Winter Festivals in Columbus and throughout Ohio

I know…Ohio is cold in the winter. But that doesn’t mean we should stay holed up inside, not emerging until Spring like Punxsutawney Phil. There are too many winter festivals in Columbus to enjoy!

Bundle up and enjoy fun things to do around the city, including both indoor and outdoor festivals!

Featured festivals in Winter around Columbus

Here are some fun festivals you won’t want to miss, no matter what the weather is. See the whole list below!

Brick Fest Live

January 14-15, 2023 at Ohio Expo Center. Brick Fest Live celebrates everything we love about bricks! Check out epic life-size builds and enjoy LIVE Interactive Stage Shows! You’ll be inspired by what the master builders can create!

Brick Fest Live in Columbus is fun for all LEGO fans!

Great Train Show

January 15-16, 2022 at the Ohio Expo Center. There will be tables of trains for sale, exhibitors from around the country, Model Train displays, and a riding train for kids, plus door prize giveaways. Tickets $9-$10, kids 11 and under are free.

Train Lovers: Don’t miss the Great Train Show

Columbus Winter Beerfest

January 21, 2023 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. This delicious and boozy event will have over 350 craft beers available for sampling, and live music.

2023 Columbus Winter Beerfest features 150+ craft brews!

(614) Magazine Restaurant Week Columbus

January 23-28, 2023. Over 150 restaurants offering 3 course prix fixes menus from $15-$40. To-go options also available. (YES, I know it’s not a festival, but it’s just SO good).

(614) Magazine Restaurant Week Columbus

Chocolate, Wine & Whiskey Festival

January 28, 2023 at COSI. Enjoy all things chocolate, wine, and whiskey – and fun at COSI! Tickets start at $60, but include UNLIMITED tastings of chocolate wine, whiskey, craft spirits, plus Boozy Milkshakes and a S’mores Bar!

Sweet Treats Dessert Festival

January 28, 2023. Each ticket gets you samples from 20+ local bakers, a chance to spin the prize wheel with Plenty O’Smiles and shopping local vendors, all while touring the beautiful newly renovated Municipal Light Plant, 589 W Nationwide Blvd, Columbus. Tickets are $20-$25.

Buckeye Lake Winterfest

January 28, 2023. See Benny the Bass predict when spring will arrive, watch fireworks, and enjoy specials at businesses around the Lake. Polar Plunge is at Buckeye Lake Winery on January 29!

Buckeye Lake Winterfest and Polar Plunge

Columbus Winter Carnival with KidsLinked

February 4, 2023 at Franklin County Fairgrounds. This super fun Winter Carnival has magician, jugglers, big bounce park, carnival games & food, princess & super hero area, and so much more!

https://www.columbusonthecheap.com/kidslinked-kidsfest/

Winter-themed festivals in Ohio worth the drive!

Mohican Winterfest

Saturday, January 14, 2023. Find 35+ ice sculptures along Main Street, enjoy the Model Train Expo, local businesses, and more. The sculptures will go up on Friday evening, weather depending, and remain through the weekend.

Marietta Ice Festival

Saturday, January 14, 2023. Downtown Marietta features 16 ice sculptures on display throughout the historic, commercial district. In addition to ice sculptures, highlights include a live ice sculpture carving, shops & restaurants open, and more.

Annual Logan Frozen Festival

Saturday, January 21, 2023. Downtown Logan will feature ice sculptures, ice games, carving demonstrations, plus dine and shop at local businesses, and enjoy other fun activities.

Fire & Ice Walk

Saturday, January 21 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Vermilion River Reservation, Mill Hollow
With the beautiful Vermilion River valley as your backdrop, take a wintry walk through extraordinary ice sculptures and warm firepits. Enjoy ice carving demonstrations, roast s’mores (while supplies last), and visit with Siberian husky sled dogs and fun Frozen characters. Snowshoes will be available for hikes, weather permitting, on a first-come, first-served basis. Food vendors will be selling concessions.

Admission is $4 per person (children three and under are free).

Meltdown Winter Ice Festival

January 27-28, 2023. Ice Sculpture Festival in Richmond, Indiana (juuuust over the border into Indiana). Pre-Festival Events Begin January 24. Professional ice carvers and artists transform over 20,000 pounds of ice into amazing ice sculptures throughout Richmond’s city center. This free festival has activities for all ages!

Annual Ice A Fair in Vermilion

Saturday, February 4, 2023, 11AM-7PM. Downtown Vermilion features a day of winter family fun with ice sculptures, trolley rides, ice carving demos, Frozen Play Space, Fire & Ice Display, and so much more!

Medina Ice Festival

February 17-20, 2023. Over 120 sculptures on display in and around the Historic Medina Square and South Town District through Monday, February 20 (Presidents Day). During evening hours and overnight, sculptures are highlighted by color-changing, LED lights. The event is free to attend and open to everyone.

Brite Winter in Cleveland

February 25, 2023 at the West Bank of the Flats. The non-profit festival brings together people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds, allowing them to discover new music and art and enjoy their community. Spanning 13 years, three locations, tens of thousands of guests, hundreds of bands and artists, and temperatures as low as 8 and as high as 69 degrees. Tickets are just $10.