Fall is one of the most magical times to visit and experience Columbus. Our city celebrates the season in style, and you can enjoy everything from coffee-themed festivals to high-fashion costume parties.
To help keep the fun going all season long, we’ve rounded up some of the best fall events in Columbus to add to your calendar this year.
Schmidt's Columbus Oktoberfest
When: Sept. 5-7
Where: Ohio Expo Center / Ohio State Fairgrounds
What: Bountiful beers, tasty food and live music will have you in the mood for fall. This celebration of German culture in Columbus has been going strong for over 50 years, and with two stages of entertainment on all three days, there’s plenty to enjoy. This event is free with onsite parking available for $15. Come see why USA Today's 10Best has nominated Columbus Oktoberfest as one of the best in the nation and cast your vote today.
Columbus Oktoberfest. Source: Schmidt's.
Hank's Low Country Oyster Festival
When: Sept. 14
Where: Intersection of Gay and High Street, Downtown
What: Head downtown for the second annual Columbus Oyster Festival! Hosted by the new Hank's Low Country Seafood, guests can sip and enjoy live jazz music, oyster shucking and roasting and other southern dishes. Admission is free, and food and drinks are available for purchase.
Fashion Week Columbus
When: Sept. 14-20
Where: Throughout Columbus
What: Central Ohio has an incredible fashion community, and the flagship program and industry launchpad of the Columbus Fashion Council features a full week of fashion shows and fashion-related programs that showcase emerging designers. While the designers come from around the world, many are from Columbus!
Fashion Week Columbus Finale Runway Show. Source: Columbus Fashion Council.
Cartoon Crossroads
When: Sept. 18-21
Where: Throughout Columbus
What: Celebrating its 11th year, this citywide cartoon art festival features interactive panels, presentations and artist spotlights from a world-class guest list. Admission is free and events are happening at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, Columbus College of Art and Design and the Columbus Museum of Art.
Source: Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.
Scrawl
When: Sept. 20-21
Where: 400th block of Rich and Town Streets
What: Mobile murals from the city’s best visual artists will be on full display in the Franklinton Arts District. You’ll also find local vendors, DJ sets, food trucks and local brews at this two-day event.
The World's Largest Sound Bath
When: Sept. 21
Where: Columbus Commons
What: Experience the largest gathering of sound healers in the world with over 100 practitioners and musicians from across the country. Lay beneath the stars during this unparalleled event. Get tickets.
Harvest Blooms
When: Sept. 27 through Nov. 2
Where: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
What: A plethora of pumpkins, mums, cabbages and more fill the gardens, making Harvest Blooms one of the must-see fall attractions in Columbus. Two pumpkin houses and a pumpkin tree make for Instagram-worthy moments for the whole family.
Harvest Blooms. Source: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
All American Quarter Horse Congress
When: Sept. 27-Oct. 26
Where: Ohio Expo Center / Ohio State Fairgrounds
What: The world’s largest single-breed horse show attracts more than 650,000 people annually to the Ohio Expo Center. The Quarter Horse Congress event is also an industry-leading trade show with over 200 exhibitors.
Columbus Coffee Festival
When: Oct. 4-5
Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds
What: Two days full of coffee sampling, food trucks, live music and entertainment at its new location, the Franklin County Fairgrounds. It’s a great way to enjoy tastes from roasters around the state.
Columbus Coffee Festival. Source: Columbus Underground.
Columbus Italian Festival
When: Oct. 10-12
Where: St. John The Baptist Catholic Church
What: Over 35,000 visitors celebrate Italian culture in Columbus with food and entertainment in Italian Village. There are two stages with music every day, delicious Italian cuisine, a parade and even a bocce ball tournament.
Saucebox: A Midwestern Affair with Wine and Food
When: Oct. 12
Where: Downtown Columbus, Gay St. between High and Front St.
What: For one day only, the best restaurants in Columbus aren’t taking reservations, just wristbands. Saucebox is Columbus’s celebration of bold flavors, artisanal wines and local eats. When the clock strikes noon on October 12, the city’s most cherished restaurants will spill onto the streets. Guests can sip thoughtfully curated artisanal wines, savor dishes from beloved Columbus chefs, and enjoy a lively street party atmosphere — all in the heart of downtown. Learn about our restaurant community by watching our chef’s discussion panel from 3-4:30 p.m. and discover more to love about wine by attending our Somm Slam blind tasting competition. Get tickets.
Chef Avishar Barua at Saucebox (formerly known as the Columbus Natural Wine Festival). Source: Saucebox.
High Spirits Art + Music Festival
When: Oct.18
Where: Intersection of Gay & High Streets
What: Get into the Halloween spirit with High Spirits, an alternative art and music festival. Listen to performances across three stages, roaming entertainment and more surprises that celebrate the diverse arts community of Columbus.
Boo at the Zoo
When: Weekends in October
Where: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
What: A “merry-not-scary" time for the entire family, Boo at the Zoo features Halloween-themed activities around the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium across three weekends in October. You’ll find everything from pumpkin carving to a hay maze, a Halloween-themed train ride and more.
Boo at the Zoo. Source: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Highball Halloween
When: Oct. 25
Where: Short North Arts District
What: The nation's most elaborate costume party returns to the Short North Arts District this October and admission is free! Join in the fun and fan over the most fantastic fashions. VIP experiences are available for purchase. Learn more.
Highball Halloween. Source: Short North Alliance.
Please note that the websites linked above remain the best and most updated source of information for each event highlighted here.
Home to endless ways to have fun this season? #yesColumbus. Find more fall happenings in the city.
