Hello, fall! 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. Who’s ready for fall activities and fun in our guide to the month of October?!
There are still plenty of Pumpkin Patches to visit this month! 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. {As always, the information is subject to change. Be sure to use the links and check directly with the businesses/organizations.}
October Events
Ongoing Events:
ZOMBIezi Bay Haunted House: Through October 30, 2022 :Explore a wicked new world with four haunted houses, two scare zones, the Sea Dragon roller coaster, other non-water rides and plenty of sinister surprises – if you dare. Must be 13 or older!
2022 Trail of Scarecrows: Fairfield County has been named “The Scarecrow Capital of Ohio” and there are 14 communities throughout the county displaying scarecrows. There are almost 300 on display. Use the link to get a map of where to visit.
Events: October 1- 7
September 30-October 2: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales: at Hilliard Davidson High School | This play is based on Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s popular children’s book.
October 1: Home Depot Kids Workshop: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Head to your nearest Home Depot store and create a fire rescue boat!
October 1: Westerville Farmers’ Market: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Come support local!
October 1: Worthington Farmers’ Market: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Last month of outdoor market!
October 1-2: 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 1-2: Cinderella: 11:00 a.m. at The Hilliard Civic and Cultural Center | This production featuring the talents of 20 young actors in grades 4 to 8, will be presented on Saturday October 1 at 11:00am and Sunday October 2 at 3:00pm.
October 1: 6th Annual Fall Festival: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at HTH Farm Market in Worthington | Come for Carnival Games, Activities, Crafts, Live Music and Food! Free Admission, Costumes Welcome!
October 1: Cheryl’s Fall Festival: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the flagship store in Westerville | free admission, cookie deals, games, face painting, and meet Cheryls’ mascots Cookie & Brownie.
October 1: Westerville Uptown Saturday Night: 7:00 p.m. | Swings The Thing to perform! Last one of the season.
October 1-2: Chalk the Block: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Easton | The event features artists designing and drawing large scale temporary artworks on the pavement while public watches. On Saturday, the artists take to the streets, to create elaborate, original designs, all while listening to the music of a half dozen local musical acts. Sunday, the audience is invited back to see the finished products.
October 2: Community Days at Franklin Park Conservatory | Free admission for Franklin County Residents!
October 2: Fire and Police Department Open House in Worthington: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Come explore both departments!
October 2: Upper Arlington Fall Fest: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Fancyburg Park | Carve pumpkins, make scarecrows and create your own buckeye necklaces as you enjoy the sounds of live and music and fall fun!
October 2: Delaware Fall Festival & Treatfest: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Delaware County YMCA | Must register for this event. Hayrides, VIP Bags, pumpkins, bounce park, costume contest, character meet & greet, fun prize wheel, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the family, home & more!
October 2-3: Franklin County Community Day at the Zoo: All day | Free admission for Franklin County Residents on this weekend!
October 6: Preschool Story Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Story time will occur at 10:15 am in the Grange Insurance Audubon Center library or near the fireplace. Stay after to enjoy some outdoor play time in our play space located near their native plant gardens or visit their turtles inside. Pre-registration is required due to limited space at this time.
October 7-9: 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 at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church | Delicious food and unique entertainment all weekend long!
October 7-9: Chillicothe Halloween Festival: It’s spooky season at Yoctangee Park! All weekend long October 7th, 8th and 9th you can visit for the Chillicothe Halloween Festival. This 3-day festival has inflatables, live entertainment, vendors, food and more! Celebrate the fun of Halloween! Admission is free!
October 7: 5th Annual Mac and Cheese Festival:
October 7: Teen Night in Westerville: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Westerville Community Center|
October 7: Family Night at the Worthington Community Center: 6:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. | Bring the Farm to you night!
Events: October 8-14
October 8: Old Worthington Market Day: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Old Worthington | All day festival returns! Worthington’s largest one-day festival, artisans gather on the streets of downtown Worthington to present a colorful and varied display of quality hand-crafted goods from jewelry, pottery and ceramics to beautiful paintings, decorative clothing and unique wood products.
October 8: Second Saturdays at Franklin County Fairgrounds: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | All of the vendors and crafters you love will be at the fairgrounds for Second Saturdays with some exciting new participants like fine artists, live musicians, and food trucks (varies month to month)! You never know what unique items you will find. Parking and admission are free as well as the coffee!
