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% of the U.S. population, making it the perfect place for a getaway on a warm summer weekend!

Here’s our list of some of the can't-miss events this summer in the 614:

 

skyline + arts fest

 

Columbus Arts Fest

  • When: June 7-9 | 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 CoGo or COTA as 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. 

 

Brewdog at the Columbus Pride Parade

 

Stonewall Columbus Pride

  • When: June 14-16 | From 4 p.m. – 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 14, and a march on Saturday, June 15.
  • 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 15-16 | 12 p.m. – 11 p.m. daily
  • Where: Genoa Park
  • What: Celebrating its 27th 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. 

 

Picnic with the Pops at the Columbus Commons

 

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 and BOOM

 

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. The Columbus Crew are also in town that weekend right down the street at Lower.com Field, so you can make a weekend out of it and enjoy the Fourth in 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 40th 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 - 8 pm. 
  • Learn more here.

 

View from stage of band playing to crowd with skyline in background during Jazz & Rib Festival

 

Jazz & Rib Fest

  • When: July 19-21
  • 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 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 located throughout the festival and in Bicentennial Park. Please note: Jazz & Rib Fest does not offer wheelchair or stroller rentals.
  • Learn more here. 

 

Band playing on stage in front of massive crowd at Festival Latino

 

Festival Latino

  • When: August 10-11
  • Where: Genoa Park just outside of COSI
  • 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. 

 

Pitabilities food truck in front of city skyline under blue sky

 

Columbus Food Truck Festival (Downtown)

  • When: July 12-13
  • Where: The Scioto Peninsula near COSI, downtown Columbus
  • What: 2024 is the first year the Food Truck Festival is returning to downtown. Expect delicious eats, great music and unique vendors that will keep you entertained and comfortable all weekend long.
  • Learn more here. 

CBUS Soul Fest

  • When: August 17
  • Where: Genoa Park
  • What: The third 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, merchandise, custom itineraries and more. 
  • More details to come!

 

Columbus Greek Festival

 

Columbus Greek Festival

  • When:  August 30th to September 2
  • 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 Oktoberfest

  • When: September 6-8
  • 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. 

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 #SummerInCbus.