Fall is coming: Here's your roundup of festivals and events around central Ohio
The weather app may not reflect it, but fall is approaching Columbus faster than a keg at Pickerington Oktoberfest's barrel-rolling contest. Before you know it, the air is bound to get crisper, the trees will paint the skies with bright-colored leaves and Halloween will be here.
While the season of music festivals and county fairs may be phasing out, fall in central Ohio offers a completely different vibe, filled with cozy cultural offerings ranging from mac and cheese and mural festivals, to toasty coffee and more.
For information on these events and more, read on.
Columbus Oktoberfest
When: 5 p.m. to midnight Sept. 6, noon to midnight Sept. 7 and noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 8
Where: Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.
Details: Schmidt's Columbus Oktoberfest will offer ample opportunities to raise a glass or two, grab a bite from more than a dozen vendors, enjoy a variety of live music, compete in games of strength and more.
Best of the best: Columbus, Schmidt's Oktoberfest nominated in USA TODAY 10Best polls
Admission: Free
Information: columbusoktoberfest.com
Scrawl
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 and Sunday, Sept. 8
Where: Back lot of 400 W. Rich St.
Details: The annual Franklinton mural festival is returning for the 18th time, bringing with it a "mobile mural experience" created by over 60 local artists. Attendees can also expect to enjoy live performances from musicians and dancers, grab a bite at food trucks or browse works from local creative vendors. A community-centered event, there will also be opportunities to learn about organizations dedicated to serving the surrounding neighborhood.
Admission: Free
Information: franklintonartsdistrict.com
Creekside Hops and Vines Fest
When: 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7
Where: Creekside Plaza, 121 Mill St., Gahanna
Details: Sample craft beers, spirits and wine at the fundraiser for Gahanna's parks and recreation programs and scholarships, as well as development for a new park to replace Shull Park. Guests will receive 16 tasting tickets and complimentary food from local restaurants. There will be live entertainment rom DJ Rooster and Phoenix Rising, a local band.
Rock on: Worthington high school buddies still united by rock 'n' roll after 50 years
Admission: $70 for regular admission, $80 at the door and $35 for designated drivers. There is also an exclusive platinum ticket available for $105, which offers early entry, exclusive beer, wine and spirit tastings and food offerings. All attendees must be 21 or older.
Information: gahannaprf.org
Serbian Festival
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21
Where: St. Stevan of Dechani Serbian Orthodox Church, 1840 N. Cassady Ave.
Details: Enjoy the festival's live music, dancing and children's activities, along with delicious food and beverages. The church will be serving classic Serbian main and side dishes, including fire-roasted lamb, apple and cheese strudel and stuffed cabbage rolls. There will also be icons, religious items and books for sale at St. Stevan’s bookstore.
Admission: $5, or free for those 17 and younger
Information: ststevanofdechani.org/
Pickerington Oktoberfest
When: 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28. The Beer Mile Run will take place on Saturday at 10 a.m.
Where: Combustion Brewery's parking lot, 80 W. Church St., Pickerington
Details: Take part in this annual Pickerington event featuring live music and traditional games such as a stein-holding contest, barrel rolling or get wild at the Beer Mile Run, which involves drinking a beer and running a quarter-mile and then repeating three more times. Alternatively, you can relax and savor a beverage or food from vendors like Schmidt's Sausage Truck and Poppy's Roadside Diner while listening to music from artists like The Chardon Polka Band and Jimmy Nicoles.
Admission: Free; minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Information: visitfairfieldcounty.org/events/september-27-pickerington-oktoberfest/
Festival for Good
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Grandview Avenue from First Avenue to Fifth Avenue, Grandview Heights
Details: Partnering with the Grandview Hop, the annual festival celebrates local businesses and organizations dedicated to serving the community. Kids can enjoy face painting, cotton candy and parachute games, while adults explore pop-up shops and food trucks.
Columbus experiences: Downtown pop-up breathes new life into East Cherry Street alleyway
Admission: Free
Information: festivalforgood.org
Columbus Mac and Cheese Festival
When: 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4
Where: The Yard at Easton Town Center, 3989 Merchants Row
Details: This fundraiser for the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute offers mac and cheese samples from local restaurants, as well as live entertainment and kids' activities.
Admission: Tickets are $10 for children ages 3-12 and $25 for early-bird adult admission, which includes complimentary mac and cheese samples from all restaurant vendors at the festival, but not beverages. There are also different packages available, with a VIP ticket for $100 and $65 for a family of four.
