Fall is one of the greatest seasons in Ohio, with cooler weather and so much to do. There are over 100 events celebrating fall and Halloween in Columbus for 2023! There’s no shortage of fun, fall festivals, pumpkins, and spooky (or silly) Halloween events.
You’ll find pumpkin patches, scary movies, food festivals, Halloween parties, trick-or-treat activities, events for kids, and events for adults!
Trick or Treat, or Beggar’s Night, is scheduled on Halloween for most communities around Central Ohio; check out the 2023 Trick or Treat schedule here.
There are community events with trick or treating or trunk or treating for safer (and daytime) alternatives to Beggar’s Night. If you don’t know what to dress up as for all of these Halloween events, check out these 100 Cheap and Easy DIY Halloween Costumes.
Don’t forget – there are plenty of places to eat free or cheap on Halloween. These will be updated closer to Halloween when the deals are released.
More will be coming as Halloween event details are released. If you know of any other events that should be featured, please email news@columbusonthecheap.com.
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BEGGARS NIGHT
October 26-October 31, 2023. Most communities will host their trick or treat night on days between October 26 – October 31. Check our listing to see trick or treat for communities around Columbus.
(Dates will be updated soon as communities release the plans)
Ongoing events for Fall and Halloween in Columbus
U Pick: Best places to pick apples in Columbus
Jeni’s Cone Coins
Each coin is good for a FREE kids cone (worth $4.25). Purchase bundles of 20 coins for $35. Great for trick-or-treat, fall parties, and more!
Great locations for photography sessions in Columbus
Tons of Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Farm Activities
Fall farm and pumpkin patch fun is something you don’t want to miss this year! Get outside and play with your kids, go through corn mazes, pick pumpkins, and SO much more!
Freeman’s Farm Fall Festival
Saturdays and Sundays September 17 through October 31
Freemans Farm visitors enjoy hayrides through scenic woods, campfire concessions (hotdogs, chili, chips, beverages), a farm animals petting area, delicious fresh popped kettle corn, scarecrow making, and apple butter making demonstrations over an open fire on select days.
Fall treats and decorations include pumpkins, fall squash, gourds, decorations, jelly, jams, apple butter, candy, apples, cider and fall gifts.
Admission is free. There is a charge for food, some activities, and items purchased in the fall market. Festival hours will be Saturdays (10 AM – 5 PM) and Sundays (11 AM – 5 PM). Bring your cameras to capture those memorable family moments!
Hoover Gardens & Gift Center
182 N Sunbury Rd Westerville, OH 43081. Creepy, but not scary, family-friendly Halloween maze. The maze is open when Hoover Gardens is open, which is Mon-Sat, 8 am – 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm. Opens during the Fallapalooza Celebration on September 23-24, 2023
Please check in at the gift shop counter so they can ensure there aren’t too many people in the maze at one time. Admission is free, but please leave a donation at the gift shop counter so they can continue to make improvements on the maze each year.
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.
Fairfield County Trail of Scarecrows
The Fall Festival at the Farm at Walnut Creek
September 29, 30 and October 6, 7, 13, 14, 16, 20, and 21, 2023 from 8 am – 8 pm
Food, fall decorations, scavenger hunt, straw castle, corn box, pumpkin slingshot, and much more.
Visit the animals when you drive thru in your car, or take a wagon ride to get up close and personal. Wagon rides are available from 9 am – 5 pm. Fall festival is included with regular admission, but extra activities and food have additional charges.
The Farm at Walnut Creek
Harvest Round-Up Days at Marmon Valley Farm
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Visit the farm each Sunday in October during the Harvest Round-Up Days at Marmon Valley Farm in Zanefield! Enjoy a hayride through the scenic hills, crawl through the hay maze, play in the Play Barn, visit the animals, and try out the rope bridge.
Pumpkin & Pony Package for kids ages 11 and under. Kids can get a Pie Pumpkin, Pony Ride, Hay Ride, & Animal Feed for just $12!
Cost: Hay Rides $5 / Pumpkin & Pony Package $12 / Pumpkins of various sizes $1 – $8
Address: 7754 State Route 292 S., Zanesfield OH 43360
All Hallows’ Eve at Ohio Village
Saturdays, October 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023 from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Enjoy a traditional 19th Century Halloween celebration with All Hallows’ Eve at Ohio Village. These family-friendly haunted events feature pumpkin carving, fortune telling, crafts, games, and Halloween traditions from the 1890’s.
