Fall is one of the greatest seasons in Ohio, with cooler weather and so much to do. There are over 120 events celebrating fall and Halloween in Columbus, so 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 2019 Trick or Treat schedule here. There are over 30 community events with trick or treating or trunk or treating for safer (and daytime) alternatives to Beggar’s Night. There are also 25+ parties at the local community centers (tba in October) during the month of October to get you in the Halloween spirit.
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, including Chipotle, Krispy Kreme, and more!
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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Ongoing events for Fall and Halloween in Columbus
U Pick: Best places to pick apples in Columbus
Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Farm Activities
Big List of the best Fall Date ideas around Columbus
Great locations for photography sessions in Columbus
Spooky Ghost Tours around Columbus
11 Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus beginning in mid-September
Haunted Halloween Party at The Disney Store: Saturdays and Sundays from October 12-27, enjoy a frightfully fun Haunted Halloween Party and receive a free Mickey Mouse pumpkin light up wristband. RSVP required to participate after 9/18. Contact your local store. Event is intended for Guests ages 3 – 12 and limited to 20 participants per event. Giveaways are limited and and will be given to Guests ages 3 – 12 that RSVP.
Freeman’s Farm Fall Festival: Saturdays and Sundays September 21 through October 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!
The Fall Festival at the Farm at Walnut Creek: October 5-20 (Closed Sundays)
Ghost Trolley with Ohio Railway Museum: October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 Fun Halloween event for young kids. While it isn’t designed to be scary, some young kids are afraid of being on the dark train cars, so use your parental judgment. Tour the decorated street cars and enjoy a lights out ride on the trolley about the Ghost Trolley. Saturday events are 4-8 pm, and Sunday events are 12-4 pm.
October Halloween Movie Series in Columbus
Hitchcocktober Film Series at Gateway Film Center – Every day in October; various showings
October Fright Nights at Marcus Theatres – Scary movies on the big screen for $6 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in October
Fall and Halloween in Columbus by week
October 14-20
Taste of Bexley: October 14. Sample bites from 20+ area restaurants while you enjoy entertainment and beverages. Tickets are $30-$35 for adults.
Circleville Pumpkin Show: October 16-19. Don’t miss the oldest and largest festival in Ohio. Admission is free, the fun is non-stop, and there is pumpkin-flavored everything!
Trunks Tricks and Treats at Worthington Place: October 17 Safe trick or treating at the mall, plus entertainment, Tricks & Treats, crafts, activities, music, story Time with a surprise character and more!
Halloween Treat Trail Party at Everal Barn: October 18 FREE; Ages 8 and under will enjoy carnival games along the treat trail; Halloween Bingo, and Vendor Alley. Don’t forget to enjoy the horse-drawn carriage ride through the park. Remember to wear your costume!
Halloween Family Fun Night at Highbanks Nature Center: October 18 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Dress up in your Halloween costume and play fun Halloween games. Enjoy smores over the campfire. No scary costumes.
Ohio Smoked Meat & BBQ Festival: October 18-19
Ghost Trolley with Ohio Railway Museum: October 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 Fun Halloween event for young kids. While it isn’t designed to be scary, some young kids are afraid of being on the dark train cars, so use your parental judgment. Tour the decorated street cars and enjoy a lights out ride on the trolley about the Ghost Trolley. Saturday events are 4-8 pm, and Sunday events are 12-4 pm.
Haunted Ohio Statehouse Tours: October 18, 19, 25, 26
Boo at the Zoo: October 18-20, October 25-27 Meet characters throughout the Zoo, Pumpkin Junction, Animals on Safari, HOWL-OWEEN Show and treat stations located throughout the zoo
Great Pumpkin Celebration at Cabela’s: October 19, 20, 25-31 Free photo with the Peanuts gang (and a $5 photo package option includes 1 6×8, 2 4×6, and the digital image), crafts and Halloween ring toss at Cabela’s (and Bass Pro Shops). The first 75 kids to get their photo taken each day will receive a glow-in-the-dark treat bag!
