Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
Local farms are gearing up for Fall Festivals and activities! Start your planning by checking out these posts:
- 6 Farms Where You Can Pick Your Own Apples
- A Complete List of Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals Near Central Ohio
- Get Lost in One of these Corn Mazes in Central Ohio
- The Best Places to See Fall Colors in Columbus, Ohio and Beyond
- Halloween Events and Trick-or-Treat Times in Columbus
1. Fall Festivals
This is the season when local pumpkin farms and apple orchards hold Fall Festivals on the weekends! These weekends include hayrides, pumpkin picking, farmyard games, corn mazes and much more! Click the link above to see a list of local fall festivals!
2. Fall Fun at Olentangy Caverns
A Fall Fun Activity Area will be open at Olentangy Caverns daily through October 31st. The area includes rubber duck races, shooting hoops, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin bouncers, straw bale obstacle course and more! Activity area is available for guests who purhcase admission to any paid activity. Pumpkins and mums will also be for sale. There will be an educational talk and animal ambassadors from Ohio Wildlife Center on Sunday at 2:00 PM.
3. Haunted Maze at Hoover Gardens
The Haunted Maze will be open at Hoover Gardens every day during business hours. Cost is $3 per person.
Looking for a fun Saturday outing? Head to the Scioto Arts Market on Saturday, October 18th from 11am-3pm at the National Veterans Memorial & Museum (300 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215) for a morning of creativity and community! Shop dozens of local artists and makers, live music, food trucks, face-painting, a bounce house for kids, free museum admission, and on-site parking. Free to attend—no registration required!
4. Scarecrow City in Olde Town & JFK Park
Walk through Olde Reynoldsburg and JFK Park to check out scarecrow creations every day throughout the month of October.
5. Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
Now through October 31st, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus is hosting a Monster Party, featuring a special LEGO 4D Halloween movie, a Monster Rockers scavenger hunt in MINILAND, Monster games, a special Halloween build, and more. All activities are included in regular admission and take place daily. Reserve tickets online.
6. Wizards & Wands Festival at Westerville Public Library
Throughout the entire month of October, there will be a celebration of magic and books at the Westerville Public Library. There will be an enchanted forest in the Kids Area, as well as many other themed areas throughout the library and special events every day! Check the link for all the details and this weekend’s specific events.
7. Minion Hunt in Grove City Town Center
Find all 14 minions hiding around Grove City Town Center and record each one’s location on a Minion Hunt Card. Turn it in to the Grove City Library, Grove City Welcome Center or Kingston Center for a prize! The deadline is November 1!
Check out my list of things to do in Grove City while you’re hunting!
8. Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
Wednesday through Sunday you can attend this Special Engagement Event at Franklin Park Conservatory to enjoy over a thousand illuminated pumpkins along the paths, a pumpkin tunnel light show, pumpkin houses, spiders, mermaids, aliens and more! There will be activities for kids, lawn games and refreshments for sale. Hours are 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are required.
9. Halloween Spooktacular at Coffman Park
Halloween Spooktacular takes place in Coffman Park in Dublin on Thursday and Friday nights. Enjoy a trick-or-treat trail, food and beverage vendors and free activities including a petting zoo, games, crafts, straw maze, interactive characters and performances, live dance performances and more! Hours are Thursday: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Friday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. There will be a sensory friendly time on Friday from 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.
10. The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow at Heritage Park
This Halloween event takes place Thursday through Sunday at Heritage Park in Westerville. There will be a Pumpkin Glow Trail, not-so-scary displays, games, pumpkin riding, food and music. Hours are 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM nightly. Tickets are available online.
11. In the Land of Oz at Columbus Children’s Theatre
This spooky, immersive theatre experience includes a journey through Oz on cursed yellow brick roads. It’s a 60-minute experience recommended for ages 10 and up. Shows take place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 PM and also Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
12. Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo
Enjoy merry-not-scary activities at the Columbus Zoo during Boo at the Zoo weekends: October 17-19 and 24-26. Hours are Fridays: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Sundays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Activities include a trick-or-treat trail, hay maze, Halloween Hoedown, character ambassadors, kid-friendly activities and more! Included in regular admission.
13. Ghost Stories and S’mores at Quarry Trails Metro Park
Enjoy a campfire, ghost stories and s’mores at Quarry Trails Metro Park on Friday from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM at the Sled Hill Lower Parking Lot.
See what there is to do at Quarry Trails Metro Park when you visit!
14. Haunted Village at Hilliard Ohio Historical Village
This family-friendly event includes trick-or-treating, storytelling inside the historic school, crafts, “spooky” photo ops, a Kids’ Costume parade and pizza available for purchase. This event takes place on Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
15. Slaybrook Manor in Westerville
This haunted house is scary but family-friendly, and it will be open this Friday and Saturday from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. It’s recommended for ages 7 and up and is less scary between 6:30 PM and 7:45 PM. Tickets are recommended. Walk-ins will be taken as time allows.
Check out this list of 11 fun things to do in Westerville!
16. Haunted Library at Plain City Public Library
On Friday from 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM, take a pirate-themed walk through the Plain City Public Library! There will be a scarier path and a friendlier path to choose from.