Admission: $18/adults, $14/youth (ages 6-12), $13/Ohio Historical Society adult members, $7/OHS youth members.
photo: Ohio Village
Ghost Trolley with Ohio Railway Museum
Fun Halloween event for kids. Tour the decorated street cars and enjoy a lights-out ride on the trolley about the Ghost Trolley.
Friday and Saturdays, October 6-28, 2023 from 5 pm – 9:30 pm.
Pumpkin Train at Mt. Perry Scenic Train and Zanesville & Western Scenic Railroad
October 7, 8, 13, 14, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2023. Hop on the train for a ride to the Pumpkin Patch. Every child 13 and under gets a pumpkin. Train ride is about 45 minutes long. Train leaves on the hour. Tickets are sold on location. Adults $9, children 3-13 $5. 40 minutes from Columbus.
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 spooky fun scenery.
Enchanting decorations throughout the gardens includes a foggy creek, skeletons and ghosts. Two Pumpkin Houses stand ready to welcome guests this year.
October 11–15, 18–22 & 25-29, 2023. Hours are 5 pm – 9 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays; 5 pm – 10 pm on Fridays & Saturdays.
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.
Buy tickets now! Tickets are $26/adults, $22/seniors and college students, $15.50/child ages 3-12, free under 3. Members qualify for discounted rates. Admissions for Museums for All (SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid Participants) is $3.
Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
October 6-8, October 13-15, October 20-22, October 27-29, 2023
Meet characters throughout the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Visit special features, ride the Zoo Boo Choo Choo, and stop at treat stations located throughout the Zoo. There will be all sorts of fall fun at the Zoo!
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Boo at the Zoo is merry, not scary!
Big List of the best Fall Date ideas around Columbus
12 Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus beginning in early-September
15 Spooky Ghost Tours around Columbus throughout September and October
Grove City Pumpkin Trek
Dates: September 1 – October 31, 2023
Go on a pumpkin adventure through Grove City with the Annual Grove City Pumpkin Trek.
Get your mobile passport, and then make a fall-themed purchase at any participating business, ask for the pin-code, and receive points for each purchase made.
Redeem your points for 3 different prizes, depending on points earned. Prize pickup can be done at Visit Grove City, 3995 Broadway, Grove City, Ohio 43123
Halloween Movie Series in Columbus
Hitchcocktober Film Series at Gateway Film Center
October 1 – October 31, 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.
Screenings times are weekdays at 7:00PM or 9:30PM, with 2PM or 4:30PM showings on Saturdays and Sundays.
Nightmares Film Festival returns to Gateway Film Center
October 26-29, 2023
If you love the scariest movies, this film festival is for you!
The ultimate way to experience our celebration of genre cinema, NFF VIP passes offer the holder a guaranteed seat in every round of films, access to the VIP bar and lounge, and in-and-out privileges throughout the fest. Individual tickets will go on sale in mid-October.
Horror Movies at Marcus Theatres
September-October 2023. Watch your favorite scary movies on the big screen! The Happy Hauntings Passport and Slasher Classics Passport gets you multiple tickets for one low price. Details here.
Fall festivals and Fall and Halloween Family Fun
Fall is a glorious time of year in Columbus! There are festivals celebrating food, traditions, pumpkins, art, and more. Check out the huge list of festivals in Columbus and throughout Central Ohio.
Kidslinked Treat Fests
Fun family events with freebies, scavenger hunts, games, and activities for kids, plus vendors with great resources for parents. Register in advance for free admission and special treats.
- Olentangy Fall Festival and Treatfest: September 20, 2023
- Delaware Fall Festival and Treatfest: October 8, 2023
- Newark Treatfest: October 22, 2023
Cheryl’s Cookies Fall Festival
Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 11 am – 3 pm.
Annual Fall Festival at our flagship store in Westerville! Fun for all ages and FREE admission for everyone! Stop by for sweet treats & a chance to win delicious prizes! Activities include face painting, balloon twister, firetruck, and more!
Buy 24 cookies for $39.99 and get 23 FREE cookies. FREE OSU cookie jar drawing, and there’s a raffle for a free OSU jar, and more.
Destination Downtown Lancaster Fall Festival
Saturday, September 30, 2023
The festival features vendors, lots of food options, Lancaster Handmade Market, Hay Rides, plus kids activities until 7 pm. Stroll the festival while you listen to live music, or stop in to downtown shops and restaurants that will stay open late.
Harvest Moon Festival
October 7, 2023 at Infirmary Park in Granville. Come celebrate fall with food trucks, Touch-a Tractor, bounce houses, crafts, archery, games, and other activities.