Saturday October 26- promptly at 3:30pm & Halloween October 31- promptly at 6pm: Kids’ Costume Parade and Costume Contest. The first 100 to participate receives a glow in the dark wristband or an owl LED light! Top 3 costumes win a prize!
Family Harvest at Slate Run: October 19 from 2-5 pm. Enjoy a hayride and apple cider, and pick Indian corn and pumpkins to take home. Meet at Slate Run’s Buzzard’s Roost picnic area.
Gahanna Creepside Festival: October 19 Games, food trucks, live music, activities, haunted trail and get candy from different businesses
Halloween Family Fun Night at Three Creeks Metro Park: October 19 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Not-too-scary stories and s’mores at the campfire and go trunk-or-treating for candy. Kids of all ages encouraged to wear costumes. Meet at Confluence Trails bulletin board.
Boo ‘N Brew at Polaris Fashion Place: October 19 Fall festival with beer garden and lots of family-friendly activities throughout the lifestyle center. Live music, trick-or-treating, costume contest, parades and more!
Oakland Nursery Trick or Treat Trail with Children’s Costume Contest (Columbus location): October 19
All Hallows Eve at Ohio Village: October 12 and 19
Powell Community Bonfire: October 19
Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt: October 20 Trick-or-treat, scavenger hunt, kid and dog costume contest and family fun activities
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: October 20
Howlin’ Hound in the Short North: October 20 from 12 pm -3 pm Its your dog’s time to shine! Dress your pups in their Halloween costume and let them show off in the Short North! Start at Bar 23 (584 N. High St) to check in and pick up a map of participating businesses. Choose from two time slots, the first from 12:00pm to 1:30pm and the second from 1:30pm to 3:00pm. Swag from Adopt 61fur and photos from All Paws Retreat will also be available. The cost to participate is only $6 per dog, which gets you goodies from participating businesses all along High Street; click here to purchase tickets. This is a rain-or-shine event. Email thecakehoundllc@gmail.com with questions.
Halloween Pet Parade and Fall Festival at Easton: October 20
Trick or Treat Trail at Gallant Woods: October 20 Gather treats from characters along the s-p-o-o-k-y trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, & vote for your favorite scarecrow. Fun at Gallant Farms afterwards.
The Maize at Little Darby Creek Trick or Treat: October 20 From 2pm – 3pm, kids wear your costumes and trick or treat for candy. The costume contest will follow at 3pm.
Great Pumpkin Celebration at Cabela’s: October 19, 20, 25-31 Free photo with the Peanuts gang (and a $5 photo package option includes 1 6×8, 2 4×6, and the digital image), crafts and Halloween ring toss at Cabela’s (and Bass Pro Shops). The first 75 kids to get their photo taken each day will receive a glow-in-the-dark treat bag!
Saturday October 26- promptly at 3:30pm & Halloween October 31- promptly at 6pm: Kids’ Costume Parade and Costume Contest. The first 100 to participate receives a glow in the dark wristband or an owl LED light! Top 3 costumes win a prize!
October 21-27
The Great Westerville Glow: October 23-27 at Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave. The park will transform into a fall wonderland featuring a quarter-mile wooded trail aglow with family-friendly carved pumpkins. Additionally, attendees will be invited to bring their own carved gourds to contribute to a Community Jack-o-Lantern garden on site and participate in fun games. Food trucks will be available as well.Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for children.
Historic Ghost Tour of Worthington: October 24. Get spooked on a tour under the moon in the Walnut Grove Cemetery. $15
COSI After Dark: Halloween: October 24 COSI at night, just for the grown-ups!
Dublin Halloween Spooktacular: October 24 Trunk or treating, pictures with special guests, dancing, food trucks, The Turtle Lady, The Bug Man, the Shazzbots, and other Halloween related crafts and activities.
