Columbus Ohio Festivals are unique in theme and culture. Because this city is so diversified in culture, there are many festivities throughout the year.
Please Note: If you wish to participate in a festival as a performer, vendor or volunteer, please contact the event’s website and use their contact form. This website, In-and-Around-Columbus.com is not involved directly with the festivals and only lists information.
Select the month below for the list of festivals you want to see.
Festivals have been a part of society for years. For many years they were known as feasts and were associated with religion. They were a simple way of meeting social needs in communities and providing entertainment at the same time. They also provided knowledge and stories to future generations of that particular culture.
Today many of the cultural festivities are held to share traditional knowledge and community benefits with others. Festivals also celebrate arts, comedy, film, music, food and history just to name a few. They each have something different to offer.
Come join the fun at the Columbus Ohio Festivals.
Calendar of Festivals in Columbus Ohio
Columbus Ohio Festivals – March
Arnold Sports Festival
Dates: March 1 – 4, 2012
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, Hall D, 400 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio
Contact: Phone: 614-431-2600
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Columbus Ohio Festivals – April
African American Heritage Festival
The event traditionally brings thousands of visitors to Columbus and is a time for people of all ages and walks to celebrate African-American history and culture.
Dates: Saturday, April 21 – Saturday, April 28, 2012
Location: Throughout The Ohio State University campus, Columbus, Ohio
Admission: Free for most events
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Columbus Ohio Festivals – May
2012 Country Music Summer Festival!
The 2012 Country Music Summer Festival, by Little Big Dude Entertainment is an event celebrating country music and its origins, set in the center of the beautiful Hocking Hills! Bring family and friends to this outdoor experience of live country music, local craftsman, and a variety of local food and craft vendors. Spend the day relaxing to great music and tantalizing foods or join your friends, family or neighbors in a game of corn hole or volley ball! Enjoy the picnic atmosphere in the ambiance of a picturesque wooded backdrop, all a prelude to the electrifying concert performance of the main stage Top 40 country music artist including Easton Corbin!
Date: Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 10AM to Midnight
Kids 12 & under are FREE!
Event/Concert Ticket: $25
Parking is $5.00
Location: Kaeppner’s Woods, St Rt 93N, Logan, Ohio
Asian Festival
Date: Saturday, May 26th, 2012 from 10AM – 9PM
Sunday, Sunday, May 27th, 2012 from 11AM – 7PM
Location: Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Dragon Boat Races and Festival
Again this year, Dragonboat races and land festivities will be coming to Columbus! Learn about dragon boat racing and why it is a fast-growing international sport. The Steel City Dragonboat Club of Pittsburgh will again be bringing two boats for Columbus teams to compete. In addition, there will be Dragon and Lion dances as well as workshops for your participation (Tai-chi, Yoga, taiko drumming, Obon and bamboo dance).
Date: May 28, 2012 from 8AM to 4PM
Location: Genoa Park, Downtown Columbus, Ohio
Free Admission
Central Ohio Folk Festival
Date: May 4, 5 & 6, 2012
Location: Batelle-Darby Creek Metro Park, 1755 Darby Creek Drive, Galloway, Ohio
Worthington Plant Fest
Celebrate Worthington’s return of the gardening season by stocking up on flowers, vegetables, herbs and decorative plants to enhance local landscapes. Heritage plants saved through seeds or starts from earlier gardens will be highlighted among the annuals, perennials and decorative plants available for purchase.
Date: to be announced
Location: Historic Downtown Olde Worthington Business District, Intersection of Routes 161 and 23, Worthington, Ohio
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Columbus Ohio Festivals – June
Banana Split Festival
Celebrating the 50′s and 60′s.
Date: June 8th & 9th, 2012 – Friday, 4PM to 10PM, and Saturday, Noon until 10PM
Location: JW Denver Williams Memorial Park, Wilmington, Ohio 45177
Columbus Arts Festival
Date: June 1 – 3, 2012
Friday through Saturday 11:30AM – 10PM, Sunday 11:30AM – 6PM
Location: Scioto Mile on the Riverfront
Columbus Summer BeerFest!
