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Your Weekend Plans? The Columbus Italian Festival, Obviously

The Columbus Italian Festival is back starting today and running through October 13! This beloved event at St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church is the perfect opportunity to dive into the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italian culture right here in Columbus.

Since its first festival in 1980, which saw an unexpected turnout of over 10,000 people, this celebration has been all about community. Originally held at the Lausche Building on the Ohio State Fairgrounds, the event has grown and moved to its current home, attracting more than 35,000 visitors each year.

columbus italian festival grounds
via Facebook

With a $10 admission fee (free for kids 12 and under), you can dive into a weekend filled with delicious food and lively entertainment. Just a heads up—pets aren’t allowed on the festival grounds, so leave them at home.

When it comes to food, you’re obviously in for a treat.

Think homemade pasta, fresh cannoli, and all your favorite Italian dishes. There’s something for everyone, and you’ll definitely want to try a little bit of everything. And while you’re munching on delicious bites, take a moment to enjoy the festive atmosphere filled with music, dancing, and the joy of community.

There will be live performances throughout the day, giving visitors the chance to see everything from traditional Italian dancers to beloved big bands.

Don’t miss the highlight of the weekend—the parade and high school marching band competition on Sunday at 1:00 PM. It’s a fantastic parade, with local bands, colorful floats, and a ton of Italian pride.

columbus italian festival parade
via Facebook

The festival is a family affair, with plenty of activities for the kids. There will be rides all weekend long, plus kid-friendly entertainment like balloon artists, crafts, and more.

This year, parking will be much easier than year’s past. The Columbus State Community College Indoor Parking Garage is the place to be, complete with a free shuttle service to whisk you right to the festival entrance.

The shuttle buses will be available the following times:

  • Friday- 3:30pm- 12:30am midnight (Gates open at 5:00pm)
  • Saturday- 10:30am to 12:30am midnight (Gates open at 12:00pm)
  • Sunday- 9am-8:30pm (Gates open at 12:00pm)
  • No need to worry about driving around to find a spot—just park in the garage, hop on the shuttle, and enjoy the ride. You can read more about the shuttle here.

    columbus italian festival
    via Facebook

    This is one of the biggest and most popular fall festivals in Columbus and I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll get to eat something incredibly delicious. What’s not to love about that?

    For more info, or to purchase your tickets in advance, you can head over to columbusitalianfestival.com.