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
Family Friendly Things to do This Weekend in Columbus, Ohio:
1. Attend a Fall Festival at a Local Pumpkin Farm
It’s fall festival time at local farms! click the link above for a list of pumpkin farms in Central Ohio and all the info about what they’re offering this season!
2. Go Apple Picking
Click the link for a list of apple orchards where you can pick your own apples!
3. Explore a Corn Maze
If getting lost in a corn maze sounds like fun, click the link for a list of local farms with corn mazes that are open just during the fall season!
4. Attend a Halloween Event
Check this list for family-friendly Halloween events, Trunk-or-Treat events and Trick or Treat times around Columbus and Central Ohio!
5. Gobble Gobble! Thanksgiving Food Drive with Seeds of Caring
Help local families experiencing food insecurity have a very Happy Thanksgiving! In this FREE Anywhere Project from Seeds of Caring, kids 2-12 will collect non-perishable food items for The Byron Saunders Foundation. Your registration packet includes a discussion guide and flier to conduct your own neighborhood, church, team, or school food drive! This project is available through Nov. 5.
6. Wizards & Wands Festival at Westerville Public Library
The Wizard & Wands Festival at Westerville Public Library takes place throughout the entire month of October. All ages can complete “missions” throughout the month including designing a potion, a treasure hunt and more. There will be performances and activities throughout the month and the library will be transformed into a fantasy-themed wonderland.
7. Brick or Treat Monster Party at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
Every day in October you can participate in the Brick-or-Treat event at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus. There will be a 4D Movie: The Great Monster Chase, themed games and activities, character visits, Halloween photo ops and more! On Saturday and Sunday there will be costume contests and prizes! These activities are included in admission.
8. Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
The grounds of Franklin Park Conservatory will be illuminated with hundreds of carved pumpkins and other Halloween-themed displays. Hours are 5:00 PM-9:00 PM Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays and 5:00 PM-10:00 PM on Fridays & Saturdays during the weeks of October 18–22 & 25-29. This is a special engagement event and tickets are required.
9. Jack O’Lantern World at Franklin County Fairgrounds
Walk through thousands of carved pumpkins at the Franklin County Fairgrounds from September 29th through October 29th. The path is 3/4 a mile long and food trucks will be available. This event is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Hours vary by day. Online ticket purchase is required.
10. Halloweekend in the BURG at JFK Park
Several Halloween events are taking place all throughout the weekend in Reynoldsburg including live pumpkin carving, a Halloween party, a Spooky Pooch Parade, Costume exchange and more! Check the link for dates and times.
11. City of Dublin Halloween Spooktacular
This event takes place in Coffman Park on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM or Friday, Oct. 20, from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Sensory-friendly hours are held from 1-1:30 p.m. on Friday. There will be dance performances, pumpkin carvers, a petting zoo, games, crafts, hay maze and more. Tickets are required to participate in the Trunk-or-Treat Trail. They are free but only for Dublin and Dublin City School residents only. All other activities are open to the general public.
12. The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow at Heritage Park
Walk through a pathway of special exhibits and glowing pumpkins in Heritage Park this weekend. Dates are October 19-22 and hours are 6:30 PM- 10:30 PM each night. (Last entrance at 10:00 PM.) Tickets are only available online, not at the event! There will be lots of food trucks, axe throwing, pumpkin bowling, LED Putt-Putt, bounce houses and more!
13. Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
On Fridays from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Saturdays from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Sundays from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Boo at the Zoo will include family-friendly activities, treat stations, the Character Express, a hay maze, pumpkin carving, and much more!
14. Pumpkin Walk Around The Pond at Three Creeks Metro Park
Take a 1/2 mile walk around Turtle Pond to look at pumpkins and get treats along the way! Costumes are welcome! This event takes place on Friday from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM.
15. Hocus Pocus Skate Night at Skate Zone 71
On Friday from 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM skate to music from Hocus Pocus, enjoy a scavenger hunt, costume contest and visit from the Sisters! There are two admission options for the evening.
16. Trunk or Treat at Hilliard Church of Christ
This trunk or treat event on Friday at 7:00 PM is family-friendly and not scary! It will include a live DJ, dancing activities and candy!
