Your Ultimate Summer Guide to Central Ohio
Summer in Central Ohio always feels like it flies by. One minute you're making Memorial Day plans, and the next you're watching football and wondering where the season went.
To help you make the most of it, we've rounded up some of our favorite festivals, farmers markets, concerts, sporting events, and local attractions happening throughout the season. Whether you're looking for a date night, a family outing, or simply an excuse to spend more time outside, these are the events worth adding to your calendar.
Summer Festivals
If there's one thing Central Ohio does well, it's festivals. Nearly every weekend offers another reason to get outside, explore a new neighborhood, eat great food, and experience live entertainment.
Red, White & BOOM!
Date: July 3, 2026
Time: Festival begins around 11:00 AM • Fireworks approximately 10:00 PM
Location: Downtown Columbus
Jazz & Rib Fest
Date: July 17–19, 2026
Time: Friday & Saturday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM • Sunday: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Location: Scioto Mile
Columbus Food Truck Festival
Date: July 18–19, 2026
Time: Saturday: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM • Sunday: 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Location: Franklin County Fairgrounds
Ohio State Fair
Date: July 29–August 9, 2026
Time: Daily: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM (Midway rides typically stay open later.)
Location: Ohio Expo Center
Dublin Irish Festival
Date: August 7–9, 2026
Time: Thursday Preview: Evening • Friday–Sunday: Approximately 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
Location: Coffman Park, Dublin
Festival Latino
Date: August 14–16, 2026
Time: Approximately Noon–10:00 PM
Location: Genoa Park
Columbus Greek Festival
Date: August 28–30, 2026
Time: Friday: 4:00–11:00 PM • Saturday: Noon–11:00 PM • Sunday: Noon–8:00 PM
Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Obetz Zucchinifest
Date: September 4–7, 2026
Time: Daily schedule varies
Location: Fortress Obetz
Farmers Markets
Fresh produce, local flowers, artisan goods, baked treats, and great coffee—Central Ohio's farmers markets are one of the best ways to spend a summer morning.
Worthington Farmers Market
Date: Every Saturday (May–October)
Time: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Historic Downtown Worthington
Clintonville Farmers' Market
Date: Every Saturday (May–September)
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: 3535 N. High Street
Dublin Market at Bridge Park
Date: Every Saturday (May–September)
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Bridge Park, Dublin
Upper Arlington Farmers Market
Date: Every Sunday (June–October)
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Northam Park
Pearl Market
Date: Every Thursday (May–October)
Time: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Gay & Pearl Streets, Downtown Columbus
Bexley Farmers Market
Date: Every Sunday (May–October)
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Bexley
Westerville Saturday Market
Date: Every Saturday (May–September)
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: Uptown Westerville
Outdoor Concerts & Live Music
Whether you're packing a picnic or grabbing dinner before the show, these outdoor concerts are a summer tradition.
Picnic with the Pops
Date: Select Fridays (June–August)
Time: Gates open at 6:00 PM • Concert begins at 8:00 PM
Location: Columbus Commons
Columbus Commons Concert Series
Date: Fridays (June–August)
Time: Typically 6:00–10:00 PM
Location: Columbus Commons
Upper Arlington Music in the Parks
Date: Select Thursdays throughout the summer
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Various Upper Arlington Parks
Dublin Summer Fun Series
Date: Select Fridays throughout the summer
Time: 6:00–9:00 PM
Location: Riverside Crossing Park
Easton Live Music
Date: Throughout the summer
Time: Evening performances (varies by artist)
Location: Easton Town Center
Natalie's Grandview Live Music
Date: Throughout the summer
Time: Varies by performance
Location: Grandview Heights
Family-Friendly Activities
Not every summer adventure needs to revolve around a festival. These attractions are perfect for entertaining kids, hosting visitors, or simply spending a beautiful day outside.
Columbus Zoo & Zoombezi Bay
Date: Open Daily
Time: Zoo: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM • Zoombezi Bay: Typically 10:30 AM–7:00 PM
Location: Powell
Franklin Park Conservatory
Date: Open Daily
Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Columbus
COSI
Date: Open Daily
Time: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Downtown Columbus
Otherworld
Date: Open Daily
Time: Approximately 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
Location: Columbus
Columbus Metro Parks Programs
Date: Throughout the summer
Time: Program schedules vary by park
Location: Various Metro Parks
Outdoor Movie Nights
Date: Throughout the summer
Time: Movies begin at dusk
Location: Various Central Ohio communities
Sports & Game Days
From baseball under the lights to cheering on the Crew, summer is one of the best seasons to catch a game in Columbus.
Columbus Clippers Baseball
Date: Home games throughout April–September
Time: Weekdays: 6:35 PM • Saturdays: 7:15 PM • Sundays: 1:05 PM
Location: Huntington Park
Columbus Crew
Date: Home matches throughout May–October
Time: Most matches begin around 7:30 PM
Location:Lower.com Field
Sporting Events at Nationwide Arena
Date: Throughout the summer
Time: Varies by event
Location: Nationwide Arena
Seasonal Favorites
Some of the best summer memories happen without a ticket. These destinations are perfect for slowing down and enjoying everything Central Ohio has to offer.
Park of Roses
Date: Peak bloom throughout the summer
Time: Sunrise to sunset
Location: Clintonville
Scioto Mile
Date: Open daily
Time: Open all day
Location: Downtown Columbus
Quarry Trails Metro Park
Date: Open daily
Time: 6:30 AM–10:00 PM
Location: Columbus
Alum Creek State Park
Date: Open daily
Time: Daylight hours
Location: Delaware County
Bridge Park
Date: Open daily
Time: Shopping, dining, and entertainment throughout the day
Location: Dublin
Easton Town Center
Date: Open daily
Time: Shopping and dining throughout the day
Location: Columbus
Hocking Hills State Park
Date: Open daily
Time: Daylight hours
Location: Logan, Ohio
Start Planning Your Summer
The hardest part isn't finding something to do—it's deciding where to start. Whether you're checking out a new farmers market, planning a festival weekend, catching a Clippers game, or enjoying a concert under the stars, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy summer in Central Ohio.
Grab your calendar, invite your friends, and start making plans. Before you know it, the leaves will start changing, and you'll already be looking forward to next summer.
The Mancini Group
mandy@themancinigroupsells.com
614-796-5077
Sources:
NBC4 Columbus. Columbus ranked seventh most livable city in U.S. Retrieved from: https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/columbus-ranked-seventh-most-livable-city-in-u-s/
RentCafe. Most livable metro areas in the U.S. – Annual report. Retrieved from: https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/rental-market/market-snapshots/most-livable-metro-areas/
