COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the weather grows warmer, more summer events are being announced in Columbus. This year, big events like the Ohio State Fair, Columbus Taco Fest, Red, White & BOOM! and the Columbus Book Festival are returning.
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 has more than 200 events planned as summer progresses. The free events feature food trucks, happy hours, fitness classes and concerts at the six-acre park. The season starts April 19 with free daily carousel rides and the reopening of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Tortilla Street Food.
Events happening in Columbus this summer
May
May 10-12 | Ringling Bros. Circus
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey are debuting the reimagined “The Greatest Show on Earth” performance. The experience will feature never-before-seen stunts, musical performances, comedy, criss-cross trapeze and the ultimate playground. “The Greatest Show on Earth” will have six performances at the Schottenstein Center.
May 16-19 | Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival
Sonic Temple returns to Historic Crew Stadium with their largest musical lineup ever. The four-day rock festival will feature headliners Slipknot, Pantera, The Original Misfits and Disturbed. This year the festival added an additional fourth stage and will feature a total of 120 bands.
May 18-19 | Columbus Taco Fest
This year's event will return to Genoa Park on May 18 from noon to 10 p.m. and May 19 from noon to 8 p.m. Due to its increasing popularity, Taco Fest will also be expanding over the Rich Street Bridge. More details here.
May 25-26 | Asian Festival
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 19, kicking off at Bicentennial Park in the Scioto River.
June
June 3-9 | Memorial Tournament
Hosted annually at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, the Memorial Tournament is played to honor the greats of the game of golf. Practice rounds are scheduled for June 3-5 with the first tournament round beginning on June 6.
June 7-9 | Columbus Arts Festival
Artists of all kinds bring their work to the Downtown Columbus 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.
June 14-15 | Stonewall Columbus Pride
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 2. The Pride Festival and Resource Fair will take place the 14th, with the Pride March on the 15th.
June 22-23 | Buckeye Country Superfest
Buckeye Country Superfest is once again returning to Ohio Stadium this summer. This year's lineup includes Zach Bryan, Billy Strings, Turnpike Troubadours, Charley Crockett and more. The gates open at the stadium at 2 p.m.
June 28-30 | ComFest
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. Attendees will find live music, dance, street fair vendors, food and more.
July
July 3 | Red, White & BOOM!
The annual fireworks show will bring in more than 400,000 visitors to Columbus for Independence Day. The event held downtown will feature a parade, a street festival and live musical entertainment.
July 12-13 | Columbus Food Truck Festival
The Columbus Food Truck Festival is set to double the fun, with the festival taking over two different locations this summer. On July 12 and 13, the festival will return along the Scioto Peninsula in downtown Columbus from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.
July 13-14 | Columbus Book Festival
Back for its second year, the free book festival kicks off this summer with more author talks, book signings, a huge book sale, food vendors and entertainment for the family. The two-day event is held at the Main Library and in the Topiary Park in Columbus. Read more here.
July 19-21 | Jazz & Rib Fest
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.
July 24-Aug. 4 | Ohio State Fair
The annual Ohio State Fair is set to kick off this July for a week-and-a-half run, with all your favorite rides, games, food and entertainment. The fair has already announced a number of musical artists performing in the WCOL Celeste Center, including Stephen Sanchez, Boyz II Men with special guest Preacher Lawson, Lauren Daigle and Alabama with special guest Jade Eagleson.
August
Aug. 2-4 | Dublin Irish Festival
Dublin, Ohio is home to the largest three-day Irish Festival in the world and this year will mark 37 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, 60 acts and more than 800 performers slated to perform. Tickets are on sale now and cost $20 for one-day general admission for those 11 years and older.
Aug. 3-4 | Pelotonia
Registration for Pelotonia’s event in 2024 is now open. The events include the opening ceremony, Ride Weekend and the return of Gravel Day. Ride Weekend this year features routes ranging from 20 to 190 miles.
Aug. 8-10 | Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival
The event held in Huber Park will feature food vendors, entertainment and activities for the whole family. This year, bands like Sister Hazel and Vertical Horizon will be performing.
Aug. 17 | Columbus Food Truck Festival
After two days of the Columbus Food Truck Festival in downtown Columbus in July, it will return for one day to the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission costs $5 per person during the presale and $10 on the day of the event.
Aug. 17 | CBUS Soul Fest
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. 17, from 4-11 p.m. at Genoa Park.
Aug. 30-Sept. 2 | Obetz Zucchini Festival
The zucchinifest takes place every year bringing together music, attractions, food and lots of zucchini. This year's entertainment lineup has not yet been announced. Admission is free of charge.
Aug. 30-Sept. 2 | Columbus Greek Festival
This Labor Day weekend, Columbus is hosting its 51st annual Greek Festival. The event allows people from all over the country to experience Greek culture and indulge in cuisine and drinks. Admission for adults is $5.
September
Sept. 2 | Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
More than 15,000 visitors are expected to attend this event in Upper Arlington which showcases around 120 artists' work and live performances from community members. Various food trucks and vendors will also be at the event. Admission to the event is free.
