• Post last modified:September 13, 2022
  • Post author:

Fall in Columbus is a beautiful time of year — the leaves on the trees are bright and colorful, the weather is cool and perfect for your favorite sweater, and there are tons of activities to keep you busy.

The first section of this post goes through the best fall activities in Columbus, or you can skip ahead for a list of all of the fall festivals in Columbus in 2022.

The Best Fall Activities in Columbus, Ohio! Try one of these fun things to do if you're visiting Columbus, Ohio in the fall. | Columbus Ohio fall festivals and events

The Best Fall Activities in Columbus, Ohio

1. Immersive Monet Exhibit

This digital and interactive exhibit projects Monet’s artwork over floors, ceilings, and walls covering 500,000 cubic feet! This immersive art exhibit is a great experience for the whole family. Click here for tickets.

Location: 940 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, Ohio

Dates: Now through September 25, 2022

2. Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is one of my favorite things to do in Columbus in the fall! As soon as I am in the orchard I feel like I’m ready for boots, sweaters, and pumpkins galore.

There are lots of places to pick apples in Columbus. Many locations also have other activities in addition to apple orchards so you can make a whole afternoon out of it.

Fall Activities in Columbus Ohio - Apple Picking at Lynd Fruit Farm
Apple Picking at Lynd Fruit Farm.

 

Here are some great places for apple picking in Columbus:

3. Visit A Pumpkin Patch

You can’t get more fall than spending an afternoon at a pumpkin patch, and Central Ohio has no shortage of them. There is something amazing about a pumpkin patch in the midwest — the colorful leaves on the trees, drinking apple cider, and enjoying “sweater weather” — it’s all so festive!

Here are a few pumpkin patches to check out this fall in Columbus and surrounding areas:


For a full list of things to do in Columbus at any time of the year, check out my ULTIMATE Guide to Columbus, Ohio!


4. Go On A Columbus Scavenger Hunt

Here’s a unique and fun activity to try out in Columbus — a scavenger hunt. Explore landmarks and hidden gems in downtown Columbus during this walking tour/scavenger hunt. This activity is suitable for up to 10 people in a group and lasts about 2 hours.

Starting point: 233 South Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Tickets: Order here

5. Nightlight 614 Movie Series

Enjoy a movie under the stars along with local food trucks, live music, craft beer, and wine. These events are 21+ only and tickets can be purchased here.

Dates:

  • September 1, 2022 – Crazy, Stupid, Love
  • September 15, 2022 – Pulp Fiction
  • September 22, 2022 – The Hangover
  • October 6, 2022 – Inception
  • October 14, 2022 – Scream

Location: Genoa Park, next to COSI

6. Visit A Columbus Metro Park

The fall season in Columbus comes with some gorgeous days — blue skies and crisp, autumn air. It’s a great time of year to visit one of the 19 metro parks in Columbus! This park system includes more than 230 miles of trails and over 27,700 acres of land across 7 counties.

In addition to activities like hiking and biking, you’ll find special events for the whole family. More information can be found here.

Fall Activities in columbus ohio - Glacier Ridge Metro Park in Plain City, Ohio
We enjoyed a kid-friendly scavenger hunt and s’mores at Glacier Ridge Metro Park in Plain City.

Columbus Metro Park Locations:


Explore More: If you want to do some more hiking, take a quick drive to nearby Hocking Hills in Logan, Ohio. You’ll find some of the best hiking and scenery in the state! You can even stay overnight in a private cabin.


7. Do the Short North Gallery Hop

The Gallery Hop is a long-standing Columbus tradition that happens the first Saturday of each month on High St. in the Short North Arts District. You’ll find a mix of gallery exhibitions, street performers, special events, food, drinks, and more. Festivities run from 4-10 p.m.

Fall 2022 Dates:

  • September 3, 2022
  • October 1, 2022
  • November 5, 2022

8. Visit The Haunted Woods at Shawnee Hills

The Haunted Woods at Shawnee Hills is an almost mile-long walk on a spooky trail through the forest. Admission is $15 per person or $20 per person for front-of-the-line VIP access. All proceeds benefit Adaptive Sports Connection.

Location: 6000 Harriott Drive, Powell, Ohio

Dates: October 14-15, 2022, October 21-22, 2022, October 28-29, 2022

8. Explore the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fall is a great time to visit the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. The weather isn’t too hot or too cold, so a walk around our fantastic zoo will be a delight. You’ll quickly learn why the Columbus Zoo is one of the area’s most popular attractions.

