COLUMBUS, Ohio — The sun is out and summer events are right around the corner!
In preparation for a fun-filled summer season, 10TV has compiled a list of events to help you navigate what's happening in the Columbus area. As we move closer to summer break, events will continue to be added.
The John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons kicked off its season on April 21 and will be hosting hundreds of events during the summertime. Click here for the full list.
Events to check out this summer
May
3-6 | COSI Science Festival
333 W Broad St., Columbus
The science festival is taking place all over Ohio for those looking to learn more about science. The Big Science Celebration will be held at COSI on the last day of the festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
20-21 | Columbus Taco Fest
Genoa Park, 303 W Broad St., Columbus
Now in its fifth year, the Columbus Taco Fest will be taking place again in downtown Columbus this May. The event brings live music, games, activities and of course... tacos. The taco-inspired festival benefits the Columbus Diaper Coalition. More details here.
20 | Cap City Experiences
Far East Community Center
The festivals aim to strengthen engagement between families and service providers, promote healthy community relationships and provide a safe and fun environment for residents to relax and enjoy festivities. Events take place within Columbus neighborhoods and feature free food, live music, games and more. The four-part series kicks off May 20 at Far East Community Center.
25-28 | Riverfront Culture Fest + Convention
Downtown Columbus
The culture festival and convention will take place Memorial Day Weekend in downtown Columbus and feature an opening parade, more than 100 vendors, more than 20 food trucks, a concert, line dancing, gospel, jazz, African dance and drum, Blues and more.
27 | Buckeye Country Superfest
Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr., Columbus
The sixth annual event held at the Schottenstein Center is coming back with George Strait headlining. The event will also bring King of Country, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town and Warren Zeiders to Columbus.
27-28 | Asian Festival
Franklin Park, 1755 East Broad St., Columbus
More than 100,000 visitors are expected to pay a visit to Franklin Park this May for the Asian Festival. The two-day event features art demonstrations, Tai chi martial arts workshops, entertainment, vendors and food. In addition to the festival, there will also be a Dragon Boat Race on May 21, kicking off at Bicentennial Park in the Scioto River.
31 | Wednesdays on the Green
Wednesdays on the Green is a happy hour-style event that is perfect for those wanting to enjoy warm summer nights listening to free live music in downtown Columbus along the Scioto Mile. The six-part series takes place on Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. at Dorrian Green, located in front of COSI at 50 S. Belle St. The line-up for Wednesdays on the Green is:
- May 31: Mojoflo
- June 14: Popgun
- June 28: Yumbambe
- Aug. 9: Honey and Blue
- Aug. 30: The Ark Band
- Sept. 6:The Floorwalkers
June
9-11 | Columbus Arts Festival
Downtown Columbus Riverfront
It's perhaps one of the most creative festivals in the area. Artists of all kinds bring their work to the riverfront to transform it into an outdoor gallery. There will be more than 200 visual artists, three stages of performing artists and dozens of food vendors. The event is free to attend.
13 | Dorrian Days
Dorrian Days take place on Tuesdays from June 13-Aug. 15 (excluding July 4) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Dorrian Green. This family-friendly event features the fountain at Dorrian Green, inflatables, performances, science experiments and more.
16-17 | Stonewall Columbus Pride
Goodale Park, 120 W Goodale St., Columbus
This annual event serves as Stonewall Columbus' largest annual fundraiser. Pride Month in Columbus will kick off with a brunch at the Columbus Athenaeum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 4. The Pride Festival and Resource Fair will take place the 16th and 17th at Goodale Park.
16-18 | Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival
Creekside Park & Plaza, 117 Mill St., Gahanna
Love blues and jazz music? This festival may be perfect for you. The three-day event brings together performers from all over the world for some great tunes. Tickets are on sale now. One-day adult admission costs $15 and weekend passes cost $30.
17-18 | Juneteenth Ohio Celebration
Genoa Park, 303 West Broad St., Columbus
The 26th annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival will take place for two days and feature a concert series, talent show and classic car show. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy some music and food outside. Proceeds from the event will benefit factual literacy initiatives. Admission is free until 3 p.m. each day, then prices for adults are $15 online.
21-25 | Origins Game Fair
Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 North High St., Columbus
Fans of tabletop gaming unite. This annual convention is hosted by the Game Manufacturers Association. There are more than 5,000 gaming events scheduled throughout the week for attendees. You can register for the event at their website.
23-24 | Powell Festival
Village Green Park, OH-161 & High St, Worthington
Powell is hosting a festival this summer with a kids zone, a market place, food trucks, vendors, local beer and wine, DORA and fireworks. The two-day event will also bring artist Sister Hazel and Smash Mouth to the Village Green Park.
23-25 | ComFest
Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus
The Community Festival is coming back to Goodale Park and will include activities for all ages. The annual event brings in speakers and workshops on progressive issues, social change and community activism. Learn more about the schedule here.
July
3 | Red, White & BOOM!
Downtown Columbus
The annual event is returning to downtown Columbus and is expected to bring more than 400,000 people to the area. The event features music, a parade and one of the biggest firework shows in the midwest. The fireworks are shot off from Genoa Park at 10 p.m., so be sure to find a good sitting spot.
