Over 225 options for fun this weekend in Columbus

Have fun in Columbus this weekend with free and cheap events! Find plenty of things to do in Columbus!

You’ll also find Summer fun, date ideas, festivals, outdoor activities, and so much more!

Some events may require advance registration, so check links. We’ll add more as we hear of them, and you can always find a complete list on our Calendar page.

If you know of a free or cheap event you think we should add for the weekend in Columbus, email us at news@columbusonthecheap.com.

Get free daily email updates of all the free and cheap events, plus discounts on entertainment and dining. Subscribe to our daily newsletter.

For even more cheap fun, “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Highlight an event, or give it a prime spot at the top! Email me about sponsoring this popular post: ads@columbusonthecheap.com.

This weekend in Columbus

pixabay: jarmoluk

Friday, September 29, 2023

U-pick: Best places for apple picking in Columbus

All Day

Library Story Time in Columbus (everyday!)

All Day

Ragtime – The Musical at Columbus Children's Theatre

All Day | Lincoln Theatre

List of free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

All Day

Over 100 Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids around Columbus

All Day

Columbus Pumpkin Patches, Farm Activities, Corn Mazes, and More!

All Day

Kids Eat Free (or cheap) in Columbus

All Day

BOO! Wendy’s Frosty Coupon Books: 5 Frosty's for $1

All Day

Discounted and Free Museum Days in Columbus

All Day

Over 325 festivals in Columbus and Central Ohio

All Day

Free or Cheap Perks on National Coffee Day

All Day

Free Coffee with purchase at Dunkin' with DD Perks

All Day

Circle K: Free cup of coffee in app for National Coffee Day

All Day

Tim Hortons: Free Coffee w/purchase for National Coffee Day

All Day

Free coffee w/purchase for National Coffee Day

All Day

Free coffee at Krispy Kreme for National Coffee Day

All Day

Reading Fun: Story times in Columbus

Corn Maze and Fall activities at Lynd Fruit Farm

$12.00 | Lynd Fruit Farm

Celtic Cocktail Trail in Dublin

Yard Sales and Garage Sales in Columbus

Free food freebies, delivery and cheap eats in Columbus

The Maize at Little Darby Creek

$6.00-16.00

Johnstown Croton Three Bags Full Consignment Sale

Hartford Fairgrounds

The Sound Company Performance: Machinal

$0-16.00 | The Ohio State University

Discover the Thriving Music Scene: Columbus Live Music Trail

Wendy's: 99 cent coffee in app for National Coffee Day

F3 Columbus Free Workouts for Men (multiple locations)

5:30 am to 6:30 am | FREE

Fall Festival at the Farm at Walnut Creek

8:30 am to 6:00 pm

BOGO ticket offer for Red Cross Blood Drive at Nationwide Arena

9:30 am to 3:30 pm | Nationwide Arena

Caverns, animals, and more at Olentangy Caverns

9:30 am to 5:00 pm | Olentangy Indian Caverns

Electronic Recycling Drive with Accurate IT Services

10:00 am to 3:00 pm | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Marcus Theatres $7 Senior Matinees on Friday

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Marcus Theatres

Pigeon Roost Farm Great Pumpkin Fun Center

10:00 am to 7:00 pm | $11.00

Fall farm fun at Van Buren Acres

10:00 am to 7:00 pm | $0-10.00

Fall Farm Pumpkin Fun at Young's Jersey Dairy

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Young’s Jersey Dairy

Cowvin’s Corny Maze Playland at Youngs Jersey Dairy

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | $8.50 | Young’s Jersey Dairy

Free falafel at Levant when you show the #FalafelFriday

11:00 am to 8:00 pm | Levant: Elevated Mediterranean Eatery

Kelton House Tours

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-7.00 | Kelton House Museum

McDonald’s Greenhouse Corn Maze and Fall Farm Fun

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $9.00

Free Movie Admission: From Book to Film at GFC: Slaughterhouse-Five

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gateway Film Center

Shake Shack: BOGO Shakes this Fall after 8 pm

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Shake Shack – multiple locations

