Columbus' Family Friendly Festivals

Katie G. said:  As one of the premier fine arts and craft shows in the city, the Worthington Arts Festival draws about 25,000 visitors each year. Held on the lawn of the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center, vendors come from all over the country to showcase their sculptures, jewelry, glass, photography, furniture and mixed media art. Food, beverages and entertainment are also featured during the two-day event. Local shops and restaurants are also open for families to enjoy in downtown Worthington.

Sat: 9 AM - 6 PM & Sun: 11 AM - 5 PM

Hannah Scott said:  The Central Ohio Folk Festival is an annual family event with a special set of programs specifically for children! During the hours for special kids' programming, concerts will take place on the Children’s Stage, as well as sing-alongs, stories, nature displays, crafts, and an instrument "petting zoo" where kids can try guitars, fiddles, dulcimers, shakers, and more.

Cost: Free admission

Saturday 11 AM - 10 PM

Sunday 12 PM - 5 PM

Kelly R said:  Grove City EcoFest takes place in Grove City Town Center, and celebrates the town as a healthy and eco-friendly community. The festival includes live entertainment, food, an interactive KidZone, an educational Sustainability Zone, health and wellness demonstrations, and environmentally friendly vendors.

9 AM - 2 PM

Kelly R said:  This Oktoberfest celebration at Powell's Village Green benefits Olentangy Rotary's charitable projects. The event kicks off Friday with a VIP ticketed tasting event for adults only. All are welcome at Saturday's festivities to enjoy traditional food from Schmidt's, live entertainment, polka dance lessons, a yodeling contest, a cornhole tournament, and much more. Children's activities take place in a special tent and include animal demonstrations, games, crafts, a pumpkin rolling competition, and a variety of kid friendly entertainment.

Friday 6 - 10 PM (adults only)

Saturday 11 AM - 10 PM (all ages)

Kelly R said:  This festival is Powell's signature annual event, featuring live entertainment, a wide variety of food trucks, and plenty to occupy the kids. The highlight for children is the Kids Zone, featuring a large assortment of inflatables, interactive games and activities (wristband purchase required). The festival is capped off each year with an impressive fireworks show.

Fri: 5 - 11 PM & Sat: 12 - 11 PM

Kristy Pepping said:  Powell Kidsfest is all about the kids! There will be Nerf wars with equipment, video game truck, carnival rides with prizes, mini golf, balloon artist, glitter tattoos, a scavenger hunt with prizes, festival performances, food trucks and a marketplace zone featuring local businesses with activities. The Powell KidsFest benefits People in Need, Inc. of Delaware County. Please consider donating food to the collection bin at the fest. Items needed are cereal, canned fruit, baked beans, canned soup, boxed potatoes, pancake mix, pancake syrup, saltine crackers, pasta and spaghetti sauce.

8 am - Noon

Katie G. said:  The city of Delaware transforms into a weekend of fun at the St. Mary's Parish Festival. Located in downtown Delaware, the festival provides entertainment for all ages while serving as the number one fundraiser for the church and school. The festival will feature carnival rides, slides and inflatables, kids games, musical entertainment, a casino, grilled brats and hot dogs and other food from local restaurants.

Both days 5 PM - 12 AM

Kelly R said:  Celebrate Harvest Fair at Stratford Ecological center with kid-focused games and crafts, farm animal encounters, live music, fishing, wagon rides, pony rides, raffle prizes, apple cider making, and more!

10 AM - 3 PM

Katie G. said:  Come celebrate the arts at the Delaware Arts Festival. The two-day event offers high-quality arts and crafts from local vendors in beautiful downtown Delaware. There will be food, entertainment and children's activities, including hands-on art projects. All proceeds from the event will be used as grants and scholarships to support the visual arts in Delaware County.

Saturday 11 AM - 7 PM & Sunday 10 AM - 5 PM

Kelly R said:  This traditional family-friendly county fair includes entertainment, fair animal exhibits, harness racing, motor sports, amusement rides, and more.

Gates are open daily from 8 am - 9 pm

Katie G. said:  Pork lovers rejoice. Here's a festival just for you. At Pork-A-Palooza you can spend the afternoon eating delicious pork products from local restaurants and food trucks. Sponsored by the Ohio Pork Council, guests can enjoy cold refreshments, live music and kids activities.

Cost: $6 admission, kids 12 & under receive free admission, food extra

11 AM - 5 PM

Katie G. said:  St. James Lutheran Church in west Columbus will host the Brats & Crafts Festival to celebrate its German heritage. There will be polka music and dancing, German food and beer, arts & crafts, live entertainment, children's games and a 1860's era baseball game.

Fri: 4 - 9 PM, Sat: 11:30 AM - 9 PM & Sun: 11:30 AM - 4 PM

Kelly R said:  The City of Dublin presents its Irish Festival, the world's largest of its kind. The festival showcases Dublin, promotes Irish culture and tradition through live music, dance, sports, food and drink, exhibitors, speakers, and a variety of other family friendly activities. Kids will love meeting the Celtic Canines, participating in Kids Highland Games, visiting the Wendy's Wee Folk Area, and trying out the inflatables and activities at the Pot O' Gold playland (age 2-12). There is a smaller toddler-friendly play area.

Fri: 4 PM - 12 AM, Sat: 11 AM - 12 AM, Sun: 11 AM - 9 PM

Katie G. said:  The Franklin County Fair features farm, family, food & fun. There is plenty to see and do at the county fair with several animal barns, arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, games, food booths, harness racing and daily events.

Fri - Sat: 9 AM - 11 PM & Sun - Thurs: 9 AM - 10 PM

Katie G. said:  The Marion Popcorn Festival is the largest popcorn festival in the world drawing over 250,000 attendees to downtown Marion. The festival has something for everyone including music and entertainment on three different stages, carnival rides for the kids, a popcorn parade, wine garden and beer tasting for adults and plenty of food including yummy popcorn treats!

See website for full schedule