Hello, fall! There are so many October events in Columbus this month for you to enjoy. The leaves are just starting to change. The colors are just beautiful and mums and pumpkins are everywhere you look. The smell of pumpkin spice is in the air and you can hear the leaves crunch as you take an evening stroll with your family. After the September heat, I think most of us are ready for fall temps and activities!
There are still Fall Festivals to attend and of course plenty of Pumpkin Patches too. You may be able to squeeze in some last minute Apple Picking as well. Be sure to check out our new post on Haunted Houses and Spooky Tours too. It sounds like a spooktacular time! Along with Trick-or-Treat this month, there are a number of Trunk-or-Treat options along the way! This is a great option for little ones too.
If you are looking for a neat activity, there’s Pumpkin Glassblowing offered various times throughout the month at The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology. A big thanks to The Works, for sponsoring the guide this month.
Experience central Ohio’s best destination for hands-on discovery with history, art, science, and glassblowing. This fall, make your own blown-glass pumpkin with guidance from our professional glass artist. Children ages 9+ and adults can choose their favorite glass colors and participate in the process of blown glass to make a beautiful creation to take home or give as a gift. Hot glass items must cool in a special oven so objects will be available for pick-up the following day the museum is open. Fused-Glass Workshops also are available, along with fun programs and activities for the entire family this season at The Works.
October Events
Events: October 1- 7
October 1: Taste of Italy: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Italian Festival Grounds | Enjoy a night of authentic Italian Cuisine from many local Columbus Italian eateries. Tickets are $35 in advance.
October 4: National Cinnamon Bun Day: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at IKEA | Celebrate one of their favorite holidays with them! They will be sampling some of our delicious Cinnamon Buns in the Swedish Food Market.
October 4: Trick, It’s a Treat!: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in New Albany | Candy free community Halloween celebration that highlights fun. tasty, and healthy Halloween treats and activities!
October 4-6: Zassy’s Fall Vendor Market: 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (Times may vary) at Delaware County Fairgrounds | Come out and shop and explore Zassy’s treasures! Thursday night is preview night!
October 5: Sip and Spa Wine Tasting: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at The Hills Market Downtown | $15 dollars for a tasting of 10 wines and this month the emphasis is on local health and beauty products just in time for the holidays!
October 5: Friday Family Nights: 6:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m. at The Worthington Community Center | Family Nights most Friday evenings. Kids of all ages will enjoy the free fun, which includes arts and crafts, little tykes gym activities, and big kids’ gym activities.
October 5-6: Alum Creek Fall Fest: 7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m. at Alum Creek Campgrounds | They will be having a scavenger hunt, night hikes, seasonal movies at the amphitheater and the wonderfully scary VIP “Haunted Trail” and this is all just on Friday night. They will have wagon rides, a disc golf tournament on the 9 hole Ft Cheshire course, fishing, tye dye plus a lot of other activities for all ages.
October 5-20 (No Sundays): The Fall Festival at the Farm at Walnut Creek: 8:30 a.m. at Sugarcreek | Looking for a road trip? A little under two hours, you may want to visit this great Fall Festival for broom making, the pumpkin slingshot and so much more! Due to popular demand, the festival will be open extended dates this year.
October 5-7: Columbus Italian Festival: 5:00 p.m.- 11:00 p.m. on Friday, 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday | Just $5 dollars to enter the festival and taste the great food and see live entertainment!
October 6: Fall Kiddie Konsignment Sale: 8:00 am. – 3:00 p.m. at Grace Polaris Church | Come to shop their HUGE children’s consignment sale! Sale open 8-12 and half off SUPER sale 1-3. Maternity, infant and children’s clothing, accessories, toys, furniture and more!
October 6: Home Depot Kids Workshop: 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. | Join their hands-on workshop and you and your child can build a model fireboat. All kids get to keep their project, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last.
October 6: Made LOCAL Marketplace Columbus Fall Show: 9:00 a.m. at Bridgewater Banquet Center | Shop locally from 120 Ohio makers!
October 6: Hello Kitty Cafe Truck at Easton: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | The Hello Kitty Cafe Truck is returning to Easton Town Center on Saturday 10/6! Come to say hello to them on the Town Square between 10 am – 8 pm and pick up some super cute treats & merchandise, while supplies last!