October 8-9: 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 8: Open Barn Days: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 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 are $5.
October 8: All Hallows’ Eve: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Ohio Village: Enjoy the retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by the bonfire, pumpkin carving and strange characters roaming Ohio Village. Come revel in Victorian-era entertainment including fortune telling, crafts, games and more!
October 8: 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. This is the last one!
October 8: Chihuly Nights: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Franklin Park Conservatory | All 18 installations will be lit up! Special event pricing for this event.
October 9: Halloween Meet and Treat: 10:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Come out to the zoo to experience a sensory friendly Halloween meet and greet with characters!
October 11: Disney Live on Tour: Costume Palooza: 6:00 p.m. | Disney Junior characters and Marvel superheroes will be live on stage for a concert-style show with singing, dancing, acrobatics and more.
October 12- October 30- Pumpkin Nights at Franklin Park Conservatory| Enjoy hundreds of carved pumpkins and seasonal horticulture displays. Pumpkins can be found outdoors, displayed along the path leading to the Grand Mallway. Spot the Pumpkin Patch Monster, pass between the legs of the giant spider or explore the spectacular Pumpkin House again this year. Open Wednesday- Sunday. Purchase tickets in advance. $11 for members and $ 22 for non-members.
October 13: Preschool Story Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Story time will occur at 10:15 am in the Grange Insurance Audubon Center library or near the fireplace. Stay after to enjoy some outdoor play time in our play space located near their native plant gardens or visit their turtles inside. Pre-registration is required due to limited space at this time.
October 13: COSI After Dark: 7:00 p.m. at COSI | Nightmare on Broad Street is the theme this month!
October 14: Fall Safari at The Wilds: 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Enjoy a wildly fun night at exploring The Wilds with drink stops along the way!
October 14-16: 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!
Events: October 15-21
October 15: AKC Meet the Breeds: 9 am – 5 pm at the Greater Columbus Convention Center | Are you looking for a pawsitively perfect family-friendly event? 🐾 If so, you are in for a real treat when AKC Meet the Breeds comes to Columbus for the first time ever! This is a great opportunity to interact with different dog breeds, learn about the responsibilities of owning a dog and talk to experts to find the best match for your lifestyle. Watch the demonstrations of dog sports and working dogs as they showcase their skills. Attendees can join in on the action in the interactive fun zone with games and photo opportunities. For more information and to buy tickets, visit https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-meet-the-breeds/. Use promo code LOVEDOGS for $5 off general admission.
October 15: Harvest Hustle 5k: 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. at Center Street Market | Come out and run!
October 15: All Hallows’ Eve: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Ohio Village: Enjoy the retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by the bonfire, pumpkin carving and strange characters roaming Ohio Village. Come revel in Victorian-era entertainment including fortune telling, crafts, games and more!
October 15: Watch and Glow: Pumpkin Float and Flick: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park | Sit back, relax and watch the glow at Hilliard’s first ever “Pumpkin Float and Flick” in Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park. Enjoy the park after the sun sets and the pumpkins are launched in the pond. Take a walk on the lantern-lit trail before watching the movie, Hocus Pocus, in the park. Bring your lawn chair, blanket, picnic, and pre-carved pumpkin to float in the pond (Registration for the pumpkin float is required. Stay tuned for details!)
October 15-16: 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 15: Boo and Brew 2022: 12:00- 4:00 p.m. at Polaris | Celebrate the Fall season with us at our annual Boo & Brew festival! Enjoy live music, food, beer, family-friendly Fall activities and so much more. All for a great cause!
October 15: Trunk or Treat in New Albany: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Bevelhymer Park | Wear your best costume and trick or treat through the parking lot to play games and get candy from local organizations!
October 16: Fall Festival at Christian Community Church: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Event is free and trunk or treat is from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.! Photo booth, hayrides, crafts, giant pong, inflatables, and free hot cocoa and apple cider!
October 16: All Hallows’ Eve: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Ohio Village: Enjoy the retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by the bonfire, pumpkin carving and strange characters roaming Ohio Village. Come revel in Victorian-era entertainment including fortune telling, crafts, games and more!
October 17: Paint Night at Dave and Busters Polaris: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Join in for a Family Friendly Paint Night! The cost is $35 per adult and $10 per child (12 years old and younger). With your paint party purchase, you will receive a complimentary $10 game card from Dave & Busters. Happy Hour is from 4-7pm (1/2 off drinks.
