Fall In Love With Central Ohio’s Best Fall Festivals

Fall is here, Central Ohio, and you know what that means.

Crisp air, colorful leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and one jam-packed calendar of festivals. From pumpkin-packed traditions like the legendary Circleville Pumpkin Show to quirky favorites like the Ohio Pawpaw Festival, autumn is the season when Central Ohio really shows off.

In it for the food, the music, the hayrides, or just an excuse to wear your coziest flannel? These can’t-miss fall festivals will keep your weekends full of fun.

Dates, hours, and prices below come from each festival’s own 2026 page, checked in mid-September 2026.

Ohio Renaissance Festival

What: Want to travel through time? Head to the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Ren Fest runs every weekend from early September through the first of November. There are themed weekends, including Viking Weekend, Pirate Weekend, Highland Weekend, and more.
When: September 5 through November 1, weekends plus Labor Day, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 10542 East State Route 73, Waynesville
Cost: $33 to $39 for adults depending on the date and $10 for kids, plus fees
Website: Ohio Renaissance Festival

Ohio Pawpaw Festival

What: The Ohio Pawpaw Festival celebrates Ohio’s native fruit with pawpaw dishes and drinks, growers’ talks, and contests for the biggest and best-tasting pawpaw. Heads up if you’ve gone before: after 25 years at Lake Snowden, the festival is moving to Snow Fork Event Center in Nelsonville for 2026, so update your GPS. Weekend passes are $60. Single days run $20 for Friday or Sunday and $30 for Saturday, and kids 12 and under get in free.
When: September 18-20
Where: Snow Fork Event Center, 5685 Happy Hollow Road, Nelsonville
Website: Ohio Pawpaw Festival

Germania Oktoberfest

What: This three-day fest will feature traditional German Oktoberfest foods and drink, music from a variety of bands, dancing, stein-holding contests, kids’ activities, and tons of fun. The singing society behind it turns 160 this year.
When: September 18-20. Doors open Friday at 5:30 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at noon.
Where: 543 S. Front St., Brewery District
Cost: $10 weekend pass for non-members 16 and up; kids under 16 free
Website: Germania Oktoberfest

Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival

What: This outdoor art show features local artists and food vendors selling their crafts. There will be hundreds of one-of-a-kind, blown glass pumpkins for sale along with other fine craft vendors and artists selling an array of works from disciplines like metal, fabric, wood, and painting.
When: September 18-20. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A ticketed VIP preview night runs Thursday, September 17.
Where: Jack Pine Studio, 21397 OH-180, Laurelville
Cost: Free admission; parking is $10 a car in advance or $15 at the gate
Website: Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival

Arts in the Alley

What: The Grove City Area Chamber of Commerce turns Town Center Park into a juried art show for three days, with separate fine art, photography, quilt, craft, and youth shows, a kids’ fun street, and a community parade on Saturday. The 2026 parade theme is America 250.
When: September 18-20. The parade steps off Saturday, September 19, at Southwest Boulevard and Broadway.
Where: Town Center Park, Grove City
Website: Arts in the Alley

Young’s Dairy Fall Farm Family Fun

What: Young’s runs its Fall Farm Family Fun program daily through the season: pick-your-own pumpkins, Cowvin’s corn maze, pumpkin donut holes, and the cheese-making and cow-milking tours the farm is known for. Activity wristbands are $27.50 for ages 12 and up, $20.50 for kids 11 and under, and a patch pumpkin adds $8.
When: Daily from September 19 through November 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pick-your-own pumpkins run through October 25.
Where: Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm
Website: Young’s Dairy Fall Farm Pumpkin Fun

Grandview Heights Fall Festival

What: The Family Fall Fest takes over Wyman Woods Park on September 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. with hayrides, pumpkin games, a zombie hike, and more.
When: Tuesday, September 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Wyman Woods Park (1520 Goodale Blvd)
Website: Grandview Heights Fall Festival

Ohio Gourd Show

What: The Ohio Gourd Society’s 63rd annual show is exactly what it sounds like: gourd art, gourd music, gourd food, and workshops where you carve or paint your own. It’s one of the odder free weekends on this list, and it’s 30 minutes up 23.
When: Friday, October 2, noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, October 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Avenue, Delaware
Cost: Free
Website: Ohio Gourd Show

HighBall Halloween

What: HighBall looks different in 2026: the Short North Alliance folded it together with Hops on High to make one free, all-day street festival on High Street. Expect more than 80 local vendors, live music, a trick-or-treat trail through Short North shops, and the Costume Couture fashion show that made HighBall famous. Costumes are still very much encouraged.
When: Saturday, October 3, noon to 8 p.m. The Costume Couture show hits the main stage at 6:30.
Where: High Street, Short North Arts District
Website: HighBall Halloween

Columbus Coffee Festival

What: Two days of sampling from Ohio coffee roasters and tea makers at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, now in its 11th year. Your ticket comes with a commemorative mug that covers all the sampling, and kids 12 and under get in free with an adult. Food trucks and live music fill in around the booths.
When: Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4
Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4951 Northwest Pkwy, Hilliard
Website: Columbus Coffee Festival

Columbus Italian Festival

What: Every year, the Italian community comes together for a 3-day celebration in October with the finest in food, entertainment, and Italian culture. Admission is $15, and kids 12 and under get in free with an adult.
When: October 9-11. Friday 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday noon to 7 p.m.
Where: 720 Hamlet St, Italian Village
Website: Columbus Italian Festival

