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. Fall Fun at Olentangy Caverns
A Fall Fun Activity Area will opens at Olentangy Caverns on Saturday, September 20th and will run 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. Gus the Squash Carver will be carving a 500lb pumpkin on Sunday from 12:00PM – 4:00 PM.
3. Final Weekend! Warm Cups, Warm Hearts with RMHC
Do you love art – and spreading kindness?! In this Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, kids ages 4-12 will enjoy both by decorating cardboard coffee sleeves for families supported by the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio. Register your family, group, team, or class today! This activity is available through 9/28.
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4. Family Tram Tours at Scioto Audubon Metro Park
Take a tram ride through Scioto Audubon Metro Park on Friday. Trams will run continuously between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Read about 9 fun things to do at Scioto Audubon Metro Park when you’re there!
5. Columbus Mac and Cheese Festival
This family-friendly event includes mac and cheese samples from central Ohio restaurants, live entertainment, a kid zone, giveaways and more. Proceeds support the OSUCCC-James. The event takes place on Friday from 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM at The Yard at Easton. Tickets are available online.
6. Fall Friday at Ethos + Co Cafe
Fall Friday includes live music, a food truck, petting zoo, free tractor rides, inflatables, yard games, a fire pit and s’mores station and more! Hours are 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM on Friday.
Read about Ethos + Co Cafe and more coffee shops in Westerville!
7. 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.
8. Free Concert at Columbus Commons
Enjoy a free concert by The Navigators at Columbus Commons on Friday night. The activities and food trucks begin at 6:00 PM and the show begins at 7:00 PM. Bring a chair or blanket. The Parachute People will be onsite from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
9. Fallapaolooza at Hoover Gardens
Celebrate harvest at Hoover Gardens & Gift Center on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM both days. There will be bounce houses, food trucks, pumpkin painting, a photo booth, live music, a pumpkin patch and more! The Haunted Maze will be open as well.
Check out my list of pumpkin farms for more fall fun!
10. Applefest at Lawrence Orchard
Applefest will take place at Lawrence Orchards on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. There will be hayrides, music, pony rides, food trucks, ice cream, apple-themed treats and more. Admission is $7/person.
11. Firefighter Storytime at Cover to Cover
Hear a story and learn fire safety at this storytime at Mallway Park just outside of Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers in Upper Arlington. After the storytime, there will be a touch-a-truck with a real fire truck! This storytime takes place at 10:00 AM on Saturday.
Check out my list of 6 amazing children’s bookstores in Central Ohio!
12. Oh What A Market at Jaquemin Farms
This kids-only craft market takes place on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and features handmade items by young creators. There will be over 30 kid vendors, local organizations and all the pumpkin fun at Jaquemin Farms.
13. 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.
14. Puzzle Exchange at Whetstone Library
Take a puzzle or leave a puzzle at this free puzzle exchange at the Whetstone Branch of CML on Saturday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
15. Fall Festival at Skate Zone 71
On Saturday from 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM enjoy face painting, a carnival raffle, $1 cotton candy and more at this special fall festival event at Skate Zone 71.
16. 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!
Browse this list of 16 things to do in Grandview!
17. Festival for Good
While at the Grandview Hop on Saturday night from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, check out vendors and activities provided by the Festival for Good. There will be kids activities like facepainting, cotton candy and the Roochute.
18. Welcome to Fall Event at Highbanks Metro Park
Saturday from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM celebrate fall at Highbanks Metro Park. There will be free hayrides, inflatables, campfires with marshmallows, archery, and more outdoor activities. The evening ends with an outdoor movie at 8:15 PM.
19. Outdoor Movie at Highbanks Metro Park
Watch the movie Shrek 2 outside at Highbanks Metro Park. The movie starts at dark (around 8:15 PM) on Saturday. Bring a blanket or chairs. There will be free popcorn. (This movie follows the Fall Event which will begin wrapping up at 7:30 PM.)
20. 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 a movie. This event is from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM on Sunday.
21. 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.
22. Worthington Harvest Fest
This festival celebrates with harvest-themed treats, games, live music, food specials and more! There will also be a petting zoo with a mini horse. The event takes place on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Old Worthington.
Read my list of things to do in Worthington before you go!
23. Apples: Their History and Uses at Slate Run Farm
Between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Sunday, sample heirloom apples, help press cider and stir apple butter at Slate Run Farm.
24. Minecraft Hike at Blendon Woods Metro Park
Go on a Minecraft-themed scavenger hunt to look for natural objects at Blendon Woods Metro Park on Sunday from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Meet at the Nature Center.
25. Sundays at Scioto
Enjoy a free concert featuring Whirlybirds with opener Seth Daily Trio 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.
Check out this list of things to do in Dublin before the concert!
*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!*