October 19-23: The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow: The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow is their signature fall event! Wind your way through an enchanting trail of 1,500 carved glowing pumpkins. New this year, plenty of fun activities included with the price of admission.
October 19-22: Circleville Pumpkin Show: Various times each day | A fan favorite with all things pumpkin!
October 21: Pumpkin Workout and Painting: 9:30 a.m. at Lazelle Woods: Visit Lazelle Woods for a morning of working out with your little one followed by a fun pumpkin painting activity. See link for registration.
October 21: Columbus Museum of Art Wild Things Are: 10:30am visit Columbus Museum of Art for the opening day of Wild Things Are Happening: The Art Of Maurice Sendak. This event will feature the original art of Maurice Sendak and all of his books. See link for tickets
October 21: Trick or Treat Block Party at Five Party Events Center: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Games, good, prizes and more!
October 21-23: 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 21-23: Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Each night this weekend from 5-9PM you can walk the grounds and see hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins, two pumpkin houses, a spooky forest, a foggy creek and a ghostly graveyard. Advanced reservations recommended!
October 21: Movie in the Park: Ghostbusters in Sharon Woods Park: Get ready for Halloween fun with this Halloween special showing!
Events: October 22-28
October 22: Great Pumpkin Run: 9:00 a.m. | Come out to grandview and join in the fun for 43rd annual pumpkin run! Tiny tot pumpkin run too!
October 22: 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 23: Sunday Funday in Worthington: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Sunday Funday with Halloween and Spooky Pet Parade theme!
October 22-23: 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 22: All Hallows’ Eve: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Ohio Village: Enjoy the retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by the bonfire, pumpkin carving and strange characters roaming Ohio Village. Come revel in Victorian-era entertainment including fortune telling, crafts, games and more!
October 22: Grandview Halloween Hop: Visit Grandview Avenue for the Grandview Halloween Harvest Hop! This great event is just like summer hop, but with the bonus of trick-or-treating, costume contests for kids, scavenger hunt and more!
October 23: Trick or Treat at Lehners Pumpkin Farm: 10:00 a.m. | Come out to Lehners for a day full of Halloween Fun!
October 23: Squashcarver at Easton: Noon at Easton | Live giant pumpkin carving!
October 23: Trick or Treat at Gallant Woods: 1:00 p.m. | Wear your costumes and gather treats from an enchanted trail, go for a hayride, meet some creepy critters and vote for your favorite scarecrow.
October 23: 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.
See the full list here: Trunk-or-Treating
October 26: Creekside Pumpkin Crawl: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Creekside Park | Live music, pumpkin contest, restuarant deals and more!
October 27: 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 28: Westerville 4th Friday: 6:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m. | Shops open late in Westerville with many family friendly activities to take place in the streets!
October 28-October 30: 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 29-31
October 29: Author Read Aloud at Coffee Connections: 10:30 a.m. | Join us for a fun filled Saturday morning! Bring your kiddos in their costumes, and listen to local author, Julie Dinges read her incredible book: “Search for the Scepter!” Kids can then participate in a free scavenger hunt, receive candy AND meet the real Roasalie and Scarlett! The event is free, and you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of the story. Mom and Dad can purchase coffee, too!
October 29: Harvest Paint and Sip: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Scioto Audobon | Celebrate fall and the harvest season by getting creative! Join the fun from 1-4 pm on Saturday, October 29th for an afternoon of sipping and painting with Wine and Canvas! Enjoy our indoor fire and a sip while creating your masterpiece! Cost is $40 per person
October 29: All Hallows’ Eve: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at Ohio Village: Enjoy the retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by the bonfire, pumpkin carving and strange characters roaming Ohio Village. Come revel in Victorian-era entertainment including fortune telling, crafts, games and more!
October 30: Zombie Halloween Pool Party: 5:30 p.m. at The Westerville Community Center |Zombie lifeguards will be on hand for a haunted trick-or-treat trail through the Community Center. The party then moves to the pool for games, candy and family swim. Children 6 and under must have a parent in the water with them.
October 31: Tots Trick or Treat: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Pickerington City Hall | Children 2-5 years old accompanied by an adult may wear their favorite costumes as they walk through the decorated City Hall to see staff dressed in costumes while receiving a few goodies.
