food Festival at Germania: April 29
MAY
Paws in the Plaza, Gahanna: May 3, first Thursday of the month
Powell Touch-a-Truck: May 4
Ohio Made Spring Market: May 4-5 at Hollywood Casino
Green Lawn Abbey Neighborhood Yard Sale: May 5
Grove City Community Environmental Day: May 5
Short North Gallery Hop: May 5 (first Saturday of the month)
Columbus Margarita Fest: May 5. Taco trucks, music, and plenty of margaritas! Tickets are $10-$40.
Free Comic Book Day: May 5
Green on the Green, Worthington: May 5
Merion Village Yard Sale: May 5
Central Ohio Folk Festival: May 5-6
Columbus Underground Urban Living Tour: May 6. Tickets are $10 in advance or $20 the day of.
Spring Flea at Seventh Son Brewing: May 6
Powell Street Market: May 6
Taste of Dine Originals: May 10
Chadwick Arboretum Spring Plant Sale: May 10-12
Franklinton Fridays: May 11 (second Friday of the month)
CCAD Senior Fashion Show: May 11
Indianola Carnival: May 11
GartenMarkt: May 11-12
Columbus Craft Beer Week: May 11-19
Wildzfest at The Wilds: May 12. Free celebration at The Wilds with Iron Man and Thor, Columbus Zoo animals, entertainment, games and attractions, tours, and more.
Columbus Oddities & Curiosities Expo: May 12. Oddities, taxidermy, wet specimens, antiques, odd jewelry, unusual art, bones, curiosities and all around creepy, strange and bizarre items. Tickets are $10, 12 and under free.
Gahanna Herb Day Festival: May 12
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: May 12
Shepherd’s Corner Plant Sale: May 12
Six One Pour – The Ohio Craft Beer Fest: May 12
Free Admission to the Zoo for Mother’s Day: May 13
Ride of Silence: May 16
Columbus Psych Fest: May 18
Worthington Touch-a-Truck: May 18 from 9:30 am – 12 pm
Science on Tap at COSI: May 18. Meet and sample beverages from local breweries and distilleries, and explore 300+ activities are COSI. Tickets are $25-$35
National Bike to Work Day: May 18 pre-planned routes leading to City Hall for a morning celebration
North Market Apron Gala: May 19. Tickets are $75-$100 and include food, drinks, music, and more.
Easton Food Fest: May 18-20, Food Truck Friday, Sippin’ Saturday, and Sweet Sunday
Rock on the Range: May 18-20
Village Valuables in German Village: May 19
Upper Arlington Spring Fling: May 19. Touch-a-Truck, inflatables, arts and crafts, and more
King Arts Complex Anniversary Gala: May 19
Dawes Arboretum Plant Sale: May 19
Columbus Taco Fest at Genoa Park: May 19. The Columbus Taco Fest is bringing you the best taco trucks and restaurants this city has to offer at one BIG fiesta! Free admission.
Delaware Arts Festival: May 19-20
Asian Festival Dragon Boat Race: May 19
photo by Craig Hicks
COSI EMS & Safety Day: May 20. Included with admission to COSI
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: May 20 (third or fourth Sunday of each month)
ColumBEST Extravaganza: May 21
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: May 25 (and each 4th Friday through September)
Westerville Field of Heroes: May 25-28
Family Funday at the Columbus Commons: May 26
Hills Market Salmon Roast: May 26
Asian Festival: May 26-27
Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival and Car and Motorcycle Show: May 26-28
Green Lawn Abbey Memorial Day Open House: May 28 from 10 am – 1 pm Tours and refreshments at this historical site; donations accepted
Bloom Township Fire Fighters Annual Memorial Day Fish Fry & Car Show: May 28
Memorial Day Parades and Ceremonies: May 28
The Memorial Tournament: May 28-June 3
Nelsonville Music Festival: May 31 – June 3
Grandview Chocolate Walk: May 31. Walking tour of Grandview Heights with chocolate stops at participating businesses. $25/ticket.