There are lots of special events happening, too. Here is just some of what you’ll find at the Columbus Zoo this fall:

  • Rwandan Fete: September 17, 2022
  • Fall Quiet Hours: October 9, 2022
  • Boo at the Zoo: October 14-16, 21-23, 28-30, 2022
  • Slothvasana – Yoga with Sloths: November 5-6, 2022
  • Sensory Friendly Light Stroll and Santa Experience: November 15, 2022
  • Wildlights Member Night: TBD
  • Wildlights: TBD
Fall Activities in Columbus, Ohio: Columbus Zoo
Fall is a great time to visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio.

9. Experience Columbus Fashion Week

Yeah, you read that right. Columbus is actually kinda a big deal when it comes to fashion (too bad it wasn’t really this way back when I was a fashion designer!!) Columbus Fashion Week will take place October 9-15, 2022.

10. Visit a Comedy Club

The Funny Bone Comedy Club, located in Easton Town Center, is a great place to relax on a cool fall evening. Here is what’s coming up at the Funny Bone in the fall of 2022:

  • Anthony Rodia: September 2-3, 2022
  • Leah & Andrew Rudick: September 4, 2022
  • Lewberger: September 7, 2022
  • Marlon Wayans: September 15-17, 2022
  • Kyle Dunnigan: September 21, 2022
  • Big Jay Oakerson: September 23-24, 2022
  • Ashley Gavin: September 28, 2022
  • Corey Holcomb: September 30-October 1, 2022
  • Rocky Dale Davis: October 2, 2022
  • Ben Brainard: October 5, 2022
  • Ryan Long: October 6, 2022
  • David Koechner: October 7-8, 2022
  • The Office Trivia Show: October 8, 2022
  • Andrew Woodhull: October 9, 2022
  • And Then We Had Sex Podcast: October 18, 2022
  • Carolanne Miljavac: October 23, 2022
  • I Feel Funny! With Funny Gal Sal: October 24, 2022
  • Cindy Kaza: October 27, 2022
  • Dusty Slay: November 4-5, 2022
  • Rich Guzzi: November 8, 2022
  • D.L. Hughley: November 11-13, 2022
  • Noel Miller: November 18-19, 2022
  • Jason Banks: November 25-27, 2022

Looking to get away for the day? Check out these great day trips from Columbus — all within a 2-hour drive!


The Best Fall Festivals In Columbus [2022]

Curious about what to do in Columbus this week? Here are some of the best fall festivals and events in Columbus in 2022.

September 2022

Greek Festival | September 2-5, 2022 | Goodale Blvd at High St.

Columbus Caribbean Festival | September 3-4, 2022 | Franklin County Fairgrounds

Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival | September 5, 2022 | Northam Park

Old Hillardfest Art & Street Fair | September 10, 2022 | Downtown Hilliard on Main Street

Columbus Oktoberfest | September 9-11, 2022 | Ohio Expo Center/Ohio State Fairgrounds

Columbus Dispatch Fall Home and Garden Show | September 9-11, 2022 | Ohio Expo Center

Hot Times Community Unity | September 9-11, 2022 | 51 Douglass Street

North Market Wine Fest at Bridge Park | September 16-17, 2022 | 6750 Longshore Street, Dublin

Rwandan Fete |Septmeber 17, 2022 | Columbus Zoo

Creekside Hops and Vines Festival | September 17, 2022 | Creekside Plaza in Gahanna

Festival For Good | September 24, 2022 | Grandview Ave. in Columbus

Columbus Coffee Festival | September 24-25, 2022 | Ohio Village at the Ohio History Connection

October 2022

Columbus Fall Brew Fest | October 1, 2022 | Huntington Park

Ohio Gourd Show and Festival | October 7-9, 2022 | Delaware County Fairgrounds

Columbus Italian Festival | October 7-9, 2022 | 168 E. Lincoln Street, Columbus

The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow | October 20-26, 2022 | Heritage Park

Highball Halloween | October 22, 2022 | Short North Arts District

November 2022

Ohio Made Holiday Market | November 18-19, 2022 | Hollywood Casino

 


If you’re visiting Columbus another time of year, check out my detailed activity and festival guides:

[mc4wp_form id=”184″

 

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. LORI LEROY

    Saving this as we may be in Columbus for Fall break! I wish it was the same weekend as yoga with sloths!

    1. Katie @ ZenLifeandTravel

      Hi Lori,

      Great – Columbus is so beautiful in the fall. Yes, that yoga with the sloths event sounds fantastic!!

  2. Jen Brommer

    I love roundup posts like this! Also, fall is my favorite season so this post has me anxious for the coming months!

    1. Katie @ ZenLifeandTravel

      Hi Jen,
      There are so many fun things to do in fall, aren’t there! Hope you enjoy!

Comments are closed.