Columbus' fall festivals celebrate the cultures, foods, history and people that make central Ohio such a vibrant place to be. You can nibble German, Native American, Italian and Indian cuisine, watch the Little Brown Jug harness race, read at a poetry slam, sample microbrews, and shop for art, antiques and crafts at this year's celebrations of fall.
Hint: There are so many things happening on Labor Day Weekend, that they have their own schedule
September
WaterFire
Bonfires dance on the Scioto River as BalletMet dances on stage.
When: September 4
Where:Downtown Columbus riverfront, near Genoa park amphitheatre
Time: BalletMet starts 7:30 p.m.; WaterFire bonfires lit 8:30 p.m.
Cost: free
Greek Festival
Greek food, history, dancing, tours of the Cathedral, more food, more dancing…
When: September 4-7
Where: Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High
Time: Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun: noon.–midnight; Mon.: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Adults: $5; Seniors: $4; Kids under 12: free
Native American Traditional Pow Wow
Native American dancing, singing, food, crafts. Head Drum: Many Voices. Flutist: Jacob Laughing Fox Fitch. Head dancer: Roger Campbell. Hoop Dancer: Peter Chiquito.
When: September 5-7
Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St. Hilliard
Time: Sat.: 11 a.m.-midnight; Sun: 11 a.m.–11 a.m.; Mon.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Weekend pass: $15; Adults: $7; Seniors: $3; Kids under 5: free
Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival
Come watch the largest gathering of vintage base ball teams in the country! More than 25 teams from across nation square off on fields around the Ohio Village to celebrate our national pastime.
When: September 5-6
Where: Ohio Historical Center/Ohio Village, 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus
Time: daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: admission: Free; parking:$4
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival
First held in 1920, this year’s Labor Day Festival includes a parade, rides, cruise-in, family activities and music.
When: September 5-7
Where: Historic Downtown Canal Winchester, High St., Canal Winchester
Time: Sat.: 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun: noon.–11 p.m.; Mon.: 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: free
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
Almost 200 artists will show and sell their ceramics, glass, painting, photography, sculpture and wooden works. There is also music, a large kids’ area and a stupendous Friends of the Library book sale at the Upper Arlington Library, on the park’s northern border.
When: September 7
Where: Northam Park, Upper Arlington
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: free
Marion Festival
Large midway, vendors, food, crafts, music and serious people-watching.
When: Sep 10-12
Where: Marion, Ohio. If you’re in Marion, you can’t miss it.
Hot Times Community Music & Arts Festival
Music, a street fair, artists, dance, a poetry slam and…the largest collection of “art cars” in the central Ohio area.
When: Sep 11-13
Where: Main & Parsons, Columbus (Olde Towne East),
Time: Fri.: 5:30-11 p.m.; Sat.: noon-midnight; Sun.: 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: free
Longaberger Heritage Days
Music, basket-making history and demonstrations, games, chance to win free baskets.
When: Sept, 11-12
Where: Longaberger Homestead,5563 Raiders Rd., Frazeysburg
Time: daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: free
Columbus Microbrew Festival
You do the taste test on Columbus home-brews.
When: Sep 11-12
Where: North Market
Time: Fri: 5-9 p.m.; Sat: noon-7 p.m.
Cost: $15; includes 10 taste tickets
Old Hilliardfest
Enjoy this friendly street fair, car show and music.
When: Sep 11-12
Where: Main Street, Hilliard
Time: Fri: 5-11 p.m.; Sat: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Cost: free
Columbus GospelFest
Artists, a Wellness Fair with free health screenings, a children’s Edu-Fun Fest with face painting and games, and, of course, soul-raising music.
When: Sep 12
Where: Genoa Park (in front of COSI, downtown Columbus)
Time: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: free
Union County Covered Bridge Festival
Explore country roads and Union County’s covered bridges on this drive yourself tour. Many Union County communities have celebrations scheduled, including FestFair in Marysville.
When: Sep 12
Where: Union County
Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: free
Jack Hanna's Fall Fest
Music, food, demonstrations and world class animals.
When: Sep 12-20
Where: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell
Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: adults: $12; seniors/children 2-9: $7; children under 2: free; parking: $5.
Riverfront Arts Festival
150 artists, music, food and a Waterfire performance.
When: Sep 18-20
Where: Genoa Park (in front of COSI, downtown Columbus)
Time: Fri.: 5-9 p.m.; Sat.: noon-10 p.m.; Sun.: noon-5 p.m.
Cost: free
Country Living Fair
Join Country Living editors and writers for a weekend of antiques, cooking and craft demonstrations, food, music and living history at the Ohio Historical Society’s re-created Civil War era village.
When: Sep 18-20
Where: Ohio Historical Center/Ohio Village, 1982 Velma Ave., Columbus (across form the Ohio State fairgrounds)
Time: daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $10-20
India Festival
Indian food, crafts, fashion show, talent hunt, health fair, music and dancing.
When: Sept, 19
Where:Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St., Columbus
Time: 10 a.m.-19 p.m.
Cost: $6; children under 5: free
Delaware County Fair[/link]
Harness racing and horses are primary fare at the Delaware County Fair. In addition to The Little Brown Jug – part of the harness racing Triple Crown -- there are races every day, horse shows for every age and class. There are also fair rides, midway games, exhibits, music and shows.
When: Sep 19-26
Where: Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave, Delaware
Time: Fri.: 5-9 p.m.; Sat.: noon-10 p.m.; Sun.: noon-5 p.m.
Cost: $5-$15
German Village Oktoberfest[/link]
Food, music and fun.
When: Sep. 25-27
Where: Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th (Ohio State Fairgrounds)
Time: TBA
Cost: TBA
October Festivals November Festivals Halloween Events in Columbus
I try to keep this accurate, but make no guarantees.