School is back in session, Labor Day is just around the corner and it’s beginning to look a lot like fall in the Midwest. Well, maybe in the home décor aisles, anyway.
Summer celebrations are winding down, which means it’s almost time to trade in those lemon shake-ups
for pumpkin spice lattes. It may be hot for a little while longer, but the following compilation of upcoming fall festivals says autumn has arrived in central Ohio.Read on for 25 ways to celebrate local art, music, food, cultures and community this spooky season.
Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival
Get ready to see the zoo in a whole new light. Columbus Zoo's Lantern Festival features more than 70 sets of Asian lanterns depicting
creatures from across the globe, with multicolored LED lanterns lighting each step. And you won’t want to miss this year’s prehistoric twist: dinosaur lanterns!
- Time: 7:30-10:30 p.m.
- Date: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, until Oct. 25
- Place: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Road, Powell
- Admission:
- Regular rates: $28.95 for adults and $25.95 for children
- Member rates: $21.95 for adults and $18.95 for children
Millersport Sweet Corn Festival
This fall favorite features midway rides and games, more than 70 food and game vendors, tractor pulls, parades and live music. But the main attraction, of course, is the hot buttered sweet corn Millersport Sweet Corn Festival patrons can’t get enough of.
- Time: 5-11 p.m.
- Date: Sept. 2-5
- Place: 2905 Chautauqua Blvd., Millersport
- Admission: Free
Columbus Greek Festival
The 52nd annual Columbus Greek Festival offers Greek street food, dancing and a marketplace featuring authentic Greek goods – including a festival bookstore. Catch a dance performance, tour the cathedral or even attend a Greek cooking demonstration.
- Time: 4-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday
- Date: Sept. 4-7
- Place: The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High St.
- Admission: Weekend passes cost $10. Admission is free for children 12 and under and active military members with ID,
Obetz Zucchinifest
Pumpkins get all the glory in the fall months, but once a year, zucchini takes the stage as everyone's favorite squashduring Obetz Zucchinifest. The four-day event features live music, rides and all the zucchini-centered dishes you can eat.
- Time: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and noon to 6 p.m. Monday
- Date: Sept. 4-7
- Place: Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz
- Admission: Free
Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival
Canal Winchester may have a small-town feel, but there's nothing small about its Labor Day celebration. The Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival spans three days and includes a parade, car show, beer pavilion, rides, vendors, live music and more.
- Time: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Monday
- Date: Sept. 5-7
- Place: South High Street and East Waterloo Street, Canal Winchester
- Admission: Free
West Jefferson Ox Roast
Right on the tail of America's 250th birthday, the West Jefferson Ox Roast will celebrate its 75th. Scheduled festivities include a parade, vendors, crafts, games, the Running of the Ox 5K and 1-Mile Walk, plus plenty of time to feast on ox roast sandwiches.
- Time: Festivities begin at noon Saturday, 9 a.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday. View the complete schedule of events at wjca.org/schedule.
- Date: Sept. 5-7
- Place: 3 Fellows Avenue, West Jefferson
- Admission: Free
Soberfest
Soberfest was created 15 years ago to show those in recovery that people who give up drugs or alcohol don't have to sacrifice parties, concerts and all things fun. Attendees can enjoy a drug- and alcohol-free day featuring live music, speakers, food trucks and a kid zone with family-friendly activities.
- Time: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Date: Sept. 6
- Place: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 5043 Northwest Pkwy., Hilliard
- Admission: Free
Bexley Summerfest
Bexley Summerfest is an all-ages event that has something for everyone. The neighborhood festival boasts more than 50 artist booths, food trucks, live music, activities for kids, craft brews for adults and a highly anticipated Egg Drop.
- Time: 3-8 p.m.
- Date: Sept. 6
- Place: East Main Street and Drexel Avenue
- Admission: Free
Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival
The Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival has been bringing the community together in its love for all things art since 1966. The event includes fine art from exhibiting artists, live music, food trucks and several hands-on art activities led by local artists and organizations.
- Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Date: Sept. 7
- Place: 2850 Tremont Road, Upper Arlington
- Admission: Free
Lithopolis Honeyfest
At Lithopolis Honeyfest, described as a celebration of "all things honey," patrons can enjoy honey-made food, educational sessions and hands-on honey extraction, and even attend a wine tasting at the Wagnalls Memorial Library. All of this, of course, in between tasting spoonfuls of honey samples from local beekeepers and exploring nearly 100 vendors.
- Time: 3-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday
- Date: Sept. 11-12
- Place: 5 E. Columbus St., Lithopolis
- Admission: Free
934 Fest
Featuring 20 bands and 40 mural artists, 934 Fest is a free arts and music festival with a packed program. Attendees can also shop 934 Fest Flea, view work from exhibiting artists and enjoy food trucks and activities for kids.
- Time: 7-10 p.m. Friday and 1-10 p.m. Saturday
- Date: Sept. 11-12
- Place: 934 Gallery, 934 Cleveland Ave.
- Admission: Free
Columbus Oktoberfest
Once named a top 10 Oktoberfest in the U.S. by USA TODAY, Schmidt's Columbus Oktoberfest is celebrating its 60th year in the city. The German folk festival will feature three days of live music, dancing, food, kids' events and more.
- Time: 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
- Date: Sept. 11-13
- Place: Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds, 717 E. 17th Ave.
- Admission: Free
Hot Times Festival
This arts and music festival promises a weekend of fun and inclusion packed with more than 40 artists on two stages across three days.
- Time: Performances begin at 4 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday
- Date: Sept. 11-13
- Place: 240 Parsons Ave.
