Family-Friendly Events This Weekend in Columbus, Ohio: August 22-24, 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. Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival

From July 31 – October 5, the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival will take place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM. Asian lanterns will highlight wildlife scenes throughout the zoo. Tickets are available online.

4. Columbus Air Show

The Columbus Air Show takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Rickenbacker International Airport. Tickets are available online and kids 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. The festival features air performances and family-friendly activities. Hours each day are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

5. Family Craft: Mixed Media at Westerville Public Library

Use mixed media to create unique pieces of art at the Westerville Public Library on Friday at 10:00 AM.

 6. Fourth Friday in Uptown Westerville

Fourth Friday takes place on Friday in Uptown Westerville from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. There will be live music, roving entertainment, food trucks, pop-up vendors and special activities.

7. Columbus Egyptian Festival

This festival takes place at St. Mary’s Coptic Orthodox Church on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Celebrate Egyptian culture and heritage with authentic Egyptian food, church tours, henna drawings, games, children’s activities and more. Hours are Friday from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Saturday from 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM.

8. LEGO Bulk Smash at Bricks & Minifigs Powell

Smash and pick apart LEGO sets and buy pieces at a discount at this event at BAM Powell on Friday night from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

9. Ultraviolet Night Hike at Blendon Woods Metro Park

Use a blacklight to look for hidden colors of the night on a hike. Limited supplies will be provided at Blendon Woods Metro Park on Friday from 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM.

10. Bug Balloon Scavenger Hunt at Main Library

Search for bug-inspired balloon creations made by Erica Carlson at the Main Library in downtown Columbus all day Saturday and Sunday. Hours are 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM on Saturday and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Sunday.

11. Saturday Morning Storytime at Cover to Cover

Head to Cover to Cover for a storytime every Saturday at 10:00 AM. Pefect for ages 4 and under.

Check out this list of 9 wonderful bookstores in Columbus!

12. Let’s Make Sock Puppets at the Old Worthington Library

Make sock puppets with yarn and beads and learn puppeteering tricks at this event at Old Worthington Library on Saturday at 10:00 AM.

13. Grove City YMCA Family Fun Day

This free Family Fun Day includes a touch-a-truck, swim assessments, crafts, bounce house, food trucks, horse rides and more activities! It takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Grove City YMCA.

14. Back to School Event at Main Library

This back-to-school event at the Main Library in downtown Columbus will include local organizations showcasing their programs and resources on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. There will also be a fire truck and Fire Safety House on site and a magic show by Jim Kleefeld at 11:00 AM.

15. Weiland’s Party in the Parking Lot

This annual party includes live music, local vendors and artisans, a Mini Makers Market, games and activities for kids and food and drink. It takes place on Saturday from 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM and is free to attend.

16. Women & Girls Fest at MPACC Box Park

This festival takes place on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM and includes vendors, live performances, food trucks and community resources. It takes place at MPACC Box Park and celebrates women and girls with live entertainment and activities for all.

17. Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Open House

Visit the COMRC for their Summer Open House and view 6 model train layouts, including a Thomas the Train layout that kids can run. Hours are 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

18. Columbus ArborFest in Whetstone Park

Arborfest takes place in Whetstone Park in Clintonville on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. There will be live music and poetry readings, nature crafts for kids, a scavenger hunt, story time, special presentations and educational opportunities, food trucks, guided nature walks and much more!

19. Dublin Village Community Fest

This festival takes place on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and features live music, food, bounce houses, games, interactive demonstrations, yoga and more.

20. Beats and Brews: A Friends of the Library 50th Birthday

From 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM on Saturday, celebrate 50 years of the Friends of the Library at Main Library’s Kaufman Plaza. There will be love music, a storytime, cake, yard games, and more! This is a free event.

21. Build a Butterfly Feeder at Highbanks Nature Center

Drop in to the Highbanks Nature Center on Saturday between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to build a butterfly feeder to take home.

22. Preshistoric Park at Blacklick Woods Metro Park

Find prehistoric animals on a half-mile, self-guided hike at Blacklick Woods on Saturday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.

23. Conservatory Explore: Brick Nights at Franklin Park Conservatory

Visit Franklin Park Conservatory at night for a special event where you can get creative with LEGO bricks! The theme is Favorite Video Games. Special engagement tickets are required. This event takes place from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Saturday.

24. Grandview Hop

On Saturday from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, head to Grandview Ave for live music, local shopping, art, food trucks and fun activities for kids!

25. Family Sundays at Land-Grant

Family Sunday at Land-Grant includes free face painting, coloring pages, a kids’ menu at Ray Ray’s BBQ, Hawaiian shave ice, and an outdoor showing of the movie Encanto. This event is from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Sunday.

26. For Families: Meet Author Tracy Blom & Bug Hunt at Highbanks Metro Park

Join local author Tracy Blom as she reads from her new book, Lissa Loves Bugs. Afterwards, there will be an off-trail exploration bug hunt! Ages 3 and up. This event takes place on Sunday at 2:00 PM.

27. International Festa-val at Franklin County Fairgrounds

This festival takes place from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Sunday at Franklin County Fairgrounds. Celebrate the diversity of Central Ohio with international performances, music, a cultural fashion show, art, family-friendly activities and food. This is a free event.

28. Merion Village Festival

This annual festival takes place on from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Sunday at Moeller Park and it features artists, local businesses and community organizations. There will be food trucks, a beer garden, live musical performances, interactive art and activities for kids.

29. UnderCurrent: Walk, Roll, and Play in Downtown Columbus

This free event will include local food trucks, pop-up workout classes, live art and more free activities under Current at High & Gay Streets in downtown Columbus. It will take place on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and guests are encouraged to walk, scoot or skate to the event where the streets will be closed to cars for this special event.

*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!*