Fall and Holiday fun in Gahanna

There are so many fun events going on in the Creekside District and around Gahanna all year long! From music to movies to holidays and farmers markets – and so much more!

See what Gahanna has to offer all year with so many outdoor activities and festivals!

Visit Gahanna and the Creekside District Alliance are excited to continue CORA in Gahanna through the year.

Visit the district, grab some food and/or adult beverage, and explore the district and nature of Creekside.

photo: Visit Gahanna

Gahanna Herbal Cocktail Trail

It’s time to enjoy some seasonal cocktails in Gahanna! The Herb Capital of Ohio is Gahanna, and local restaurants, pubs, and distilleries have created some special herbal-based recipes for the Gahanna Herbal Cocktail Trail!

Grab a passport and visit 6 of the establishments during each season to try the featured cocktails. Once you’ve collected 6 passport stamps, you can turn it in for a prize! 

Try these seasonal drinks on the Gahanna Herbal Cocktail Trail

CORA in Gahanna

CORA (Creekside Outdoor Refreshment Area, like DORA in other cities in Ohio) is in effect from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

Visitors in Olde Gahanna can enjoy an alcoholic beverage while walking within designated areas. The boundaries are Big Walnut Creek to the west, High Street to the east, Granville Street to the south and North Street to the north. The designated areas will be clearly marked.

Drinks must be purchased only from participating establishments, and be contained within the CORA-specific cups during the designated hours. You must also have a designated CORA wristband and remain outside. 

Follow along with Creekside District Alliance  and Visit Gahanna to stay up-to-date on events and ways to support local business!

Annual and Seasonal Events in Gahanna

Creekside Hops & Vines Festival

Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 6:00 – 11:00pm at Creekside Park (123 Mill St, Gahanna)

Join the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Foundation (GPRF) for the 7th Annual Creekside Hops & Vines Festival. Sample popular Columbus craft beers, wine, and liquor from Central Ohio breweries, Ohio and National wineries and Ohio distilleries. The event also includes live music and complimentary food from local restaurants. 

This annual event raises funds to help sustain city youth programs like the Community Scholarship Program for Camp Friendship and Gahanna’s Youth Sports program.

Sunrise/Moonlight Canoe & Kayak Paddle

Register now for an evening paddling adventure on the Hoover Reservoir! This series was designed to take advantage of the sights of summer’s unique lunar events, including full moons and super moons! Canoes or kayaks (solo or tandem), life vests, and paddles will be provided, and guides will assist participants along the float.

Ages: 8+ (must be 12 years or older to paddle independently). Ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult. $20 for residents/$25 for non-residents.

September 29, 2023: Sunrise Paddle 6 am – 9 am. 

Hoover Reservoir – Oxbow Road Boat Ramp, 8401 Oxbow Rd, Westerville

Basset Fest

September 30, 2023 from 11 AM – 3 PM! 

 The Ohio Basset Hound Rescue hosts a Basset Fest in Gahanna’s Pizzurro Park (940 Pizzuro Park Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230). The event consists of raffle baskets, auctions, a costume contest, biggest paw and longest ear contests, calendar and T-shirt sales and Basset races. Details. 

Campfire at the Park 

Wednesdays in October, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Gahanna Parks & Rec is setting up camp in select neighborhood parks for s’more fun! They will provide the campfire, s’mores, and supplies for you and your family to enjoy.

Bring chairs & your neighbors! Please note restrooms are not available at all locations. This is a free event! Details.

October 4 @ Trapp Park
October 11 @ Bryn Mawr Park
October 18 @ Hunters Ridge Park
October 25 @ McCorkle Park

Oktoberfest at Edison Brewing Company

October 6-7, 2023 at Edison Brewing Company, 785 Science Blvd, Gahanna, OH 43230. Details here. 

Spooky Shuffle 5k Fun Run

October 21, 2023 at 8 am. 

The Spooky Shuffle is a family friendly 5K run/walk on the Saturday morning of Halloween Weekend in Gahanna at Creekside. A Monster Mash Dash for kids 10 and younger will occur shortly before the 5K.

Each participant will receive a Spooky Shuffle shirt and post-race refreshments. Details/registration.

Paws for Halloween at Nth Degree

September 21, 2023 from 10 am – 2 pm.

Nth Degree is hosting a family & pet friendly event to celebrate Halloween. There’s a costume contest, pet supply drive, snacks for pets and humans, CMA Adopt-a-Pet, and pet item vendors. 

Great Gahanna Goblin Trail

Friday, October 27, 2023 Academy Park, 1201 Cherry Bottom Rd. Details here.

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!

Gahanna Trick or Treat

Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration

Sunday, November 19, 2023 from 3 pm – 6:30 pm

Gahanna’s annual Holiday Lights Celebration promises one magical afternoon of free family fun for all ages! Held in the beautiful Creekside District, the event will feature a Holiday Stage, the Tree Lighting, a parade, AND Santa arriving by Firetruck!

Activities include strolling holiday-themed characters, carriage rides, train rides, live nativity, the light show and more. Details here.