*Check back for an updated list on fireworks being put together by local communities.
8-9 | Westerville Music and Arts Festival
Heritage Park and Everal Barn, 60 North Cleveland Ave.
Westerville's music and arts festival will feature dozens of artists and food vendors. There will be two stages and a songwriter tent where local artists will perform and pictures, paintings and more will be present throughout the event. Tickets are just $1 for anyone over the age of 10.
15-16 | Columbus Book Festival
Main Library, Kaufman Plaza and Topiary Garden Park, 96 South Grant Ave.
In honor of the Columbus Metropolitan Library's 150th anniversary, the Main Library will be holding a festival for lovers of books. Visitors can stay cool inside the library and listen to authors talk about their books, or head outside and find food vendors, entertainment and new and used book sales. Read more about it here.
21-23 | Jazz & Rib Fest
Scioto Mile
Since 1990, the Jazz & Rib Fest has been held in downtown Columbus, celebrating great food and music. The event is free to all and food vendors will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Learn more about the festival here.
26-Aug. 6 | Ohio State Fair
Ohio State Fairgrounds, 717 East 17th Ave., Columbus
The state fair has been an annual tradition since 1850. Thousands gather at the Ohio State Fairgrounds for concerts, animals, food, games, rides and more. This year's event will bring headliners like Third Eye Blind, Kidz Bop, Yung Gravy, Casting Crowns, Ludacris, Lindsey Stirling, Tyler Hubbard and more.
August
1 | Columbus Symphony Community Concerts
These free concerts feature the entire orchestra performing family-friendly music, ranging from symphonic to pop and movie hits. The concerts start at 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 at Dodge Community Center; Aug. 2 at Woodward Park Community Center; Aug. 3 at Barack Community Center; Aug. 4 at Westgate Community Center; and Aug. 6 at Driving Park Community Center.
4-6 | Dublin Irish Festival
Coffman Park, 5200 Emerald Pkwy., Dublin
Dublin, Ohio is home to the largest three-day Irish Festival in the world and this year will mark 36 years since it began. The festival takes place the first weekend in August and brings more than 100,000 guests to the area. There are seven stages, 65 acts and more than 535 performers slated to perform. Tickets are on sale now and cost $20 for one-day general admission for those 11 years and older.
5-6 | Pelotonia
Pelotonia is celebrating 15 years of helping fund cancer research. Their annual "Ride Weekend" is set to take place again this summer with new routes for riders. There will be several routes through downtown Columbus from between 24 miles and 184 miles. For more information on the event, visit their website.
10-12 | Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival
Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr., Reynoldsburg
For 56 years, Reynoldsburg has been hosting the well-known tomato festival, and this year is no different. With carnival rides, a festival pageant, kids corner and the option of sensory time, this festival is fit for a family.
12-13 | Festival Latino
Genoa Park, 303 West Broad St., Columbus
¡Festival Latino! brings two days of music, food, fashion, art and dance to Columbus. For those looking to immerse themselves in Latin American culture, this event is the perfect fit. The marketplace will have a dozen different local vendors and there will be 20 vendors at the festival.
19 | CBUS Soul Fest
Genoa Park
The CBUS Soul Fest celebrates Columbus’ vibrant Black culture, music, history and soul. The event features live music and local food trucks. The event is Saturday, Aug. 19, from 4-11 p.m. at Genoa Park.
19-20 | Columbus Food Truck Festival
Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4951 Northwest Pkwy.
The Columbus Food Truck Festival is returning to the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard for its 12th year this August. Admission to the event is $5 per person if tickets are purchased in advance online and $7 if purchased online or at the door on festival days. More information here.
25-27 | WonderBus Music & Arts Festival
The Lawn at CAS, 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus
This year's summer concert features headlining artists Pitbull, Demi Lovato and Caamp. The headliners will perform separate day and will be joined by artists like Sean Kingston, Oliver Tree, Portugal. The Man, Saint Motel and more. General admission for adults cost $92 and for a full weekend pass, tickets are $199. See the full lineup here.
27-28 | Fiery Foods Festival
Genoa Park 303 West Broad St., Columbus
Are you a fan of spicy foods? The spiciest food festival in Columbus is coming back this summer with plenty of hot options. Tickets cost $5
September
1-4 | Obetz Zucchini Festival
Fortress Obetz, 2050 Recreation Trail, Obetz
Did you there was a whole festival devoted to zucchinis in Obetz? The zucchinifest takes place every year bringing together music, attractions, food and lots of zucchini. This year's entertainment lineup includes Vanilla Ice and Brantley Gilbert. Admission is free of charge.
1-4 | Columbus Greek Festival
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Goodale Boulevard at High Street
This Labor Day weekend, Columbus is hosting its 50th annual Greek Festival. The event allows people from all over the country to experience Greek culture and indulge in cuisine and drinks. Visitors can also get a tour of the cathedral in Columbus, which is full of mosaics and marble. Admission for adults is $5.
4 | Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
Northam Park/Tremont Road, 2850 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington
More than 15,000 visitors are expected to flock to this event in Upper Arlington that showcases arts and craft work and performances from community members. Admission to the event is free.