From neighborhood street parties to big cultural celebrations, summer in Columbus is packed with fairs and festivals worth putting on your calendar. These events are all about good food, live music and local traditions. Whether you’re looking for something family‑friendly or just an excuse to be outside, there’s a festival for every kind of summer mood.
To help you enjoy the season, Columbus Parent has compiled this installment of The Go-To Guide, filled with popular fairs and festivals around the region. These family-friendly events, which take place from late May through September, are arranged chronologically for easy navigation.
To suggest an event we should consider adding to our list, send an email to contact@columbusparent.com.
MAY
May 23-24
Asian Festival
Franklin Park, 1755 E. Broad St., Columbus; asian-festival.org
The free, annual celebration at Franklin Park highlights Asian cultures through food, performances, vendors and more. Prior to the festival weekend, catch the Asian Festival Dragon boat race, which takes place May 17 on the Scioto River near Bicentennial Park.
May 23-24
Ohio Black Expo
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., Columbus; ohioblackexpo.com
The Memorial Day Weekend event boasts more than 100 vendors, music and even a college fair. The Family Zone includes bounce houses, games and face painting. Tickets start at $20. Admission is free for children 10 and younger.
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JUNE
June 12-14
Columbus Arts Festival
Scioto Mile, Downtown Columbus; columbusartsfestival.org
The Downtown riverfront is the place to be during this annual festival showcasing a mix of visual artists, live music and dance performances, and local food and drink. Families can enjoy plenty of kid-friendly offerings, including hands-on art activities and interactive demonstrations. Admission is free.
June 18-20
Nelsonville Music Festival
Snow Fork Event Center, 5685 Happy Hollow Road, Nelsonville; nelsonvillefest.org
The southeastern Ohio festival is celebrating two decades with several dozen musical acts, retail vendors and a designated kids area with art, activities and more. Weekend passes start at $180. Admission is free for those 12 and younger, and discounted passes are available for teens ages 13-17.
June 19-20
Columbus Pride Festival
Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus; columbuspride.org
The well-known Pride March kicks off day two of the Columbus Pride Festival, stepping off at 10:30 a.m. at Broad and High streets and heading toward Goodale Park. The family-friendly festival takes place at the park over two days, with vendors, food and music, along with information from community partners. Admission is free.
June 19-20
Powell Festival
Village Green Park, 47 Hall St., Powell; festival.cityofpowell.us
Enjoy live music, food trucks, local vendors, fireworks and kids and family activities—including SuperGames inflatables. Admission is free.
June 19-21
Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival
Creekside Park & Plaza, 117 Mill St., Gahanna; creeksidebluesandjazz.com
The all-ages festival, in its 27th year, will showcase more than 30 blues and jazz performers. A children’s stage will be available Saturday and Sunday. Another highlight is artists painting murals on the spot during the festival. Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for ages 11-17. Children 10 and younger are free with a paid adult.
June 20-27
Pickaway County Fair
Pickaway County Fairgrounds, 415 Lancaster Pike, Circleville; pickawaycountyfair.org
June 26-28
ComFest
Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus; comfest.com
Officially the Community Festival, but better known as ComFest, this summer mainstay is now more than 50 years old. The volunteer-run event has a robust music lineup but also features arts, workshops and a variety of vendors. Children can participate in special arts activities, kids entertainment and their own parade. Admission is free.
JULY
July 11-12
Westerville Music & Arts Festival
Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave., Westerville; westervillechamber.com/music-arts-festival
The two-day festival showcases juried art and music for all ages, including a Saturday evening concert on the main stage. Due to Everal Barn renovations, there will be not be a youth art exhibit, but plenty of other activities are available for families. Admission is $2 for ages 10 and older.
July 11-18
Madison County Fair
Madison County Fairgrounds, 205 Elm St., London; madisoncountyfairoh.com
July 18-25
Lancaster Festival
Multiple venues, Lancaster; lancasterfestival.org
This popular event, which started in 1984, is known for drawing nationally known musicians, and this year is no exception. The finale concert will be performed by Lady A. Highlights for families include arts, a puppet show, a comic book camp (registration is required) and a magic show. Various musical performances occur daily. Ticket prices vary by event.
July 20-26
Franklin County Fair
Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St., Hilliard; fcfair.org
July 24-25
Canal Winchester Blues & Ribfest
Historic Downtown Canal Winchester (centered around High and Waterloo streets); bluesandribfest.com
Two different stages host blues musical acts, and visitors will find plenty of ribs and a designated outdoor refreshment area during the 15th annual festival. Children’s activities also are offered. Admission is free.
July 24-26
Jazz & Rib Fest
Scioto Mile, Downtown Columbus; hotribscooljazz.org
Sponsored by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, the long-running Jazz & Rib Fest offers three full days of barbecue and music in a scenic riverfront setting. Admission is free.