- Admission: Free
Columbus Serbian Festival
Columbus is invited to join St. Stevan of Dechani Serbian Orthodox Church for homemade Serbian dishes, a full bar complete with Serbian domestic beer, live music, kolo dancing, activities for kids and tours of the church.
- Time: 5-10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday
- Date: Sept. 18-19
- Place: St. Stevan of Dechani Serbian Orthodox Church, 1840 N. Cassady Ave.
- Admission: $5. Free for children 17 and under.
Olde Towne East Jazz Festival
The theme of this year’s Olde Towne East Jazz Festival is “Celebrating Women’s Impact – Her Story.” Headlining artists include Demetrius Nabors, Althea Rene and Dr. Jazmin Ghent joined by additional local performers.
- Time: 5-10 p.m. Friday and 1-9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
- Date: Sept. 18-20
- Place: Blackburn Park and Recreation Center, 263 Carpenter St.
- Admission: Free
Northland Unity Festival
Join one of greater Columbus’ most diverse neighborhoods in celebrating the collection of cultures that makes Northland great. The afternoon event will feature local vendors, food trucks and entertainment.
- Time: 3-7 p.m.
- Date: Sept. 19
- Place: North YMCA, 1640 Sandalwood Place
- Admission: Free
Dublin Mid-Autumn Festival and Ohio Moon Festival
Dublin’s 10th annual Ohio Moon Festival will be an all-ages celebration of Asian cultures through food, performances and hands-on experiences. The festival highlights the significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival observed across East and Southeast Asia.
- Time: 11:55 a.m.-9 p.m.
- Date: Sept. 26
- Place: Riverside Crossing Park, 6625 Riverside Drive, Dublin
- Admission: Free
Fang Fest 2026
Columbus’ first-ever Fang Fest brings filmmaking, history and Halloween together for one evening of spooky fun. Artists, vendors and local creators will be in attendance, and horror fans won’t want to miss the premiere Columbus-made feature film “What’s Wrong, Wendy?” shot on location at Green Lawn Cemetery in 2025.
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Date: Sept. 26
- Place: Green Lawn Cemetery, 1000 Greelawn Ave.
- Admission: General admission is $35 and VIP is $60.
Columbus Coffee Festival
Featuring more than 40 roasters and tea vendors, the 11th annual Columbus Coffee Festival in Hilliard will provide the perfect opportunity to shop local vendors, bakers and food trucks in between sipping samples. Coffee-inspired tattoos, ax throwing, painting and tarot readings are just a few of the additional activities listed in the lineup.
- Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Date: Oct. 3-4
- Place: Franklin County Fairgrounds
- Admission: Tickets range from $20 to $75 per day.
Pumpkins Aglow
More than 700 hand-carved pumpkins will light up the Franklin Park Conservatory for Pumpkins Aglow in October. Carved by staff, volunteers and conservatory members, the themed displays depict pirates, spiders, aliens, mermaids and more. Food trucks, the Garden Café and the Watershed Bar will also be open to patrons.
- Time: 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Date: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 7- Nov. 1
- Place: Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St.
- Admission:
- Regular rates: $28.35 for adults, $24.15 for seniors 60 and older and $17.33 for children 3-12
- Member rates: $13.50 for adults, $11.50 for seniors 60 and older and $8.25 for children 3-12
Columbus Italian Festival
Hosted by Saint John the Baptist Church, the Columbus Italian Festival returns to Italian Village on Oct. 9-11. Festivities will include a Catholic mass, parade and high school marching band competition, and new to the festival this year, attendees 21 and older can also purchase tickets at $60 each to the Vino al Colosseo wine tasting event Friday night.
- Time: 5-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday
- Date: Oct. 9-11
- Place: St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 168 E. Lincoln St.
- Admission: Single-day tickets cost $15 and three-day tickets cost $30. Children under 12 receive free admission with a paid adult ticket.
Urban Scrawl Art and Music Festival
The Franklinton Art District’s annual mural festival, Urban Scrawl, is back with renowned street artists ready to make their mark on the community. Enjoy a full weekend of live mural painting, gallery openings, art studio tours, live music, food trucks, local vendors and family-friendly interactive art experiences.
- Time: Noon-8 p.m.
- Date: Oct. 9-11
- Place: 400 W. Rich St.
Groveport Apple Butter Day
Forget all that pumpkin-spice nonsense. For Groveport, apple butter is the ultimate autumn flavor. The city’s annual Apple Butter Day includes a lineup of local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment and of course, an abundance of locally made apple butter.
- Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Date: Oct. 10
- Place: Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road, Groveport
- Admission: Free
Day of the Dead Columbus
Hosted by Latino Arts for Humanity, Day of the Dead Columbus is a day to remember and honor past loved ones through educational, cultural and family-oriented activities. The celebration includes a parade, local arts exhibition, dancers, vendors, food trucks and more.
- Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Date: Oct. 17
- Place: Green Lawn Cemetery
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Since the Circleville Pumpkin Show first emerged on the scene in October of 1903, it has exploded into a massive local tradition drawing attendees from all across the country. Patrons can expect to be immersed in all things pumpkin, including food, parades, rides, live entertainment, contests, races, a 400-pound pumpkin pie and much, much more.
- Time: Visit pumpkinshow.com/schedule for the full daily schedules.
- Date: Oct. 21-24
- Place: 159 E. Franklin St., Circleville
- Admission: Free
Reporter Kelly Tucker can be reached at ktucker@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Celebrate fall with some can't-miss festivals around central Ohio