The light display throughout Creekside Park totals 300,000 lights! Accompanied with music, the light show will begin on Sunday, November 19 and run through January 7, 2024.

Creekside Park Lights Display

Creekside Park in Gahanna is lit up for the season each night with a quarter of a million lights through January 7, 2023. The light display plays along to music, and includes a Gingerbread Village.

Creekside Park is within CORA limits, so grab a festive beverage and stroll through the Holiday Wonderland.

Lights are programmed to change with the music from 5pm-8:30pm Sun-Thur and 5p-10p Fri & Sat.

Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Get some exercise along with holiday cheer at the Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash in Gahanna. Festive dress is encouraged! Registration is $25-$45 through Race Day if not sold out. Registration is limited to 500 for the 5k, so sign up now to claim your spot and to guarantee a medal, Santa hat, and a t-shirt. 

The Little Reindeer Dash will begin at 9 a.m. and is $15-$18. Reindeer Dashers will receive their own colorful youth shirt, a finishers ribbon and a one of a kind gift.

Letters to Santa in Gahanna

WHERE: Right in front of the Christmas Tree in the Creekside District
WHEN: Throughout the holiday season
HOW: Drop off Santa letters at the mailbox; we aren’t aware if any responses are sent.

More fun in Gahanna

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Friday, October 6, 2023

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Sunday, October 8, 2023

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Friday, October 13, 2023

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Friday, October 20, 2023

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Gahanna Creekside events

Herb Day in Gahanna with Ohio Herb Education Center

Continue Reading

Gahanna Holiday Lights Virtual Tree Lighting Celebration

Continue Reading

Virtual and in-person Santa Race 5K in Gahanna

Continue Reading

Gahanna Union Bank Christmas Event

Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
Join Santa to celebrate the holiday season at Union Bank! This family-friendly event features a photo station for children to take pictures with Santa and his real reindeer.

Santa will also be giving out treats to the children; hot chocolate and more will be available to enjoy. Details here.

Santa at Union Bank

Creekside Luminary Walk

tba 2022 from 5:00 – 8:00pm
Bring your friends and family to Creekside Park for an evening of holiday fun! Enjoy live music, restaurant specials, and luminaries throughout Creekside Island.

Gahanna’s Eggs-hilarating Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 1:15 PM
Thousands of eggs filled with candy or toys hidden throughout Hannah Park, kid-friendly activities, including visits with Mr. Cottontail, face painting, clown entertainment, arts and crafts, and food truck vendors, this will surely be an eggs-iting eggs-perience! This event is open to participants of all ages, but the event will be sectioned by age group. Please reserve one (1) ticket per participant.

Make Gahanna Yours 2022-2023 Winter Farmers Market

November 16, December 21, January 18, February 15, March 15, and April 19
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Follow along on Facebook to see what vendors will be in attendance. See website.
The Gahanna Sanctuary, 82 N. High Street, Gahanna, OH 43230

TBA for 2024

Gahanna Splash Pad at the Pool

Opens May. This new amenity to the pool includes over 3,100 square feet of spray area and 41 different features designed for toddlers to teens, as well as shaded picnic areas, additional benches and a year-round restroom that is also accessible to the Big Walnut Trail.

The splash pad at Gahanna Swimming Pool is open daily May – October, weather permitting. During the pool season, the Splash Pad is open from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. for free use by the community. During pool open hours, visitors must access the splash pad through the GSP entry gate and pay regular admission or hold a pool membership.

Details here.

Gahanna Herb Day

May 6, 2023 from 10:00am-3:00pm at Creekside Plaza

Gahanna is the the Herb Capital of Ohio! Celebrate Gahanna’s Herb Capital status and enjoy the plant sale, herb and plant-themed activities, and support local artists and herb-based vendors.​

Herb n’ Arts Fair

Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park

The GLHS Community Art Class hosts its Herb n’ Arts Fair to showcase the Arts in the Gahanna District. This free event will include performances, art creation stations, activities, and more.

Gahanna Swimming Pools

Gahanna Swimming Pool and Hunters Ridge Pool

Both pools facilities open annually on Memorial Day weekend.

Pools will be open 12 – 8 p.m. daily during the 2023 pool season. Gahanna Swimming Pool will close when Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools resume the school year on August 17, 2023. Hunters Ridge Pool will remain open from 12 – 7 p.m. on the weekends through Labor Day.

See full details.

Paddle Gahanna

Paddleboats and kayaking rentals are at Friendship Park and Creekside Park May 28 – Summer. Reservations at PaddleGahanna.com, and are available in 30-minute blocks for $10 per boat. Walk-up based on availability. Rental requires an adult 18+ to be present. No dogs permitted. Life jackets are available, or bring your own.

Creekside Gahanna Paddle 117 Mill St. 614-342-4250

photo: Visit Gahanna

Gahanna Farmers Market

Wednesdays, June – September, from 4-7 pm.

