Family-Friendly Events This Weekend in Columbus, Ohio: July 18-20, 2025

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!

Family-Friendly Things to do in Columbus, Ohio This Weekend:

These events are in chronological order. Ongoing events are listed first. If an event happens multiple times during a weekend, it will be listed in the order of its first occurrence, so make sure to read through the whole list! Have a great weekend!

1. Unofficial Galaxies at COSI

Unofficial Galaxies is one of the largest Star Wars fan collections in the world and it will be on display at COSI now through September 1, 2025. General Admission and Live Shows tickets are required to experience Unofficial Galaxies.

2. Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects at Franklin Park Conservatory

This temporary, special exhibit includes horticulture displays made from LEGO bricks! It will be on display throughout the conservatory until September 7, 2025. See my Reel on Instagram for more info!

3. Franklin County Fair

The Franklin County Fair takes place July 14-20 and includes rides, games, exhibits, vendors, concessions and more! Highlights this weekend include Mr. Eric’s Music, Jurassic Kingdom Mini Golf, Chainsaw Art, LEGO Fun Zone, Ohio School of Falconry, and more! Check the link for the daily schedules.

4. Learn to Lead with The Empowerment Project with Seeds of Caring

Empower kids to be leaders and changemakers in their community! In this FREE Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, kids ages 6-12 will use their unique strengths to promote self-confidence, mental wellness, and the power of everyday leadership. This project is available through 8/31/25.

5. Arthritis Foundation Charity Auto Show

This annual event benefits the Arthritis Foundation and features family-friendly entertainment, food trucks, live music and tons of great cars for a great cause! Check out acres of cars, trucks, motorcycles and special vehicle displays on Friday and Saturday! Kids 12 and under are free and tickets can be purchased online. Show hours are Friday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Saturday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

6. Farm Animal Event at Hilliard Library

Visit with chickens, ducks, turkeys goats, pigs and more at the Hilliard Branch of CML on Friday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

Read my list of fun things to do in Hilliard!

7. Commons for Kids

On Friday mornings from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Columbus Commons, enjoy free kid-friendly activities including lawn games, carousel rides, face painting, and educational activities from community partners. This Friday’s theme is Carnival.

Read about all of the fun things to do at Columbus Commons this Summer!

8. Family Adventures at Columbus Museum of Art

Enjoy a specialty tour of Columbus Museum of Art on Friday at 10:30 AM. This interactive tour is designed for children 12 and under and their caregivers. Register online.

9. Jazz & Rib Fest on the Scioto Mile

Enjoy this free summer festival on the Scioto Mile featuring live jazz performances on 2 stages plus over 30 food vendors. Festival hours are Friday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

10. Hot Wheels Monster Truck at the Library

Get up close to the Hot Wheels Monster Truck, Skelesaurus! Meet the driver and get an autograph at the Hilltop Branch of CML on Friday from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

11. Popcorn Pops: Where the Wild Things Play

Enjoy a concert at Columbus Commons by the Columbus Symphony inspired by animals from the Columbus Zoo. Beginning at 5:30 PM on Friday there will be yard games, face painting, airbrush tattoos, an instrument petting zoo and more! Real animals from the Columbus Zoo will also make appearances at the concert! Stay for the free movie Surf’s Up afterwards! Tickets are available online for the concert.

12. Free Family Movie Night: Surf’s Up

Head to the Commons for a free family movie night featuring Suf’s Up. The movie will begin after the Popcorn Pops concert (which is a ticketed event) Free popcorn while supplies last.

13. For Families: Campfire & S’mores at Highbanks Metro Park

Enjoy a campfire and s’mores at the Highbanks Nature Center on Friday from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Supplies and roasting sticks will be provided.

14. Summer Movie Series at Northwest Library

Watch Paddington in Peru outdoors at the Northwest Library Backyard on Friday. Activities and games begin at 8:30 PM and the movie will begin at dark.

15. Ohio’s Biggest Touch-A-Truck at Olentangy Berlin High School

On Saturday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Olentangy Berlin High School, get up close to more than 100 vehicles, including health and safety vehicles. Bring a nonperishable donation for People in Need if you can!

16. LEGO Building Club at Plain City Public Library

Build and create at the LEGO Building Club at Plain City Public Library on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM. No registration required.

Read my list of things to do in Plain City!

17. Sprout’s Live at Hilliard’s Station Park

Meet princesses and superheroes, enjoy music and fun activities at this free event at Hilliard’s Station Park on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM.

18. Summer Jam West Festival

Summer Jam West Community Arts Festival takes place at Westgate Park on Saturday from 12:00 AM – 7:00 PM and will feature over 40 artists and artisan vendors, food trucks, chalk artists, a kids arts area with balloon twisting and face painting, art demonstrations, community partners, complimentary bike helmets and more!

19. PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park

Enjoy a kid-friendly jazz concert on the lawn at Topiary Park on Saturday. There will be a story time at the Columbus Metropolitan Library at 12:00 PM and the concert will begin at 1:00 PM. This is a free event. This month’s concert will feature Bobby Floyd and Byron Stripling.

20. Free LEGO Play at Nocterra Brewing

On Saturday from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM enjoy building with LEGO at Nocterra Brewing! Bricks will be provided by Bricks & Minifigs Powell for a time of free building.

21. Picasso Chalk Class at Main Library

Learn how to make large-scale sidewalk chalk art with Cecilia Martyna at the Main Library on Saturday at 12:00 PM.

22. Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

See Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live at Nationwide Arena on Saturday and Sunday. Watch your favorite monster trucks perform. Show times are Saturday at 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:30 PM. Tickets are available online.

23. Horse Powered Grain Threshing at Slate Run Farm

Between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Saturday at Slate Run Farm, watch horses power machinery that separates grain from straw. Weather and crop permitting.

See photos of Slate Run Farm!

24. Night at the Fire Museum

The Central Ohio Fire Museum will be open from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Saturday for a special, ticketed event where families can explore the museum, do crafts, complete a fire safety scavenger hunt, slide down the fire pole, drive a play fire truck and more! Tickets are limited.

Read more about the Central Ohio Fire Museum!

25. Try it! Kayaking at Quarry Trails Metro Park

Anyone ages 10 and up can try out kayaking for free at Quarry Trails Metro Park on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. All equipment and instruction will be provided.

26. German Village Makers Market

This market features over 65 makers and food trucks in German Village. The market takes place from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Sunday.

27. Jigsaw Puzzle Race at Worthington Park Library

Teams of up to 4 people can compete against the clock to see how many 100-piece puzzles they can complete in 90 minutes at the Worthington Park Library on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM! Puzzles are provided. Ages 6 and up.

28. For Kids: Going on a Bug Hunt

Take a 1-mile hike through the prairie to catch insects and learn about their adaptations at Blacklick Woods Metro Park on Sunday at 6:00 PM.

29. Concert on the Green in Worthington

Enjoy a free concert on the Northwest Village Green on Sunday at 7:00 PM. This week’s artists are John Schwab & Molly Pauken.

Read my list of 13 fun things to do in Worthington!

*Please be aware,  information is gathered from multiple community sources.  Times, dates and locations are subject to change. There may be a fee to participate in a featured activity.  Please call ahead or check links to confirm activities. Inclusion of an event on this list is not considered an endorsement. Please use your best judgement when attending public events and consult your doctor if you have questions regarding the safety level of a public event. Read my disclaimer here. Enjoy what you do today!*