Information: go.osu.edu/2024macandcheesetickets
Ohio Gourd Show
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Where: Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave.
Details: This fall, get your fill of gourds at the Ohio Gourd Society's annual Gourd Show, where visitors can dive into all things gourd-related: gourd arts and crafts, gourd music performed with instruments made out of gourds, gourd seed sales, gourd competitions, workshops and demonstrations
Admission: Free
Information: ohiogourdsociety.com
Columbus Coffee Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 and Sunday, Oct. 6. Timed entry, advance ticket purchase recommended.
Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4951 Northwest Pkwy., Hilliard
High in the sky: US Navy Blue Angels to headline 2025 Columbus Air Show
Details: Ready to get caffeinated? Join in on the ninth annual Columbus Coffee Festival at the new location to sample brews from roasters all throughout the Midwest. Wander around to explore the event's offering of entertainment options like live music, poetry readings, browse craft and food truck vendors while taking in the warm, toasty smell of coffee.
Admission: Tickets start $20 and go up to $75 depending on the selected package
Information: columbuscoffeefest.com
Columbus Italian Festival
When: The festival kicks off 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 with an Italian dinner dance at the Berwick, 3250 Refugee Road, to unveil the theme and preview the weekend ahead. Festival weekend is 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13.
Where: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 168 E. Lincoln St.; free parking and shuttles will be available at the Columbus State Community College garage on the southwest corner of East Long Street and Washington Avenue.
Details: This year's theme for the Columbus Italian Festival is "All About Abruzzo," a celebration of the region where many Italian families in central Ohio are from. Enjoy a packed weekend schedule of live music and dance performances, bocce ball tournaments, a parade and high school marching band competition and Italian cooking demonstrations all throughout the day.
Admission: Tickets to the kickoff dinner and dance are $50 and also include one admission to the festival. Regular tickets are $10 at the door and free for kids younger than 12 with an accompanying adult.
Information: columbusitalianfestival.com
Pumpkins Aglow
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays during Oct. 9-13, 16-20 and 23-27
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St.
Details: Enjoy the Franklin Park Conservatory in its after hours as the grounds come to life with more than a thousand glowing carved pumpkins and Halloween-themed displays. On top of spooky sights, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts, shop glass pumpkins and fall-themed goods made by local artists or grab something to eat from the bar and rotating food trucks.
Admission: The event takes place after general-admission hours and visitors must purchase special-engagement admission, which is $26.50 for ages 13-59, $22.50 for seniors 60 and up and $16 for ages 3-12. Visitors with SNAP, EBT, WIC and Medicaid and Access members receive special-engagement admission for $3.
Information: fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/pumpkins-aglow/
Circleville Pumpkin Show
When: Oct. 16-19
Where: Downtown Circleville
Details: Returning for its 117th run, the Circleville Pumpkin Show is your Ohio destination for all things pumpkin. Besides a multitude of pumpkin goodies, guests can enjoy several parades, giant pumpkin-carving demonstrations, pumpkin pie-eating contests, rides, games and much more.
Admission: Free
Information: pumpkinshow.com
The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow
When: Oct. 17-20, 6:30-10 p.m.
Where: Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave., Westerville
Details: Bigger and better than ever, this year's Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow will have improved jack-o'-lantern and pumpkin-themed displays, food trucks and fall-themed entertainment. Attractions will include axe throwing, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, inflatables and more.
Admission: $15 per adult (14-64), $12 per child (3-13) and seniors (65+)
Information: westerville.org/about-westerville/community-resources/the-great-westerville-pumpkin-glow
HighBall Halloween
When: 2 p.m. to midnight, Saturday Oct. 26
Where: Intersection of High Street and Goodale Boulevard
Details: HighBall Halloween is an annual costume party in the Short North, hosted by the Columbus-based drag queen Nina West. Dubbed "the nation’s most elaborate costume party," the event includes highlights like the annual Costume Couture Fashion Show, featuring the creations of seven different designers, kids' costume showcases, public costume contests, live music and art installations, food trucks and, new this year, a HighBall Bazaar featuring more than 100 vendors.
Admission: For the first time, HighBall is offering free general admission. There are VIP packages available at an early-bird price of $80 or $100 for regular. Private tent suites with a courtyard and restrooms with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and an appearance from Nina West are available to reserve for $2,500.
Information: highballcolumbus.org
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Here are 13 festivals around central Ohio for the fall season