Join over 4500 other Beer Fans to sample over 175 Craft beers from down the street and around the country! Live Bands! All proceeds benefit the Big Joe Duskin Music Education Foundation, a 501-c-3 organization whose sole mission is to support local schools’ music programs with performances and presentations by professional musicians.
Dates: June 8 – 9, 2012
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 North High Street, Columbus, OH
Tickets: Tickets are available online and this event will sell out. Ticket prices range from $30-65. The $30 ticket includes 25 sample tickets (4 oz. pours) and a souvenir cup. There is a Friday night and Saturday night session.
ComFest Community Festival
Date: June 22, 23, & 24, 2012
Location: Goodale Park
Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival
Date: June 15, 16, and 17, 2012
Friday from 5AM – 11PM; Saturday from 11AM – 11PM;
Sunday from 11AM to 6PM
Location: Olde Gahanna, in and around Mill and Granville Streets and Creekside Park
Granville Art Affair & Wine Festival
Join us for the Granville Art Affair & Wine Festival, Licking County’s only fine arts festival, over 100 artists, fine food, live musical entertainment,and an activity tent for kids of all ages, wine from throughout the country and food samples from Central Ohio restaurants.
Date: The Art Festival: Saturday, June 9, 2012 10am – 6pm and Sunday, June 10, 2012 11am – 5pm
The Wine Festival: Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 1-5pm
Location: Great Lawn of the Bryn Du Mansion, 537 Jones Rd., Granville, OH 43023
Juneteenth Ohio Festival
Three full days of fun, music, food, and entertainment at Franklin Park in Columbus Ohio!
Dates: June 15th, 16th & 17th, 2012
Location: Franklin Park, 1755 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
London Strawberry Festival
Date: June 21 – 23, 2012
Location: Downtown London, Ohio – State Routes 56 and 42
Park Street Fest 2012
Park Street Festival is back and better than ever this year! With activities and entertainment fit for any age, Park Street Festival is fun for the whole family. This year’s activities include Bike Night, Autograph sessions with local athletes, Kids Fair, 9 live bands, and much more! Benefiting the Second and Seven Foundation, The Park Street Festival merges food, entertainment, and family fun all in to one event. The festival is a joint effort among the bars on Park Street and runs the length of the street. Admission is free, so make sure to come out to Park Street Festival for a great weekend.
Dates: June 8 – 9, 2012
Location: Park Street District, Columbus, Ohio
Powell Festival
Date: Friday, June 29 (5-11pm) & Saturday June 30, 2012 (Noon-11pm)
Location: Village Green Park, 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio 43065
Worthington Arts Festival
Date: June 16 and 17, 2012
Location: Village Green, Routes 161 and 23, Worthington, Ohio 43085
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Columbus Ohio Festivals – July
4th of July Celebration in Columbus, Ohio
2012 Columbus Food Truck and Cart Fest
We are back this summer bigger and better than ever! Our mission is to draw attention to Central Ohio, support our non-profit partners, spotlight the gourmet mobile food movement, create community and support/grow our local independent small business owners. We are bringing the best food trucks and carts in Ohio to downtown Columbus; all our vendors are hand picked to bring you the best of the best! This festival will showcase the delicious cuisine that is rolling out on our Columbus streets, local arts and craft vendors and fun for the whole family.
Date: July 13, 2012 from Noon til 10PM
Location: Columbus Commons, 160 S. High Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Click here for more info
All Ohio Bike Fest
Welcome to Ohio’s renowned motorcycle event, All Ohio Bike Fest (AOBF), in beautiful Union County, Ohio! Formerly known as Honda HomeComing, the AOBF is back for another exciting year!
