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 Memorial Day 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. Blooms and Butterflies at Franklin Park Conservatory
Visit the Pacific Island Water Garden between now and July 6th to walk amongst the butterflies! You can also view butterflies emerging from their chrysalises in the Metamorphosis Lab. This activity is available during regular hours (10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) and is included in admission.
3. Free Kid-Friendly Project: Be Kind to Yourself & Others with Seeds of Caring
We hear a lot about the importance of being kind to others, but what about being kind to ourselves? In this Seeds of Caring project, kids ages 6-12 will learn why we have more joy to share when we practice self-kindness. Then, children will have the opportunity to write a caring note for United Way of Central Ohio’s “Stuff the Backpack” program. Families and groups can participate any time, anywhere until the project ends July 31.
4. Summer Reading Kickoff at Westerville Library
Your favorite storybook characters will be joining the Westerville Public Library to kick off the Summer Reading Challenge on Friday from 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM. Visitors include Bluey, Pete the Cat, Snoopy, Elephant and Piggie, InvestiGators and more! Check the link for the schedule.
5. Preschool: Fish Frenzy at Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center
Enjoy a story and craft about fish and help feed fish at the Battelle Darby Creek Nature Center on Friday at 9:30 AM. Ages 3-5.
6. Grand Opening at FUNBOX
FUNBOX, the World’s Biggest Bounce Park, is coming to Polaris Fashion Place from May 23 – Sept 1! With 25,000 sq. ft. of inflatable fun! Their grand opening takes place on Friday from 3:30 PM – 8:00 PM. Buy tickets online.
7. Stuffie Sleepover at Storyline Bookshop
Drop off your favorite stuffie for a Memorial Day Weekend sleepover at Storyline Bookshop. The staff will treat them to a story time, movies, snacks, and more! Drop your stuffie off Friday by 5 PM and pick them back up on Saturday by 10 AM. Register online.
Check out this list of wonderful bookstores in Columbus!
8. Free Concert at Columbus Commons
Enjoy an evening of live music with The Dark Side of the Moon, as they replicate the sounds of Pink Floyd, followed by A Song Remains: A Night of Led Zeppelin. This is a free show. Bring a blanket and/or chairs. Beverage sales and food trucks will be available on-site beginning at 6:00 pm. The Parachute People will be onsite from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm!
Check out all the things there are to do at Columbus Commons this summer!
9. Visit with Farm Animals at Westerville Library
During Westerville’s 4th Friday celebration, stop by the library to visit with live farm ainmals on Friday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
10. Grandview Heights Memorial Parade
The Memorial Parade begins at 10:00 am on Saturday at First Avenue and Cambridge Boulevard and goes along First Avenue to Oxley Road.
Read my list of 15 fun things to do in Grandview!
11. Columbus Asian Festival at Franklin Park
This two-day festival is a celebration of Asian culture featuring live music and dance performances, martial arts, a Lion Dance, food trucks, market Market Place, Children’s Tent, community organizations and more! Hours are 10 AM – 8 PM on on Saturday and 10 AM – 6 PM on Sunday.
Check out this list of festivals in Columbus for more info!
12. Jeni’s Strawberry Jam at Land Grant Brewing
Enjoy food, drinks, music, family-friendly activities in the Strawberry Patch, and all the strawberry treats at the Land-Grant Taproom + Beer Garden, Town Street, Gravity Experience Park and the Extension Innovation Taproom on Saturday and Sunday! Kid-friendly activities take place from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM each day and adult-centric activities continue into the evening.
13. Fountain Fest at Bicentennial Park
This free, two-day celebration at the Scioto Mile Fountain includes music, food trucks, live performances, art, and more on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM each day.
These fountains and splash pads are FREE to visit!
14. Free Family Fun Day at Columbus Commons
This event on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM includes free family-friendly games, inflatables, crafts, face painting, carousel rides, live music, inflatables and activities from local organizations. Food trucks will be on site.
15. Touch a Truck at Great Lakes Hyundai of Dublin
This free event on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM includes a Touch-a-Truck, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputies & K-9 Unit, child safety fingerprinting, live music and dance, food trucks and more!