Canal Market District Friday Farmers Market in Newark

4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Heart of Grove City Food Truck Festival and Shop Hop

4:00 pm to 9:00 pm | FREE | Grove City Historic Town Center

Paint and Karaoke at Brush Crazy

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Wine down with Fabulous Fridays

5:30 pm to 8:30 pm | Wyandotte Winery

Columbus Ghost Tours: Choose from 4 options

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Movies Under the Stars at Green Lawn Abbey

6:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $5.00 | Green Lawn Abbey

Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus

6:00 pm to 11:30 pm

Haunted ZOMBIEzi Bay

6:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $14.99-33.99 | Zoombezi Bay

Fairfield County Infirmary Overnight Ghost Hunt

6:30 pm to 3:30 am | $85.00

Family Nights

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm | FREE | Worthington Community Center

Uptown Westerville Ghost Story Walking Tour

7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $25.00

South Drive-In Movie Theatre

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $5.00-10.00 | South Drive-In

Ohio State Reformatory Escape from Blood Prison

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $35.00-75.00

Jail of Terror, Old Licking County Jail

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $25.00

Public Astronomy Programs at Perkins Observatory

8:00 pm to 9:00 pm | $10.00-12.00 | Perkins Observatory, Ohio Wesleyan University

Ghost Walk and Haunted History Tour by Landoll’s Mohican Castle

8:00 pm to 9:30 pm | $25.00

Drag, What is it? The Drag Show

8:00 pm to 10:00 pm | Walking Distance Brewing Co.

The All Are Welcome DJ Series

9:00 pm to 11:00 pm | Land-Grant Brewing Company

Saturday, September 30, 2023

U-pick: Best places for apple picking in Columbus

All Day

Over 100 events celebrating fall and Halloween in Columbus

All Day

Ragtime – The Musical at Columbus Children's Theatre

All Day | Lincoln Theatre

List of free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

All Day

Over 100 Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids around Columbus

All Day

Columbus Pumpkin Patches, Farm Activities, Corn Mazes, and More!

All Day

Kids Eat Free (or cheap) in Columbus

All Day

Circle K: Free cup of coffee in app for National Coffee Day

All Day

Corn Maze and Fall activities at Lynd Fruit Farm

$12.00 | Lynd Fruit Farm

Get tech savvy: Free Apple Workshops

FREE

Fun and Tasty Adventure Trails in Ohio

Yard Sales and Garage Sales in Columbus

Sweetest Trail in Ohio: Butler County Donut Trail

Adventure Awaits! Explore the Magical Fairy Trail in Granville

FREE | Infirmary Mound Park

Get started with Disc Golf in Columbus at these great courses

FREE

The Maize at Little Darby Creek

$6.00-16.00

Riverboxes in Dublin: Geocaching + Art

FREE

Johnstown Croton Three Bags Full Consignment Sale

Hartford Fairgrounds

The Sound Company Performance: Machinal

$0-16.00 | The Ohio State University

Wendy's: 99 cent coffee in app for National Coffee Day

South Drive-In Flea Market

5:00 am to 1:00 pm | $1.00-11.00 | South Drive-In

Skyview Drive-in Flea Market

5:00 am to 1:00 pm | $0.50-5.00 | Skyview Drive-In

F3 Columbus Free Workouts for Men (multiple locations)

6:00 am to 8:00 am

FIA Females in Action Fitness Group: Wyman Woods Park in Grandview Heights

8:00 am to 9:00 am | FREE

Friends of the Shelter 5K for K9s

8:00 am to 11:00 am | $35.00 | Alum Creek State Park

Walk with a Doc

8:30 am to 9:30 am | FREE | Highbanks Metro Park

Union County Famers Market (Marysville)

8:30 am to 11:30 am

The Farm at Walnut Creek Drive Thru or Wagon Rides

8:30 am to 6:00 pm | $12.00-16.00

Fall Festival at the Farm at Walnut Creek

8:30 am to 6:00 pm

Westerville Saturday Uptown Market

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

The Dublin Market at Bridge Park

9:00 am to 12:00 pm | The Dublin Market at Bridge Park

Canal Winchester Farmer's Market

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Birdwatching for Beginners

10:00 am to 11:30 am | FREE | Grange Insurance Audubon Center

Meet Baby Chicks

10:00 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | Upper Arlington Public Library – Miller Park