Dates: to be announced
Admission: Free
Location: Uptown Marysville, Marysville, Ohio
Jazz and Rib Fest in Columbus
Dates: July 20-22, 2012
Location: Downtown Columbus Riverfront
Lancaster Festival
Date: July 19 – 28, 2012
Location: Various Locations
Lazy Daze of Summer Festival
Juried crafts, food, music, and more on the lawn & streets surrounding the Library!
Date: to be announced
Location: Lawn and streets surrounding the Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 West First Avenue, Grandview Heights, Ohio 43212
North Market Food & Ohio Wine Festival
Ohio wine is something to drink about! Come sip, savor and cultivate your appreciation for Ohio wines at the sixth annual North Market Food and Ohio Wine Festival. The North Market hosts a weekend celebration of Ohio’s finest wines and great foods to pair with them. The event features 15 Ohio wineries offering select vintages.
Dates: Friday, July 13, 2012
Location: North Market, 59 Spruce Street, Columbus, Ohio
PulpFest 2012
“The Summer’s Great Pulp Convention,” PulpFest is a new and improved version of the venerable convention catering to fans and collectors of vintage popular fiction.
Dates: Thursday, August 9th – Sunday, August 12th
Location: Hyatt Regency Columbus. 350 North High Street, Columbus, OH
Serbian Festival
Enjoy authentic ethnic food from the Balkans; fire roasted lamb and pig, sarma, smoked meats, salata, European pasties, homemade breads, chevaps, full bar and more. Kolo dance to Serbian orchestra while you Put a Little Ethnic In Your Life. The net proceeds benefit St Stevans Serbian Orthodox Church.
Date: July 28, 2012
Location: 1840 N Cassady Ave, Columbus, Oh 43219
The Festival is located behind the Church at the Serbian Picnic Grounds just 1/2 mile north of I-670 on Cassady.
Admission is $3.00, children under 12 free, parking free.
Contact Information: Dave Tumbas 614-348-1475 or dtumbas@hy-tek.net
Pickerington Violet Festival
Date: July 25 – 28, 2012
Location: Victory Park, Lockville Road, Pickerington, Ohio
Westerville Music and Arts Festival
Date: July 14 – 15, 2012
Saturday 11AM to 7PM; Sunday 11AM to 5PM
Location: Heritage Park
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Columbus Ohio Festivals – August
18th Annual Egyptian Festival
Please join us in Celebrating the 16th Annual Egyptian Festival. We will be having films and tours, imported arts and crafts, traditional foods and dessert, and a children’s corner.
Dates: to be announced
Location: St Mary Coptic Orthodox Church, 200 Old Village Rd., Columbus, Ohio
All Ohio Balloon Fest
Celebrating 37 years you’ll find two nights of fun with live entertainment! See the hot air balloon launch and Balloon Glow! The Kids can enjoy Kidz City with a climbing wall, jumpies and more!
Dates: August 17th & 18th, 2012 from 2PM to 10PM
Location: Union County Airport, 760 Clymer Road (just off Industrial Parkway), Marysville, Ohio.
Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest
Canal Winchester will be celebrating some of the best sights, sounds and tastes of summer at the Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest this August in historic downtown Canal Winchester. The event will offer live blues music, rib and food vendors, a beer garden, and arts and crafts vendors. The Blues & Ribfest will be a great atmosphere for friends, and family to relax and enjoy Smokin’ Blues, Sizzlin’ Hot Ribs, & More! There is no charge to be placed at our event.
Dates: August 3rd, 2012 from 5PM – 11PM and August 4th, 2012 from 11AM – 11PM
Location: Stradley Place (adjacent to the Municipal Building at 36 S. High Street), Canal Winchester, Ohio
Columbus Wine Festival
Set within the 88 acres of Franklin Park, the event offers a variety of tastings, food & wine education, cooking demonstrations by local chefs and live musical entertainment in a fabulous outdoor setting.
