Festival season is finally here!
From annual traditions and rock festivals to off-beat celebrations that you’ve probably never heard of, central Ohio has a lot going on this summer. Check out the schedule of festivals below and make sure mark your calendars with your favorites.
This list will be updated as more festivals set dates throughout the season.
May
When: May 11 – May 19
Where: Various
Celebrate local breweries with events throughout the Columbus area! More than 40 craft breweries; 150 beer bars, growler shops and bottle stores; and over 300 restaurants serving craft beer make Columbus one of the largest craft beer cities in the United States. Check out the master event list here.
When: May 18 – May 20
Where: MAPFRE Stadium
Columbus’ annual rock music festival returns to MAPFRE Stadium May 18 for three days of rock ‘n’ roll. Headliners include Alice In Chains, A Perfect Circle, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Sour, Tool and Godsmack.Click or tap here for tickets.
When: May 19
Where: Genoa Park, Columbus
Columbus’ most-anticipated new festival is coming to Genoa Park on May 19. Enjoy the best tacos, tequila and music Columbus has to offer at this free event. Make sure you come hungry! (Not sure which taco vendors to try first? Check out a list of our favorite taco places in the Columbus area here.)
When: May 19
Where: Downtown Delaware
The 45th annual Delaware Arts Festival takes over downtown Delaware on May 19. This 100% volunteer-run event raises scholarship funds for Delaware County visual arts students and their teachers. Click or tap here for the full schedule.
When: May 26 – May 27
Where: 1755 E. Broad St., Columbus
Explore food, dance, sports and music from all across Asia at the annual Columbus Asian Festival. The event draws more than 100,000 visitors every year and features martial arts demonstrations, live music, dance performances, yoga and more.
Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival
When: May 26 – May 28
Where: Utica
Nothing says summer like an ice cream cone, and the Utica Sertoma Ice Cream Festival has ice cream aplenty! Every Memorial Day weekend, Utica celebrates everything ice cream with kids’ contests, ice cream eating contests, more than 90 local artisans, pony rides, a classic car show and live entertainment.
When: May 31 – June 3
Where: Robbins Crossing historic village, Nelsonville
This year’s Nelsonville Music Festival features more than 60 musical acts in four days on multiple stages. Be sure to check out the camping, local artisans, food vendors, beer garden and more. All kids 12 and under are admitted free. Headliners this year include George Clinton & Parliment Funkadelic, The Decemberists and Ani DiFranco. Click or tap here for tickets.
June
African-American Cultural Festival
When: June 2
Where: King-Lincoln District, Columbus
Now in its second year, this family-friendly event celebrates freedom and equal rights through the rich history of the African-American culture. Enjoy performances and displays from local talent and honor the history of Columbus’ African-American community through live music, spoken word and dance performances. This event is free.
When: June 2
Where: West Bank Park, Columbus
Cick back and relax at the second annual Columbus Chicken & Beer Fest! Enjoy local chicken, local beer and local bands in West Bank Park. Proceeds benefit Franklinton Preparatory Academy’s Adopt A Student program.
Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival
When: June 7 – June 9
Where: Coshocton County Fairgrounds, Coshocton
Make sure to mark your calendars for one of the longest-running hot air balloon festivals in the Buckeye State. The festival features musical entertainment, carnival rides, craft booths, fireworks and of course balloon launches. Admission is free.
When: June 8 – June 10
Where: Scioto Mile
Art, music, performances, food trucks, local beer…what more could you ask for? This year, the festival will feature more than 270 artists from across the country, a beer garden serving craft beers from local breweries, and two stages featuring both national headliners and local bands.
When: June 14 – June 16
Where: Logan, Ohio
Celebrate the musical legacy of the Columbus Washboard Company, the only remaining washboard manufacturer in the country at Logan, Ohio’s annual Washboard Music Festival. Experience the best in live, local and regional artists from bluegrass to jazz and more. All entertainment and chilren’s amusement rides are free thanks to contributions from fans. Check out the full schedule here.