See details and updates on Facebook

Midweek at the Creek(side)

Wednesdays, June 7 – August 2. Catch FREE, live music at Creekside Plaza in Gahanna on Wednesday nights from 6-8 PM. Check out the great lineup below to enjoy with local food and drink during CORA hours! Details on website. 

Wednesday, June 7th: Whiskey Business Acoustic Duo
No Midweek at the Creek on June 14th
Wednesday, June 21st: Joey & Jessica
Wednesday, June 28th: Chris Wedebrook
Wednesday, July 5th: Long Tall Deb and Colin John
Wednesday, July 12th: Lucky Penny Sisters
Wednesday, July 19th: Tim Owings
Wednesday, July 26th: Honey & Blue
Wednesday, August 2nd: Change it Up Charlie

Gahanna Creekside Live

Select Fridays from June through August. Family friendly entertainment, dancing and adult beverage sales at Creekside, Gahanna. Live music will be playing throughout Creekside from 5pm to 7pm, headliner starts at 7 p.m.

Those of legal drinking age can enjoy a chilled beverage from one of the wonderful establishments within the CORA limits. No tickets or reservations required. See details on the website. (entertainment tba)

Fri Jun 9: Opening: Chaz & Nicki, Headliner: Sean Carney and the Syd Experience 
Fri Jun 23: Opening: Joey and Jessica, Headliner: Thieves and Rivals 
Fri Jul 7: Opening: Linden and Melvin, Headliner: The Usual Suspects 
Fri Jul 21: Opening: Blowie and the Hootfish, Headliner: Wet Bandits 
Fri Aug 4: Opening: Sarah Hudson, Headliner: Direct Energy 
Fri Aug 18: Opening: Chris Wedebrook, Headliner: Crooked Highway  

Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival

June 16-18, 2023 at Creekside Park (123 Mill St, Gahanna)

The award-winning Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival, presented by Visit Gahanna offers the Best Blues & Jazz in Ohio. Located in Gahanna’s Creekside District, the annual Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival returns this year, celebrating over two decades of outstanding blues and jazz music! Find more details here!

photo: Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival

Gahanna Great Outdoors + Cinema Under the Stars

Make it a fun night out with themed outdoor activities before a unique cinematic experience at your local park!

Fun may include yard games, bounce houses and inflatables, craft stations, and petting zoo. Food and drink are available for purchase at food trucks.

Events are 7 pm – 11 pm at Friendship Park. Details here.

June 30 – Top Gun: Maverick
July 28 – Jungle Cruise
August 25 – The Incredibles

Gahanna Independence Day Celebration and Parade

See full details on Gahanna Parks and Rec website.

Monday, July 3, 2023
5 pm – 11 pm Celebration with food trucks and live music at Gahanna Municipal Golf Course (220 Olde Ridenour Rd.) Music is headlined by Reaganomics, with fireworks at 10 pm. Event is free.
10 p.m. Fireworks at Gahanna Municipal Golf Course

Tuesday, July 4, 2023
10:30 am Lion’s Club 4th of July Parade. The parade route will commence at Clark Hall (380 Granville St.), will then proceed west on Granville St. and will conclude at Royal Plaza (northwest corner of Agler Rd. and Stygler Rd. intersection).

Red, White and Blues Festival featuring Democracy Challenge 2023

July 4, 2023 from 11 am – 4 pm

Celebrate Independence Day on July 4th with music, food, and “Democracy Challenge 2023” at “Red, White and Blues Festival” at La Navona Event Center, located at 154 North Hamilton Road, Gahanna, OH 43230.

RWBlues is all about celebrating American style Independence Day with colors and sounds with live music, delicious food, and fun activities for all ages.

But that’s not all! The Democracy Challenge 2023 will be a highlight of the festival, where you can learn about the importance of voting and how you can make a difference in your community. 

Muddy Miler

August 20, 2023 from 1pm-4pm at Gahanna Swimming Pool. Gahanna Parks and Recreation Department presents the FREE Muddy Miler Family Adventure. The Muddy Miler is a themed adventure run offering the entire family obstacles, mud and more! WARNING: You will get muddy from head to toe if you want to conquer the Muddy Miler!

Join us to explore the outdoors on our nature trail that winds through the Southwest Flood Plain (near the Gahanna Swimming Pool). Online pre-registration required. 

Supporting Gahanna Together Day

August 26, 2023. This event brings together community partners, organizations and residents, to support the community by serving, playing and shopping local. 

You’ll have the opportunity to serve, shop specials at local businesses, and enjoy music from The Shuman Band, who will perform on the  Creekside Rotary Stage from 6-8 pm. Find more details here, including service opportunities, events, and special offers.

Creekside Glow Run

tba 2022 from 7 om – 10 pm. Creekside Park  

The Creekside Glow Run, a 5k run/walk featuring a beautifully designed “glowing” racecourse and lively music is an opportunity for you to enjoy an active and fun evening! All levels of runners and walkers are welcome. Go at your own pace, this is for FUN so no timing or awards. Register here..

Creekside Pumpkin Crawl

Wednesday, October 26, 2022 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! Details here.