Over 30 family-friendly events happening this weekend in Columbus, Ohio including Ohio’s Tax Free Weekend!
FRIDAY
12:00 AM – Ohio Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday – select Back to School items are tax free this weekend through Sunday at 11:59 PM including, an item of clothing priced at $75 or less; an item of school supplies priced at $20 or less; and an item of school instructional material priced at $20 or less.
9:00 AM – The Ohio State Fair – gates open on Wednesday for the 2018 Ohio State Fair! See all your favorite exhibits, eat fried food on a stick, ride rides and watch shows! Make sure to read 15 Activities Kids Can Do for Free at the Ohio State Fair before you go!
10:00 AM – Commons for Kids at Columbus Commons – this week’s theme is Zoo Day! As always, free carousel rides and bounce houses will be on site along with other activities!
10:15 AM – Our Village event: Meet the Therapist with FIT4MOM Upper Arlington – join FIT4MOM UA for a special visit from a physical therapist who will teach exercises and answer questions about rebuilding core muscles following pregnancy. You first class is free!
10:30 AM – KidX Summer Series at Polaris Fashion Place – enjoy free activities outside by the fountains at Polaris! This week’s theme is Under the Sea with mermaids and more! See more about KidX here.
11:00 AM – Back to School Shopping Break at Sweet Carrot Polaris – in celebration of tax free back to school shopping, the first 50 guests at Sweet Carrot Polaris will receive a free Specialty Entrée when they mention “Tax Free Day.” Everyone else who comes to Sweet Carrot on August 3rd will receive a coupon for $5 off their purchase of $20 or more for their next visit.
11:00 AM – From Book to Film at Gateway Film Center – watch a movie based on a book for free with your library card! This week’s movie is Where the Wild Things Are and there are showings at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM every day! See this and more in: 35 Free Things to do with Your Kids this Summer in Columbus!
2:00 PM – Extended $5 Friday UNICORN/Pony Rides! at Horse -N- Round Fun – all ages are welcome to ride a horse for $5. Hours are extended this week, beginning at 2:00 PM! No reservations needed.
6:00 PM – First Friday Arts in the Alley in Gahanna – enjoy food trucks, live music and over 60 street vendors at this free event!
4:00 PM – Dublin Irish Festival – This festival features live performances, sports, food vendors, a market place and much more! Tickets are $10 each (but go up to $15 after August 2) or $25 for 3 days. Kids 12 and under are free. There is a Pot O’Gold Playland that requires tickets but also includes a free small play area for toddlers. The festival runs through Sunday at 9:00 PM.
7:30 PM – Rhythm on the River Presents Coco Montoya at The Scioto Mile – Rhythm on the River presents Coco Montoya for a free, family-friendly concert! Donatos pizza will be available for purchase beginning at 6:30 PM.
9:00 PM – Summer Movie Series – Rogue One at Highbanks Metro Park – watch Rogue One on the big screen (rated PG 13), pre-movie activities begin at 8:00 PM and the movie begins at approximately 9:15 PM. There will be popcorn provided while supplies last! Recommended for ages 8 and up.
SATURDAY
8:00 AM – The Hartford Independent Fair – this fair in Croton, OH runs Saturday, August 4 – Saturday August 11th and features animals, arts and crafts exhibits, drag racing, rides, a rodeo, monster trucks and a whole lot more! Kids 7 and under are free!
8:00 AM – Mom 2 Mom Consignment Sale at Westerville MOPS – shop this sale for baby and kids clothes, toys, maternity clothes and more! Half price sale begins at 12:00 PM>
10:00 AM – Bugstravaganza at Walnut Woods Metro Park – celebrate insects with activities and displays about bugs! Catch and release bugs, explore the creek, enjoy crafts, games and more!
10:00 AM – FCCS and Mayor Andrew J. Ginther’s FamJam at Columbus Commons – enjoy this free festival at Columbus Commons that includes family enrichment activities, community resources, vendors, entertainment and more!
10:00 AM – Berlin Township Touch a Truck – explore law enforcement, fire and rescue vehicles up close plus learn about service animals and the work that first responders do every day!
11:00 AM – The Turtle Lady at Franklin Park Conservatory – visit with reptile friends and The Turtle Lady in The Children’s Garden! She will be there until 2:00 PM. Read all about the new Children’s Garden here: Franklin Park Conservatory’s Children’s Garden is Unlike Anything Else in Columbus
11:00 AM – Garden Art Family Event at Sunbury Urban Farm – turn produce into stamps for printmaking at this event for kids ages 2 and up. Cost is $10. Register in advance.
11:00 AM – BUG DAY at Kingwood Center Gardens – this event in Mansfield features live bugs, cockroach races, bug olympics, showings of A Bugs Life, crafts, Buggy Bingo and more! Admission is free for for children under 12 plus one accompanying adult!
11:00 AM – Back to School Expo at Easton Town Center – this event features giveaways, live entertainment, exhibitors and more! Plus enjoy tax free shopping!
11:00 AM – Westgate BusinessWorks Block Party at Westgate BusinessWorks – this party includes side walk sales, free hot dogs and drinks plus a giveaway and more!
12:00 PM – Dinosaur Family Day at Rhinegeist – head to Cincinnati for this fun event hosted by Rhinegeist and Cincinnati Museum Center! There will be lots of dinosaur-themed activities for kids including creating dinosaur skin impressions, matching dinosaur prints, and other hands on activities! Recommended for ages 3-12.
1:00 PM – Pickerington KidsFest at Pickerington Mount Carmel Sports Complex – this festival includes a Fun Zone, balloon artist, glitter tattoos, live performances and demonstrations, food trucks, a marketplace and more!
6:00 PM – Hilltop Art Hop – hop between 4 locations in the Hilltop to find refreshments, art displays and featured artists!
6:00 PM – Balloons Over Wadsworth at Wadsworth Municipal Airport – if you’re up for a short road trip, Balloons over Wadsworth features food trucks, a balloon launch and an After Glow.
8:30 PM – Movie in the Park at Marysville Municipal Pool – watch Finding Dory at the pool! Movie begins at dusk, bring a blanket or stadium chair. Rated PG.
SUNDAY
10:00 AM – Community Days at Franklin Park Conservatory – on the first Sunday of each month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the City of Columbus! You must show a valid ID.
11:00 AM – Summer Flea at Seventh Son Brewing – shop the Summer Flea featuring ceramics, textiles, jewelry and more plus food and beverages available!
2:00 PM – Author Visit: Cheryl Bardoe at Cover to Cover Books for Young Readers – award winning author Cherly Bardoe will read her new picture book Nothing Stopped Sophie about the true story of Sophie Germain.
8:30 PM – Sunset Lake Watch Campfire at Prairie Oaks Metro Park – watch the sunset and enjoy s’mores around the campfire!
1:30 PM – Cheap Skates at Chiller Ice Rinks – Sundays from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM admission is $5 for all and kids 4 and under are free! Skate rental is $3 for those over 4. All locations.
7:00 PM – Concerts on the Green at the Worthington Village Green – concerts begin at 7:00 PM. This week’s band is The Floorwalkers!
Don’t forget to check out: Summer Nights in Columbus: Movies, Concerts and More for Every Night of the Week for activities throughout the week!
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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. Enjoy what you do today!*
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