All About Life Presents: 90s Shop and Mix

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Electronic Recycling Drive with Accurate IT Services

10:00 am to 3:00 pm | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Ohio Archaeology Day

10:00 am to 4:00 pm | Ohio History Center

Leeds Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival Days

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $5.00-20.00

Paul Busse Garden Railway

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Pigeon Roost Farm Great Pumpkin Fun Center

10:00 am to 7:00 pm | $11.00

Fall farm fun at Van Buren Acres

10:00 am to 7:00 pm | $0-10.00

Harvest Saturdays at Lawrence Orchards

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Olentangy Fall Festival and Treatfest

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Cheryl's Cookies Fall Festival

11:00 am to 3:00 pm | FREE | Cheryl’s Cookies and Brownies

Ohio State's Science and Sustainability Festival

11:00 am to 3:00 pm | The Ohio State University

Heritage Day and craft show with Hilliard Historical Society

11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fall festival days at Freeman's Farm

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Orchard & Co Fall Festival

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | $5.00-15.00

Fall Farm Pumpkin Fun at Young's Jersey Dairy

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Young’s Jersey Dairy

Cowvin’s Corny Maze Playland at Youngs Jersey Dairy

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | $8.50 | Young’s Jersey Dairy

Open Paint Party at Brush Crazy

11:00 am to 7:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Kelton House Tours

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-7.00 | Kelton House Museum

Dawes Arts and Music Festival

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm | The Dawes Arboretum

McDonald’s Greenhouse Corn Maze and Fall Farm Fun

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $9.00

Tour the Hilliard Historical Society Historical Village

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE

Free Movie Admission: From Book to Film at GFC: Slaughterhouse-Five

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gateway Film Center

Block Play

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Upper Arlington Public Library – Lane Road

Shake Shack: BOGO Shakes this Fall after 8 pm

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Shake Shack – multiple locations

Rock n Shop Cbus

2:00 pm to 10:00 pm | FREE | Land-Grant Brewing Company

Land-Grant Brewing Co. Tours

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm | Land-Grant Brewing Company

Destination Downtown Lancaster Fall Festival

4:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Paint and Karaoke at Brush Crazy

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Columbus Ghost Tours: Choose from 4 options

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus

6:00 pm to 11:30 pm

Haunted ZOMBIEzi Bay

6:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $14.99-33.99 | Zoombezi Bay

Pumpkin Float and Flick at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park

6:30 pm to 9:30 pm | FREE

The Bexley Main Event: TOP GUN: MAVERICK

6:30 pm to 10:30 pm | FREE | Capital University

Columbus Folk Music Society Concert Series: Shawna Caspi

7:00 pm to 8:30 pm

Uptown Westerville Ghost Story Walking Tour

7:00 pm to 11:00 pm | $25.00

South Drive-In Movie Theatre

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $5.00-10.00 | South Drive-In

Ohio State Reformatory Escape from Blood Prison

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $35.00-75.00

Jail of Terror, Old Licking County Jail

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $25.00

Columbus Crew home game party

7:30 pm to 10:00 pm | Wolf’s Ridge Brewing Company

Columbus Crew Kick Childhood Cancer Night

7:30 pm to 10:30 pm | Lower.com Field

Ghost Walk and Haunted History Tour by Landoll’s Mohican Castle

8:00 pm to 9:30 pm | $25.00

Haunted Hoochie at Dead Acres

8:30 pm to 11:30 pm | $30.00-50.00

Franklin Park Conservatory Community Day

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Sensory-Friendly Halloween Character Meet & Greet

10:00 am to 2:00 pm | $5.00 | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Free museum pass for Bank of America customers

All Day

U-pick: Best places for apple picking in Columbus

All Day

Hitchcocktober Screenings at Gateway Film Center

All Day | Gateway Film Center

Ragtime – The Musical at Columbus Children's Theatre

All Day | Lincoln Theatre

List of free or cheap events this weekend in Columbus

All Day

Over 100 Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids around Columbus

All Day

Columbus Pumpkin Patches, Farm Activities, Corn Mazes, and More!

