There’s truly something unique about festival season in Columbus. Our summer events calendar is packed with endless opportunities to explore the different cultures, foods, music and more that make Columbus a vibrant, diverse destination.
Columbus is just a day’s drive from 50 percent of the U.S. population, making it the perfect place for a getaway on a warm summer weekend! Plan your trip with our official 2025-2026 Columbus Visitor Guide.
Here’s our list of some of the can't-miss events this summer in the 614:
Breakaway Music Festival
- When: May 30-31
- Where: Historic Crew Stadium Festival Grounds
- What: Experience the vibes at Breakaway, the largest national touring festival coming to Columbus in May. Celebrate music, connection and unforgettable experiences, including sets by Marshmello, AfroJack, Dom Dolla, Xandra and more.
- Get Tickets
Columbus Arts Fest
- When: June 6-8 | starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday & Sunday
- Where: Downtown Riverfront
- What: More than 260 visual artists join art enthusiasts from all over the country along the Scioto Mile for one of the nation’s most highly acclaimed art festivals. The festival is free to attend and features dozens of food vendors, plus three stages of performances.
- Tips: Park in an Arena District garage, at a street meter or utilize COTA as an alternative means of transportation. Also, get ready to indulge in some tasty barbecue, lobster tacos or jumbo cream puffs – all options that are ready and available.
- Learn more here.
Stonewall Columbus Pride
- When: June 13-14 | From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Pride March steps off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday
- Where: Goodale Park & Short North Arts District
- What: Central Ohio’s annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ rights, culture and progress. The event returns to Goodale Park and the Short North and features a community resource festival & fair on Friday, June 13, and a march on Saturday, June 14.
- Tips: Welcoming more than 700,00 visitors to Columbus and the Central Ohio region, the return of this festival and march will mark a major weekend for Columbus and the Short North – stay in a nearby hotel and enjoy everything the Short North has to offer.
- Learn more here.
Juneteenth Ohio Festival
- When: June 21-22 | 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. daily
- Where: Genoa Park
- What: Celebrating its 28th year, this festival benefits Juneteenth Ohio literacy initiatives and features concerts, a classic car show and more. This event provides an enjoyable family weekend of cultural discovery and events promoting cultural unity, enrichment and ethnic diversity.
- Tips: Admission is free each day until 3 p.m. – arrive early and enjoy music, food and more in the heart of Columbus at Genoa Park.
- Learn more here.
Columbus Symphony’s Picnic with the Pops
- When: Throughout June & July
- Where: Columbus Commons - Bicentennial Pavilion
- What: Seven weekends of spectacular concerts including the Patriotic Pops, the Ohio State University Marching Band and more.
- Tips: You can pre-purchase lawn and table seating tickets, and you’re welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Accessibility: All gates are handicap accessible. Handicap-accessible parking is available in the parking garages and space for wheelchair seating is available in the southeast corner of the table seating area. Wheelchair-accessible restroom facilities are also available on the East side of the park at the Town Street entrance.
- Learn more here.
Red, White & Boom
- When: July 3
- Where: Downtown Columbus
- What: The return of the largest Independence Day celebration in the Midwest will welcome over 400,000 visitors to Columbus.
- Tips: Stay in a downtown hotel to avoid any traffic, and while you’re at it – enjoy one of the most lively weekends of the year in Downtown Columbus.
- Learn more here.
40th Annual Doo Dah Parade + Music Fest
- When: July 4, 1 pm
- Where: Short North Arts District
- What: Celebrate liberty and lunacy with the 42th Annual Doo Dah Parade and Music Fest. Feast your eyes on satirical parade floats featuring some of your favorite Columbus businesses this July 4.
- Tip: Head to Goodale Park for live music and an "after-glow" party from 11 am - 7 pm.
- Learn more here.
Columbus Book Festival
- When: July 12-13
- Where: Columbus Metropolitan Library - Main Library and Topiary Park
- What: This free literary festival features panel discussions, author talks, book signings and so much more. Enjoy two days full of fun at the historic Main Library, named one of the U.S.'s 11 most beautiful libraries by Fodor's.
- Tip: Come early or stay late to visit some of our great independent bookstores in Columbus.
- Learn more.
Jazz & Rib Fest
- When: July 18-20
- Where: The Scioto Mile
- What: One of the most anticipated events of the summer returns to Bicentennial Park this July. Jazz & Rib Fest offers both jazz and rib connoisseurs the finest in music and barbecue. Admission is free, with all food vendors opening each day at 11 a.m.
- Tips: Napkins. Lots and lots of napkins. But it’s SO worth it, trust us.
