Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
Happy Weekend! This week’s list includes several events that are happening throughout the entire weekend! I have put the events in the order that they begin, so if you’re looking for something to do on Labor Day, make sure to read through the entire list because there will be Monday events sprinkled throughout!
Family-Friendly Events for Labor Day Weekend in Columbus, Ohio:
1. Last Weekend for Titanic at COSI
If you haven’t seen the Titanic exhibit at COSI, this is the last weekend to see it! Get your tickets in advance because they may sell out! After Labor Day, COSI will be closed through September 20 for their annual cleaning and maintenance.
2. Help Fight Hunger in Our Community with Seeds of Caring
In this kid-friendly project from Seeds of Caring, families, groups, or teams can explore hunger through a hands-on activity and age-appropriate discussion. Then, helping hands will assemble snack bags and decorate cheer cards for families served by the New Albany Food Pantry. This project is ongoing: Just drop off your donations through August 31.
3. Lantern Festival at Columbus Zoo
Enjoy larger-than-life Asian lanterns shaped like animals from around the world at the Columbus Zoo. This event takes place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM until September 29th. Tickets are available online.
4. Columbus Greek Festival
Celebrate the culture of Greece with music, dance, food, shopping, and cathedral tours all weekend. Located at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Greek Festival begins on Friday and runs through Monday. Hours are Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Sunday: Noon – 11:00 PM and Monday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Adults are $5 each and kids under 12 are free. Your ticket is good for the whole weekend.
5. Labor Day Family Value Weekend at Young’s Dairy
Friday through Monday, enjoy a special Family Value wristband good for all day, unlimited family fun at Young’s Jersey Dairy. Each wristband is good for all day fun on the date purchased. Cost is $20 (ages 12 & over) $14 (ages 11 & under). Activities include mini golf, batting cages, a driving range, a carousel, fast slides a corn maze and more!
6. From Book to Film at Gateway Film Center
On Friday or Saturday at 1:30 PM, get free admission to see The NeverEnding Story (1984) (PG) at Gateway Film Center with your library card as part of the Book to Film series!
7. Clintonville Jamboree
On Friday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM enjoy live music, food and art pop-ups, deals at local businesses and kids activities up and down High Street in Clintonville.
8. Obetz Zucchinifest
The Obetz Zucchinifest takes place Friday night through Monday and includes a car show, live music, a parade, food, rides and activities for kids. The festival and concerts are free to attend, but there is a cost for ride wristbands.
9. Friday Night Fishing at Sharon Woods Metro Park
On Friday night from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, all ages can enjoy catch-and-release fishing at Schrock Lake at Sharon Woods Metro Park. Poles will be provided.
10. Saint Michael Festival
The St. Michael Festival takes place in Worthington from August 30—September 1, 2024: Friday 7-11pm, Saturday & Sunday 5-11pm. The festival includes live performances (including one from The Shazzbots on Saturday at 5:00 PM), rides (a wrist band is required), a silent auction, food, and more!
11. Sunset & S’mores at Quarry Trails Metro Park
Meet at the Sled Hill parking lot at Quarry Trails Metro Park for the sunset and s’mores on Friday from 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
12. Scioto Mile Fountain Night Light Show
On Friday and Saturday from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM the Scioto Mile Fountain will be illuminated with color and lights and set to music.
13. Ohio Cup Vintage Base Ball Festival
On Saturday and Sunday, almost 30 vintage base ball teams from all over Ohio will play in the Ohio Cup Base Ball Festival at Ohio History Center. Each day begins at 9:00 AM and the last game of each day will start at 4:00 PM. Games last about 1 hour and are free to watch. Food trucks will also be on site. Bring your own chair.
14. Jump Into Fall at Mosers Farm Market
On Saturday from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM enjoy cider pressing, pumpkins and fall decor, a wildflower field, free samples and more fall fun at Moser’s Farm Market in Powell.
15. Butterfly Weekend at Blendon Woods Nature Center
Drop by the Nature Center at Blendon Woods Metro Park for a daily puppet show, crafts, games, a butterfly hunt and a daily butterfly release. This event will take place from 10:00 AM – 2:00PM on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
16. Storytime with Author Colin Scott Bruce Jr. at Cover to Cover
Enjoy a storytime at Cover to Cover with author Colin Scott Bruce Jr. in celebration of his picture book Little Leaders: Big Hearts Leading the Way. Recommended for ages 4 and up. The storytime will take place on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
17. All in a Day’s Work at Slate Run Farm
Stop by the farmhouse at Slate Run Living Historical Farm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to play a matching game and learn about the history of Labor Day and 19th-century occupations.
18. West Jefferson Ox Roast
This annual festival takes place Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It begins with a parade on Saturday at 12:00 PM and continues with vendors, crafts, bounce houses, live entertainment, games, contests, a community church service, kiddie tractor pull, a 5K, Cruise In, and, of course, Ox Roast Sandwiches. Click on the full schedule to see times for all events.
19. Alum Creek Dam Tours
Learn about the history of Alum Creek Dam on a tour of its inner workings on Saturday at 12:00 PM. The tour will last 1 hour. (See more things to do at Alum Creek State Park to plan your day!)
20. Saturday Music Series at Gahanna Library
Enjoy a performance by the Nacho Saaxadillas on four types of saxophones at the Gahanna Branch of CML on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
21. Field of Dreams & Drone Show at The Park at Beulah
Enjoy a free showing of Field of Dreams and a drone show under the stars at The Park At Beulah on Saturday. The movie will begin at 7 p.m. and it will be followed by a Drone Show at 8:45 p.m.
22. Community Day at Franklin Park Conservatory
Residents of Columbus and Franklin County receive free General Admission to Franklin Park Conservatory on Sunday, September 1st from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Identification is required. Sunday’s theme is Regenerative & Local Agriculture and there will be a cooking demo with free samples in the Live Fire Theatre, a composting info table, and more!
23. Hispanic Latino Heritage Activities at Westerville Library
For the entire month of September (beginning on Sunday), families can stop by the Westerville Public Library to pick up a Loteria BINGO card to learn more about Hispanic culture, make a Mexican tissue paper flower, and search for flags from Hispanic and Latinx countries.
24. Drop In: Weather Experiments at Highbanks Nature Center
Stop by the Highbanks Nature Center on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM to learn about weather experiments, thunderstorms, tornados, rainbows and more!
25. Darling Dragonflies at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
On Sunday from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM, join a naturalist at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center to learn about dragonflies and create a dragonfly craft. For ages 5 and up.
26. Labor Day Arts Festival at Northam Park
The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival takes place at Northam Park on Monday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and will include around 120 artists, hands-on art activities, and live music. The Tremont Library will offer a sensory room, nursing station, and baby changing room.
27. Labor Day at Ye Olde Mill
On Monday from 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM head to Ye Olde Mill for food trucks, craft vendors, live music and family-friendly activities.
28. Labor Day Skating at United Skates of America
Go roller skating on Monday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM at United Skates! If you dress in red, white & blue you will get a free glow stick. There will be music, patriotic games and a Labor Day trivia contest.
Check out these blog posts to plan your Summer Fun in Columbus!
- Your Essential Guide to Summer in Columbus, Ohio
- Free Fountains and Splash Pads in Columbus, Ohio
- Farmers Markets in Columbus and Central Ohio
- Summer Nights: Movies, Concerts and More for Every Night of the Week
- Outdoor and Drive-In Movie Experiences in Columbus
- 35 Free Things to do with Your Kids in Columbus This Summer
*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!*