One of the many reasons I love Columbus is the fact that summers are filled with festivals. Every single weekend from June-August, I guarantee you will find more than one festival going on.
There are many reasons to love festivals but my favorite reason is the environment and all the people I meet along the way. You never know what you’re going to experience and that is exciting!
African-American Cultural Festival
When: Saturday, June 3
Where: King-Lincoln District, Columbus, Ohio 43203
What: The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, with support from the Department of Neighborhoods, presents the African-American Cultural Festival in Columbus’ historic King-Lincoln District. Featuring live performances from local artists, this new, family-friendly event celebrates freedom and equal rights through opportunities to experience the rich history of the African-American culture. In addition to the performances on the American Electric Power Stage, festival-goers will enjoy KidsZone fun, community and wellness resources, food vendors and an educational walk along the Long Street Cultural Wall – a landmark exploring the history of the Near East Side of Columbus. The festival is open to all with free admission.
Newark Strawberry Festival
When: Friday – Sunday, June 2-4
Where: Newark, Ohio 43055
What: This festival has become a tradition to the citizens of Newark and surrounding areas. Many wait patiently all year long for this festival, which brings so much fun and excitement to Newark. Rides games, crafts, food, and entertainment provide the entire family with many exciting things to do, see, and taste. Each year, everyone anticipates the return of one of the world’s most-craved delicacies –Strawberry Shortcakes made famous by the Newark Kiwanis Club and served with creamy Velvet Ice Cream, made locally.
Nelsonville Music Festival
When: Thursday – Sunday, June 1 – 4
Where: 3301 Hocking Parkway Nelsonville, OH 45764
What: Features over 60 musical acts in four days on multiple stages along with on-site camping, artisan vendors, kids activities, food, a beer garden, and more. NMF is a presentation of Stuart’s Opera House, a non-profit historic theater and performing arts center in Nelsonville, Ohio. Billboard has called Nelsonville Music Festival “one of the best kept secrets of the U.S. music festival circuit.”
Summer in the 614
When: Saturday, June 3. 4pm – 8:30pm
Where: Worthington Village Green, OH-161 & High St, Worthington, OH 43085
What: The Worthington Parks and Recreation Department has combined all things great about the Columbus area into one incredible evening. Sit on the grass and enjoy local musicians, family activities, games, food vendors and much more. Join us to soak up the sun and have some family fun! Featuring the music of: Theo’s Loose Hinges, Doc Robinson and The Buzzard Kings
Columbus Arts Festival
When: June 9 – June 11
Where: The Festival will be located along the Scioto Mile, Columbus’ signature riverfront park – and in front of COSI, the Center of Science and Industry.
What: The Columbus Arts Festival powered by American Electric Power (AEP) and produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council (Arts Council) celebrates its 56th year of bringing the best in fine art and fine craft to Columbus, June 9, 10 and 11, 2017. The Festival has been rated by AmericanStyle and Sunshine Artist magazines as one of the top festivals in the nation and each year hosts hundreds of juried artists from across the United States, as well as several international artists. Performance stages featuring music, dance, theater and spoken word can be found throughout the festival, and hands-on arts activities, work by local artist collectives and a wide selection of quality food and beverages round out Columbus’ favorite outdoor summer event.
Worthington Arts Festival
When: June 17 – June 18
Where: 777 Evening St, Worthington, OH 43085
What: This juried art show features more than 150 select fine artists and craftspeople from across the USA and some of your local favorites, exhibiting sculptures, ceramics, oils, watercolors, furniture, jewelry, fiber, glass, photography and mixed media in applied and fine arts. In addition to art, the festival includes food and beverage vendors. The festival has been selected as one of the top 100 best shows in the US by Sunshine Artist magazine and the artists themselves many times in the last 10 years. This year, there will also be free stage performances following the close of the festival on the lawn of the McConnell Arts Center. The PNC Arts Alive MAC Summer Music Festival plays into the evening, so pull up a lawn chair and listen to some of the finest musicians in Central Ohio.
Buckeye Country Superfest
When: June 10 and June 11
Where: Ohio Stadium, 411 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus, OH
What: The Buckeye Country Superfest features the biggest stars in country music over two days. This year you will have chance to see Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban! Purchase tickets here.
