What Should We Do This Weekend? Columbus, Ohio, August 4-6, 2023

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 Things to do this Weekend in Columbus, Ohio:

1. Ohio State Fair

The Ohio State Fair takes place from July 26 – August 6, 2023! Don’t miss the Butter Cow, free performances, rides, concessions, fair foods, animals, petting zoo, horse shows and more! Kids will love the Natural Resources Park with tons of free activities!

2. Frozen the Musical at Ohio Theatre

See Disney’s Frozen the Musical at Ohio Theatre now through August 6! The show features breathtaking effects, your favorite songs and magical performances! Recommended for ages 8 and up. There are shows every night this week and 2 shows on both Saturday and Sunday.

3. Ohio’s Tax Free Weekend

Ohio’s Tax Free Weekend begins Friday, Aug. 4 at 12:00 AM and runs through Sunday, Aug. 6 at 11:59 p.m.! All clothing items costing less than $75 per item will be tax free! School supplies and instructional materials costing less than $20 per item will be tax-free!

4. Back to School Scavenger Hunt at Lane Road Branch of UAPL

Stop into the Lane Road Library anytime through August 31 to do a back-to-school themed scavenger hunt!

5. Kids Dream Family Film Series at Marcus Theatres

August 1-5 watch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at participating Marcus Theatre. There is also a $3.00 Popcorn & Drink Special. You can see the movie for free with a voucher from American Family Insurance. See link for details!

6. Ohio Ghana Festival 2023

This festival celebrates the culture of Ghana with artistic exhibitions, performances, dance, music education and more! The festival takes place August 3-7th with special events happening each day. Click the link for more details!

7. Ohio Tax Free Weekend and Food Truck Rally at Destination Outlets

Shop during Ohio’s Tax Free Weekend at Destination Outlets on August 4-6. There will be a Food Truck Rally on those days in the parking lot!

8. Commons for Kids at Columbus Commons

Every Friday this Summer from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM enjoy activities for kids at Columbus Commons! There will be free carousel rides, inflatables, face painting, balloon twisting and a theme each week. This week’s theme is STEAM: Science, Technology, Electronics, Arts, Math!

9. EcoKids at The Works

Learn about habitats and the natural world in the outdoor habitat exhibit at The Works! This event takes place every Friday from 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM and is included with admission. Perfect for ages 3-6.

10. Book to Film Series at Gateway Film Center

This movie series featuring movies based on books is free with your library card! August 4-6 the film will be Akeelah and the Bee and the showings are at 2:00 PM each day. This movie is recommended for ages 11-17.

11. Campfire Cooking at Blaclick Woods Metro Park

Enjoy a campfire and food prepared with pie irons and a dutch oven at Blacklick Woods Metro Park on Friday night at 6:00 PM.

12. Bigfoot Race at Glacier Ridge Metro Park

Participate in a Bigfoot themed race with your family at Glacier Ridge Metro Park on Friday at 6:00 PM. Open to all ages!

13. Free Library Card Days at Columbus Museum of Art

On Saturday and Sunday, visit the Columbus Museum of Art for free with your Columbus Metropolitan Library library card.

14. Creeking for Crayfish at Blendon Woods Metro Park

Take a 1 mile round-trip hike to the creek to look for crayfish at 10:00 AM on Saturday at Blendon Woods Metro Park. Wear shoes that can get wet.

15. Kids Series at Grandview Theater & Drafthouse

Grandview Theater and Drafthouse is offering free admission for kids to movies on Saturdays and Wednesdays! This Saturday’s movie is Shrek and it will be shown at 10:30 AM.

16. Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art

Drop into the Open Studio at Columbus Museum of Art on Saturday from 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM to experiment and create art! August theme is Under the Sea and this activity is included with admission.

17. Brass & Beignets for RMH at Way Down Yonder Beignets & Coffee

On Saturday from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM listen to NACHO Street Band at Way Down Yonder and help raise money for Ronald McDonald House!

18. Family Gaming Hour at the Franklinton Branch of CML

Families can play games together at the Franklinton Branch of CML on Saturday from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM.

19. Felting – Bring the Farm to You at Columbus Main Library

Head to the Main Library downtown on Saturday at 1:30 for a hands-on program where kids can transform sheep wool into art pieces. This activity is open to 40 participants.

20. Animal Track Scavenger Hunt at Blaclick Woods Metro Park

Story by the Nature Center at Blacklick Woods Metro Park between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Saturday to pick up a scavenger hunt and take a half mile hike to look for animal tracks.

21. Rise Up CBUS! At Marion Franklin Community Center

This event features community resources, free food, music and fun at Marion Franklin Community Center on 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Saturday.

22. Conservatory Explore Nights: Splash, Splash, Explore! at Franklin Park Conservatory

On Saturday from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Franklin Park Conservatory will stay open late for a festival experience featuring discovery stations, signature cocktails & cocktails, crafts, a scavenger hunt and more! Kids are encouraged to dress up like their favorite water-themed characters! This event requires a special engagement ticket.

23. Summer Music Series in Historic Dublin

Enjoy live music in Historic Dublin on Saturday from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

24. Hilliard Block Party Fundraiser for RMH

Join this Hilliard Block Party to listen to NACHO Street Band and raise money for the Ronald McDonald House expansion on Saturday from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

25. Snake Hike at Highbanks Metro Park

On Sunday at 11:00 AM search for snacks in Highbanks Metro Park. This will be an off trail hike. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

26. Insect Safari at Blendon Woods Metro Park

Catch butterflies, dragonflies, crickets and more at 12:00 PM on Sunday at Blendon Woods Metro Park.

27. Columbus Back to School Bash Fam Jam at Goodale Park

This event on Sunday from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM features family-friendly activities, games, a bounce park, superhero meet and greet, contests, back-to-school resources free snacks and more! Register online.

28. Sundays in the Park in Topiary Park

This Sunday in Topiary Park and Kaufman Plaza enjoy food trucks, live music, games. Event begins at 1:00 PM. Food Trucks this week will be: Johnson’s Ice Cream and Galaxy Coffee

29. Bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park

Learn about the bison at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park and take a short walk to see them on Sunday from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

30. Sounds of Summer Concert Series in Westerville

This free concert takes place at the Alum Creek North Park Amphitheater at 6:30 PM on Sunday. This week’s music is provided by Zack Attack.

31. Concerts on the Green at Worthington Village Green

Enjoy a family-friendly concert by the OSU Marching Band Alumni at 7:00 PM on Sunday on the Northwest Quadrant of the Village Green in Worthington.

32. New/Used Art Supply Drive for New Americans with Seeds of Caring

Help welcome New American families in our community! In this FREE, do-anywhere service project from Seeds of Caring, kids ages 4-12 will collect new or gently used art supplies and decorate welcome cards for New Americans supported by Community Refugee & Immigration Services. This project is available through August 28, 2023.

*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!*