Groveport Apple Butter Day

What: Come celebrate Groveport’s Heritage with kettles of homemade apple butter over wood fires, pioneer demonstrators, live entertainment, and handmade crafts. You can also look forward to the Annual Groveport Cane Pole Fishing contest.
When: Saturday, October 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Rd, Groveport
Website: Groveport Apple Butter Day

The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow

What: Westerville Parks and Recreation is celebrating fall at Heritage Park during the Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow. The park will transform into an autumn wonderland, featuring pumpkin painting and crafts, festive games, music, professional pumpkin carving, food trucks, and more. The trails will be aglow with thousands of carved pumpkins!
When: Thursday through Sunday, October 15-18, 6:30 to 10 p.m. Last entry is 9:30 p.m., and tickets are on sale now.
Where: Heritage Park, 60 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville
Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for ages 3-13 and 65 and up
Website: The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow

Circleville Pumpkin Show

What: The Circleville Pumpkin Show is one of the largest fall events, dating back to 1903. When I say there will be pumpkin EVERYTHING, I mean it! Pumpkin pies, ice creams, bread, drinks, and so much more pumpkin. A veritable pumpkin explosion. There’s also a pageant, seven parades, rides, games, activities, entertainment, and so much more. Can you tell I love the Pumpkin Show? This is the 119th show.
When: October 21-24
Where: Downtown Circleville
Cost: Free
Website: Circleville Pumpkin Show

More fall events that aren’t quite festivals

A few big October draws don’t fit the festival mold but belong on the same calendar. The Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival runs Thursday through Sunday evenings through October 25, and Boo at the Zoo takes over Adventure Cove on weekends from October 3 through October 25 at no charge beyond Zoo admission. At Franklin Park Conservatory, Harvest Blooms fills the gardens with pumpkins and mums from September 26 through November 1, and Pumpkins Aglow lights more than 700 hand-carved pumpkins on Wednesday through Sunday evenings from October 7 through November 1. That one needs its own ticket.

Already wrapped for 2026

The Labor Day weekend festivals and Schmidt’s Oktoberfest are done for the year. The dates below are what ran in 2026; most of them land on the same weekend every September, so this is your cue for next year’s calendar.

Sweet Corn Festival

What: Nothing says “Goodbye, summer” quite like a weekend at the Sweet Corn Festival in Millersport. The festival is free to attend and features a 5k, live entertainment, vendors, and of course, delicious sweet corn. Diamond Rio and Little River Band headlined in 2026.
When: September 2-5 (wrapped for 2026)
Where: Heritage Village at Historic Lions Park
Website: Sweet Corn Festival

Columbus Greek Festival

What: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral opens its doors for four days of Greek food, live music, dancing, cathedral tours, and cultural exhibits. Admission is $5 a day or $10 for a weekend pass, with kids 12 and under and active military free.
When: September 4-7 (wrapped for 2026)
Where: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High Street
Website: Greek Festival

Obetz Zucchinifest

What: Embrace the zucchini spirit at the Obetz Zucchinifest, a lively celebration featuring entertainment, food, and family fun.
When: September 4-7 (wrapped for 2026)
Where: Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trl, Obetz
Cost: Free
Website: Obetz Zucchinifest

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

What: Since 1966, Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival has celebrated and shared the arts with the community. Each year, more than 15,000 visitors flock to UA on Labor Day to immerse themselves in hands-on art activities, live music, and the opportunity to explore and purchase fine art and crafts. Admission is free.
When: Monday, September 7 (wrapped for 2026)
Where: Northam Park, 2850 Tremont Road
Website: Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival

Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival

What: The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival is a time-honored Labor Day weekend tradition, serving as the oldest and largest Labor Day festival in the state of Ohio. With live music, delicious food vendors, a beer tent, and even rides, you can celebrate all weekend long. Finally, enjoy the parade on Monday to close out a fantastic weekend.
When: September 5-7 (wrapped for 2026)
Where: Downtown Canal Winchester
Cost: Free
Website: Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival

Schmidt’s Columbus Oktoberfest

What: Schmidt’s throws the biggest Oktoberfest in town at the Ohio Expo Center, with beer gardens, three stages of live music, a German marketplace, games, and a kids’ area. Admission is free, and parking runs $15.
When: September 11-13 (wrapped for 2026)
Where: Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.
Website: Columbus Oktoberfest

Columbus Fall Festivals FAQ

When is the Circleville Pumpkin Show in 2026?
October 21-24 in downtown Circleville. It’s free, and this is the 119th show.

Is HighBall Halloween still happening?
Yes. For 2026 it merged with Hops on High into one free street festival on High Street, set for Saturday, October 3.

Which Columbus fall festivals are free?
Still ahead this season: the Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival, the Grandview Family Fall Fest, the Ohio Gourd Show, HighBall Halloween, Groveport Apple Butter Day, and the Circleville Pumpkin Show are free. The Sweet Corn Festival, Obetz Zucchinifest, both Labor Day festivals, and Schmidt’s Oktoberfest were free too, but they’ve already wrapped for 2026.

Are there Oktoberfests near Columbus?
Two big ones: Germania Oktoberfest in the Brewery District (September 18-20, $10 weekend pass) and Schmidt’s Columbus Oktoberfest at the Ohio Expo Center, which already ran September 11-13 this year.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Fall Activities Bucket List For Columbus Families

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