A lineup of summer festivals in central Ohio fill your calendar
For whatever you fancy, there's bound to be a festival devoted to it. Central Ohio is chock-full of events celebrating everything from specific foods, like corn, zucchini, tacos and ribs, to cultures around the globe.
If you're a music lover, there's a festival catering to virtually every taste − blues, country, rock, funk, jazz and other genres. There are fests devoted to beer and wine, the arts, Independence Day, fundraising and even hot-air balloons.
Festival season is underway, with myriad events lined up for late spring heading well into summer. Here is a list of gatherings guaranteed to be a good time.
May 26: Asian Festival
Franklin Park, 1755 E. Broad St.
The 30th annual cultural event is to include games, children's activities, free health screenings and education, martial arts, live performances, a career fair and more. Admission is free. (asian-festival.org)
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May 26: Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
More than 100 Black-owned vendors are to be represented at the expo/culture fest in addition to craft and artisan beverages, food trucks, an HBCU college fair, DJs and dancing, family activities, giveaways and live music, including performances by Urban Strings Columbus, Brand Nubian and Amerie. (ohioblackexpo.com)
May 31-June 1: Breakaway Music Festival
Historic Crew Stadium, Interstate 71, near East Hudson Street
Breakaway, which began in Columbus in 2016 and has expanded to multiple cities, is to feature headliners John Summit, Kaskade, Tiësto, Two Friends and a slew of other EDM, pop and house artists. Two-day general admission and VIP tickets are available. (breakawayfestival.com)
June 1: Columbus Chicken & Beer Festival
Dodge Park, 667 Sullivant Ave.
Food trucks are to serve a variety of mouth-watering chicken, from fried to grilled, classic to jerk and even vegetarian options. A diverse beer menu offers suds from light to dark, hoppy to malty and classic to exotic. The fest also is to feature live music, games and other activities. (chickenandbeerfestcolumbus.com)
June 7-8: Fore!Fest
Bridge Park, 6634 Riverside Drive, Dublin
This free street festival offers music, food, drinks and more for a worthy cause: All proceeds benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation and the Crawford Hoying Foundation. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. both days. Check the website for updates. (forefest.com)
June 7-9: Columbus Arts Festival
Scioto Mile Riverfront, Downtown
Now in its 62nd year, the festival is to feature more than 225 visual artists, three stages of performances and dozens of food vendors. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 7; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 8; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 9. Check the website for updated information. (columbusartsfestival.org)
June 8: Columbus Summer Wine Festival, Downtown Edition
McFerson Commons, 211 W. Nationwide Blvd.
Enjoy more than 30 wines curated by Heidelberg Distributing, 40-plus vendors from Front Street Flea and music by Eric Chin. This rain-or-shine event is to take place from 1 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available online now. (columbuswinefest.com)
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June 14-15: Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival
Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.
The Pride Festival & Resource Fair is to take place from 4 to 10 p.m. June 14 and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 15 in Goodale Park. The fest is to feature more than 200 nonprofit and corporate vendors, two performance stages (entertainment to be announced), a community wellness area, a DJ/dancing pad and more.
The Pride March begins at 10 a.m. June 15 at Broad and High streets. Check website for updates on other Pride events. (stonewallcolumbus.org/pride)
June 14-16: Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival
Creekside Park & Plaza, 117 Mill St., Gahanna
Three stages are to showcase local, regional and national blues and jazz artists at the 25th annual festival, which also features an array of foods, plus live mural painting by artists. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. June 14; 1 to 11 p.m. June 15; and noon to 5 p.m. June 16. Purchase tickets online and save $5. (creeksidebluesandjazz.com)
June 15-16: Juneteenth Festival
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
The 26th annual celebration honors the date June 19, 1865, when the last Confederate community of enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, received word they had been freed. A host of events is to include a classic car show, performances by The Ark Band and dance-hall reggae-icon Shabba Ranks, a Father's Day tribute and a college and career fair on both days. (juneteenthohio.com)
June 15-16: Worthington Arts Festival
Worthington Village Green, High Street and state Route 161
The community fine arts and fine crafts show is to take place on all four quadrants of the park, and is just a short walk from all the businesses and restaurants of Old Worthington. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 15 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16. (worthingtonartsfestival.com)
June 22-23: Buckeye Country Superfest
Ohio Stadium, 411 Woody Hayes Drive
Unusually high demand for tickets led to the addition of a second night for this country megaconcert, which is to be headlined by Zach Bryan, supported by Billy Strings and Turnpike Troubadours. The lineup also includes special guests Charley Crockett, Charles Wesley Godwin and Levi Turner. (buckeyecountrysuperfest.com)
June 22: Uncorked: Columbus
COSI, 333 W. Broad St.