17. The Fire Station at Columbus Children’s Theatre
This 30-minute live theatre experience is geared toward kids ages 0-5 and is based on the book The Fire Station by Robert Munsch. Kids will be invited to play along as honorary firefighters during the performance. Shows take place at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
18. Grand Opening Celebration at the Marion-Franklin Branch of CML
Celebrate the grand opening of the new Marion-Franklin Branch of CML on Saturday with the ribbon cutting at 10:00 AM, a dedication at 10:30 AM and an open house celebration from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The celebration will include a balloon scavenger hunt, commemorative library cards, make & take stations, prizes and refreshments.
19. Scioto Arts Market
The Scioto Arts Market takes place on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the National Veterans Memorial & Museum. Shop dozens of local artists and makers, live music, food trucks, face-painting, a bounce house for kids and on-site parking. Admission to the museum is also free on market day. Saturday’s theme is Halloween/Fall/Harvest.
20. Pumpkin Painting at Hoover Gardens
Every weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in October, kids can paint pumpkins at Hoover Gardens for $5 a pumpkin. Hours are 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM both days. (Then go through the Haunted Maze!)
21. 70th Anniversary Party at The Original Goodie Shop
On Saturday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, The Original Goodie Shop will celebrate 70 years with free slices of birthday cake, a balloon artist and family-friendly fun!
22. Fall in Love with Dawes at The Dawes Arboretum
This event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and includes wagon tours, a scavenger hunt, coffee trucks, hands-on crafts, a self-guided walking tour and more.
23. Howl-O-Ween at Columbus Commons
This free event at Columbus Commons takes place on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and is a fun Halloween celebration for dogs and their humans! There will be a costume contest, dog-friendly crafts, “trick-for-treat” stations, and fenced-in areas for dogs to run. The event includes a live DJ, food trucks, vendors and more.
24. Zanesville and Western Scenic Railroad Pumpkin Train
Head to Zanesville this weekend for a 40-minute scenic train ride to the Pumpkin Patch on the Zanesville and Western Scenic Railroad. This event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 12:00 PM with the last ride beginning at 4:00 PM. Tickets are required.
25. Trick or Treat Trail at Oakland Nursery
Kids 10 and under can enjoy a Trick or Treat Trail in Costume at the Columbus location of Oakland Nursery on Saturday from 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM. Costume judging will take place at 3:00 PM. Goodie bags will be provided and there will be 10 stations throughout the trail. There will also be a Balloon Artist and a Bounce House from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Kids must be in costume to participate.
26. Children’s Games at Columbus Dance Theatre
Hixon Dance will introduce children to the magic of dance and music with this dance performance featuring Mozart’s “Twinkle Variations” and P.D. Eastman’s “Go Dog Go!” There are two performances this weekend on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 PM. Tickets are available online.
27. Halloweekend in the BURG at JFK Park
Events are going on throughout Saturday and Sunday including a Haunted Vendor Valley, Community Halloween Party, Dinosaurs After Dark, a Spooky Pet Parade, live pumpkin carving, costume exchange and more! The activities begin at 4:00 PM on Saturday and 1:00 PM on Sunday. Check the link for specific details.
28. Halloween Scream-a-long! at South High Library
Dance like skeletons, make jack-o-lantern faces and more at this interactive show at the South High branch of CML on Saturday at 4:00 PM.
29. Pumpkin Hike at Alley Park
On Saturday from 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM, hike the Pumpkin Trail at Alley Park in Lancaster to see carved pumpkins. Concessions will be open from 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM.
Read my list of 17 things to do with kids in Lancaster!
30. Pumpkins & Pastries at Little Town
This event includes crafts, pumpkin decorating, snacks and open play between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Sunday. Tickets are available online.
31. Trick or Treat on the Farm at Lehners Pumpkin Farm
Trick or Treat at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. There will also be a local vendor market, a costume contest and all the regular farm activities! Trick or Treating is included in regular admission.
32. Pumpkin Patch Express at Ohio Railway Museum
This event takes place at Ohio Railway Museum in Worthington on October 19 and 26th from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM. It includes a trolley ride to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your own pumpkin and enjoy crafts and treats. This event also includes trick-or-treating through the museum. This is a family-friendly (not scary) event.
33. Not-so-Spooky Hike at Blacklick Woods Metro Park
Take a half-mile hike to learn facts about “spooky” animals in the forest at Blacklick Woods Metro Park on Sunday at 1:00 PM.
Check out 5 fun things to do at Blacklick Woods!
34. Powell’s Best Trunk or Treat at KSM Sports and Fitness
This family-friendly Halloween event takes place on Sunday from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM and includes games, candy, a costume contest and a trunk-or-treat! All ages are welcome. Register online. Proceeds benefit The Cure Starts Now.
35. Cozy Up with Kindness! Hat & Mitten Drive with Seeds of Caring
You can help keep local kids cozy this winter! In this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, children 2-12 will gain empathy for loving families who may be having a hard time providing everything their little ones need. Collect new or gently used toddler hats and mittens that will be distributed to families supported by Columbus Early Learning Centers. You can even host a clothing drive for your neighborhood, church, team, or classroom! This project is available through November 2.
*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!*