Looking for something fun to do this weekend in Columbus? Try out one of these family-friendly Columbus and Ohio–based events and activities!
Check out these blog posts to plan your Summer Fun in Columbus!
- Your Essential Guide to Summer in Columbus, Ohio
- Free Fountains and Splash Pads in Columbus, Ohio
- Farmers Markets in Columbus and Central Ohio
- Summer Nights: Movies, Concerts and More for Every Night of the Week
- Outdoor and Drive-In Movie Experiences in Columbus
- 35 Free Things to do with Your Kids in Columbus This Summer
1. Neighbors Welcoming New Neighbors with Seeds of Caring
Right now, there are families arriving in Columbus who have traveled long and far to find a new home. We think everyone deserves to feel welcome where they live and you can help! Through 8/29, join us for this Anywhere project benefiting those served by Community Refugee & Immigration Services (CRIS) and pack Welcome Kits while learning about empathy and creating a more inclusive community. Group-friendly = a great neighborhood service project!
2. 2022 Jazz & Rib Fest At Bicentennial Park
Friday July 22nd through Sunday July 24th head over to Bicentennial Park for the 2022 Jazz & Rib Fest! Each day will feature different artists playing music and everyday you can count on great food! See link for details on the lineup of artists and vendors.
Related: These Festivals in Columbus are Back for 2022!
3. Franklin County Fair 2022
Visit the Franklin County Fairgrounds for the final weekend of the Franklin County Fair Friday July 22nd through Sunday July 24th! This county fair features all of your favorite rides, attractions and fair food! See link for details on ticket prices and list of daily events.
4. Preschool Playtime And Picnic At Pierce Field
Friday July 22nd at 9:30am visit Pierce Field in Grandview for a morning of crafts, storytime and picnic in the park! This event is free, but registration is required. See the link for details.
5. Bring The Farm To You At Main Columbus Metropolitan Library
Friday July 22nd starting at 10:30am visit the main library in downtown Columbus for a morning of meeting farm animals.
6. Beach BINGO At Miller Park Library
Friday July 22nd at 10:30am bring your beach towel and visit Miller park library for a morning of BINGO to earn prizes!
Related: 5 Super Fun Playgrounds in Upper Arlington
7. Zoombezi Bay Summer Nights Dive-In Movie
Friday July 22nd starting at 5pm visit Zoombezi Bay for an evening of fun character ambassadors visiting and a great family movie starting at 8pm. The movie being featured will be The Santa Clause 2.
8. Dances From Around The World At The Columbus Commons
Friday July 22nd at 7pm visit the Columbus Commons as you dance and celebrate America and many other countries that are celebrating their birthday this month! Events leading up to this include balloon artists, hands on activities and a photo booth! Doors open at 5:30pm.
9. Free Movie Night: Sing 2 At The Columbus Commons
Friday July 22nd at 8pm visit the big screen at Columbus Commons to see Sing 2! Pack your blankets, chairs and snacks for a movie under the stars.
10. Night Hike And Campfire At Taft Reserve
Friday July 22nd at 9pm visit Taft Reserve in Newark for an evening of hiking in the dark and some sweet s’mores at the conclusion of your hike.
Related: 9 Fun Things to do In and Around Newark, Ohio
11. Canoe On The Lake At Sharon Woods
Saturday July 23rd and Sunday July 24th visit Sharon Woods for a relaxing trip around the lake in the canoe. This event is available at different times each day, so be sure to check the link to find the best time for you and your family!
12. National Moth Week Display At Battelle Darby Creek
Starting Saturday July 23rd at 9am you can visit Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park for National Moth Week! This week will include displays in the nature center featuring all of the interesting and beautiful moths that call our parks home.
13. Festival Fair Day At Fairfield County Fairgrounds
Saturday July 23rd starting at 9:30am visit the Fairfield County Fairgrounds for a day filled with music, pop up entertainment, activities, food trucks and operators for a day fun!
Related: 13 Fun Things to do in with Kids in Lancaster, Ohio
14. Community Day Of Caring At Canal Market District
Saturday July 23rd at 10am kicks off Community Day of Caring at Canal Market District! This family friendly event supports local charities and is filled with fun for all ages! There will be music, raffles, balloon twisters, food and more all to help support the charities around us that impact so many!