From 7 to11 p.m., the fourth annual wine fest is to offer tastings of more than 100 wines, plus seltzers, spirits, canned cocktails and other beverages, as well as access to COSI's exhibits. There are two sessions: Early admission ($80) at 7 p.m. includes an extra hour of tasting with a smaller capacity, plus exclusive samples from select wineries; general admission at 8 p.m. costs $60. The 21-and-older event benefits local nonprofit A Kid Again, which curates a one-of-a-kind experiences for children with life-threatening diseases and their families. (bit.ly/43xIFnx)
Comfest at 50: Comfest celebrates anniversary
June 28-30: ComFest
Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St.
Now in its 52nd year, the festive and socially conscious ComFest offers live music, dance, street-fair vendors, food, children's activities, art, workshops, speakers, political activism and more. Check the website for updates about the 2024 festival. (comfest.com)
July 3: Red White and Boom!
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
Columbus' largest single-day event attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year to celebrate Independence Day with a street festival, live entertainment, a parade and, of course, the famous fireworks display. Check out the website for information and details on how to become a Boom! VIP. (redwhiteandboom.org)
July 3-4: Pickerington July Fourth celebration
Fireworks are to be launched at 9:30 p.m. July 3 at Pickerington High School Central, 300 Opportunity Way, and a parade begins at 10 a.m. July 4 in Olde Pickerington Village. See website for the parade route map. (bit.ly/3vOA8jw)
July 3-6: Granville July Fourth celebration
Downtown Granville and Wildwood Park, 785 W. Broadway
With a theme of "Stars, Stripes and Spirit," Granville's Independence Day celebration offers rides and game, plus contests, such as home decorating, photography, patriotic pets and "Granville's Got Talent."
Highlights of July 4 are to include a parade at 10:45 a.m. (with a float contest) and a performance by McGuffey Lane at 8 p.m. On July 5, Party in the Park brings music and entertainment to Wildwood Park from 8-10 p.m., with fireworks lighting up the sky afterward. (granville4th.com)
July 4: Doo Dah Parade
Goodale Park, 120 Goodale St.
No registration is required to participate in the Doo Dah Parade, touted as "the craziest parade in history." All you have to do is show up at noon, when the lineup starts on Park Street, just north of Goodale Street. There also is to be a block party with live music from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Goodale Park. (doodahparade.com)
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July 12-13: Columbus Food Truck Festival, Downtown
Scioto Peninsula near COSI
Formerly held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, the food-truck festival has expanded to two events, with the second taking place in August. In addition to the trucks, there are to be crafters and artisans, live music and more. Check the website for updates. (columbusfoodtruckfest.com)
July 13: Summer Jam West
Westgate Park, 455 S. Westgate Ave.
Held each year on the second Saturday in July, this arts festival celebrates the Hilltop community (though all are welcome) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. More details to come. (hilltoparts.org/summer-jam-west)
July 13-14: Westerville Area Chamber Music & Arts Festival
Heritage Park and Everal Barn, 60 N. Cleveland Ave.
Fine arts and crafts, music, food trucks and youth activities are to be among the highlights of this two-day event. Check Facebook for updates. (facebook.com/WestervilleMusicandArts)
July 13: Delaware Beer & Wine Festival
Boardman Arts Park, 154 W. William St., Delaware
Enjoy beer and wine vendors, food trucks, live music and an art show from 3-8 p.m. (boardmanartspark.org/event-calendar)
July 19-21: INKcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival
Ohio State Reformatory, 100 Reformatory Road, Mansfield
Shinedown, Breaking Benjamin and Godsmack share the headliner bill, with nearly 70 other bands playing throughout the weekend. The tattoo convention offers more than 115 artists and the Blood Prison Haunted Experience provides thrills and chills during the only time outside of Halloween that it's open. Single-day and weekend passes are available. (inkcarceration.com)
July 18-27: Lancaster Festival
Wendel Concert Stage, 1570 Granville Pike (Ohio University Lancaster)
Performances include Wilson Phillips on July 20, "Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience" on July 24 and Lee Brice on July 27. (lancasterfestival.org)
July 19-21: Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest
Bicentennial Park, 233 Civic Center Drive and West Bank Park, 303 W. Main St.
Admission is free to this weekend of smokin' beats and smokier meats. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 19-20 and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 21. Check the website for updates. (hotribscooljazz.org)
July 24: Sad Summer Festival
KEMBA Live!, 405 Neil Ave.
Sad Summer offers a more intimate experience than most music festivals, with one stage and a smaller lineup. Celebrating its fifth anniversary, the fest features Mayday Parade, The Maine, The Wonder Years, We The Kings, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck and Daisy Grenade, with support from Hot Milk and Diva Bleach. (sadsummerfest.com)
July 24-Aug. 4: Ohio State Fair
Ohio Expo Center and State Fair, 717 E. 17th Ave.