October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28: Freeman’s Farm Fall Festival: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sundays in Galena | Enjoy hayrides through scenic woods, campfire concessions, farm animals, apple butter making and more! Enjoy 6 weekends of fall fun!
October 6, 13, 20, 27: Disney Store Haunted Party: Party times are at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at The Disney Store Polaris | Come dressed as your favorite character and learn how to fight the Haunted villains. Learn to walk like a zombie, get wrapped up like a mummy, and dance along with special guests. Guests will also receive Magical Mickey Pumpkin Bracelet. You must RSVP by calling or coming into the store. There is a 20 person maximum per time slot and this event is best for ages 3-12.
October 6,13,21,28: Boo N’ Brew: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Polaris Fashion Place | Fall festival with a beer garden benefiting the Ronald McDonald House and lots of family-friendly activities like trick or treating, silly safari animal shows, food trucks, face painting, balloon artists, and costume contest!
October 7: Costume Swap: 10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. at Worthington Community Center | The Center is accepting clean or gently used Halloween costumes and donors will receive one ticket for each costume donated to swap a new costume.
October 7: Fire Department Open House: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Worthington Fire Department | Come to explore the Worthington Fire Department and Police Department and experience life as a police officer or firefighter.
October 7: The Columbus Flea Fall 2018: 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. at Seventh Son Brewing | Fall Flea is a family-friendly event with 50 + vendors, food trucks, DJ’s, and craft beer.
October 7: Grove City Oktoberfest: 12:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. in Grove City Town Center | Sample a variety of Ohio craft beers while you enjoy live entertainment, games, and the beauty of autumn. German-themed foods, including ever-popular bratwursts and cream puffs.
October 7: Old Time Harvest Day: 1:00 pm. – 5:00 p.m. in Grove City | Celebrate Autumn traditions with crafts such as leather tooling and rope weaving and daily chores like churning butter and pumping well water. A neat experience for your kids!
October 8: Fire Station Open House at Washington Township: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Dublin, Ohio | Climb in the trucks, take a fire station tour, see demonstrations, enjoy snacks and meet Sparky, the Fire Safety Dog! Choose from 4 locations.
October 7: Food Truck and Fire Prevention Festival: 3:00 p.m. -7:00 pm. | The 2nd Annual PTFD Food Truck & Fire Prevention Festival is coming the first weekend in October! Kids and families will learn about this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Look. Listen. Learn.” and will enjoy a wide variety of food trucks.
October 7: Glow and Give Family Friendly Dance Party: 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m. at Coffman Park | Join them for a family-friendly, glow-in-the dark DANCE PARTY complete with food trucks, inflatables, music, games, and of course…. dancing for all ages! Featuring DJ Justin Markle from Platinum Music Productions!
Events: October 8-14
October 9: Story Time on the Farm: 10:00 a.m. at Stratford Ecological Center | Join families on the farm for a fun and educational story hour and unique hands-on experience around the farm!
October 10: Bats, Cats, and Rats: Blacklick Woods at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. | Learn about these animals of Halloween through stories, activities and crafts.
October 11: Family Food Truck Festival: 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Northwest Library | Great food and family fun!
October 12: Family Nights at the Worthington Community Center: 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. at The Community Center.
October 12: Movies by Moonlight Fall Double Feature: 7:00 p.m. at Easton Town Center | Bring a bucket of popcorn and blanket and enjoy Casper as well as your most voted movie- either the Muppets or Despicable Me 3!
October 12-14: Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing: 7:00 p.m. on Friday, 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at Hilliard Davidson High School | Come see a great performance!
October 13: Family Breakfast and CoCo at The Columbus Museum of Art: 10:00 a.m. | Come before the public and enjoy a family breakfast complete with activities and a movie. Tickets include a breakfast buffet, early access to the JPMorgan Chase Center for Creativity, and a 10:00 am viewing of the Pixar movie “Coco.” Nonmember tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for children 6-17, and $5 for children 5 and younger. Members receive $5 off per ticket, children 5 and younger free.