17. Legend of Sleepy Hollow Columbus Performing Arts Center
Watch the Legend of Sleepy Hollow performed by local actors at the Columbus Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 and Sunday at 2:00 PM.
18. FRIGHT-day Night Movie at Easton
Watch the movie Hocus Pocus at dusk on Friday night. This is a free event featuring a face painting, balloon twister, treats for sale and more!
19. Breakfast with Mummy at Sugar Rush Columbus
This cookie decorating class takes place on Saturday at 9:30 AM at Sugar Rush Columbus. An adult and child pair can decorate cookies plus enjoy a cinnamon roll. Reservations required.
20. Trunk or Treat Car Show at Hillard Presbyterian Church
This event on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM includes food, music, raffles, vendors and a trunk-or-treat including classic cars.
21. Harvest Saturday at Lawrence Orchards
Celebrate National Apple Day at Lawerence Orchards on Saturday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Taste several varieties of apples and enjoy a food truck. Apple picking is available, too!
22. Pumpkin Patch at Hartland Farm
This pumpkin patch will be open from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Saturday with hay rides, animals, bounce houses, a corn maze, food truck and pumpkins! Admission is free.
23. Boo at the Brew at Grizzlybird Brewing Company
This indoor event on Saturday from 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM includes a costume parade and trick or treat for the kids and drinks for the adults! All ages welcome and costumes are encouraged!
24. Goat Obstacle Course at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm
Watch Delaware County 4H-ers and their goats do an obstacle course on Saturday at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm. Also at Lehner’s this weekend you can decorate cookies and get your picture taken with the Pumpkin Princess for $5. Hours for that activity are from 3:00 PM-5:00 PM both Saturday and Sunday.
25. Trunk-or-Treat at Westerville Community United Church of Christ
This Trunk or Treat takes place on Saturday at 4:00 PM and includes games, treats a food truck, bounce house and more!
26. 2023 Plain City Fall Festival
This Fall Festival takes place on Saturday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM in Pastime Park and it includes a costume contest, giant pumpkin carving, trick-or-treat, bounce houses, food trucks, hay rides, petting zoo and more!
27. Trick or Treat Trail at Westland High School
Enjoy a Trick or Treat Trail at Westland High School on Saturday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
28. Evening on the Farm at Slate Run Metro Park
This event at Slate Run Farm takes place on Saturday from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM and includes a campfire, hot cider, family-friendly activities, s’mores and the opportunity to explore the farm.
29. All Hallows Eve at Ohio Village
Families can enjoy an evening of 1890s-style family fun at All Hallows’ Eve, featuring a bonfire retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, pumpkin carving ($8 per pumpkin, cash and card accepted), and encounters with characters within Ohio Village. Visitors can revel in Victorian-era entertainment, including fortune-telling, a masquerade party, crafts, games, and more! All Hallows Eve will be taking place on upcoming Saturdays: October 21st and 28th from 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Timed tickets are required.
30. Fall Festival in West Jefferson
This Fall Festival takes place on Saturday from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM and includes a DJ, Trunk or Treat, haunted hayride, haunted house, bonfire food and more!
31. CRIS 10th Annual 5K in Genoa Park
Sunday, October 22nd, CRIS is hosting its 10th Annual 5K. There is a family-friendly 5K, a one-mile walk option, and a free kids’ race. This year’s 5K course will be a celebration of nations, with each kilometer honoring a different region of the world with traditional dress, music, and even dance! Post-race activities include an advocacy fair and food from each region of the world! The kids’ run begins at 9:45 AM.
32. German Village Makers Market Apple Fest
On Sunday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM enjoy games, raffles, food, music, and tons of local vendors at Apple Fest at the corner of City Park & Thurman.
33. HOWLoween Pet Contest and Fall Festival at Easton
Head to Easton Town Center on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM for a pet costume contest and fall festival! There will be prizes given for pets and family-friendly fun at the Town Square.
34. Sunday Funday: Spooky Pooch Party in Old Worthington
This event in Worthington takes place on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. There will be live music, dog tricks, rescue pups, a pup parade, food specials and more! The Pup Parade is at 1:00 PM and registration is required to participate.
35. Petting Zoo at Lynd Fruit Farm
On Sunday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM there will be a petting zoo at Lynd Fruit Farm at the Corn Maze.
*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!*