JUNE
The Memorial Tournament: May 28-June 3
Nelsonville Music Festival: May 31 – June 3
Paws in the Plaza, Gahanna: June 7 first Thursday of the month
Marysville Touch-a-Truck: July 1
Newark Strawberry Festival: June 1-3
Jeni’s Strawberry Jam at Land Grant Brewing: June 2
Short North Yard Sale: June 2
Short North Gallery Hop: June 2 (first Saturday of the month)
Bexley Women’s Club House & Garden Tour: June 3
Franklinton Fridays: June 8 (second Friday of the month)
Sommerfest at Germania: June 8
Columbus Arts Festival: June 8-10
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: June 9 (second Saturday of the month)
Olde Towne East Trash to Treasures: June 9, Neighborhood yard sale
Summer Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show: June 10
Buckeye Country Superfest: June 10-11
Origins Game Fair: June 13-17
Washboard Music Festival: June 14-16
Duck Creek Log Jam: June 15-16
Grove City Wine and Arts Festival: June 15-16
Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival: June 15-17
Columbus PRIDE Festival: June 15-17
Country Living Fair: June 15-17
KidsLinked’s Free Columbus Children’s Festival: June 16
Worthington Art Festival: June 16
Zoofari: June 16
Grandview Digfest: June 16
Picnic with the Pops: June 16. Little River Band
London Cobra Auto Show: June 21-23
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: June 22 (and each 4th Friday through September)
Comfest: June 22-24
Easton Art Affair: June 22-24
Powell Festival: June 22-23
Haus und Garten Tour, German Village: June 23-24
Picnic with the Pops: June 23. Rick Springfield
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: June 24
4th of July Fireworks, Parades, and Celebrations Around Columbus: June 28 – July 8
Grandview Hop: June 30
Picnic with the Pops: June 30. Patriotic Pops with Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
JULY
4th of July Fireworks, Parades, and Celebrations Around Columbus: June 28 – July 8
Red, White & Brats at Germania: July 3. Hang out before and after the fireworks, enjoying German food and heritage. A portion of the $5 admission goes to charity.
Red White & Boom: July 4. Huge 4th of July festival in downtown Columbus with an all-day festival, plus entertainment, parade, and fireworks.
Doo Dah Parade: July 4. Wild and wacky parade through the Short North (you have to see it to understand!)
City of Dublin Independence Day Celebration: July 4. Parade followed by a concert with Sheryl Crow.
Grove City Independence Day Celebration: July 4. Family activities and music, followed by fireworks
Paws in the Plaza, Gahanna: July 5, first Thursday of the month
Good Guys PPG Nationals: July 6-8
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days: July 6-8
Short North Gallery Hop: July 7 (first Saturday of the month)
Picnic with the Pops: July 7. The Music of Billy Joel and More starring Michael Cavanaugh
Merion Village Garden Tour: July 8
Upper Arlington Summer Celebration: July 12. Free outdoor family fun including inflatables and entertainment, followed by a movie in the park
Franklinton Fridays: July 13 (second Friday of the month)
North Market Ohio Wine Festival: July 13-14
Ohio Brew Week Festival: July 13-21. Huge beer festival with tons of events in Athens, Ohio
Young Writers Short Play Festival, MadLab Theatre: July 13-28
Picnic with the Pops: July 14. HANSON String Theory
Westgate’s Summer Jam: July 14. Grassroots, free arts and music festival held annually in Westgate Park.
Westerville Music and Arts Festival: July 14-15
Franklin County Fair: July 14-21
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: July 14 (second Saturday of the month)
The Summer Tour of Historic Homes of Olde Towne East: July 15
Powell Street Market: July 15
Lancaster Festival: July 19-28. Celebration of music, the arts, and community.