October 13: Make your own glass pumpkin: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Works in Newark | Create your own glass pumpkin with individual guidance from our professional glass artist. $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
October 13: Rumpelstiltzkin at the Abbey Theater: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Dublin | This story teaches the importance of making promises that one can keep. Tickets are available online!
October 13-14: Oakland’s Fall Festival: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Oakland Nursery | Visit any of the four garden centers and celebrate the arrival of Fall with lots of activities and special guests! See their website, but some include the turtle lady, professional pumpkin carvers, balloon guy and apple cider tasting!
October 13: Historic Dublin Family Fall Festival: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Historic Dublin | Get ready to kick off the best fall season yet! Vendors and fun activities will be a part of the Fall festival. Admission is free and there will also be trick or treating throughout the district. Magicians, musicians, fire trucks and so much more!
October 13: Moonlight Market on Gay Street: 6:00 p.m. on Gay Street, Downtown Columbus | The Moonlight Market is a monthly outdoor street festival/marketplace on Gay Street in Downtown Columbus. It takes place every Second Saturday from April through October. Last one!
October 13: Monster Bash: 7:00 p.m. -11:30 p.m. (and then an after party) in German Village | Adult “trick-or-treating” to sample various treats from 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. and then dancing.
October 14: Miller’s Country Gardens Fall Festival: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Hayrides, Pumpkin Patch, play area for kids, corn maze and live music!
October 14: B R E A D Festival: 12:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Dublin | The second annual B.R.E.A.D. will include community booths, traditional music and dance, hands-on artmaking, international cuisine, bread vendors, food trucks, a global marketplace and more. The festival, presented by Dublin Arts Council, embraces: Bake, Reconnect, Educate, make Art & celebrate Diversity!
October 14: Upper Arlington Fall Fest: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Fancyburg Park | Huffman’s Market chili cook-off, face painting, inflatable games, scarecrow making, and live music and entertainment.
October 14: Columbus Zoo Visit at Lehner’s Farm: 3:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. | Special visit from the zoo along with all of their family fun activities!
October 14: Monster Boogie: 3:00 p.m. at The Ohio Theater | The entire family is invited to dress up in their favorite costumes and join the ghoulishly-dressed Columbus Symphony for a frightfully fun concert of “boo-tiful” music, programmed especially for kids ages 2-10! There will be contests with prizes, trick-or-treating, and lots of fun Halloween activities in the historic Ohio Theatre. Tickets are only $8.50 for kids and $12.50 for adults!
Events: October 15-21
October 16: Small Farmers: 9:30 a.m. at Stratford Ecological Center | Bring your little ones to become a farmer for a day!
October 17-20: Circleville Pumpkin Show: Opens most days at 10:00 a.m. in Circleville | Famous local celebration with lots of live music, parades, and everything pumpkin!
October 18-31: Dracula: See website for times of shows | Get your tickets today!
October 18: Make your own glass pumpkin: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Works in Newark | Create your own glass pumpkin with individual guidance from our professional glass artist. $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
October 19: Make your own glass pumpkin: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at The Works |Create your own glass pumpkin with individual guidance from our professional glass artist. $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
October 19-21: Boo at the Zoo: Fridays 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. | Special regions will be dressed up for this spooky kooky holiday! Also the following weekend, October 26-28.
October 19: Prehistoric Halloween Party: 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. at Worthington Community Center | Annual Halloween Party featuring treat trail, barnyard petting zoo, hayrides, games, and music by Endless Recess.
October 19: Family Fun Night: 6:30 p.m. at Homestead Park | Enjoy activities, stargazing, and a warm campfire.
October 19: Lantern Stroll for Families: 7:00 p.m. at Highbanks | Carry lanterns to light the way on a 1-mile hike on the Dripping Rock Trail.
October 20: Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt: 9:30 a.m. in Old Hilliard | Join local businesses in trick-or-treating, scavenger hunt, family fun activities, and costume contests for all ages.
October 20: Make your own glass pumpkin: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Works | Experience the art of glassblowing! Create your own glass pumpkin with individual guidance from our professional glass artist. $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
October 20: Halloween Hop: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Columbus Speech and Hearing | Halloween Hop is a free, not too spooky trick or treat event for families and kids of all abilities. Every kid can participate, enjoy a magic show, pet therapy dogs, partake in themed crafts and watch live kid-friendly music.