All Day

Find cheap Halloween costumes, or DIY with 100+ options!

All Day

Kids Eat Free (or cheap) in Columbus

All Day

Marcus Theatres Sunday Passport: 4 movies for $20

All Day

RSVP now! Polar Express, Santa Trains, and Christmas Train Rides in Ohio

All Day

Find over 250 scarecrows on the Fairfield County Trail of Scarecrows

All Day

Circle K: Free cup of coffee in app for National Coffee Day

All Day

Corn Maze and Fall activities at Lynd Fruit Farm

$12.00 | Lynd Fruit Farm

The Maize at Little Darby Creek

$6.00-16.00

Art in Public Places in Dublin

FREE

Kids Eat FREE at Moe's Southwest Grill on Sundays!

The Sound Company Performance: Machinal

$0-16.00 | The Ohio State University

Meat Raffles at Walking Distance Brewing

Walking Distance Brewing Co.

Wendy's: 99 cent coffee in app for National Coffee Day

South Drive-In Flea Market

5:00 am to 1:00 pm | $1.00-11.00 | South Drive-In

Skyview Drive-in Flea Market

5:00 am to 1:00 pm | $0.50-5.00 | Skyview Drive-In

Electronic Recycling Drive with Accurate IT Services

10:00 am to 3:00 pm | Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Free Sundays at CMA

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | FREE | Columbus Museum of Art

Leeds Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival Days

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | $5.00-20.00

Free Community Days at Franklin Park Conservatory for residents

10:00 am to 5:00 pm | Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Pigeon Roost Farm Great Pumpkin Fun Center

10:00 am to 7:00 pm | $11.00

Fall farm fun at Van Buren Acres

10:00 am to 7:00 pm | $0-10.00

Wedding Resale Market with Devoted Columbus

11:00 am to 1:00 pm | $6.00-12.00 | Makoy Center

Truro Township Fire Department Open House

11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Fall festival days at Freeman's Farm

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

The Orchard & Co Fall Festival

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | $5.00-15.00

Fall Farm Pumpkin Fun at Young's Jersey Dairy

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | Young’s Jersey Dairy

Cowvin’s Corny Maze Playland at Youngs Jersey Dairy

11:00 am to 6:00 pm | $8.50 | Young’s Jersey Dairy

Kelton House Tours

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm | $3.00-7.00 | Kelton House Museum

McDonald’s Greenhouse Corn Maze and Fall Farm Fun

12:00 pm to 6:00 pm | $9.00

Boards & Brews Sundays

12:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Taft’s Brewing Company

Family Open Paint at Brush Crazy

1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Marmon Valley Farm Harvest Round-Up Days

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Marmon Valley Farm

Tour the Hilliard Historical Society Historical Village

1:00 pm to 5:00 pm | FREE

Free Movie Admission: From Book to Film at GFC: Slaughterhouse-Five

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm | FREE | Gateway Film Center

Shake Shack: BOGO Shakes this Fall after 8 pm

2:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Shake Shack – multiple locations

Paint Pouring Workshop at Brush Crazy

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Paint and Karaoke at Brush Crazy

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm | Brush Crazy

Haunted ZOMBIEzi Bay

6:00 pm to 10:00 pm | $14.99-29.99 | Zoombezi Bay

South Drive-In Movie Theatre

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $5.00-10.00 | South Drive-In

Ohio State Reformatory Escape from Blood Prison

7:00 pm to 11:30 pm | $35.00-75.00

Ghost Walk and Haunted History Tour by Landoll’s Mohican Castle

8:00 pm to 9:30 pm | $25.00

What are you doing in Columbus?

Want more? Sign up of daily email updates of upcoming events (one or less per day), and/or like our Facebook page to see updates there (just know that Facebook doesn’t make every post visible to each follower).

Best of Columbus on the Cheap

Check out some of the most popular articles for Columbus on the Cheap

Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list