Fall In Love With Central Ohio’s Best Fall Festivals

Updated: July 27, 2026

Fall is almost 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.

Whether you’re 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.

Every festival below was checked against its 2026 announcement in late July 2026.

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 headline in 2026.
When: September 2-5
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
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. The 2026 concert lineup hadn’t been announced at last check, so watch the festival’s site for headliners.
When: September 4 through September 7
Where: Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trl, Obetz, OH 43207
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 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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
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. Friday 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, Sunday noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.
Website: Columbus Oktoberfest

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, OH
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. Ticket prices for 2026 hadn’t been posted at last check.
When: September 18-20
Where: Snow Fork Event Center, 5685 Happy Hollow Road, Nelsonville, OH
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. Friday 5:30-11 p.m., Saturday 3-11 p.m., Sunday noon-8 p.m.
Where: 543 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215
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, opens at 10 a.m. each morning. A ticketed VIP preview night runs Thursday, September 17.
Where: Jack Pine Studio, 21397 OH-180, Laurelville, OH 43135
Cost: Free admission; parking $10 per car
Website: Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival

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

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
Where: 720 Hamlet St, Columbus, OH 43215
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 6 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Rd, Groveport, OH 43125
Website: Groveport Apple Butter Day

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? 2026 marks the 119th show.
When: October 21-24
Where: Downtown Circleville, OH
Cost: Free
Website: Circleville Pumpkin Show

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: Mid-October; 2026 dates are coming, so check the website before you go.
Where: Heritage Park, 60 N Cleveland Ave, Westerville, OH 43081
Website: The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow

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
Where: High Street, Short North Arts District
Website: HighBall Halloween

Columbus Fall Festivals FAQ

When is the Circleville Pumpkin Show in 2026?
October 21-24 in downtown Circleville. It’s free, and 2026 marks 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?
The Sweet Corn Festival, Obetz Zucchinifest, both Labor Day festivals, Schmidt’s Oktoberfest, the Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival, the Circleville Pumpkin Show, and HighBall Halloween are all free to attend.

Are there Oktoberfests near Columbus?
Two big ones: Schmidt’s Columbus Oktoberfest at the Ohio Expo Center (September 11-13) and Germania Oktoberfest in the Brewery District (September 18-20).

Read Next

U-Pick? More Like U-Launch! Try The Apple Cannons At This Ohio FarmWhere To Find The Best Apple Pie In ColumbusSpooky Columbus Ghost Tours Are Waiting For You, Including One That Will Give You A Serious Buzz