Haunted Statehouse Tours
October 13-14 and 20-21, 2023
Chillicothe Halloween Festival
October 13-15, 2023. Three-day festival celebrating the fun of Halloween. The festival offers a wide variety of vendors, food, live entertainment, Haunted House, inflatables, contests, and much more at Yoctangee Park.
Stratford Ecological Center Fall Harvest Fair
October 14, 2023. Food, farm fun, kids activities, live music, cider making, animals, and more. $5 per person
Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park
Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 11 am – 3 pm. Enjoy free fall-themed fun, including hayrides, a corn maze, archery, activities from Slate Run’s Living Historical Farm, animals from Ohio Wildlife Center, games and crafts!
CRC Annual Pumpkin Patch
Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 10am – 1pm
North Broadway United Methodist Church parking lot, 48 E. North Broadway. Details to come.
Circleville Pumpkin Show
October 18-21, 2023. Don’t miss the oldest and largest festival in Ohio. Admission is free, the fun is non-stop, and there is pumpkin-flavored everything!
The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow
October 19-22, 2023 Wind your way through the enchanting trail of 1,500 carved glowing pumpkins at Heritage Park. There are fun activities included with admission for more of a festival experience.
Dublin Halloween Spooktacular
Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20, 2023 in Coffman Park. Merry, not scary family fun! Guests of all ages can come in costume and enjoy this ghoulish celebration.
Van Wert County Harvest Happenings
October 20-21, 2023 Apple cider, apple pie, apple dumplings, apple butter, and so much more at this fall festival at this festival in NW Ohio.
Trunk or Treat Car Show with Empty Pockets Cruisers
October 21, 2023 from 11 am to 4 pm (rain 10-22-22)
Hilliard Presbyterian Church 3600 Leap Rd Hilliard, OH 43026. Registration $10, bring candy to hand out to trick or treaters from 1 -3 pm. Spectators and Trick or Treaters Free
Trick or Treat Trail at Gallant Woods Park
October 22, 2023, 1 pm – 4 pm
Bring the kids in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, meet some creepy critters, vote for your favorite scarecrow, and visit Gallant Farm across the road. It’s all free!
Halloween Pet Contest and Fall Festival at Easton
Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 12 pm – 3 pm
Candy by the Carload in Powell
Saturday, October 22, 2023 from 4-6 pm at the Municipal Building Parking Lot. Local businesses and organizations will set up booths and car trunks filled with candy, toys and other Halloween goodies
Highball Halloween
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Annual Halloween street party with entertainment, costume contests, and more. Event is being held at EXPRESS LIVE! for 2021
Free Scary Face Pancakes for kids at IHOP
tba 2023 Free Scary Face pancake to kids (12 and younger) from 4 pm – 10 pm.
KidX Club™ Candy Crawl
October 26, 2023 from 5 pm – 7 pm
Kids can grab a trick-or-treat bag (while supplies last) and go store to store for trick-or-treating. Dress to impress for the family costume contest. There will be games, prizes, and more
Haunted Village in Pickerington
October 26, 2023 from 6-8 pm. Ghost tours, hayride, entertainment, food, and trick-or-treating at Old Pickerington Village businesses. Volunteers needed for ghost story tellers, ghost tour guides, ghost tour actors, hay ride attendants, and more.
Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center
October 26, 2023 Walk through the White Tail Trail, visits from “spooky” Animal Ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex and Woodsy, snakes Checkers, and Percy and Lenore, our American Crows. $25 per family of up to 4, and $5 per additional child over 2.
Worthington Halloween Party
Friday, October 27, 2023 from 3-5 pm. Kids can Trick or Treat on the Green from vendors passing out treats. There is entertainers on all four quadrants, as well as arts and craft stations, and more!
Great Gahanna Goblin Fest
Friday, October 27, 2023 This Halloween experience features all-things-Halloween, including a choreographed light show, fire performers, stilt walkers, animated projections, trick-or-treating, and many more surprises along the way! Academy Park, 1201 Cherry Bottom Rd.
Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt
Saturday, October 28, 2023 Trick-or-treat, scavenger hunt, kid and dog costume contest and family fun activities
Scarysville in Uptown Marysville
October 28, 2023. Follow on Facebook for details.
The streets of Uptown “Scarysville” come alive with Halloween FUN from 10 am – noon. Children are invited to dress up in their costumes and visit Uptown merchants for candy and other Halloween goodies. All the fun of Trick or Treat, in the light of day. This event is sponsored by the Historic Marysville Business District Association.
Boo on Broadway in Grove City
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 1-4 pm. Family-friendly alternative to the traditional door-to-door Beggars’ Night allows children to dress in costume and safely collect candy and other goodies from area businesses and civic organizations in the Grove City’s Town Center Promenade.
