Fawn Christy
Columbus FESTIVAL GUIDE
Columbus, Ohio, and its surrounding areas host a vibrant array of festivals throughout the year, celebrating the city's rich cultural diversity, arts, music, and community spirit. Here's a comprehensive list of notable annual festivals:
Spring Festivals:
COSI Science Festival (April -May): Ohio's largest science festival includes events in Columbus and surrounding communities, culminating in the Big Science Celebration at COSI. cosiscifest.org
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival (May): A premier rock festival held at the Historic Crew Stadium, featuring a lineup of renowned rock bands and artists. sonictemplefestival.com
Asian Festival (May ): A celebration of Asian culture with authentic food, performances, and cultural exhibits at Franklin Park. asian-festival.org
Summer Festivals:
Columbus Arts Festival (June ): A showcase of visual and performing arts along the downtown riverfront, featuring artists from across the nation. columbusartsfestival.org
Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival (June ): One of the Midwest's largest LGBTQ+ pride events, featuring a parade, live music, and community activities. stonewallcolumbus.org
ComFest (Community Festival) (June): An immense three-day, free, non-commercial music and arts festival held in Goodale Park, featuring multiple stages, art vendors, and community organizations. Comfest.com
Red, White & BOOM! (July 3): Ohio's largest fireworks display, celebrating Independence Day with festivities starting at 11 a.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m. redwhiteandboom.org
Jazz & Rib Fest (July): A highly anticipated summertime tradition offering both jazz and rib connoisseurs the finest in music and barbecue. Admission is free. hotribscooljazz.org
Columbus Food Truck Festival (August): A two-day event featuring the best food trucks from Ohio and beyond, live music, and local craft vendors. Columbusfoodtruckfest.com
Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival (June): A gathering of world-famous blues and jazz performers in Gahanna's Creekside district. Creeksidebluesandjazz.com
Fall Festivals:
All American Quarter Horse Congress (Fall ): The largest single-breed horse show in America, held at the Ohio Expo Center, featuring competitions like barrel racing. quarterhorsecontress.com
HighBall Halloween (Fall ): A fashion-forward costume party in the Short North Arts District, featuring local designers and elaborate costumes. highballcolumbus.org
Columbus Italian Festival (Fall ): A celebration of Italian culture in Italian Village, featuring music, food, and parades.
Additional Notable Festivals:
Ohio State Fair (Late July–Early August ): One of the largest state fairs in the U.S., featuring concerts, exhibitions, rides, and food stalls at the Ohio Expo Center. ohiostatefair.com
Dublin Irish Festival (First weekend in August): A celebration of Irish culture in Dublin, Ohio, with music, dance, and traditional cuisine. dublinirishfestival.org
Pumpkins Aglow (October): A family-friendly event at the Franklin Park Conservatory featuring hundreds of jack-o-lanterns and enchanting lights. fpconservatory.org
CBUS Soul® Fest (Summer): A festival celebrating Columbus' vibrant Black culture, music, history, and soul at Genoa Park. cbussoulfest.com
Columbus Book Festival (July) : A literary festival featuring panel discussions, author talks, and book signings at the Columbus Metropolitan Library's Main Library and Topiary Park. columbusbookfestival.org
Columbus Comedy Festival (Summer 2025): A festival showcasing Columbus' booming comedy scene across various venues in the city. columbuscomedyfest.com
Columbus Summer Wine Festival (Summer 2025): An event for wine enthusiasts featuring wine sampling, arts and crafts, live music, and more at McFerson Commons. columbuswinefest.com
Columbus Greek Festival (Labor Day Weekend): An annual celebration of Greek culture and heritage at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, featuring live performances, authentic food, and more. columbusgreekfestival.com
Ohio Black Expo (Memorial Day Weekend ): A showcase of Black excellence with food, music, art, networking, and more in downtown Columbus. ohioblackexpo.com
Columbus Air Show (August): An exciting event at Rickenbacker International Airport, headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, featuring demonstrations from both modern military and civilian aircraft. columbusairshow.com
This list highlights the diverse and vibrant festival scene in and around Columbus, offering residents and visitors numerous opportunities to engage with the community and celebrate various aspects of culture, art, and entertainment throughout the year.