Costume & Candy Crawl at Kingsdale Shopping Center: October 24 from 4 pm – 7 pm. Dress in your Halloween best and Trick-or-Treat at Kingsdale Shopping Center! There’s a costume contest, face painters, and balloon artists. Please meet at the green for registration and a trick-or-treat bag to take along the route. This is a FREE event. Open to kids 12 and under, with adult supervision.
Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center: October 24-25 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. $5 per person ages 6 and up or bring a donation from the wishlist.
Worthington Halloween Party: Under the Sea Halloween: October 25 Trick or Treat Trail, hayrides, games, music, and more.
Great Pumpkin Celebration at Cabela’s: October 25-31 Free photo with the Peanuts gang (and a $5 photo package option includes 1 6×8, 2 4×6, and the digital image), crafts and Halloween ring toss at Cabela’s (and Bass Pro Shops). The first 75 kids to get their photo taken each day will receive a glow-in-the-dark treat bag!
Saturday October 26- promptly at 3:30pm & Halloween October 31- promptly at 6pm: Kids’ Costume Parade and Costume Contest. The first 100 to participate receives a glow in the dark wristband or an owl LED light! Top 3 costumes win a prize!
Haunted Ohio Statehouse Tours: October 25 and 26
Fall Fun Tram Rides at Blendon Woods: October 25-26. Adult only tram rides on Friday evening. Saturday tram rides are open to all.
Ghost Trolley with Ohio Railway Museum: October 25, 26, 27 Fun Halloween event for young kids. While it isn’t designed to be scary, some young kids are afraid of being on the dark train cars, so use your parental judgment. Tour the decorated street cars and enjoy a lights out ride on the trolley about the Ghost Trolley. Saturday events are 4-8 pm, and Sunday events are 12-4 pm.
Boo at the Zoo: October 25-27 Meet characters throughout the Zoo, Pumpkin Junction, Animals on Safari, HOWL-OWEEN Show and treat stations located throughout the zoo
Freaky Flights Tours with ZipZone: October 25-27 Zipline in the dark, costume party, pumpkin chucking, and more
Great Pumpkin Celebration at Cabela’s: October 25-31 Free photo with the Peanuts gang (and a $5 photo package option includes 1 6×8, 2 4×6, and the digital image), crafts and Halloween ring toss at Cabela’s (and Bass Pro Shops). The first 75 kids to get their photo taken each day will receive a glow-in-the-dark treat bag!
Saturday October 26- promptly at 3:30pm & Halloween October 31- promptly at 6pm: Kids’ Costume Parade and Costume Contest. The first 100 to participate receives a glow in the dark wristband or an owl LED light! Top 3 costumes win a prize!
Haunted Wine Cellar at the Wyandotte Winery: October 26
A Haunted Night in the Gardens: October 26 Walk through a haunted maze at Hoover Gardens, play games and win prizes, enter a costume contest, get your face painted, paint a pumpkin ($2), eat popcorn and warm yourself with hot apple cider.
Halloween ComicFest: October 26 Comic shops around the world celebrate the season by giving away FREE comics to fans
Hoot Family Film Series Halloween Edition: October 26
Scarysville in Uptown Marysville: October 26 The streets of Uptown “Scarysville” come alive with Halloween FUN! From 10 am to 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. Head to Partners Park at noon for the Monster Mash.
Candy by the Carload in Powell: October 26 from 4-6 pm at the Municipal Building Parking Lot
Rocky Horror Halloween Show at Studio 35: October 26 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.
Trick or Treat at the Conservatory: October 26 and 27 Free with admission. Dress in costume and travel to treat stations in the Conservatory and in the Children’s Gardens.
HalleBOOia Halloween Concert: October 26 annual Halloween concert featuring student vocalists and instrumentalists dressed in full Halloween attire. The concert is free; due to the temporary move to Hughes Auditorium, seating is limited and by advanced reservation only! Come as you are, or in costume
Halloween Family Funday at North Market: October 27 Crafts, trick or treating starting at 11 am, face painting, games, farm animals, music and more!
