Summer is a great time to be in Columbus! The weather is nice and there is so much to do around the city. Whether you are visiting for a couple of days or you are a local who is looking for some things to do this summer, this list is for you.
A lot of events were canceled last summer, but so far, the summer of 2022 in Columbus is looking brighter! Check back to this post often because it’s updated regularly.
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14 Fun Summer Activities In Columbus, Ohio
I’ll be updating this post throughout the summer, but please double-check each event or location’s website before you go for the most current information and any restrictions or requirements.
1. Visit A Columbus Metro Park
Columbus has a great metro park system with 19 area parks (1 more coming soon) with more than 230 miles of trails and over 27,700 acres of land across 7 counties. In the metro parks, you can find fields, pastures, ponds, creeks, ravines, walking trails, wetlands, gardens, playgrounds, and more.
Enjoy activities such as biking, hiking, geocaching, and fishing — plus there are special activities scheduled year-round (some of these are temporarily canceled).
Columbus Metro Park Locations:
- Battelle Darby Creek – Galloway, Ohio
- Blacklick Woods and Blacklick Woods Golf Course – Reynoldsburg, Ohio
- Blendon Woods – Westerville, Ohio
- Chestnut Ridge – Carroll, Ohio
- Clear Creek – Rockbridge, Ohio
- Glacier Ridge – Plain City, Ohio
- Heritage Trail Park – Hilliard, Ohio
- Highbanks – Lewis Center, Ohio
- Homestead – Hilliard, Ohio
- Inniswood Metro Gardens – Westerville, Ohio
- Pickerington Ponds – Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Prarie Oaks – West Jefferson, Ohio
- Quarry Trails – Coming Soon!
- Rocky Fork – Westerville, Ohio
- Scioto Audubon – Columbus, Ohio
- Scioto Grove – Grove City, Ohio
- Sharon Woods – Westerville, Ohio
- Slate Run and Slate Run Historical Farm – Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Three Creeks – Groveport, Ohio
- Walnut Woods – Groveport, Ohio
2. Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Going on a fun scavenger hunt is a great way to explore downtown Columbus while following social distancing guidelines.
This self-guided scavenger hunt will take you through downtown Columbus in search of landmarks and hidden gems, all while answering trivia questions and solving challenges. For more information and to check availability and purchase tickets, click here.
Departure Point: 233 S. Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215
3. Visit the Worthington Farmer’s Market
The Worthington Farmer’s Market is a local, Saturday morning favorite activity. The outdoor market on High Street opened on April 2 and the summer season begins on May 7.
Dates: Saturdays from 8 a.m. to Noon (the market starts at 9 a.m. until May 7)
Location: North High St. | Worthington, Ohio 43085
Read More: The ULTIMATE guide of things to do in Columbus, Ohio!
4. Take a Tour of Public Art in Dublin
Explore Dublin, Ohio’s public art installations through a cell phone tour! Use this up-to-date interactive map to guide you through the extensive public art locations in Dublin. You can even do this on a bike!
Dublin has a great bike trail system that consists of over 100 miles of trails. You can take the trails throughout the city to explore the local public art, waterfalls, and the new Dublin Link Pedestrian Bridge. The trails also connect to Glacier Ridge Metro Park in nearby Plain City.
READ MORE: Fun Things to do in Dublin, Ohio
5. Short North Gallery Hop
Held on the first Saturday of each month, the Short North Gallery Hop on High Street is legendary. Each event is filled with gallery exhibitions, street performers, special events, food, and drinks.
Dates: First Saturday of every month; 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Short North Arts District
6. Goat Yoga
Yoga + Goats. Need I say more? But, seriously, goat yoga is a super fun summer morning activity full of zen and lots of laughs.
Dates: TBD; additional classes will be announced on Facebook
Location: 5278 Berger Road, Groveport, Ohio
Read More: Goat Yoga in Columbus
7. Franklinton Fridays
If you want to check out the Columbus art and science scene, visit Franklinton Fridays. Held on the 2nd Friday of each month, this community event invites all Franklinton neighbors to open their doors to share everything from art shows and theater to classes and science exhibits.
Dates: 2nd Friday of each month, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Franklinton Area (start at 400 West Rich Street, Columbus)
8. The Dublin Market at Bridge Park
This outdoor market runs every Saturday morning throughout the summer at Bridge Park in Dublin. It features tons of local farmers, artisans, and craftsmen offering everything from baked goods, meats, and produce to sweets, flowers, and gifts.