Date: to be announced
Location: Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Dublin Irish Festival
Date: August 3, 4, and 5, 2012
Friday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM;
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Location: Coffman Park
Festival Latino in Columbus
Date: August 11-12, 2012 from 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Genoa Park, (behind COSI) Downtown Columbus
Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival
Date: August 17 & 18, 2012
Location: Huber Park on Davidson Drive, just south of E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
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Columbus Ohio Festivals – September
25th Annual Columbus GospelFest
Family oriented community event includes 3K Wellness Walk, Health and Wellness Fair, Children’s Edu-Fun Fest, and GospelFest. Lots of great music and performing artists and street fair!
Date: to be announced
Free Admission
Location: Along Washington Blvd, Columbus, 43215
Art & Craft Marktplatz at the Columbus Oktoberfest
No matter who you are, the Columbus Oktoberfest invites you to party like a German! This huge community festival has been brewing up and serving smiles for more than 45 years. There’s something for everyone. Come join us for bountiful beers, tasty food, lively music, games galore and shop and browse through the Marketplatz to find wonderful handmade Arts & Crafts items as well as items for your home and entertainment. Visit the Art & Craft Marketplatz at the Columbus Oktoberfest and find talented artisans and craftsmen showcasing and selling their unique, one-of-a-kind creations. Artisans and craftsmen will be situated under a covered pavilion centrally located in the heart of the Oktoberfest festivities.
Date: September 28-30, 2012
Location: Ohio Expo Center/Ohio State Fairgrounds
Backwoods Fest
Nestled on a 60 acre wooded area in Northern Perry County, you will find one of Ohio’s finest arts and crafts festivals. Craft vendors from several states come to share their variety of items. Encounter the aroma of open-fire and kettle-cooked foods throughout the festival. Taste roasted almonds and pecans and fresh pork crackling as you stroll the festival roadways. Take some time and you’re sure to find something special. Do not forget to check out the pre-1840 Encampment area. See what it was like to live and work in an early settlement. Pick fresh pumpkins and mums for your own decorating. No matter what your age, you will be happy you came to enjoy the food, the music, the arts and crafts plus the relaxed atmosphere, and the fellowship of many from across Ohio and its neighboring states!
Dates: September 14 – 16, 2012
Hours: Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-5pm
Location: 8572 High Point Rd, Thornville, OH 43076
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival
The Labor Day Festival is Canal Winchester’s largest and longest running event. What began in 1920 as a small gathering is now a local tradition that attracts thousands of visitors each year. This year’s event will include carnival rides, a parade, live entertainment, a cruise-in and much more.
Dates: September 1 – 3, 2012
Location: The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival is held in the village’s historic downtown area. The Village of Canal Winchester is located off U.S. Route 33, approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Columbus. Parking for the festival is available on public streets and parking lots throughout the village.
Charles W. Fairbanks Family Festival
Date: to be announced
Location: Unionville Center, Ohio
Clinton County Corn Festival
Date: to be announced
Location: Clinton County Fairgrounds, Wilmington, Ohio
Covered Bridge Festival
Tours can be self-guided or reservations can be made on one of the tour buses.
Date: to be announced
Location: Throughout Union County
Columbus Oktoberfest
Dates: September 28 – 30, 2012
Hours: Friday 5pm-12am, Saturday 12pm-12am, Sunday 12pm-8pm
Location: Ohio Expo Center, 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
40th Greek Festival in Columbus
Date: August 31st through September 3rd, 2012
Friday and Saturday: 11AM – Midnight; Sunday: Noon to Midnight;
Monday: 11AM to 7PM
Location: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Hot Times Community Music & Arts Festival
Date: to be announced
Location: 240 Parsons Avenue, (Main & Parsons, Columbus, Ohio)
India Festival
Art, music, food, and the culture of India are celebrated.
Date: to be announced
Location: Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
Marion Popcorn Festival
Date: September 6, 7, and 8th, 2012
Thursday 11:00 AM – Midnight
Friday 11:00 AM – Midnight (Beer Gardens Open till 1 AM Friday)
Saturday 11:00 AM – Midnight
Location: Marion, Ohio
Mohican Bluegrass Festival
Annual bluegrass festival featuring local, regional, and national bluegrass bands – one of the best in the country!