In addition to food, rides, agriculture and arts, the fair offers a popular concert lineup. Set for this year are Kidz Bop on July 24; Alabama on July 25; Soul Asylum on July 26; Boyz II Men on July 27; La Zenda Nortena on July 28; Lauren Daigle on July 29; Ice Cube on July 30; comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias on July 31; Stephen Sanchez on Aug. 1; Ohio Players and Midnight Star on Aug. 2; Jamey Johnson on Aug. 3. Concert tickets, which include fair admission, can be purchased at ticketmaster.com/OhioStateFair. (ohiostatefair.com)
July 26-28: Columbus African Festival
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
Presented by Ohio Ghana Festival in collaboration with Columbus African Festival, the event is themed "Building a Unified African Community. On July 26, a business forum and "Taste the Flavors of the Continent" are to take place at a location to be announced, then on July 27-28, festivalgoers can enjoy authentic African food, cultural and dance groups, a parade of chiefs, a fashion show and more. (ohioghanafest.org)
July 26-28: Nelsonville Music Festival
Snow Fork Event Center, 5685 Happy Hollow Road, Nelsonville
Killer Mike, Courtney Barnett, Thee Sacred Souls and more than 40 other artists are to perform across four stages. The event also offers camping, vendors selling artisanal goods and food and beverages, kids’ activities and more. Various ticket options are available. (nelsonvillefest.org)
July 27: Columbus Food & Wine Festival
Downtown Columbus
Foodies and oenophiles can rejoice at this gathering of more than a dozen chefs and wines from around the world. More details to come. (columbusfoodwine.com)
July 27: Whitehall Food Truck & Fun Fest
South Yearling Road between Etna Road and Langley Avenue
More than 35 food truck vendors are expected, plus there are to be live bands, crafters and more. (whitehallfoodtruckfest.com)
Aug. 2-4: Dublin Irish Festival
Coffman Park, 5600 Post Road
The 37th annual celebration of all things Irish features musicians from U.S., Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Japan performing on seven stages, as well as many other national and international entertainers, local and regional artists, dance schools and pipe and drum bands.
Attendees also can savor Irish cuisine and whiskeys and attend literary presentations, hands-on workshops and more. (dublinirishfestival.org)
Aug. 8-10: All Ohio Balloon Fest
Union County Airport, 15000 Weaver Road, Marysville
A concert by Jefferson Starship is to be among the musical highlights, with other attractions including aerial entertainment and rides, a kids' fun area and of course, plenty of hot-air balloons! (allohioballoonfest.com)
Aug. 8-10: Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival
Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Drive
Whether you say to-MAY-to or to-MAH-to, you're sure to have a blast at this fest, which has been a Reynoldsburg tradition for almost 60 years. In addition to food and a beer garden, musical offerings include "52nd Street: The Music of Billy Joel," and "Captain Fantastic: The Magic of Elton John." (reytomatofest.com)
Aug. 8-11: Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival
Downtown Mount Vernon Public Square
The festival is to again offer a wood challenge − this year's theme is "Boutique Décor" − in which participants create furnishings for any room of the home and office, from tables and chairs to cutting boards and picture frames.
The items are to be sold at live and online auctions. Live music is to be provided by Phil Dirt & The Dozers, Six Miles to Nellie with The Dirty Horns and award-winning country band Lonestar. (mvmaf.org)
Aug. 10: Water Lantern Festival
Franklin Park, 1755 E. Broad St.
After a bite from a food truck and listening to some tunes, experience the magic of thousands of lanterns glowing on the water – lanterns you design yourself from a kit that comes with each adult ticket purchased. (waterlanternfestival.com/columbus.php)
Aug. 10-11: Hippie Fest
Hocking County Fairground, 100 N. Homer Ave., Logan
This groovy gathering in the Hocking Hills offers hundreds of vendors, a vintage hippie car show, DIY tie-dye, giant bubble garden, sideshow performers, kids’ activities and more. Due to crowd size and parking limitations, all tickets must be reserved online in advance. (hippiefest.org)
Aug. 10-11: Festival Latino
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St.
Admission is free at this celebration, known for its lively music, dancing in the streets, cultural and arts workshops for children and adults, Latin-American cuisine and community-information tents. (festivallatino.net)
Aug. 17: Columbus Food Truck Festival, Hilliard
Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St.
The second of two fests features more food trucks, more vendors and more music! Advance tickets are on sale for $5; tickets are $10 on the day of the festival. (columbusfoodtruckfest.com)
Aug. 24: India Festival
Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., Celeste Building
Presented by the Federation of Indian Associations, the festival is a celebration of Indian food, fashion and traditional music. Check the website for updates on time, location and other details. (fia-ohio.org/india-festival-1)
Aug. 28-31: Millersport Sweet Corn Festival
2905 Chautauqua Blvd., Millersport
Enjoy concerts, concessions, contests, crafts, shopping, rides, games, prize-ticket drawings, animals, tractor pulls, prizes, entertainment and all the hot, buttery, ear-resistible sweet corn you can eat! (sweetcornfest.com)
Aug. 30-Sept. 2: Obetz Zucchinifest
Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail (Use 2050 Recreation Trail for GPS)
In addition to all things zucchini, this yearly event offers rides and other attractions ranging from a parade and pageant to a concert and car show. (obetzzucchinifest.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Festival season: A roundup of summer festivals in Columbus
