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 Events in Columbus, Ohio this Weekend:
1. Lantern Festival at Columbus Zoo
Enjoy larger-than-life Asian lanterns shaped like animals from around the world at the Columbus Zoo. This event takes place on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM until September 29th. Tickets are available online.
2. Central Ohio Fall Home and Garden Show
The Central Ohio Fall Home Show will take place at Ohio Expo Center Bricker Building Sept. 6-8, it will showcase more than 150 local businesses and experts in remodeling, kitchen, bath, décor, and
outdoor living. There will be a wide variety of events and demonstrations for the whole family, with more than $10,000 total value in prizes including daily giveaways of Disney On Ice tickets. General admission to the Central Ohio Fall Home Show is free for all ages. Parking is $7 if you mention “Home Show” to the parking attendants. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
3. Lithopolis Honeyfest
Lithopolist Honeyfest takes place on Friday from 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM and features all things honey! There will be contests, educational sessions, food, live music, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, a Bee Train and more!
4. Friday Fun: OSU BUGmobile at Main Library
Head to Kaufman Plaza outside of the Main Library in downtown Columbus for the OSU BUGmobile on Friday from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM to learn about OSU’s mobile bug zoo and lab, careers in entomology and environmental sciences and interact with bugs! For ages 12-17.
5. First Friday Food, Flicks & Fun at Huber Park
Enjoy food trucks, live music and a showing of Kung Fu Panda 4 on Friday beginning at 5:00 PM. Music will be provided by Little Big Band of Columbus beginning at 6:00 PM and the movie begins at dusk.
6. Columbus Oktoberfest
Schmidt’s Columbus Oktoberfest celebrates German heritage through songs, dance, German-themed games, and German food and drinks. This event will take place September 6-8 and will feature three stages of German music and contemporary bands; a “marktplatz” with more than 80 arts, crafts, and commercial vendors with local and international products, live music, polka dancing, and a wide variety of great food and beer options. Hours are Friday: 5 pm – 12 Midnight, Saturday: 12 Noon – 12 Midnight and Sunday: 12 Noon – 8 pm. Admission is free. Parking is $15.
7. Outdoor Movie at Ethos + Co Cafe
Watch The Parent Trap outdoors at Ethos + Co. Cafe. There will be grab & go beverage options, Johnson’s Ice Cream, nitro teas and coffees, and free popcorn while supplies last. The movie will begin at 7:35 PM on Friday.
8. Oktoberfest at Standardized Brewing
This family-friendly event on Saturday from 7:00 AM – 11:45 PM includes food trucks, live music, a street fair, bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, a touch-a-truck and more! Admission is free. Click to see the full schedule of events.
9. Art in the Park at Gantz Park
On Saturday from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Gantz Park artist will be set up in the park to create works of art! Young artists can paint rocks, too! There will be pumpkin donuts, cider, garden tours, and live music from Lily Bloom.
10. Grandparents and Grandkids on the Farm
Grandparents and grandkids can explore Slate Run Farm together and meet the animals on Saturday from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. (“Borrowed” grandchildren are allowed, too!)
11. Scrawl 18 in the Franklinton Arts District
On Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, enjoy a mural festival with immersive mural experiences, DJ sets, live performers, dance exhibitions, trucks and more in the Franklinton Arts District.
12. For the Love of Hilliard
On Saturday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM enjoy live music, family fun, shopping, dining and special events at local businesses throughout Hilliard. There will be vendors, food trucks, and concerts and live performances at several locations throughout Hilliard. Specifically family-friendly performances will take place at the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center at 12:00 and 1:00 PM.
13. Hops on High
On Saturday from 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM portions of High Street in the Short North will be closed to traffic during Gallery Hop and there will be a Hops on High Market, a street fair with games and art, live music, street performers, mural making with Summer Spray and more!
14. LEGO® Drive + Buildapalooza at Pins Mechanical Company
Join Bricks of Hope and Bricks & Minifigs Powell for a free LEGO build from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday. There will be over 150 lbs of LEGO bricks and minifigs to build with. Consider donating a new LEGO set to support Bricks of Hope.
15. Riverwalk to the Giant Sycamore at Highbanks Metro Park
Take a hike over water and rocks to reach the Giant Sycamore tree at Highbanks River Bluff on Saturday at 1:00 PM. The tree is over 400 years old! The hike is 1.5 miles and rugged. Bring extra clothing and a towel. Ages 6 and up.
16. Butterfly Release at Blendon Woods
On Saturday at 2:00 PM, learn about the migration of monarch butterflies and watch as they are released at Blendon Woods Metro Park Nature Center.
17. Cicadian Rhythm at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Take a 1-mile accessible hike to learn about cicadas and how they sing at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park. Meet at the Ranger Station at Cedar Ridge on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
18. Harvest Fair at Columbus Commons
This free event at Columbus Commons takes place on Saturday from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM and includes inflatables, a pumpkin patch ($3/pumpkin), pumpkin decorating, face painting, a farm experience with Bring the Farm to You and much more!
19. Free Movie Night at Columbus Commons
Stick around Columbus Commons after the Harvest Fair on Saturday to watch the movie Coco at 8:15 PM for free on the big screen.
20. Powell Street Market
On Sunday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM find over 70 artisans, craftsmen and more on Olentangy Street in downtown Powell.
21. Fishing with a Ranger at Alum Creek
All ages are welcome to fish with a Ranger at the Alum Creek Below Dam Recreation Area on Sunday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Learn how to bait a hook and cast. Supplies will be provided. You’ll need a fishing license if you are 16 years or older.
22. Outdoor Inclusive Adventure at Prairie Oaks Metro Park
Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks and the YMCA of Central Ohio are hosting this day of fun and inclusive activities including kayaking, canoeing, hiking, fishing, lawn games, sensory play and more. Lunch and light refreshments will be available. This event takes place from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Sunday.
23. I-Spy Trail at Blendon Woods
Look for critters hidden in the woods along the paved lake trail at Blendon Woods Metro Park on Sunday from 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
24. Westgate Wags and Whiskers at West Gate Lodge
On Sunday from Noon to 4:00 PM celebrate your pets during this event that features pet-centered artisans, businesses and services, contests and activities for pets, pet rescues and a raffle.
25. Art & Adventure on Jefferson Avenue
Part of Ohio Open Doors, this event on Jefferson Avenue includes a Fairy Door Trail, Scavenger Hunt, Urban Strings concert, historic tours and more on Sunday from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
26. Calling All Artists! Make art for Meals-on-Wheels with Seeds of Caring
Kids 2-12 can get crafty this month while gaining empathy for homebound seniors. In this FREE project from Seeds of Caring, kids will learn about the neighbors Meals-on-Wheels serves, then create cheerful art to be included in their meal deliveries. Print and color our template or create your own colorful crafts through Sept. 30!
*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!*