Dates: to be announced
Location: Mohican Wilderness Campground, 22462 Wally Road, Glenmont, Ohio 44628 – Phone: 740-599-6741
The Riverfront Art Festival, formerly known as Goodale Park Art Festival
Dates: to be announced
Location: Genoa Park, West bank of the Scioto Mile, Behind COSI
The Soulfood Music Festival
Enjoy the soul of the city Labor day weekend 2012 and taste the best southern food east of the Mississippi River, be a part of Columbus 200th celebration by participating in the nations largest soul train dance line. Groove to the sounds of reggae & R&B live performances.
Date: September 1st & 2nd, 2012
Location: Downtown Columbus Ohio Scioto Mile.
Tickets are $20.00 in advance – call 614 258-4633 for more information.
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
Date: Monday September 3, 2012 from 10AM to 5PM
Admission: Free
Location: Northam Park, Upper Arlington
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Columbus Ohio Festivals – October
38th Annual Pickerington Band Festival
This is an incredible afternoon & evening that features competitive performances by many local & not so local Ohio highschool marching bands. The bands will be competing for trophies, ratings for state and new this year, cash prizes. Come and enjoy an afternoon & evening, of GREAT entertainment and competition, whether you are there to cheer on your own band or just there to enjoy the music and atmosphere!
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011 starting at 4PM
Location: PHSN Stadium, 7800 Refugee Road, Pickerington, Ohio
Admission: $6.00 Adult / $4.00 Seniors & Students
Programs: $4.00
Concessions Available
Parking is FREE
Columbus Italian Festival
Date: October 7, 8, and 9, 2011
Friday – 5PM – 11PM; Saturday – Noon – 11PM; Sunday – Noon – 8PM
Location: Saint John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church, in Italian Village
Harvest Festival at North Market
Enjoy the autumn bounty and join in the fun! There will also be contests for Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Pie, and Apple Pie.
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2011
Location: North Market, 59 Spruce Street, Columbus, Ohio
(just west of N. High St. between Vine and Spruce just steps away from the Columbus Convention Center and Nationwide Arena.)
The Senior Living Festival
Expect ‘fun, fitness and more’! This free celebration for older adults will offer cooking demonstrations, exhibits, door prizes, live entertainment, recreational activities and free parking. Demonstrations, presentations and activities will be on tap in multiple pavilions. Get a flu shot in the Wellness pavilion; pick up tips from the ‘cooking for one’ demonstrations in Healthy Eating; cheer for your favorite chair volleyball team in Fitness; learn about the latest trends in the Technology and the Lifelong Communities pavilions; and meet amazing Columbus Zoo animals in the Senior Safari. Also at the event, Medicare beneficiaries will have an opportunity to receive assistance in evaluating and choosing coverage options as part of the fall open enrollment period. Plan comparisons will be provided and discussed by the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) staff members and trained volunteers. The Senior Living Festival is presented by the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Franklin County Office on Aging, and members of the Senior Services Roundtable of Columbus and Franklin County. Mark Your Calendars for The Senior Living Festival.
Date: October 31, 2012 from 10AM to 2PM – Free Admission!
Location: Veterans Memorial, 300 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio
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Christmas Events and Holidays
Don’t miss the excitement of the Columbus Ohio Festivals. With the wonderful diversity of the communities in this charming city, the Columbus Ohio Festivals are the best!
To have your Columbus Ohio Festivals listed, please use the Event and Festival form on my contact page.
Please Note: If you wish to participate in a festival as a performer, vendor or volunteer, please contact the event’s website and use their contact form. This website, In-and-Around-Columbus.com is not involved directly with the festivals and only lists information.
Please Note: All information for the Columbus Ohio events and festivals is obtained from numerous sources. In-and-Around Columbus posts this information from these sources and is not accountable for the correctness of this information. All information such as locations, dates and times are subject to change.
