Spooktacular & Free: Columbus Halloween Events This Weekend (10/18 – 10/20)

Get ready for a spooktacular weekend in Columbus, with a lineup of free Halloween events for all ages! From Friday, October 18, to Sunday, October 20, enjoy a variety of activities that won’t cost you a thing. Be sure to double-check event websites or social media for any last-minute updates before heading out, as details may change.

Friday, October 18

• Fairytale Ball (Ages 0-3): Dress in your finest and dance with magical creatures at the Westerville Public Library! Take a ride in a royal carriage, dance along to tunes featuring your favorite magical creatures, and take adorable photo ops with cutouts of your favorite princesses. Costumes encouraged
  Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  Location: Westerville Library, Meeting Rooms A and B – 126 S State St, Westerville, OH 43081
  More Info
• Crafternoon: Magical Wands (Ages 4-7): Craft your own magical wand! Be ready to abracadabra, hocus pocus, and alakazam with your fellow magical friends Supplies are limited.
  Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
  Location: Westerville Library – 126 S State St, Westerville, OH 43081
  More Info
• Pumpkin Walk Around The Pond: Take an easy 1/2 mile walk around Turtle Pond to look at the pumpkins and pick up treats at stops along the way. Costume wearing is encouraged!
  Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
  Location: Three Creeks Metro Park Confluence Area, 3860 Bixby Rd, Groveport
  More Info

Saturday, October 19

• Trick or Treat Farmers Market at Tractor Supply Co.: Kids and pets can trick-or-treat while enjoying crafts and contests at Tractor Supply Co. in Pataskala.
  Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Boo & Brew at Polaris Fashion Place: Enjoy a live band, food trucks, kids pumpkin decorating, inflatables, live pumpkin carving, photo ops, and more. Free face painting and balloon twisting for kids!There will be a Halloween costume contest (for dogs and humans), hosted by Bluey, Bingo, and friends!
  Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  Location: Polaris Fashion Place – Event will take place in the outdoor Polaris Lifestyle Center near Cheesecake Factory, Benihana, and COhatch.
  More Info | Facebook Event
• Fall Festival Bark in the Park & Trick or Treat in Downtown Lancaster: Spend an afternoon full of fall traditions and community. They will have FREE hayrides, live music, local vendors, and much more! Participating downtown businesses will be passing out candy to all trick-or-treaters between 12-1:30pm, or while supplies last.
  Time: 12PM – 5PM
  Location: Downtown Lancaster, OH 43130
  More Information
• Trick-or-Treat with the Pups at Franklin County Dog Shelter: This event sounds super cute! Bring the kids in their favorite costumes for a fun-filled morning of trick-or-treating with the adorable, adoptable dogs. Throughout the shelter, kids can collect treats from various stations, enjoy crafts, play games, and dive into festive activities. Don’t miss our special Reverse Trick-or-Treat, where you will be able to hand out tasty treats to our adoptable dogs as you make your way through the adoption center. 
  Time: 10:00 AM – Noon
  Location: 4340 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, OH
  More Info | Facebook Event
• Ridge-Fest at Glacier Ridge Metro Park – They are partnering with local organizations to celebrate the uniqueness of Glacier Ridge. It will be a fun day filled with games, hay rides, food trucks, free pumpkins, archery, and  much more!
  Time: Noon – 4:00 PM
  Location: 9801 Hyland-Croy Rd, Plain City, OH 43064
  Facebook Event
• Plain City Fall Festival: Pastime Park will transform into a bewitching wonderland! The event will feature hayrides, trick-or-treat trail, COSI, petting zoo, vendors, costume contests, food trucks, and more!
  Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  Location: 370 N. Chillicothe Street, Plain City, OH
  More Info | Facebook Event
• Trunk or Treat Car & Bike Show: Enjoy a candy-filled event with decorated vehicles of all makes, years and models.
  Location:  Hilliard Presbyterian Church – 3600 Leap Rd Hilliard, Ohio
  Time: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  More Info | Facebook Event
• Halloween Bash at New Albany Library: Wear your costume and enjoy stories and fun activities around the library. For ages 6 and under and families.
  Time: Storytimes at 10:15 AM and 11:15 AM
  Location: 200 Market St, New Albany, OH 43054
• Day of the Dead Columbus Festival: Join Latino Arts for Humanity at the historic Green Lawn Cemetery for a celebration of culture, remembrance, and community. Celebrate with traditional offerings, live music, local arts exhibition, traditional Mexican cuisine, crafts, and more.
  Location: Green Lawn Cemetery – 1000 Greenlawn Ave., Columbus, OH
  More Info | Facebook Event

Sunday, October 20

• Storytime at Storyline – Join in for a delightful not-so-spooky storytime with Julia Linley, where little ones can enjoy a cozy afternoon! Gather around our pretend campfire as Julia reads a handful of charming tales, including the whimsical “A Super Scary Narwhalloween.”
  Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  Location: 2108 Tremont Ctr, Upper Arlington, OH
  More Info
• Trick or Treat Trail at Gallant Woods Park: Bring the kids in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, meet some creepy critters, vote for your favorite scarecrow, and visit Gallant Farm across the road. 
  Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  More Info | Facebook
• Family Games & Crafts: Wizards & Wands Edition: Enjoy fantasy-themed games and crafts at the Westerville Public Library. If your child is ages 2-7, you or a caregiver (age 18+) must remain in the room to supervise for the duration of the event.
  Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
  Location: Westerville Library – 126 S State St, Westerville, OH 43081
  More Info

Roadtrip Idea: Experience Ohio’s oldest and largest festival—dubbed the Greatest Free Show on Earth – The Circleville Pumpkin Show! Admission is free, the excitement is endless, and you’ll find pumpkin-flavored delights at every turn!”

Looking for something flexible this weekend? Visit the Westerville Library for the Wizards & Wands Festival, happening all month long and celebrating fantasy fandoms from The Lord of the Rings to Doctor Who. Explore magical experiences like the Enchanted Forest for kids, the Swamp in the Picture Book Room, and the Dragon Hatchery in the Homework Help Center. Check out Sanderson’s Apothecary, the Haunted Armory, and the Phantom Library, where you can find mystical artifacts. Don’t miss the Medieval Village with its 3D storefronts, plus fun activities like potion designing and scavenger hunts!

Get ready for a spooktacular weekend in Columbus from October 18-20! Enjoy fantastic free events like the Fairytale Ball, magical wand crafts, and pumpkin walks—there’s fun for everyone! Grab your family and friends, wear your best costumes, and create unforgettable memories without spending a dime. Check event details online before heading out, and if you’re excited about these free Halloween events, feel free to pass this guide along to your friends. Have a great weekend!! Hope to see you around!!