CU Top Ten – Best Festivals in Columbus

One of the best kept secrets in Columbus might be the sheer number of outdoor festivals, events, and parties we throw throughout the year. Most of our big ones are during the summer months downtown, but you can find something going on nearly every weekend in some part of central Ohio.

You’ve made your suggestions, and here’s the results!

The Top Ten Best Festivals in Columbus

1 – ComFest – Every summer, Goodale Park transforms into a massive musical playground for a weekend with multiple stages, a whole slew of food and craft vendors, and more than enough beer to keep you running the whole time. If you only attend one festival in Columbus, this is the one you won’t want to miss.

2 – Red White & Boom – The largest fireworks show in the midwest is also one of most attended downtown festivals each summer. Typically around 500,000 people flock downtown for the all-day festivities that proceed the nighttime fireworks. Parking can be tough, and finding a good spot to watch can be even tougher, but if you want to see what half a million people downtown at once looks like, you have to go see it for yourself.

3 – Columbus Arts Festival – A giant blend of local and national artists converge downtown for a weekend festival featuring all types of art on display and for sale. The festival also includes several music stages, food vendors, and loads of family-friendly activities.

4 – Ohio State Fair – The Ohio State Fair is one of the largest state fairs in the entire country, and has been around for more than 150 years. All the traditional county fair offerings can be found here, but on a much more massive scale.

5 – Jazz and Ribs Festival – Dozens of rib vendors and dozens of musicians descent upon the riverfront for a weekend of jazz music and bbq ribs every summer. Additional vendors and activities can be found for everyone.

6 – Wildlights at the Zoo – The only real Winter festival to make our list is the annual holiday lights display at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Millions of lights decorate the tree-lined paths all over the zoo for several weeks in Decemeber. Other features include a Santa Claus house, train rides, hot chocolate and hot cider, and an ice skating rink.

7 – Dublin Irish Festival – The Ohio city that shares it’s name with the capital of Ireland throws an annual celebration of the Irish towards the end of the summer. The festival includes authentic dancers, music, games, competitions, food, drink, and more.

8 – The Doo Dah Parade – This Fourth of July parade is a volunteer-based anti-parade of sorts with all sorts of crazy nonsense involved with the marchers and the floats. Probably the craziest parade you’re likely to see all year long.

9 – Via Colori – Via Colori is the annual festival where over a hundred artists come out to turn the streets and sidewalks into a work of art. The festival also features food, music, and other activities. Additionally, benefits go to supporting Children’s Hospital.

10 – Columbus Greek Festival – Over Labor Day weekend, the Greek Festival showcases the culture, food, music, and entertainment of Greece. Held downtown at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.