October 20: The Enchanted Tea Party: 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m and Sunday, October 21 12:30-2:30 p.m. | The Not Just Make Believe Parties princesses are hosting the third annual Enchanted Tea Party! This year it is bigger and better than you ever imagined! You are cordially invited to join 6 of their princesses for a high tea straight out of a storybook! There will be sweets, savory items, and many different types of tea! Tickets are $55 each.
October 20: Chocolate Walk: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in Marysville | It’s time for the Second Annual Sweetest Day Chocolate Walk! Join them for a delicious fundraiser benefiting the Avalon Uptown Theatre Restoration Project. Tickets are required.
October 20: Hilliard Trunk or Treat Car Show: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Come out and trick or treat.
October 20: Open Barn Days: 1:00 p.m. at Sunrise Sanctuary | Open to the public with a chance to get to know the animals on a personal level. Adults are $10 and Youth is $5.
October 20: Powell Community Bonfire: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Hall Street | Guests will enjoy free hot dogs, apple cider, doughnut holes and marshmallows to roast over one of the fires.
October 21: Trick or Treat at Lehner’s Farm: 10:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. at Lehner’s Farm | Come trick or treat on the farm and enjoy a costume contest at 3:00 p.m. and cash prizes!
October 21: Ghost Trolley Day: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Worthington | Halloween event designed for younger children to tour the decorated train cars along the way, then board the streetcar for a dark ride!
Events: October 22-28
October 22: For Kids: GPS Critter Hunt and S’mores: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at Glacier Ridge | Use GPS units to locate critters hidden in the park and roast s’mores. Ages 6-15.
October 24-November 4: Aladdin: 5:00 p.m. | Get your tickets today!
October 25: PJs and Eggs: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Eat breakfast for dinner in your PJs for a good cause!
October 25: Costume and Candy Crawl: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at The Kingsdale Shopping Center, Upper Arlington | Dress in your Halloween best and Trick or Treat at the shopping center. Face painting and balloon artists too!
There are a ton of Trunk-or-Treat events this weekend! Se the full list here: Trunk-or-Treating
October 26: Fall Colors Tram Ride for Preschoolers: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 2:00 p.m. at Blendon Woods | How many colors can your preschooler find on a tram ride through the park? Come out and see!
October 26: Howl-O-Ween: 4:00 p.m. at Ohio Wildlife Center in Powell | Spooky is their specialty at this family-friendly Halloween event. Come enjoy walks through their Whitetail Trail, visits from spooky animal ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex, and Woodsy, snakes checkers, bats, echo, and Percy and Lenore, their American Crows.
October 26-28: Boo at the Zoo: Fridays 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and Sundays 10:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. | Special regions will be dressed up for this spooky kooky holiday!
October 26: Trick or Treat Trail: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. at Praire Township Community Center | Come enjoy the Prairie Township Halloween Trick or Treat Trail. Local businesses will participate by bringing candy to pass out to your kids. Come out in your best Halloween costume for this fun event.
October 27: Make your own glass pumpkin: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at The Works | Experience the art of glassblowing! Create your own glass pumpkin with individual guidance from our professional glass artist. $40 for members and $50 for non-members.
October 27: Trick or Tweet!: 10:00 a.m. at Scioto Audubon | Spook up some fun with a not so scary nature-themed Halloween celebration. Enjoy crafts, games, snacks, stories and a costume parade, Ohio Wildlife Center will bring some friends to help celebrate the day!
October 27-28: Trick or Treat at the Conservatory: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Franklin Park Conservatory | Trick or Treat at the Conservatory and through the gardens for this 2-day event!
October 27: Creepside at Gahanna: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Come trick or treat along Mill Street, along with live music, superheroes, pumpkin painting, and food vendors!
October 27: Heritage Day: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Historical Village in Weaver Park | Join the Hilliard Historical Society as the Historical Village comes to life with Civil War re-enactors and activities such as a hay ride, broom maker, blacksmith and refreshments. Tour prices are $4 for adults, $2 for children and 5 and under are free.
October 27: Historic Dublin Chili Cook-Off: 1:00 p.m. in Historic Dublin | For only $15 you can visit 7 of their gourmet restaurants, enjoy 7 unique chili’s and vote for the best while supporting the Dublin Food Pantry!