- Accessibility: Accessible parking is available in the area surface lots and parking garages. To use accessible parking, you will need to have a disability license plate, placard or other state-issued identification. Jazz & Rib Fest is wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located at all portable restroom sites throughout the festival and in Bicentennial Park. Please note: Jazz & Rib Fest does not offer wheelchair or stroller rentals.
- Learn more here.
Ohio State Fair
- When: July 23-Aug. 3
- Where: Ohio Expo Center & Fairgrounds
- What: Who doesn't have a fond memory of the Ohio State Fair? See unforgettable performances, try unique treats of all kinds and see award-winning livestock (even milk a cow!). Join in the fun at this family-favorite tradition since 1850.
- Tips: Listen to the A Fair to Remember podcast to get inspiration for your visit.
- Accessibility: The fair is accessible to all. Please review their comprehensive accessibility page for details.
- Learn more
Pelotonia Ride Weekend
- When: Aug. 2-3
- Where: Varying routes throughout Central Ohio.
- What: Each August, Pelotonia celebrates Ride Weekend, welcoming over 6,500 riders who raise money and complete bike routes ranging from 24 to 190 miles. The Ride Weekend events have raised more than $309 million for innovative cancer research at the OSUCCC-James since 2009. There are multiple ways to get involved, from becoming a rider, volunteering and cheering on the participants.
- Tips: After Ride Weekend, come back for Pelotonia's annual Gravel Day, Oct. 4, a unique adventure for participants to ride along the scenic gravel roads of Southeast Ohio.
- Learn more.
Dublin Irish Festival
- When: Aug. 1-3
- Where: Coffman Park, Dublin
- What: Head to the world's largest, three-day Irish festival, which was recently voted the Best Cultural Festival in the U.S. by USA Today 10Best. Enjoy a full Irish experience with savory food, literary presentations, workshops and music by Gaelic Storm, The Drowsy Lads and more.
- Tips: Parents will love the Wee Folk area, complete with over 20 inflatables, crafts, contests and performances.
- Get Tickets.
Festival Latino
- When: Aug. 9-10
- Where: Genoa Park
- What: This free event started in 1996 and offers Ohio-based Latino music, dancing, cultural arts workshops, cuisine and more. The festival has flourished and grown over the years and will return to Genoa Park in 2024.
- Tips: Festival Latino features fantastic cultural and art workshops for children and adults alike, so it truly is for the entire family.
- Learn more here.
CBUS Soul Fest
- When: Aug. 15-16
- Where: Bicentennial Park
- What: The 4th annual CBUS Soul Festival will celebrate the rich, historic, innovative, and forward-moving Black culture in Columbus.
- Tips: Check out our CBUS Soul website for Black-Owned businesses in Columbus, custom itineraries and more.
- Learn more here.
Columbus Greek Festival
- When: Aug. 29 to Sept. 1
- Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral – Downtown Columbus
- What: Find Greek food, dancing and more on Labor Day Weekend here in Downtown Columbus. This festival has been held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral since the early 1970s.
- Tips: A great late-summer weekend to enjoy Columbus – learn more about Greek culture, enjoy tasty cuisine and spend the long weekend Downtown.
- Learn more here.
Columbus Comedy Festival
- When: Sept. 4-7
- Where: Various locations around Columbus
- What: Get ready to belly laugh at Columbus Comedy Festival. Featuring headliners like Pauly Shore, The Second City, Sam Tallent, Mo Welch, Geoffrey Asmus, Kasaun Wilson, Ric Diez and more, the funniest fest in the city is guaranteed to entertain.
- Tips: With 60+ events scheduled throughout the weekend, you have plenty of opportunities to catch a show.
- Learn more here.
Columbus Oktoberfest
- When: Sept. 5-7
- Where: Ohio Expo Center / Ohio State Fairgrounds
- What: Columbus’ rich German heritage is on full display at this event. Enjoy tasty food, lively music, games and plenty of brews.
- Tips: Held at the Ohio Expo Center & Ohio State Fairgrounds, this event is “weatherproof” with 10,000 square feet of closed event space. Admission is free and parking is available at the fairgrounds for $10.
- Learn more here.
Hops on High
- When: Sept. 6
- Where: Short North Arts District
- What: Gather your friends for Columbus’ largest open-streets event series, Hops on High! Returning in September, this free event combines the creativity and community of the legendary monthly Gallery Hops with a market of local vendors, additional live performances, and creative experiences to create an unmissable Saturday in the Short North.
- Tips: Participate in the one-day-only Hops on High trail to earn freebies during your day out!
- Learn more here.
For a full list of events happening this summer in Columbus, check out our festivals and annual events page and be sure to follow Experience Columbus on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for exciting scenes from these events this #yesColumbus.
