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 Weekend Events in Columbus, Ohio:
1. Visit a Pumpkin Farm or Fall Festival
There are so many Fall Festivals going on in Central Ohio that there are too many to put on this list individually! Make sure to click the link to find a local farm where there are hayrides, pumpkin picking, farm activities and more! Most, but not all, of the Fall Festivals happen on the weekends only!
2. Find Your Way Out of a Corn Maze
Click the link for a list of corn mazes in Central Ohio to find one to visit this weekend!
3. Collect Supplies for Local Shelter Dogs with Seeds of Caring
Seeds of Caring knows you’re never too young to lend a hand – or a paw! – to help our furry friends. Through October 27, kids 4-12 can show compassion for shelter dogs by making a homemade dog toy and collecting dog treats, blankets, and towels for pups at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center.
4. Wizards & Wands Festival Westerville Public Library
From October 1-31, Westerville Public Library will be hosting the Wizards & Wands Festival with all sorts of performances and activities. There will be fantasy-themed missions and prizes! The library will be turned into a fantasy land with an Enchanted Forest to walk through in the Kids Area. This weekend will offer a Magical Storytime, and a Disney Heroes Adventure. See the link for the complete description of all activities throughout the month.
5. Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
From October 1-31, LEGOLAND will be celebrating with a not-too-scary Brick or Treat family fun event featuring an exclusive 4D Movie, themed games and activities, Halloween photo ops and more! Included in admission.
6. Hoovers Haunted Maze
Choose between two levels of “scary” at the Haunted Maze at Hoover Gardens! The maze is open any time the store is open (generally 10AM – 5PM) and is $3/person for all-day access.
(See my list of Halloween Events for something to do every day of October!)
7. Fall Farm Family Fun at Young’s Jersey Dairy
Fall Fun at Young’s Dairy includes pumpkin picking, Cowvin’s Corny Maze & Playland, haunted wagon rides, and more! a Moo-It-All wristband is available for $25 and includes a two-dip waffle cone! Hours are daily from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
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, dancing skeletons and more! There will be activities for kids, lawn games and more! 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
This event includes live dance performances, a petting zoo, pumpkin carving, a juggler, nature education area, haunted playground, games, crafts, straw maze, mascots and more on Thursday from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM and Friday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. (A sensory-sensitive time is available on Friday from 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM.) Dublin residents can also register for the Trunk-or-Treat Trail.
10. The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow at Heritage Park
The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow takes from October 17-20 at Heritage Park. The event includes jack-o-lantern and pumpkin-themed displays, food trucks, and fall-themed entertainment and attractions including axe-throwing, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, inflatables, and much more! Hours are Thursday – Sunday, 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tickets are available online.
11. Animals that Go Bump in the Night at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Learn about “not so scary” nocturnal animals with a story, crafts and activities on Friday at 9:30 AM at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.
12. Friday at Leeds Farm
Leeds Farm is open just one Friday during the season and this is it! Visit the farm for all of the fun activities including hayrides, barnyard activities, farm animals, pumpkins and more on Friday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Save $4 per ticket by getting your tickets online!
13. Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
On Friday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Boo at the Zoo will include family-friendly activities, Trick or Treat Trail, the Character Express, pumpkin carving, and much more!
14. Fall Friday at Ethos + Co Cafe
This event on Friday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM will include a food truck, live music, kids activities, free balloon animals, tractor rides, a petting zoo, yard games and more!
15. Haunted Village at Hilliard Ohio Historical Village
This event includes trick-or-treating, storytelling, crafts, spooky photo ops, food and drinks, a costume contest and more on Friday and Saturday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM. $5/person. Kids 3 and under are free.
16. Ghost Trolley at Ohio Railway Museum
On Friday and Saturday evenings, you can enjoy scary stories and eerie encounters along the railroad tracks. A train ride is included! Timed tickets are available online.
17. Haunted Library at Plain City Public Library
Peer into the windows of the Plain City Public Library for haunting sites and walk the grounds in search of ghosts on Friday from 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM. The library will not be open at this time.
18. Create-It Saturday at The Ohio Craft Museum
Make Spooky Friendship Bracelets on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at The Ohio Craft Museum. No registration required and this event is free!