Dates: Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to Noon, May-September
Location: Banker Drive and Longshore loop in Dublin
9. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is one of the nation’s best zoos and one of the most popular attractions in Columbus. There is so much to do at the zoo, it’s hard to get it all in in one day. There are plenty of exhibits and play spaces to keep the little ones entertained too. Plus they serve beer. So, there’s that.
Location: 4850 Powell Road, Powell, Ohio
Read More: The Columbus Zoo
10. Zoombezi Bay
Zoombezi Bay is located next door to the zoo and is the best place to cool off on a hot summer day. This water park features Roaring Rapids, an action river that meanders over 11,000 feet! If you are over 21 you will want to check out Croctail Creek, a lazy river that is adult beverage friendly!
Location: 4850 Powell Road, Powell, Ohio
11. Picnic With The Pops
Picnic with the Pops is one of my favorite summer activities in Columbus, and it’s perfect if you’re looking for a fun date night idea. These unique performances combine the Columbus Symphony Orchestra with guest bands and musicians to provide an evening of unique entertainment.
Past guests have included Ben Folds, Nelly, Rick Springfield, a Led Zeppelin cover band, and the ever-popular Ohio State University Marching Band (TBDBITL). It’s quite an eclectic mix, isn’t it?!
These outdoor performances are held on Saturday nights at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the Columbus Commons. Lawn seating or reserved table seating is available and you can bring in your own food and drink.
If you plan to sit on the lawn, get there early, and be sure to bring your own seat (like a portable lawn chair) or a lawn blanket to sit on.
Dates:
- June 18, 2022: The O’Jays
- June 25, 2022: Boogie Wonder Band
- July 2, 2022: Patriotic Pops
- July 9, 2022: Fleetwood Mac Tribute
- July 16, 2022: Christopher Cross
- July 23, 2022: Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Windborne perform music of The Rolling Stones
- July 29-30, 2022: The Ohio State University Marching Band
Location: Columbus Commons | 160 South High Street, Columbus
Read More: The best brunch in Columbus, Ohio
12. Olentangy Indian Caverns
Olentangy Indian Caverns offers tours of the caverns plus a petting zoo, mini-golf, gem mining, and a treasure hunt maze. The cavern tour lasts about 45 minutes and involves some stairs, so strollers are not allowed on the tour.
If you are local to Columbus, check out the summer camps at Olentangy Indian Caverns for kids ages 5-14. They offer themes like animals, fossils, geology, and art.
Dates: Open daily 9:30am-5:00pm
Location: 1779 Home Road, Delaware, Ohio
13. Columbus Crew Game
Columbus is nuts about sports even though there aren’t many major league teams based in the city. The Columbus Crew is the area’s major league soccer team and you can find them at a brand new stadium throughout the summer.
Dates: February-October 2022
Location: Lower.com Field | Downtown Columbus
14. Columbus Clippers Game
Lots of people equate summer with baseball. You can catch a Columbus Clippers game at Huntington Park throughout the summer. The Clippers, the area’s minor league baseball team, are a local favorite and a must if you love sports.
Dates: April 12, 2022 – September 28, 2022
Location: Huntington Park | 330 Huntington Park Lane, Columbus
15. 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:
- The Big Lebowski: June 2, 2022
- Miss Congeniality: June 23, 2022
- Deadpool: July 7, 2022
- Forgetting Sarah Marshall: July 28, 2022
- Grand Budapest Hotel: August 4, 2022
- Remember The Titans: August 25, 2022
- Crazy, Stupid, Love: September 1, 2022
- Pulp Fiction: September 15, 2022
- The Hangover: September 22, 2022
- Inception: October 6, 2022
- Scream: October 14, 2022
Location: Genoa Park, next to COSI
2022 Summer Festivals and Events In Columbus, Ohio
Memorial Tournament
The Memorial Tournament, held each year in Dublin, is the pride and joy of the Columbus golf community, and a popular summer event. The Memorial Tournament 2020 has been postponed until July and will be played without spectators this year.
Dates: May 30, 2022-June 5, 2022
Location: Muirfield Village Golf Club | Dublin, Ohio
Uncorked: Columbus Wine Festival
Enjoy more than 150 wines from across the world in Columbus’ inaugural Uncorked festival.
Dates: June 4, 2022, 7-11 p.m.