Stonewall Columbus PRIDE Festival
When: June 15 – June 17
Where: Downtown Columbus
Now in its 37th year, the Stonewall Columbus PRIDE Festival draws nearly 500,000 visitors and is one of the largest pride events in the Midwest. The festival features a ton of vendors, live music, performances and a parade. Whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or consider yourself an ally, this is one event you won’t want to miss.
Grove City Wine and Arts Festival
When: June 15 – June 16
Where: Grove City Town Center, Grove City
The Grove City Wine and Arts Festival is becoming one of the most popular events for wine and art enthusiasts in central Ohio. The best vintages from more than 20 wineries will be served and you’re sure to find the perfect piece of fine art for your home. Tickets are available the day of the event and come in bundles of eight with a commemorative event glass for just $20.
Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival
When: June 15 – June 17
Where: Creekside, Gahanna
Enjoy three days of blues and jazz music with more than 55 performers on five stages. This year’s lineup includes Angela Perley & The Howlin’ Moons, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Chief Johnny Lonesom and more. Click or tap here for ticket information.
When: June 16 – June 17
Where, McConnell Arts Center, Worthington
The 26th annual Worthington Arts Festial is returning to the McConnell arts Center June 16 through June 17. The festival has been ranked among the top 200 shows in Sunshine Artist, and there are a ton of activities for the whole family.
When: June 22 – June 24
Where: Goodale Park, Columbus
This festival celebrates everything counter-culture, eschewing corporate involvement and supporting the collective good for all people. Whether you’re going to check out the local artisans, see unique performances or just enjoy some top-notch people watching, you’re definitely in for a good time.
When: June 22 – June 23
Where: Village Green Park, Powell
Check out Powell’s signature community event this summer. Admission is free for this two-day festival that features family friendly entertainment, awesome food and fireworks.
When: June 23
Where: Fayette County Airport, Washington Court House
Kickoff summer the right way at the Fayette County Toast to Summer. This year’s event features wine from local wineries, arts and crafts from local artisans, food venders, a beer garden and live music. Stick around to check out the hot air balloon launch after dusk.
July
When: July 3
Where: Downtown Columbus
Celebrate the Fourth of July the way it’s meant to be celebrated: with the largest fireworks display in Ohio. More than 400,000 people flock to downtown Columbus every year, a huge change from the event’s humble beginnings in Bicentennial Park back in 1981. The annual event features the Ford Oval of Honor Red, White & BOOM! Parade, the Columbia Gas’ Children’s Park, Party on the Park, and of course the most recognized fireworks display in the Midwest. (Can’t make it this year? Don’t worry — you can still catch the spectacular sights right here on NBC4!)
When: July 11 – July 14
Where: Olde Pickerington Village, Pickerington
Celebrate the charm of Pickerington and Violet Township at the 2018 Picktown Palooza. This four-day celebratin features carnival rides, food vendors, a car and bike show, live entertainment and much more. This year’s headliners include Christian rock band SlawDog, Pink Floyd cover band Eugene’s Axe and Night Ranger. Click or tap here for ticket information.
Italian Heritage Summer Festival
When: July 13 – July 15
Where: Coffman Park, Dublin
Enjoy everything Italian at the 2018 Italian Heritage Summer Festival. You’ll find great wines, authentic Italian beer and the best Italian food in Columbus, as well as performances by popular Italian and Italian-American musicians. For ticket information, tap or click here.
When: July 13 – July 15
Where: Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield
Three days of rock ‘n’ roll with performances by more than 30 bands on two stages and tons of talented tattoo artists at Ohio’s most famous ex-prison… What could be better? The brand new INKcarceration festival is coming to the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield this July. Headliners include Rise Against, A Day To Remember, Bush, Our Lady Peace, Black Label Society and Clutch. Tap or click here for ticket information.
Grove City Food Truck Festival and Patio Hop
When: July 14
Where: Historic Downtown Grove City
Enjoy the best food and patios Grove City has to offer on July 14. The food trucks will be spread out in the town center and there will be a patio hop so you can bring all your great food finds and enjoy specials while you relax on the patio. All proceeds benefit the Grove City Buddy Ball program.