19. Day of the Dead Columbus at Green Lawn Cemetery
This free event takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM and is a celebation of culture, remembreance and community. There will be a traditional ofrenda, Mexican cuisine, educational activities for kids, folklore dancers, a parade, vendors, grave decorations, local music and more.
20. Pumpkin Decorating at Dutch Mill Greenhouse
Decorate your own pumpkin with paint, stickers and Modge Podge at Dutch Mill Greenhouse from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday. One free pumpkin per person.
21. WestFest at OSU
WestFest takes place on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on the West Campus of OSU. This Science and Sustainability Festival will include family-friendly activities plus information on sustainability initiatives, STEM research, behind-the-scenes tours, and prizes for completing activities. Brutus will be there from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM!
22. CreArt Painting Party at Hilliard United Art and Education
Drop by between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM on Saturday to create a free paint-by-number craft. This is a free event and all materials are provided! Each painter will also receive a 25% off coupon for one item in the store. First come, first served to the first 50 painters. Ages 6 and up (including adults!).
23. Dawes Fall Fest
On Saturday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM enjoy live music, food trucks, costume parades, face painting, pumpkin painting, family-friendly lawn activities, wagon rides and more! Admission to The Dawes Arboretum is 50% off all day!
24. Ridge Fest at Glacier Ridge
Celebrate fall with games, hay rides, archery, food trucks, mini pumpkins, outdoor games, vendors, animals and more at Glacier Ridge on Saturday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
25. Howl-O-Weekends at Otherworld
From 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday enjoy scavenger hunts, trick-or-treat, face painting, performances and more for the whole family at Otherworld Ohio.
26. Boo & Brew at Polaris Fashion Place
On Saturday from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Polaris Fashion Place there will be a live band, beer sales, food trucks, pumpkin decorating, inflatables, a costume contest, face painting, balloon twisting, food trucks and more. This event will take place outside in the Lifestyle Center near Cheesecake Factory. Bring a chair if you plan to sit and watch the band.
27. Trunk or Treat at Bevelhymer Park
This event at Bevelhymer Park includes 70 trunks to visit, inflatables, performers, pumpkin carving demonstrations, food trucks and MORE on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
28. Plain City Fall Festival at Pastime Park
This free event takes place on Saturday from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Pastime Park in Plain City and includes hayrides, live pumpkin carving, archery, axe throwing, costume contest, food trucks, vendors, bounce houses, a trick-or-treat trail, petting zoo and more!
29. Halloweekend in the BURG at JFK Park
This event in Reynoldsburg encompasses both Saturday and Sunday with a Community Halloween Party, Spooky Pooch Parade, Haunted Vendor Valley, Pumpkin Carving Contest and more. See the link for event times.
30. Powell’s Best Trunk or Treat at KSM Sports and Fitness
On Saturday from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM enjoy music, games, prizes and more at this family-friendly Trunk-or-Treat at KSM Sports and Fitness. Reserve your spot online.
31. Pumpkin Hike at Alley Park
From 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM on Saturday, enjoy free concessions by the Nature Center and then from 6:00 PM – 89:30 PM hike a gravel trail lined with 500 jack-o-lanterns in Alley Park.
32. Fright at the Museum at Ohio History Center
Explore the spooky side of Ohio history with family-friendly activities, crafts, spooky stories and games, apple cider making, food trucks, a dance party and more on Saturday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Ohio History Center. Tickets are available online.
33. Trick or Treat on the Farm at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm
On Sunday from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM kids can trick-or-treat around the farm and check out local vendors. A costume contest will take place at 2:00 PM.
34. Sunday Funday in Old Worthington
Enjoy a Spooky Pooch Party from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Old Worthington on Sunday. Activities include a pop-up-library, balloon twisting, live music, a spooky pooch parade, and more pet-themed vendors and activities throughout Old Worthington.
35. Halloween Spooktakular at Ohio Theatre
On Sunday beginning at 2:00 PM, enjoy halloween-themed activities and crafts in the Ohio Theatre lobby and then at 3:00 PM enjoy a kid-friendly concert with spooky music by the Columbus Symphony. Tickets are available online.
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*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!*