Inniswood Halloween Party
Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 2-4 pm Head to the Gardens for activities and crafts to celebrate this traditional holiday.
Halloween for adults
Rocky Horror Halloween Show at Studio 35
October 7, 2023 (Halloween 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 special near-Halloween events!
German Village Monster Bash
Saturday, October 14, 2023 Adult trick-or-treat route, dancing and drinking, costume contest and more!
Historic Ghost Tour at Walnut Grove Cemetery Worthington
Thursday, October 26, 2023. Worthington residents spanning the centuries who have made Walnut Grove their final resting place will be out and about after dark to share stories.
Ghost Tours at The Kelton House Museum & Garden
October 26-27, 2023 from 6:30 pm -9 pm. Fernando’s Funeral: Victorian Mourning and the Ghosts That Linger on Town. These after hour tours feature the ghost stories of the Kelton’s and other spooky experiences in the Mansion, an experience you don’t want to miss.
Hurry and purchase your ticket before its too late, tours begin on the half-hour with 15 people maximum per tour. Tickets $25 per person. Advanced tickets required.
TRAUMA – Halloween Fetish Party
Thursday-Saturday, October 26-28, 2023
Thursday is an entirely SOBER night!
HalleBOOia Halloween Concert
Friday, October 27, 2023 from 8 pm – 9:30 pm at Weigel Auditorium.
This annual Halloween concert featuring student vocalists and instrumentalists dressed in full Halloween attire. The concert is free.
Haunted Wine Cellar at the Wyandotte Winery
October 27, 2023. Food and wine pairings, haunted cellar, costumes, and more.
Fall Chili Cook-off at Granville Inn
Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 10 am. The 17th annual charity Chili Cook-off will be held on Saturday, October 29 on the front lawns of the Granville Inn. Granville Rotary has once again partnered with the Granville Inn to conduct the Chili Cook-Off to raise funds and awareness for Polio, via Rotary’s Polio Plus eradication program.
Big List of the best Fall Date ideas around Columbus
12 Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus beginning in early-September
15 Spooky Ghost Tours around Columbus throughout September and October
Looking for Fall fun in Columbus? Check out these popular Fall pages!
- Upcoming weekend events
- Best places to pick apples in Central Ohio
- Sunflower Fields in Central Ohio
- Columbus Pumpkin Patches, Farm Activities, Corn Mazes, and More
- Over 100 events celebrating Fall and Halloween in Columbus
- Big list of great Fall date ideas around Columbus
- Best hikes and scenic drives for Fall Color in Ohio
- Columbus Oktoberfest events
- 11 Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus
- 15 Spooky Ghost Tours around Columbus
- Safe Trick-or-Treat and Trunk-or-Treat in Columbus
- Trick or Treat Schedule Around Columbus
- Nature walks and scenic hiking trails in Columbus
- Over 85 Indoor Play Places and Activities for kids around Columbus
- Huge List of Columbus Happy Hours
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We love finding and sharing about deals on Columbus on the Cheap.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Upcoming Halloween events
Friday, September 29, 2023
Saturday, September 30, 2023
Sunday, October 1, 2023
Monday, October 2, 2023
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Friday, October 6, 2023
Saturday, October 7, 2023
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Friday, October 13, 2023
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Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Creekside Pumpkin Crawl
tba 2023 from 5-8 pm at Creekside Park 123 Mill St, Gahanna, OH 43230 Calling all ghosts and ghouls! Get your costume on and come eat, drink, and be scary at the Creekside Pumpkin Crawl. Enjoy live music, decorated pumpkin trail, restaurant deals, and more.
Register to enter your carved or decorated pumpkin. Winners will be rewarded with gift cards to local businesses!
Pumpkin Plunge at Worthington Pools
tba 2023 from noon-2:30pm. Register for the floating pumpkin patch, costume contest, pumpkin painting, and open swim. $5-$12.
Cabela’s Halloween Costume Parade
tba 2023. Dress up the kids in their Halloween finest, and bring them to Cabela’s at 3 pm for some Halloween fun! Kids will parade around the store with stops at candy stations around the store.
Hilliard Trunk or Treat at Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA
tba 2023 from 5 pm – 7 pm. Food trucks, music, Norwich Fire, Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth and much more for Movement Church’s 10th annual Hilliard Trunk or Treat in partnership with the Ray Patch YMCA! There is a food truck, music from 104.9 The River, the Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth, food trucks and more!
[…] for more Halloween fun? Find over 100 fall and Halloween events in Columbus, with pumpkin patches, scary movies, food festivals, Halloween parties, trick-or-treat activities, […]