July 26 to Aug. 1
Union County Fair
Union County Fairgrounds, 845 N. Main St., Marysville; ohiounioncountyfair.com
July 29 to Aug. 9
Ohio State Fair
Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus; ohiostatefair.com
July 31 to Aug. 2
Dublin Irish Festival
Coffman Park, 5200 Emerald Parkway, Dublin; dublinirishfestival.org
The Dublin Irish Festival draws 90,000 people during its three-day celebration of Irish culture. National and international performers entertain guests on seven different stages at Coffman Park. The Wee Folk Area features crafts, stories and an inflatables play area. On July 30, a kickoff 5K race and Kids Dash take place in Historic Dublin. A sensory-friendly “Take-A-Break” space is available for those who need a pause from the festivities. Tickets start at $20; children 11 and younger are admitted free.
AUGUST
Aug. 9-15
The Hartford Fair
Hartford Fairgrounds, 14028 Fairgrounds Road, Croton; hartfordfair.com
Aug. 13-15
Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival
Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Drive, Reynoldsburg, reytomatofest.com
Celebrate the city’s agricultural roots with a lively weekend of tomato-inspired food, entertainment, family-friendly activities and community pride. Have a green thumb for growing tomatoes? Enter them into a contest. Children can participate in hands-on games and activities in the Kids Corner, as well as carnival rides. A special sensory time on Aug. 14 will offer rides and games with reduced lights and sounds. Admission is free.
Aug. 14-15
Columbus Food Truck Festival
Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St., Hilliard; columbusfoodtruckfest.com
Sample menu items from more than 50 food trucks and catch live music and performances at this event, which marks its 15th year. Attend on Aug. 15 to take advantage of a Kids Zone with entertainment, activities and games for younger guests. Tickets start at $5.
Aug. 22-23
Festival Latino
John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St., and the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St., Columbus; festivallatino.net
For its 29th year, Festival Latino is moving to a new home Downtown. The free, family-friendly event celebrates Latin American culture with a variety of live music and dance performances, food, art, fashion and children’s activities.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 2-5
Millersport Sweet Corn Festival
Historic Lions Park, 2900 Chautauqua Blvd., Millersport; sweetcornfest.com
Held near Buckeye Lake, the Sweet Corn Festival has plenty of fresh sweet corn, live music, amusement rides and activities for all ages. A fun tradition is the 5K run on Sept. 5.
Sept. 4-7
Greek Festival
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High St., Columbus; columbusgreekfestival.com
This popular annual event, a Labor Day weekend mainstay, is a showcase of Greek culture. Visitors will find food, dancing, cathedral tours, cooking lessons and more. Admission is $5, free for children 12 and younger.
Sept. 4-7
Obetz Zucchinifest
Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz; obetzzucchinifest.com
Like zucchini? This is the festival for you. Celebrate all things squash at this four-day event over Labor Day weekend with food, amusement rides, live music, a parade and a car show. Admission is free but some activities have fees.
Sept. 5-7
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival
Historic Downtown Canal Winchester (centered around High Street); cwlaborday.org
This year’s Labor Day parade, one of the festival draws, will have an America250 theme. Activities include a car show, tailgate, live music and more. For kids, there are plenty of rides and games, including a sensory-inclusive hour from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free.
Sept. 5 to Nov. 1
Ohio Renaissance Festival
10542 E. State Route 73, Waynesville; renfestival.com
Step into a lively 16th‑century village filled with costumed characters, live music, thrilling jousts, artisan shops and interactive entertainment. Highlights for children include falconry shows, fairy and pirate playtimes, a PB&J Circus and a pirate-themed stunt show, The event takes place Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day, with a different theme each weekend.
Sept. 7
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
Northam Park, 2070 Northam Road, Upper Arlington; upperarlingtonoh.gov/187/labor-day-arts-festival
This long-standing Upper Arlington tradition, a free event put on by the city, draws about 15,000 people each year. Roughly 120 artists line the park, and attendees can enjoy art activities, live performances and food trucks, too.
Sept. 11-13
Columbus Oktoberfest
Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus; columbusoktoberfest.com
A bit of German culture comes to Columbus each fall for Oktoberfest, sponsored by Schmitdt’s. Celebrate the event’s 60th year with food, drinks, entertainment and Kinderplatz, a children’s area with hands-on activities and inflatables. Admission is free, but note there is a $15 charge for parking.
Sept. 19-21
Arts in the Alley
Town Center, Grove City; gcchamber.org/arts-in-the-alley
The annual art festival features a special Kids Fun Street area with crafts, and guests of all ages will find plenty of musicians, artists, vendors and food trucks. This year’s parade, on tap Sept. 19, will have an America250 theme.
Sept. 19-26
Delaware County Fair
Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave., Delaware; delawarecountyfair.com
The Delaware County Fair combines traditions of a county fair with motor sports and harness racing. Don’t miss the Little Brown Jug, part of harness racing’s triple crown, on Sept. 24. The free All-Horse Parade is will step off at 3 p.m. Sept. 13, the week before the fair begins. Admission starts at $8, free for ages 7 and younger.
This is an extended version of The Go-To Guide that appeared in the Columbus Parent section in the June 2026 issue of Columbus Monthly. Subscribe now.
This article originally appeared on Columbus Monthly: Spice up Your Summer With These 31 Fairs and Festivals Around Columbus
Reporting by Heather Lofy, Columbus Parent / Columbus Monthly
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