Park Street Festival
When: June 9 – June 10
Where: 525 Park Street, Columbus, OH
What: Kick off summer in Columbus with the 10th annual 2017 Park Street Festival. The two-day event features live music from some of the most sought after acts in Central Ohio, craft vendors, food trucks, family games and activities and of course some of the best night life in the area supplied by the bars and merchants along Park Street! The festival starts Friday evening at 6 p.m. and runs through 11 p.m. Festivities resume on Saturday from 4 p.m.-11p.m. Admission to the festival remains free throughout the weekend due to the generosity of many festival partners and sponsors including: Bar Louie, Brothers, Gasworks and Park Street Tavern.
Columbus PRIDE Festival
When: June 16 – June 17
Where: 233 Civic Center Drive, Columbus, OH 43215
What: Columbus Pride is an LGBTQ festival in Columbus, Ohio, that remembers the Stonewall Riots and celebrates the accomplishments of the LGBTQ community. Started in 1981, it has grown into the 2nd largest Pride event in the Midwest. In 2016, Stonewall Columbus estimated over 500,000 participants. Visit www.columbuspride.org for more information!
Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival
When: June 16 – June 18
Where: Creekside District
What: Join Visit Gahanna in celebrating 19 years of Ohio’s BEST Blues & Jazz. 90 hours of live music on 5 Stages, a FREE Family Fun Zone, Cocktail/Craft Beer Tastings, Amusement rides, VIP Seating Packages, food and artisan vendors and more … all set against the beautiful backdrop of Gahanna, Ohio’s Creekside District. Tickets available online. VIP Reserved seats available online now: CreeksideBluesandJazz.com.
Grove City Wine and Arts Festival
When: June 16 – 17
Where: 3378 Park St, Grove City, OH 43213
What: Join the growing trend this June 16 and 17, 2017! Enjoy a pairing of upcoming wineries and art surrounded by Grove City’s Town Center’s unique spin of hot spots and culture. The festival, now in its seventh year, repeatedly draws 30,000 wine and art enthusiasts from all over Ohio and beyond. Sampling and shopping develops an appetite! Delicious meals are plentiful in the town center. Select from the satisfying comfort food of Sue Terre’s Food Affair to Oysters on the half shell from En Place food truck, and everything in between. Tickets are available the day of the event and come in bundles of 8 with an event glass for only $20. Usually, each sample runs only one ticket. The glass only, without samples is three tickets. After the initial purchase, additional tickets are available at 3 for $5.
Powell Festival
When: June 23 and June 24
Where: 47 Hall St, Powell, OH 43065
What: The Powell Festival presented by Mount Carmel Health is the City’s signature event of the year. This two-day summer experience stands out in delivering family-friendly entertainment on the Technicare Stage, delicious food and dazzling fireworks. Visit festival.cityofpowell.us for more information!
Grandview Hop
When: Saturday, June 24. 5pm – 9pm
Where: Grandview, 1st Ave to 5th Ave
What: Bring some friends for a “Hop” along Grandview Avenue, a half-mile stretch buzzing with live music, local shopping, pop-up street vendors, awesome art, local beer, delicious food, and fun activities for all to enjoy on the last Saturday of the month in June, July, and August. The Grandview Hop is family-friendly, pet-friendly, and all are welcome! Stop into the independently-owned Grandview Avenue shops that stay open late and explore the eclectic array of sidewalk merchants while taking in the sights and sounds of the best ‘burb in town! You’ll find unexpected gifts like hand-crafted clothing and jewelry, handmade paper and leather goods, savory foods, funky accessories, home decor, and art galore. It’s always free to attend and everyone is welcome. Join us
Comfest
When: June 23 – June 25
Where: Goodale Park
What: The Community Festival (aka ComFest) is a large, free, non-corporate, music and arts annual festival currently held at Goodale Park in the Short North area of Columbus, Ohio. The festival was first held in 1972 as a showcase for a collection of community organizations including the Columbus Free Press, Free Health Clinic, Food Co-op, Tenants Union, Crisis Hotline, and Recycling Center. The festival continues to provide a forum for alternative lifestyles and collective activity. Beer from The Columbus Brewing Company is sold in large, colorful mugs to fund the cost of the festival itself and to raise money for community projects and grants. All tips from the beer booths go to homeless shelters. To learn more about the festival and our grants program, please visit comfest.com
Outdoor festival season is the BEST season of all!
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