Location: COSI | 333 West Broad Street
Columbus Arts Festival
The Columbus Arts Festival is back! This huge celebration of the arts in Columbus includes food, live performances, and lots of local and regional artists and vendors.
Dates: June 10-12, 2022
Location: Downtown riverfront between Main St. and Rich St.
Stonewall Columbus Pride
The Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival is an inclusive celebration featuring vendors, entertainment, dancing, and more.
Dates: June 17-18, 2022
Location: Goodale Park | 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus
Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival
Dates: June 17-19, 2022
Location: Creekside District, Gahanna
Juneteenth Ohio Celebration
Dates: June 18-19, 2022
Location: Genoa Park | 303 W. Broad St.
ComFest
Dates: June 24-26, 2022
Location: Goodale Park | 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus
Red, White & BOOM!
Red, White & BOOM! is the largest fireworks display in Ohio and one of the biggest in the entire midwest! This Columbus tradition is an all-day festival that ends in a huge fireworks display downtown.
Date: July 1, 2022
Location: Downtown Columbus, Ohio
Westerville Music & Arts Festival
Dates: July 9-10, 2022
Location: Heritage Park | 60 N. Cleveland Ave
Jazz and Rib Fest
The Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest is a summertime tradition that celebrates both music and barbecue.
Dates: July 22-24, 2022
Location: Bicentennial Park | 233 S. Civic Center Drive
Buckeye Country Superfest
Date: July 23, 2022
Location: Ohio Stadium
Ohio State Fair
The Ohio State Fair, held at the Ohio State Expo Center, is one of the biggest in the country. The event includes concerts, rides, games, agriculture, education, food, and special attractions.
Dates: July 27, 2021-August 7, 2022
Location: Ohio Expo Center | 717 East 17th Avenue, Columbus
Dublin Irish Festival
The Dublin Irish Festival is a long-standing tradition in central Ohio. This lively event features music, dance, food, a Jameson Whisky tasting, genealogy, vendors, and more!
2021 Dates: August 5-7, 2022
Location: Coffman Park in Dublin, Ohio
Festival Latino
Dates: August 13-14, 2022
Location: Genoa Park | 303 W. Broad St.
Columbus Food Truck Festival
The Columbus Food Truck Festival is a free event held in downtown Columbus on the Scioto Mile. This event includes over 60 mobile food vendors plus arts and crafts vendors, family activities, and live entertainment.
Plus the festival partners with 2 charitable organizations: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Great Duck Race and Music Loves Ohio which is a local nonprofit that helps young, aspiring Columbus musicians.
Dates: August 19-21, 2022
Location: Franklin County Fairgrounds | Hilliard, Ohio
Classic Auto Show and Cruise-In
The Classic Auto Show is a 3-day event that benefits a great cause, The Arthritis Foundation. There’s a free community night, music, Kid’s Zone, food trucks, an outdoor movie, and over 1,000 classic and exotic cars!
Dates: August19-20, 2022
Location: Metro Center | 555 Metro Place North, Dublin, Ohio 43017
Thanks for checking out these fun summer activities in Columbus, Ohio! Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and with good reason — we’ve got a lot going on! Drop a comment below to tell me what you love about Columbus in the summer.
Visiting another time of year? Check out these activity and festival guides:
- Columbus Spring Activities and Festivals
- Columbus Fall Activities and Festivals
- Columbus Winter Activities and Festivals
- Top Columbus, Ohio Attractions
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Great list! I’m adding the goat yoga to my bucket list. It sounds fun!
Awesome — You won’t regret it!
Ahhh I love goat yoga so much!!! The water park and the zoo sound like the perfect combination! I’d like to check that out!
Hi Kylie,
Yes, Zoombezi Bay and the zoo is a good combo for a summer day!
Great suggestions! Living only 2 hours away in CLE, we often take weekend trips to Columbus. I’ll be pinning this post to keep on hand for things we may want to do on our next visit. The wine festival and picnic with the pops sounds especially summery and up our alley!
Picnic with the Pops is fantastic – I would definitely recommend it…and I will be definitely checking out the wine festival this summer too.
Thanks so much for sharing! So many fun events—I definitely need to check out the red, white and boom & the food truck fest!!
Hi Kourtlyn,
I’ll definitely be checking out the food truck fest too. Summer events are always so fun!
All of these activities sound so fun! I am going to have to make my way down to Columbus for more of these this summer. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Katie,
Yes, there are definitely some great summer events in Cbus!