Radiant Life Trunk-or-Treat: October 27 Inflatables, photos, food, and trunk-or-treating, and lots of candy
Hilliard Trunk or Treat at Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA: October 27 Food trucks, music, Norwich Fire, Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth and much more
Inniswood Halloween Party: October 27 from 2-4 pm Head to the Gardens for activities and crafts to celebrate this traditional holiday.
Special Needs “Trick or Suites” at Embassy Suites Columbus: October 27 The Autism Society partners with Embassy Suites Dublin to provide a fun and safe environment for special needs individuals of all ages and their families to enjoy trick-or-treat. Activities include goody bags, trick or treat booths, games and crafts, and more. Registration is required.
October 28-November 3
Great Pumpkin Celebration at Cabela’s: October 25-31 Free photo with the Peanuts gang (and a $5 photo package option includes 1 6×8, 2 4×6, and the digital image), crafts and Halloween ring toss at Cabela’s (and Bass Pro Shops). The first 75 kids to get their photo taken each day will receive a glow-in-the-dark treat bag!
Saturday October 26- promptly at 3:30pm & Halloween October 31- promptly at 6pm: Kids’ Costume Parade and Costume Contest. The first 100 to participate receives a glow in the dark wristband or an owl LED light! Top 3 costumes win a prize!
Trauma 2019: October 30 – November 2 Halloween Fetish Party
Haunted Village in Pickerington: October 30 Ghost tours, hayride, trick-or-treating at Old Pickerington Village businesses
Boo on Broadway in Grove City: October 31 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.
BEGGARS NIGHT: October 31. Most communities host their trick or treat night on Halloween, October 31. Check our listing to see trick or treat for communities around Columbus.
Free Scary Face Pancakes for kids at IHOP: October 31 Free Scary Face pancake to kids (12 and younger) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sips & Spirits at Camelot Cellars: tba Halloween soiree for the grownups
Spooktacular Halloween at Texas Roadhouse Polaris: tba from 4-7 pm. Halloween games, prizes, Hot Chocolate Bar, Candy and Popcorn. Kids Eat Free* with purchase of an adult entree! *Excludes Ranger Meals, Polaris Location Only, While Supplies Last
Find more Fall Fun here!
- Best places to pick apples in Central Ohio
- Columbus Pumpkin Patches, Farm Activities, Corn Mazes, and More!
- Big list of great Fall date ideas around Columbus
- Best hikes and scenic drives for Fall Color in Ohio
- Over 120 events celebrating Fall and Halloween in Columbus
- 11 Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus
Events from earlier in the season:
Columbus Oktoberfest: September 6-8
September 9-15
Slice of Columbus: September 11
Ohio Pawpaw Festival: September 13-15
Country Living Fair: September 13-15
Cartoon Weekend at the Columbus Zoo: September 14-15
Delaware County Fair and Little Brown Jug: September 14-21
September 16-22
Annual Taste of Dublin: September 17
Jackson County Apple Festival: September 17-21
Germania Oktoberfest: September 20-22
Scarecrow Festival: September 20-22 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.
Fall Harvest Festival and Chili Cook-off at Granville Inn: September 21 Fall harvest festival is open to all ages during the Granville Chili-Cook-Off. Games, crafts, pumpkin carving and story telling will all be on-site on the front lawns of the Granville Inn & College Town House.
Hops & Vines Fest, Gahanna: September 21
Sunday Sunlight Market on Gay Street: September 22
September 23-29
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival: September 26-29
4th Fridays in Westerville: September 27
Columbus Mac and Cheese Festival: September 27 Samples all kinds of mac & cheese at Easton from restaurants around the city! Admission is $20 and up for adults, $10 for children 12 and under – tickets will sell out!
Old Worthington Market Day: September 28
Stratford Ecological Center Fall Harvest Fair: September 28. Food, wagon rides, kids activities, live music, cider making, animals, and more. $5 per person, $20 for family of 4.