16. Utica Ice Cream Festival
This festival takes place at Velvet Ice Cream’s Ye Olde Mill on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM and Monday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The kick-off parade begins at 11:00 AM on SAturday through downtown Utica and the festival will include live music and performances, an ice cream eating contest, Magic Nate, the Supa Fun Band, bubble fun and more!
17. Author Tricia Sprinstubb & Friends at Upper Arlington Public Library
Hear author Tricia Springstubb on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the Upper Arlington Public Library (Tremont) in celebration of her new late middle grade (ages 12+) novel, How to Tell a True Story. Enjoy a bonus conversation with Ohio authors Elisa Stone Leahy and Natalie D. Richards.
18. Celebrate World Turtle Day at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Meet some of the nature center turtle ambassadors, take a hike to the lake to look for wild turtles, and make a turtle craft to take home at Blendon Woods Nature Center on Saturday at 1:00 PM.
19. The Ohio Village Muffins Vintage Base Ball Game
The Ohio Village Muffins and Diamonds play at the Westerville Field of Heroes on Saturday at 2:00 PM. These baseball games are played in 1860’s style.
20. Meet the Animals at Highbanks Nature Center
Drop by the Nature Center at Highbanks Metro Park between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM on Saturday to meet some of the educational animals up close.
21. Kids Day at DogTap Columbus
On Sunday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, enjoy brunch at BrewDog.There will be a specialty kids’ brunch item, kids’ activities on the patio, and a kids’ coloring contest! Square Canvas will be on site with Axe Throwing and Splatter Paint activities, and Bubba’s Shaved Ice will be serving up 40+ flavors of shaved ice (sold separately).
22. Open Farm Days at Harrison Farm
Visit the goats at Harrison Farm on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, May through September. No RSVP is necessary and there is no cost to visit at this time. When you arrive, check in at the tent on the driveway.
Memorial Day Events in Columbus
23. Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony at NVMM
This ceremony takes place at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum on Monday at 10:00 AM. Nate Boyer, U.S. Army Green Beret Veteran and former NFL player, will deliver the keynote address. The ceremony can also be streamed live.
24. Memorial Day in Lithopolis
The Memorial Day Community Parade begins at 10:00 AM and following the parade there will be a car show, food trucks, DJ in the park, Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull and the Wagnalls Memorial 100th annivesary celebration.
25. Worthington Memorial Day Parade
The Worthington Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on E. Dublin-Granville Rd. and proceeds south on High Street to Cemetery Drive. A ceremony takes place at Walnut Grove Cemetery at the conclusion of the parade.
26. Plain City Memorial Day Parade
The Plain City Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 AM at Pastime Park. It is followed by a Memorial Day Ceremony at Forest Grove Cemetery at 11:00 AM.
27. Powell Memorial Day Parade
The Powell Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 AM on Liberty and Olentangy streets. It is followed by a memorial ceremony at the Greater Powell Veterans Memorial. You can also check out the Field of Flags display in Village Green Park throughout the whole weekend. The Splash Pad at Village Green Park opens after the ceremony at 3:00 PM.
28. Paddle the Lake at Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Paddle around Darby Bend Lakes on Monday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Tandem kayaks and canoes are available for all ages with an adult. Solo sit-in kayaks and Standup Paddle Boards for ages 10+. This event is free.
29. Memorial Day Ceremony in Westerville
Field of Heroes takes place at the Westerville Sports Complex and the Veterans Memorial Park throughout the weekend. The Memorial Day event includes a reading of names at 12:00 PM, and the Memorial Day ceremony at 12:15 PM. See the full schedule for the weekend here.
30. Toy Boat Building at Slate Run Farm
Build a wooden boat to sail on the pond at Slate Run Farm between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Monday. Meet in front of the barn.
Read more about Slate Run Farm!
31. Groveport Memorial Day Parade
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony in Groveport begins at 1:30 at Groveport Town Hall and ends at Groveport Cemetery. Following the parade, a ceremony will be held at Groveport Cemetery.
*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!*