15. Gotta Find ‘Em All At Blendon Woods Metro Park
Saturday July 23rd starting at 10am visit Blendon Woods Metro Park for a fun Pokemon themed event where you will learn all about bugs!
16. Fishing With A Ranger At Alum Creek
Saturday July 23rd at 10am visit Alum Creek where you can fish with a ranger. Get some fishing tips from the ranger and learn about the different fish that call Alum Creek their home. Fishing license is required for this event.
17. Cuddly Critter Camp-In At Miller Park Library
Saturday July 23rd visit Miller Park library anytime between 10am and 5pm to drop off your favorite stuffed animal for a camp in. The next day Sunday July 24th come pick up your stuffed animal anytime between 1pm and 5pm and receive a report of all the fun things they did overnight at the library.
18. Little Enchantment Under The Sea Dance At Worthington Library
Saturday July 23rd at 10:30am visit the Northwest Worthington library backyard for a fun dance party. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite beach or party attire for this event filled with music and dancing.
19. Christmas In July At Zoombezi Bay
Saturday July 23rd at 10:30am Christmas In July kicks off at Zoombezi Bay! This event will feature two days of giveaways, fun characters in costume and plenty of festive activities to make you feel merry and bright! See link for list of events and ticket prices.
20. Storytime In The Great Outdoors At Deer Haven Park Nature Center
Saturday July 23rd at 10:30am visit Deer Haven Park Nature Center for a morning filled with outdoor themed stories and visiting the trails.
21. Pickerington Back To School Bash At PYAA Sports Complex
Saturday July 23rd starting at 11am visit PYAA Sports Complex for Pickerington Back to School Summer Bash! This event features a petting zoo, inflatables, school supply giveaways, balloon artists and much more! See the link for a complete list of events, details and ticket prices.
22. Rain Fish At Columbus Metropolitan Library – Main Library
Saturday July 23rd at 11am visit the main library downtown for Rain Fish. This event will feature science, art and books to help young learners understand why it is so important that only rain water go down storm drains.
23. Author Carmella Van Vleet At Cover To Cover Bookstore
Saturday July 23rd at 11am meet author Carmella Van Vleet as she shares her latest book Nothing is Little. Visit Cover to Cover in Upper Arlington for this special event!
24. Family Adventures: Let’s Fly A Kite At Infirmary Mound Park
Saturday July 23rd at 1pm visit Infirmary Mound Park as you and your family build your kite flying skills. Bring a kite, borrow a kite or make a kite at this great family friendly event. You must register ahead of time for the kite building kit. See the link for details.
25. Jurassic Metro Parks At Blendon Woods Metro Park
Saturday July 23rd at 2pm visit Blendon Woods to learn about what our metro parks looked like 200 million years ago. This event is recommended for ages 8 and up.
26. Ultraviolet Night Walk At Battelle Darby Creek
Saturday July 23rd at 9pm visit Battelle Darby Creek and use a blacklight to see what creatures look like in the night under a UV light! A limited amount of UV lights will be available so be sure to arrive on time to have one for the hike.
27. STEM @ The Park At Infirmary Mound Park
Sunday July 24th at 1pm visit Infirmary Mound Park for an afternoon with The Works and Licking Park District as you work through fun STEM activities and experiments that the whole family will enjoy. Please register ahead of time, see link for details and registration.
28. Sunday At The Movies: Zootopia At Tremont Library
Sunday July 24th at 2pm visit the Tremont Library for an afternoon filled with a family favorite movie. This Sunday features the movie Zootopia to be screened in the friends theater.
29. Meet The Animals At Homestead Metro Park
Sunday July 24th starting at 3pm visit the nature center at Homestead Park and learn about the critters that call Homestead their home. There will be hands-on encounters with some of these animals so come prepared to make a few new friends!
30. Sounds Of Summer Concert Series At Alum Creek Amphitheater
Sunday July 24th at 6:30pm visit Alum Creek Amphitheater for some great tunes outdoors! This week the band being featured will be Swagg. Be sure to pack your blankets and chairs!
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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. 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!*