Harvest Festival, Columbus Commons: September 28 Family-friendly rides, games, and activities. Some activities require a $5 wristband.
Cheryl’s Cookies Fall Festival: September 28. Annual Fall Festival at the flagship store in Westerville! Fun for all ages and FREE admission for everyone! FREE gift for the first 50 customers. Family activities from 10am-4pm, including hay slide, obstacle course, pumpkin bowling, corn hole, face painting, NEW fall flavor tasting, cookie frosting, games, & more! Balloon Twister, story time, special visits from Westerville Police, Cookie & Brownie, Princesses and other magical characters, and delicious savings up to 50% off on fall treats!
TWIG of Nationwide Children’s Pumpkinpalooza: September 28 Fun family festival will feature food, hayrides, pumpkin patch, corn maze, bounce houses, crafts and games. Admission is $10 for ages 3 – 15 for a Kids All Inclusive Ticket – Includes one adult hayride ticket (all children must be accompanied by an adult on the hayride). Additional adult hayride ticket is $2.
Welcome to Fall Festival at Glacier Ridge Metro Park: September 29 Celebrate the season with hayrides, live animals, crafts and activities. Meet at bulletin board at picnic shelter.
September 30-October 6
Ohio Gourd Festival (Delaware County): October 4-6
Chalk the Block, Easton: October 5-6. Check out amazing chalk art creations at Easton! Watch the artists create on Saturday and see the winner, or check them all out on Sunday!
Oktoberfest in Grove City: October 5
Short North Gallery Hop: October 5 (first Saturday of the month)
Young’s Jersey Dairy Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival: October 5-6
Colo’s Classic Car Show at the Columbus Zoo: October 6
Upper Arlington Fall Fest: October 6
Respook, Rewear, Rescare: Halloween Costume Exchange: October 6 (but must drop off costume to exchange for a ticket in the days/weeks before the event)
October 7-13
Franklinton Fridays: October 11 (second Friday of the month)
Boo-Tacular Halloween Party at Everal Barn: October 11 $10 per person. Dance the night away with ghosts and goblins as we celebrate Halloween with our first ever Boo-tacular! We’ll enjoy pizza, snacks and beverages along with games and of course dancing. Don’t forget to dress in your favorite Halloween costume, parents too!
Highball Halloween: October 11-12 Annual Halloween street party in the Short North with entertainment, costume contests, and more.
Boo at the Zoo: October 11-13, October 18-20, October 25-27 Meet characters throughout the Zoo, Pumpkin Junction, Animals on Safari, HOWL-OWEEN Show and treat stations located throughout the zoo
Columbus Italian Festival: October 11-13
Kidslinked Treat Fest at SuperKick Columbus, Lazer Craze, and Sky Zone in Lewis Center: October 12 from 9 am – 1 pm. Treat Village, Races, Video games, Bounce Park, characters, costume contests, and more.
Harvest Moon Festival: October 12 at Infirmary Park in Granville
Trunk or Treat Car Show: October 12 from 11am-4pm at Hilliard Presbyterian Church. Trophies awarded for the best-decorated cars/trucks. Trick or Treat: 1 pm to 3 pm
Floating Pumpkin Patch at Worthington Pools: October 12
The Moonlight Market on Gay Street: October 12
German Village Monster Bash: October 12 Adult trick-or-treat route, dancing and drinking, costume contest and more!
Historic Dublin Family Fall Festival: October 12 The Family Fall Festival features happenings all throughout the Historic District with fun activities at many of Historic Dublin’s unique businesses – including musicians & a Magician, activities, vendors, trick or treating through the district and more
Oakland Nurseries Fall Festivals: October 12-13
Ohio 24 Hour Horror Marathon at Drexel Theatre: October 12-13
All Hallows Eve at Ohio Village: October 12 and 19
[…] 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, […]