Nothing screams summer more than outdoor fairs and festivals! Many of the festivals offer live music, unique vendors, mouth-watering food trucks, and outdoor fun for the whole family. Use this guide to help you decide which ones you want to hit this summer! There are so many to choose from! {This information is curated from multiple sources, so be sure to confirm the details are still accurate before heading out.}

Fairs and Festivals In & Around Columbus

Check out our post about Community Hops to Check Out This Summer because many communities host these free events on various days of the week.

June

Columbus Arts Festival: June 7 – June 9, 2024 | Join in celebrating the return of the Columbus Arts Festival this year, at the downtown riverfront!

Grove City Wine and Arts Festival: June 14 – June 15, 2024 | Enjoy the pairing of art and wineries in this eight-year anniversary tradition. The event runs in the heart of Grove City’s historical area.

Columbus Pride Festival: June 14- 15, 2024 | The festival takes place on Friday with a parade on Saturday!

Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival: June 14- June 16, 2024 | This event brings together top regional blues and jazz talent to Gahanna along with food vendors, retail vendors, and a discovery zone area for kids.

Craft & Art Fair: June 15, 2024 | This annual show gets better and better with talented local artists throughout the village. The Hilliard Historic Village & Museum will be open for guided tours. Food and drink available.

Worthington Arts Festival: June 15- June 16, 2024| Ceramics, glass, fibers, jewelry and leather work along with food and beverage vendors too on The Worthington Green this year!

Powell Festival: June 21- June 22, 2024 | A 2-day summer experience that includes family-friendly entertainment, delicious food, and fireworks.

Comfest: June 28- June 30, 2024 | A free non-corporation yearly celebration of Columbus, Ohio’s community organizations, performers, artists, and volunteers. Great music!

July

Red, White and Boom: July 3, 2024 | Huge all-day festival in downtown Columbus with all day events and fireworks.

Ohio Brew Week Festival: July 12- July 20, 2024 | Beer festival with many events held in Athens, Ohio.

Westerville Music and Arts Festival: July 13-July 14, 2024 | 125 fine arts and crafts exhibitors, 23 food trucks, 30 musical performances, kids entertainment, youth art exhibit, and more! Just $2 admission fee (cash or venmo) and free for anyone 10 years and under.

Franklin County Fair: July 15- July 21, 2024 | Find your favorite fair foods, rides and family-friendly attractions, like massive Monster Trucks, furry farm animals, mind-blowing magic, and much more!

Columbus Jazz and Rib Festival: July 19- July 21, 2024 | The finest in music and BBQ! Come get your hot ribs and cool jazz! 

Lancaster Festival: July 20-27, 2024 | Celebration of music, arts, and community. Lee Brice, Wilson Phillips, and Who’s Bad throughout the week. Celebrating 40 years! 

Nelsonville Music Festival: July 26- July 28, 2024 | So many artists to see! 

Union County Fair: July 21- July 27, 2024 | Harness racing, Kidzone, animal costume contest, cutest baby contest, touch-a-truck and pony pulls!

Ohio State Fair: July 24- August 4, 2024 | A unique tradition in Columbus with camel rides, games for the kids, petting zoo, pig races, rides, and stage performances. Don’t forget about all the food too! Kidzbop, Alabama, Boyz 2 Men!

Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest: July 26- 27, 2024 | 2-day summer celebration with award-winning ribs and world-class music.

Columbus Food and Wine Festival: July 29-July 30, 2023| This festival aims to bring people together to celebrate with family over food, wine, and live music.

August

Dublin Irish Festival: August 2- August 4, 2024 | 3-day celebration of all things Irish!

All Ohio Balloon Festival: August 8- 10, 2024 | This festival is held in Marysville with over 30 hot air balloons, sky jumpers, helicopters, live music and food and drinks. Fleetwood Mac cover band in 2024!

Festival Latino: August 10- August 11, 2024 | Experience traditional and contemporary Latin American Culture.

Columbus Food Truck Festival: August 17, 2024 | Over 50 food trucks, live music, arts and crafts, games and more! Admission is free. In Hilliard! 

Millersport Sweet Corn Festival: August 28- August 31, 2024 | Festival, concert, rides, 5k and more. Parrots of the Caribbean to perform their Jimmy Buffet favorites! 

September

Obetz Zucchini Festival: August 30, 2024- September 2, 2024 | Family friendly 4-day event that includes rides, concerts, and entertainment!

Columbus Greek Festival:  August 30, 2024-September 2, 2024 | 4-day event to experience the traditions of Greece.

Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival: August 31, 2024 – September 2, 2024 | Three days of music, Columbus Zoo animals, and the food is always a popular attraction at this local tradition!

Ohio Renaissance Festival: August 31, 2024- October 27, 2024 | Takes place on Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day. Each weekend has a different theme like Pirate weekend or Fantasy Weekend and there will always be chicken legs! Typically special trick-or-treat weekend in October. 

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival: September 2, 2024 | Interactive performances and activities, art to purchase, and a variety of vendors. A great tradition!

Marion Popcorn Festival:  September 5- September 7, 2024 | Free entertainment with rides, a popcorn parade, and pageants for all ages!

Columbus Oktoberfest: September 6- September 8, 2024 | Stages for polka dancing, kids plaza, 4-mile run and lots of cream puffs and pretzels!

Delaware County Fair: September 14- September 21, 2024 | 4H, mini tractor pull, magic shows, dinosaurs, truck pull and hot dog eating contest! Enjoy a great week with the family!

October

Columbus Italian Festival: October 11- October 13, 2024 | Parade, featured entertainment, taste of Italy, and so much more!

Circleville Pumpkin Show: October 16- October 19, 2024 | Famous spot for all things pumpkin! You’ve got to see it, to believe it!

That’s over 40 fairs and festivals to choose from! Have a blast!