Columbus Summer Events Preview

There’s truly something unique about festival season in Columbus. Our summer events calendar is packed with endless opportunities to explore the different cultures, foods, music and more that make Columbus a vibrant, diverse destination.

Here’s our list of some of the can't-miss events this summer in the 614:

Columbus Arts Fest

• When: June 7–9 | starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. on Saturday & Sunday
  
• Where: Downtown Riverfront
  
• What: More than 260 visual artists join art enthusiasts from all over the country along the Scioto Mile for one of the nation’s most highly acclaimed art festivals. The festival is free to attend and features dozens of food vendors, plus three stages of performances.
  
• Tips: Park in an Arena District garage, at a street meter or utilize CoGo or COTA as alternative means of transportation. Also, get ready to indulge in some tasty barbecue, lobster tacos or jumbo cream puffs — all options that are ready and available.

Stonewall Columbus Pride

• When: June 14–16 | From 4 p.m.–10 p.m. Friday, Pride March steps off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday
  
• Where: Goodale Park & Short North Arts District
  
• What: Central Ohio’s annual celebration of LGBTQIA+ rights, culture and progress. The event returns to Goodale Park and the Short North and features a community resource festival & fair on Friday, June 14, and a march on Saturday, June 15.
  
• Tips: Welcoming more than 700,00 visitors to Columbus and the Central Ohio region, the return of this festival and march will mark a major weekend for Columbus and the Short North. Stay in a nearby hotel and enjoy everything the Short North has to offer.

Columbus Symphony’s Picnic with the Pops

• When: Throughout June and July
  
• Where: Columbus Commons — Bicentennial Pavilion
  
• What: Seven weekends of spectacular concerts including the Patriotic Pops, the Ohio State University Marching Band and more.
  
• Tips: You can pre-purchase lawn and table seating tickets, and you’re welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Red, White & Boom

• When: July 3
  
• Where: Downtown Columbus
  
• What: The return of the largest Independence Day celebration in the Midwest will welcome over 400,000 visitors to Columbus.
  
• Tips: Stay in a downtown hotel to avoid any traffic, and while you’re at it, enjoy one of the liveliest weekends of the year in Downtown Columbus. The Columbus Crew are also in town that weekend right down the street at Lower.com Field, so you can make a weekend out of it and enjoy the Fourth in Columbus.

Jazz & Rib Fest

• When: July 19–21
  
• Where: The Scioto Mile
  
• What: One of the most anticipated events of the summer returns to Bicentennial Park this July. Jazz & Rib Fest offers both jazz and rib connoisseurs the finest in music and barbecue. Admission is free, with all food vendors opening each day at 11 a.m.
  
• Tips: Napkins. Lots and lots of napkins. But it’s SO worth it, trust us.

CBUS Soul Fest

• When: Aug. 17
  
• Where: Genoa Park
  
• What: The third annual CBUS Soul Festival will celebrate the rich, historic, innovative and forward-moving Black culture in Columbus.
  
• Tips: Check out our CBUS Soul website for Black-Owned businesses in Columbus, custom itineraries and more. 
  

Columbus Oktoberfest

• When: September 6–8
  
• Where: Ohio Expo Center & Ohio State Fairgrounds
  
• What: Columbus’ rich German heritage is on full display at this event. Enjoy tasty food, lively music, games and plenty of brews.
  
• Tips: Held at the Ohio Expo Center & Ohio State Fairgrounds, this event is “weatherproof” with 10,000 square feet of closed event space. Admission is free and parking is available at the fairgrounds for $10.
  

Read more about all the amazing festivals and events happening in Columbus this summer.