Sommerfest (II): July 20
Jazz and Rib Fest: July 20-22
Jazz and Rib Festival Columbus Ohio
Picnic with the Pops: July 20. Tchaikovsky Spectacular
Picnic with the Pops: July 21. TBA
Art Crawl in German Village: July 21
A Day at the Park in Marysville: July 21
WesterFlora Garden Tour: July 22. Annual tour of gardens in the Westerville community that will be bursting with color, plant collections, theme gardens, scenic views and much more.
Union County Fair: July 22-28
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: July 22
Ohio State Fair: July 25 – August 6
Taste of Powell: July 26. Enjoy tastes from 23+ Powell area restaurants, caterers and specialty food shops at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: July 27 (and each 4th Friday through September)
A Taste of Worthington: July 27
Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest: July 27-28
Picnic with the Pops: July 27 & 28. The OSU Marching Band
Picnic with the Pops: July 27 & 28. The OSU Marching Band
2X2 Hip-Hop Festival: July 28
Whitehall Food Truck & Fun Fest: July 28
Grandview Hop: July 28
Rally for the Ranch: July 28
Ganther’s Place Annual Tour: July 29
AUGUST
Paws in the Plaza, Gahanna: August 2, first Thursday of the month
Pelotonia: August 3-5
Dublin Irish Festival: August 3-5
Short North Gallery Hop: August 4 (first Saturday of the month)
FamJam at the Columbus Commons: August 4; Free family fun
Lobster Roll Days, Hills Market Worthington: Saturdays in August
Deshler Corn City Festival: August 4-5
ProMusica Summer Music Series: August 9, 11, 12. Enjoy this FREE 3 concert series at Franklin Park Conservatory
FFOCOL – Film Festival of Columbus: August 9-12
All Ohio Balloon Festival: August 9-11
Franklinton Fridays: August 10 (second Friday of the month)
North Ridgeville Corn Festival: August 10-12
Summer in the 614: August 11. Musicians, family activities, games and food vendors
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: August 11
Columbus Summer Beerfest: August 11
Superhero Day at Easton: August 11
Grove City EcoFest: August 11
Festival Latino: August 11-12
Hot Rod Hula Hop: August 11-12 Downtown local luau!
Taste the Future: August 14. Culinary event hosted by Columbus State University. Tickets are $100
Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival: August 16-18
Lexington Blueberry Festival: August 16-19
Sommerfest (III): August 17
Columbus Food Truck Festival: August 17-18
Cruise the ‘Ville Car Show: August 18. Classic cars, food trucks, a touch-a-truck display that includes the Columbus Police Helicopter fly-in, Columbus Fire Safety House and the Baby Zamboni from the Chiller.
Peach Fest at Lynd’s Fruit Farm: August 18. FREE festival with wagon rides, kids craft & games. Live music, food trucks, and more!
WAG! Festival: August 18. Fun festival for the dogs and family.
CrestFest: August 18. Street fest in Clintonville
Cruise the Ville: August 18. Over 200 Cruisers, Local Food Truck Vendors, Touch-A-Truck, Police Helicopter, YMCA Fun Van, 9-Mile Cruise
TEA 43206: August 18
PupArt: August 18
Ganther’s Place Harvest and Jazz Festival: August 18
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival: August 18-19
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: August 19
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: August 24 (and each 4th Friday through September)
Craft Brew at the Zoo: August 24
MatsuriCon: August 24-26
Urban Scrawl: August 25-26. Live creation of murals, art and more!
India Festival: August 25
Grandview Hop: August 25
Millersport Sweet Corn Festival: August 29- September 1. Festival, concerts, rides, 5k, and more
Van Wert County Fair: August 29 – September 3
Obetz Zucchinifest: August 31 – September 3
Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival: August 31 – September 2
Greek Festival: August 31 – September
The following August festivals have not been updated for 2018.
- Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival: postponed until 2019
- FMMF – Fashion Meets Music Festival:
- Ohio Proud Summer Harvest at Easton:
SEPTEMBER
Millersport Sweet Corn Festival: August 29- September 1. Festival, concerts, rides, 5k, and more
Obetz Zucchinifest: August 30 – September 2
Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival: August 31 – September 2
Short North Gallery Hop: September 1 (first Saturday of the month)
Bike the Cbus: September 1
Hot Licks Blues Fest, Granville: September 1
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival: September 1-3
Ohio Renaissance Festival – September 1 through October 28, Saturdays, Sundays, Labor Day Monday
Hills Market (Worthington) Ohio Hog Roast: Cancelled for 2018 due to plaza renovations
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival: September 3
Greek Festival: August 31 – September 3
Fredericktown Tomato Show: September 5-8
Paws in the Plaza, Gahanna: September 6, first Thursday of the month
Marion Popcorn Festival: September 6-8
Lithopolis Honeyfest: September 7-8. Indulge on all things honey, experience a real life bee beard (it’s what it sounds like…here’s a picture) and save the bees. Honey Competition & Tasting, Honey Bake-Off, Mead & Wine Tastings, Honey Beer Garden, Honeyfest Queen Pageant, Bee Beard & Beekeeping Demonstrations
Hot Times Community Festival: September 7-9
Columbus Oktoberfest: September 7-9
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: September 8
Old Hilliardfest Art and Street Fair: September 8
FestiFair Arts and Craft Festival: September 8
Merion Village Festival: September 9
Powell Street Market: September 9
Slice of Columbus: September 12. 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. Tickets are $8-$18, with family pass options available.
Easton Fashion Night: September 13. Fashionable activities, great discounts, giveaways and more
Franklinton Fridays: September 14 (second Friday of the month)
Scarecrow Festival: September 14-16 in Washington Courthouse featuring fun food, family activities, beer garden, rides, food, 5k, car show, and free concerts with John Michael Montgomery, Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience, and more.
Ohio Pawpaw Festival: September 14-16
Country Living Fair: September 14-16
Germania Oktoberfest: September 14-16
Backwoods Fest, Thornville: September 14-16
Scoot-A-Que: September 14-16
Old Worthington Market Day: September 15
Short North Tour of Homes: September 15-16
Preble County Pork Festival: September 15-16
Arts in the Alley, Grove City: September 15-16
Delaware County Fair: September 15-22
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: September 16
Annual Taste of Dublin: September 18
Jackson County Apple Festival: September 18-22
Ohio Lesbian Festival: September 20-23
Little Brown Jug, Delaware: September 20
Union County Covered Bridge and Bluegrass Festival: September 21-23
Oktoberfest in Powell: September 21-22
Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival: September 21-23
Creekside Hops & Vines Fest, Gahanna: September 22
Stratford Ecological Center Fall Harvest Fair: September 22. Food, wagon rides, kids activities, live music, cider making, animals, and more. $5 per person, $15 for family of 4.
Destination Downtown Lancaster Fall Festival: September 22
Cartoon Weekend at the Columbus Zoo: September 22-23
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival: September 27-30
4th Fridays in Uptown Westerville: September 28
New Albany Classic: 2017 was the final year
Cheryl’s Cookies 2018 Fall Festival: September 29. Annual Fall Festival at our flagship store in Westerville! Fun for all ages and FREE admission for everyone!
Grandview Hop: September 29
Chalk the Block at Easton: September 29-30. Artists create 10 foot chalk drawings in the square as bands perform.
Columbus Coffee Fest: September 29-30
TWIG of Nationwide Children’s Pumpkinpalooza: September 29
Harvest Festival, Columbus Commons: September 29
Lebanon Country Applefest: September 29
Chalk the Block, Easton: September 29
Columbus International Festival: September 29-30
Welcome to Fall Festival at Glacier Ridge Metro Park: September 30 Celebrate the season with hayrides, live animals, crafts and activities. Meet at bulletin board at picnic shelter.
No update for 2018 at time of posting:
- Independents’ Day:
- Ohiolina Music Festival: No festival in 2018
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