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
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. 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.
2. Help Give Local Kids a Very Happy Birthday with Seeds of Caring
Every child deserves the joy of a birthday celebration! In this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, kids 4-12 will learn what it means for families to experience “tight times” and why birthdays are so important for everyone. Then they’ll pack birthday bags with items like cake mix, frosting, and candles for families supported by the YMCA Van Buren Center. Participate anywhere, any time through Oct. 5.
3. Fall Fest at Anywhere with You Acres
Fall Fest takes place Friday through Sunday offering pumpkins and mums, live music, food trucks and a craft show (on Sunday). Hours are Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
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Looking for a fun Saturday outing? Head to the Scioto Arts Market on Saturday, September 13th from 10am-2pm 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. Delaware County Fair
The Delaware County Fair runs September 13th – 20th and includes rides, motorsports events, harness racing, exhibitors, animal shows, crafts, live performances, contests, food and more!
5. Paddle the Peninsula at Scioto Audubon Metro Park
Solo, sit-in kayaks and tandems will be available for paddling around the Scioto Audubon Peninsula on Friday between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM. You must be 10 and up for solo kayaks and all ages can use tandems.
Read about all there is to do at Scioto Audubon Metro Park!
6. Uptown Friday Nights in Westerville
On Friday from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM enjoy live music and artists throughout Uptown Westerville and many merchants will stay open late.
7. Fishing Day at Hilmar Park
Go fishing in Hilmar Park in Genoa Township on Saturday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Compete for the biggest catch of the day, enjoy hands-on activities, get basic fishing instruction and more. Limited poles will be provided or bring your own. No fishing license is required.
8. Harvest Saturday at Lawrence Orchards
This Harvest Saturday at Lawrence Orchards in Marion takes place from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. There will be a coffee truck, food truck and Apple Dumpling Day is the theme. Apple picking will be available and the market will be open from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
9. Farm Animal Event at Miller Park Library
Visit and interact with farm animals outside the Miller Park Branch in Upper Arlington on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Ages 2 and up.
Find more things to do in Upper Arlington!
10. Pumpkin Patch Opening Day at Lettuce Work Nursery
This new pumpkin patch in New Albany helps young adults with autism make a successful transition from high school into the workplace. Opening day is Saturday, beginning at 10:00 AM, and they will offer u-pick pumpkins and sunflowers.
11. Scioto Arts Market
The Scioto Arts Market takes place on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 2:00 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 Cats, Dogs, and Pets.
12. Hilltop Hop
Hop around the businesses of Broad & Westmoor for a local vendor market, coffee specials, pottery painting, a used bookstore, records and food trucks on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
13. Feria International del Libro Columbus Ohio
Connect with more than 25 Latine writers at this International Book Fair on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM at Main Library in downtown Columbus. There will also be a keynote speech by Peruvian Journalist and author Renato Cisneros (requires registration). The book fair is free and open to all.
14. Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art
From 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday, stop into the Studio to get creative with all supplies provided! Sensory hour is from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. This activity is included in admission.
15. Saturday Storytime with Author Jacqueline Walker
Author Jaqueline Walker will share from her book My Secret Birthday Bash at Cover to Cover Children’s Books in Upper Arlington on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
16. Second Saturday Storytime at Beanbag Books
Enjoy a storytime featuring Little Blue Truck and county fair books at Beanbag Books in Delaware. There will be a Little Blue Truck photo op, too! Storytime takes place on Saturday at 10:30 AM.
Check out my list of bookstores in Central Ohio!
17. PBJ & Jazz at the Topiary Park
Enjoy a kid-friendly jazz concert on the lawn at Topiary Park on Saturday. There will be a story time at the Columbus Metropolitan Library at 11:00 AM and the concert will begin at 12:00 PM. This is a free event. This month’s concert will feature Robert Dove & Friends.
18. Bilingual Storytime at Main Library
Join a bilingual storytime at Main Library on Saturday at 11:00 AM. There will be stories, songs and puppet stories in both Spanish and English. Recommended for ages 3 and under.
19. Bye-Bye Butterflies at Blendon Woods Metro Park
On Saturday at 12:00 PM at the Nature Center at Blendon Woods you can watch monarch butterflies be tagged and released for migration and learn about their journey.
20. Let’s Go Camping at Northwest Library
Spend the night inside or outside the Northwest Library in Worthington on Saturday night beginning at 6:30 PM. There will be campfire tales, games and crafts. You can just stay for the activities from 6:30 PM – 9:00 AM or register to sleep overnight. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register online.
21. Wags and Whiskers at West Gate Lodge
On Sunday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM celebrate the love of all pets on the lawn at West Gate Lodge. There will be vendor booths, community organizations, a Pet Pageant, raffle prizes and more!
22. Fall Festival in Hilliard
This festival takes place at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park in Hilliard on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and includes food trucks, hay wagon rides, inflatables, homestead games, a petting zoo, pumpin carver, magic show, live music and much more!
23. Made by Me Market at Olentangy Caverns
Made By Me Market is a kids’ craft market that takes place on the second Sunday of each month from 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM at Olentangy Caverns. Items are handmade by local entrepreneurs ages 5-17.
Read about all there is to do at Olentangy Caverns!
24. Free Blue Jackets Autograph Session at Polaris Fashion Place
On Sunday from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM there will be a free Blue Jackets autograph session with Denton Mateychuk in the Blue Line store at Polaris Fashion Place.
25. Campfire and S’mores at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Drop by Blendon Woods on Sunday between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM to make s’mores. Ingredients and roasting sticks will be provided.
26. Sundays at Scioto
Enjoy a free concert featuring The Ark Band with opener Andy Shaw at Scioto Park in Dublin on Sunday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. There will be food trucks on site. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs.
27. Sunset with Bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Take a short hike to see the bison during the evening hours at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park on Sunday at 7:00 PM. Meet at the Nature Center.
*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!*