October 27: Highbanks Harvest Fest: 1:00 p.m. at Highbanks | Enjoy hayrides, jump in a giant leaf pile, make Halloween crafts, play games, and roast marshmallows over a campfire.
October 27: Family Harvest at Slate Run: 2:00 p.m. | Enjoy a hayride and apple cider and pick Indian corn and pumpkins to take home.
October 27: Candy by the Carload: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in Powell | The parking lot will be transformed into a trick or treaters’ treasure chest as local businesses and organizations set up booths and car trunks filled with candy, toys, and other Halloween goodies.
October 27: Harvest Dance: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Griswold Center | A free community event for all ages! Food, drink, music, dancing and a firepit!
October 27: Haunted Wine Cellar: Times begin at 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Wyandotte Winery | Haunted Wine Cellar Tour with food and wine pairings! Get your tickets today. $35 dollars for this 2 1/2 hour Halloween event!
October 28: All Ohio Reptile Show: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at The Franklin County Fairgrounds | Come out and see your favorite reptile friends!
October 28: Ohio State Four-Miler : 10:00 a.m. at Ohio Stadium | The Ohio State Four-Miler is the largest four-mile race in the United States with a normally sold-out field of 15,000 runners and walkers. Register today!
October 28: Scarysville: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Uptown Marysville | Join the streets of Uptown Marysville as they come alive with Halloween fun. Children are invited to dress up and visit merchants for candy and other Halloween goodies.
October 28: Halloween Family Fun Day at North Market: Come trick or treat at The North Market! Check their website as information and times are updated.
October 28: Halloween Party at Inniswoods Park: 2:00 p.m. | Join in the fun at the gardens for activities and crafts!
October 28: An Afternoon with the Trolls: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Dance Extension | LEARN TO BE A TROLL * SING * DANCE * CRAFTS * IMPROV STORY-TIME * FACE-PAINTING * LOTS OF HUGS & so much more. ENJOY the colorful decorations creating a wondrous fantasy world! PERFORM for parents at the end of the camp! PERFORMANCE by the characters!
October 28: Trick or Treat Hike: 3:00 p.m. at Homestead | Wear your favorite costume and earn some goodies on a 1-mile hike!
October 28: Hilliard Trunk or Treat: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Ray Patch YMCA | This is the 7th Annual Trunk-or-Treat event and will be held rain or shine. This year they will have food trucks, bounce houses, music, Norwich Fire, Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth and much more!
Events: October 29-31
October 29: Kids COOK Halloween Treats: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at 1400 Food Lab | Kids and families will learn to cook delicious Halloween Treats and make spooky drinks that would be perfect for a witch’s brew or wizarding party. They’ll blend real cooking skills with imaginative Halloween fun!
October 30: Haunted Village: 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. in Pickerington | Halloween fun for all ages! Ghost tours, story-telling, hayrides, trick or treating through the Olde Pickerington Village businesses, haunted garden, haunted museum, haunted house, entertainment, food, and more!
October 31: Trick-or-Treat: various times | Many Central Ohio communities host their Trick-or-Treat night on Halloween, but not all of them do. Be sure to use the link to check the dates and times.
October 31: Groveport Trick or Treat Block Party: 5:30 p.m. | Trick or Treat: 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. Block Party: 7:00 pm. Town Hall will be serving hot dogs, popcorn and drink courtesy of the Groveport Police Department, Madison Township Fire Department and Groveport Town Hall. Block Party will have a costume contest too!
October 31: Boo on Broadway: 6:00-8:00 p.m. in Grove City | Grove City’s Town Center is transformed into a destination for spooky fun! This annual, family-friendly alternative to the traditional door-to-door Beggars’ Night allows children to dress in costume and safely collect candy and other goodies from area businesses and civic organizations.
October 31: All Hallows Eve Lantern Hike: 6:45 p.m. at Blendon Woods | Keep an eye out for spooky night creatures on a 2-mile lantern-lit walk through the woods.
We hope you enjoy all the October events! Happy Halloween! Don’t forget to check out our Ultimate Guide to Fall and Halloween for your go-to resource for everything fall related! Here is the list of Columbus Trick or Treat times as well!
