Music, Movies, Paddling, CORA and Festivals 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 paddling to farmers markets – and so much more! See what Gahanna has to offer this Spring and Summer 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 the 6 establishments now through September 2022 to try the featured cocktails. Once you’ve collected 6 passport stamps, you can turn it in for a prize!

There’s still time to complete 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. Throw away your empty CORA cup before entering a business.

Participating Creekside Restaurants/Pubs include:

~Nostalgia Brewing
~Local Cantina Creekside
~Stadium Columbus
~Barrel & Boar-Creekside
~Signatures Tavern
~Marlow’s Steaks

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

Midweek at the Creek(side)

Wednesdays, June 1 – August 10. Catch FREE, live music at Creekside Plaza 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 Facebook. 

​June 1 – Chaz & Nicki​
June 8 – Yours For The Taking
June 15 – NONE (Creekside Blues & Jazz Fest) 
June 22 – Right on Main
June 29 – Joey & Jessica
July 6 – Shuman Band
July 13 – Change It Up Charlie
July 20 – Shucking Bubba Acoustic
July 27 – Drew Allan Duo
August 3 – Chris Wedebrook
August 10 – Your For The Taking 

Gahanna Creekside Live

2nd and 4th 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

June 10: Roxy Mae ◆ Chaz & Nicki 5pm-7pm, The Pretty Filth 7pm-10pm
June 24: Honey & Blue ◆ Yours for The Taking 5pm-7pm, The Simba Jordan Band 7pm- 0pm
July 8: JJ Snare ◆ Chris Wedebrook 5pm-7pm, Hang Time 7pm-10pm
July 22: Shaw Brothers ◆ Randy Goin 5pm-7pm, The McCartney Project 7pm-10pm
August 12: Bears on Unicycle ◆ Joey & Jessica 5pm-7pm, Popgun 7pm-10pm
August 26: Jamie Said So ◆ Blowie & The Hootfish 5pm-7pm, Aftermath: Experience the 60’s 7pm-10pm

Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival

June 17 – 19, 2022 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!

Gahanna Fireworks, Block Party, and Parade

Friday, July 1, 2022
5:30 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

Saturday, July 2, 2022
11 am – 11 pm. Red, White and Blue Block Party, presented by The Gahanna Foundation at the Gahanna Sanctuary will feature live music and all day fun.

Sunday, July 3, 2022
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).

Gahanna Great Outdoors + Cinema Under the Stars

Presented by Tina Wedebrook, RE/MAX Connection. 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.

July 15 Encanto (PG)
August 19 Luca (PG)
September 23 Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (PG-13)

Muddy Miler

August 14 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

Saturday, August 27. 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.

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.

• June 14
• July 13
• August 11
• September 9

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

Paddle Gahanna

Paddleboats and kayaking rentals are at Friendship Park and Creekside Park late Spring – 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.

Tandem, sit-on-top-style kayaks and pontoon-style paddle boats (paddle boats available only at Creekside). Kayaks are 2-person kayaks, a 3rd rider age 10 and under can be included, weight capacity is 550lbs. Season is expected to open May 27.

Creekside Gahanna Paddle: details tba 2022. 117 Mill St. 614-342-4250

Friendship Park Paddle: details tba 2022 150 Oklahoma Ave 614-342-4250

photo: Visit Gahanna

Gahanna Splash Pad at the Pool

Opens May 20. 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 is an amenity of the pool and will be available to pool members and those who purchase a day pass during operating hours. It will be open and free to the public in the mornings from 8am-12pm, before the pool opens each day, as well as days on which the pool might not open. Additionally, it will be open daily outside of the pool season, as weather permits. 

Gahanna Farmers Market

Wednesdays, June – September, from 4-7 pm. The market now coincides with Midweek at the Creek, giving everyone another reason to hang out at Creekside for some “midweek relief.”
City of Gahanna Parking lot at Town and High, 98 N. High Gahanna Ohio 43230 

Creekside Hops & Vines Festival

Saturday, September 17 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.

More fun in Gahanna

Friday, May 27, 2022

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Friday, June 3, 2022

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Friday, June 10, 2022

Gahanna Creekside events

Herb Day in Gahanna with Ohio Herb Education Center

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Gahanna Holiday Lights Virtual Tree Lighting Celebration

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Virtual and in-person Santa Race 5K in Gahanna

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Oktoberfest at Edison Brewing Company

October 8 – 9, 2021 at Edison Brewing Company, 785 Science Blvd, Gahanna, OH 43230. Details tba. 

Creekside Glow Run

October 9, 2021 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.

Great Gahanna Goblin Trail

October 27-28, 2022 Save the date for your favorite Gahanna Halloween experience, which will include all things Halloween, including live entertainment! The event features all-things-Halloween, including a choreographed light show, fire performers, stilt walkers, animated projections, trickor-treating, and many more surprises along the way!

Creekside Pumpkin Crawl

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 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. There is still time to enter your carved or decorated pumpkin. Winners will be rewarded with gift cards to local businesses!

Gahanna Holiday Lights Celebration

Sunday, November 21, 2021 from 3:30 – 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!

Creekside Park Lights Display

Creekside Park in Gahanna is lit up for the season each night with a quarter of a million lights until early January. 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 4, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Get some exercise along with holiday cheer at the Santa Race 5K and Little Reindeer Dash in Gahanna on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Festive dress is encouraged! The race is being held in person and virtually. Registration is $30-$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. Reindeer Dashers will receive their own colorful youth shirt, a finishers ribbon and a one of a kind gift.

Union Bank Christmas Event

Saturday, December 18 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
Come 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 cookies will be available to enjoy. 

Creekside Luminary Walk

Wednesday, December 22, 2021 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.

Make Gahanna Yours 2021-2022 Winter Farmers Market

November 17, December 15, January 19, February 16, March 16, and April 20
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Follow along on Facebook to see what vendors will be in attendance. 
The Gahanna Sanctuary, 82 N. High Street, Gahanna, OH 43230

Gahanna’s Eggs-hilarating Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 2, 2022 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.

Herb Day and Herb’n Restaurant Week

Gahanna is the the Herb Capital of Ohio! Dine out during Herb’n Restaurant Week, May 2-8, 2021, featuring herb-infused dishes and cocktails from signature restaurants and eateries. Special herb-inspired entrees, desserts and cocktails are available for dine-in or carryout.

Celebrate Arbor Day in Gahanna on Saturday, May 8, 2021 with the unveiling of the new Creekside Arboretum.  

8 am -10 am – Tree planting volunteer event begins at 496 E Johnstown Rd. Volunteer here.
Volunteer to join us! (LINK)

11 am-2 pm– After the Arbor Day Proclamation and Creekside Arboretum ribbon cutting on Creekside Island, Gahanna Parks & Rec staff will offer a tree giveaway, tree advice, guided tours of Creekside Arboretum, and some tree-related handouts.

Explore the new Creekside Arboretum (located in Gahanna’s Creekside Park, 117 Mill St.), with 40+ different species of trees. More details here.