Summer is in full swing around here.
This is the best time of year to get out and enjoy many of the wonderful festivals that we have here in Central Ohio. From now until the fall, this city and the surrounding communities are packed to the brim with fun and exciting fests.
From food-based festivals to Labor Day celebrations to a multitude of wine and beer fests, you could spend each weekend from now until the end of summer at a different event.
June & July
Columbus Pride Festival & Resource Fair
- June 19-20 | Goodale Park | Free
A two-day festival featuring live music, community organizations, vendors, food, and resource tables celebrating Columbus’ LGBTQ+ community. The weekend also includes the Pride March through downtown Columbus.
- When: June 19-20 | Powell | Free
A small-town summer festival featuring food vendors, live music, kids’ activities, and a community fireworks display.
Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival
- When: June 19-21 | Gahanna (Creekside District) | Ticketed
A riverside music festival in Gahanna featuring national and regional blues and jazz performers, food vendors, and multiple stages set along the Creekside district.
- June 26-28 | Goodale Park | Free
A volunteer-run community festival featuring local music, art, food, and nonprofit organizations. ComFest remains one of Columbus’ most distinctive summer traditions.
- July 3 | Downtown Columbus | Free
A large Independence Day celebration with live entertainment, food vendors, and a major fireworks show over downtown Columbus.
- July 4 | Goodale Park | Free
A satirical Independence Day parade known for its humor, costumes, and offbeat floats.
- July 9-11 | Pickerington, OH | Ticketed
A community festival with live music, rides, food vendors, and family activities.
Westerville Music & Arts Festival
- When: July 11-12 | Westerville (Heritage Park) | $2
A community arts festival featuring live music, local artists, craft vendors, food trucks, and family-friendly programming throughout Heritage Park.
- July 11-12 | Main Library & Topiary Park | Free
A literary festival featuring authors, panel discussions, book signings, and family programming.
- When: July 18-19, 2026 Where: Genoa Park Admission: Free
A cultural festival celebrating African music, dance, food, and community, held along the Scioto Mile with performances and vendor booths throughout the weekend.
- When: July 20-26, 2026 Where: Hilliard, OH Admission: Ticketed
A weeklong county fair featuring livestock exhibits, carnival rides, live entertainment, magic shows, and classic fair food. The Franklin County Fair offers family-friendly programming throughout the week in Hilliard.
- July 24-26 | Scioto Mile | Free
A downtown festival combining live jazz performances with barbecue vendors and food trucks along the riverfront.
Whitehall Food Truck & Fun Festival
- July 25 | John Bishop Park | Free
A one-day event featuring food trucks, live music, and local vendors.
- July 18-25 | Lancaster, OH | Ticketed / Free events
A multi-day arts and music festival featuring concerts, community events, and performances throughout Lancaster.
- When: July 29-August 9 | Columbus Expo Center | Ticketed
One of the largest state fairs in the country, featuring rides, concerts, agricultural exhibits, competitions, and classic fair food across nearly two weeks of programming.
August & September
- July 31-August 2| Coffman Park | Ticketed
One of the largest Irish festivals in the United States, featuring Celtic music, dance performances, cultural exhibits, food, and family activities.
- August 13-15 | Reynoldsburg, OH | Free
A long-running community festival celebrating the area’s tomato-growing heritage with rides, food, live entertainment, and contests.
- August 15 | Lancaster, OH | Ticketed
A craft beer festival featuring Ohio breweries, food trucks, and live music.
- August 14-15| Franklin County Fairgrounds | Ticketed
A large food truck festival featuring dozens of vendors, entertainment, and family activities.
- August 21 -22, 2026 | Marysville, OH | Ticketed
A hot air balloon festival featuring balloon launches, evening glows, live music, and family entertainment.
- When: August 22, 2026 Where: Whetstone Park Admission: Free
A nature-focused festival celebrating Columbus’ urban forest, featuring educational activities, environmental exhibits, family programming, and outdoor community events.
- August 22-23 | Columbus Commons & Ohio Theatre | Free
A cultural celebration featuring Latin American music, dance, food, and art in the heart of Downtown Columbus.
- When: August 23, 2026 Where: Merion Village, Columbus Admission: Free
A neighborhood festival featuring local makers, artists, food trucks, live music, interactive activities, and community vendors.
- When: August 27-30, 2026 Where: Columbus, OH Admission: Ticketed
A citywide comedy festival featuring stand-up performances, showcases, and events with regional and national comedians at multiple venues across Columbus.
- When: August 27-30, 2026 Where: Downtown Columbus Admission: Ticketed
A multi-day culinary festival highlighting regional restaurants, wineries, and food experiences. The event features tastings, curated dining events, and immersive food and wine programming across downtown Columbus.
- August 27-30 | Millersport, OH | Free
A small-town festival centered around sweet corn, carnival rides, and community entertainment.
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
- September 7 | Northam Park | Free
A juried arts festival featuring regional artists and handmade works.
- September 4-7 | Goodale & High | Ticketed
A cultural festival featuring Greek food, music, dance, and traditions.
- September 4-7 | Fortress Obetz | Free
A Labor Day weekend festival with rides, food, live music, and family activities.
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival
- September 5-7 | Canal Winchester, OH | Free
A community Labor Day festival with entertainment, food, and parade events.