Westerville Music & Arts Festival
When: July 14 – July 15
Where: Heritage Park, Westerville
Now in its 45th year, the Westerville Music & Arts Festival is one of the best outdoor juried arts festivals in the Buckeye State. This year, the festival features more than 30 local musicians and entertainers, amazing food from more than 20 food trucks and vendors and so much more. On Saturday, the festival will have a special anniversary concert featuring Shucking Bubba. (Bonus: Vendors will also be selling beer at the festival this year!)
When: July 20 – July 22
Where: Scioto Mile
The annual Jazz and Rib Fest on the Scioto Mile is one of the best festivals of the year in the Columbus area. This yearly tradition features only the finest in music and barbecue. This year, 23 award-winning barbecue teams will compete for the bragging rights of “Best Ribs.”
When: July 25 – Aug. 5
Where: Ohio Expo Center
No summer is complete without a visit to the Ohio State Fair. From livestock and amusement rides to concerts and carnival games, the state’s biggest fair has it all. This year’s concert headliners include Reba McEntire, The Commodores, Casting Growns, and Cheap Trick and Styx. Tap or click here for more information.
August
When: Aug. 3 – Aug. 5
Where: Coffman Park, Dublin
The annual Dublin Irish Festival features more than 65 acts and 535 performers, so there’s plenty for you to take in. This year, internationally renowned Celtic rock band Gaelic Storm will be headlining the festival Friday night, and the Young Dubliners are also performing. Check out the full list of performers here.
When: Aug. 11
Where: Grove City Town Center, Grove City
Calling all bourbon enthusiasts: the annual Bourbon Festival is returning to the Grove City Town Center in August! For just $20, you can sample eight great bourbons before you invest in an entire bottle. Food vendors will also be on-hand and The Boondogglers will be performing from 7 to 9:30pm.
When: Aug. 17 – Aug. 18
Where: Downtown Riverfront
Columbus happens to have one of the best food truck scenes in the country, and more than 70 mobile food vendors from all over Ohio will be at this year’s festival. Click or tap here to see a list of our favorite Columbus-based trucks. If you’ve never been to the food truck festival, make sure to hit it up this year!
When: Aug. 18
Where: Darby Bend Lakes, Prairie Oaks Metro Park
The Midwest’s largest dog festival returns this August, with tons of fun planned for both dogs and their human companions. Along with activities and fun for dogs, dozens of area rescue groups will be in attendance with adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes. Tap or click here for more information.
When: Aug. 25
Where: Columbus Commons
The brand new Columbus Summer Wine Festival combines the best wine, food, arts and music that Columbus has to offer. More information about the festival is coming soon.
When: Aug. 31 – Sept. 3
Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Columbus
Experience the culture and ancestry of Greece at the 2018 Columbus Greek Festival. From dance and music to food and architecture, there are a ton of opportunities to learn about and experience the everything Greek. This four-day celebration has turned into a central Ohio Labor Day weekend tradition.
When: Aug. 31 – Sept. 3
Where: Fortress Obetz
If you love zucchini, you won’t want to miss out on the 2018 Obetz Zucchinifest! This free festival features a classic car and motorcycle show, more than 20 food funders, midway rides and games, and live national entertainment, including country music superstar Gretchen Wilson. Monday is kids day with the Cincinnati Circus Company, COSI and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Click or tap here for more information.
When: Aug. 24 – Aug. 26
Where: MAPFRE Stadium, Columbus
The Breakaway Music Festival is returning to MAPFRE Stadium and its bringing the best hip-hop and electronica preformances with it. Headliners this year include Halsey, Odesza and Migos with special guests Kaskade and Khalid. To purchase tickets, tap or click here.
When: Aug. 29 – Sept. 2
Where: Columbus Museum of Art
If you love classical music, you’ll definitely want to check out the VIVO Music Festival. This summer chamber music festival has featured musicians that have performed at the legendary Carnegie Hall. The lineup hasn’t been announced for this year yet, but stay tuned for more information.
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Don’t see your festival listed? Send a press release about the event to rgribble@wcmh.com.
