04-04-2025
Your Central Ohio spring festival guide
The weather is getting warmer, and that means festival season is upon us.
To honor the season, we're showcasing the spring slate of festivals bringing communities together, celebrating niche interests and in some cases attracting national interest.
Fun fact: You could theoretically spend every weekend between now and the summer at a Central Ohio festival.
Reality check: But between food vendor prices and the going rate for hot-ticket music festivals, be ready to blow your budget if you try.
Heritage
🇩🇪 Maifest at The Mannerchor: April 26, German Village. Free!
🗡️ Ashville Viking Festival: April 26-27, Ashville. Free!
If you can't wait for the Renaissance Festival, get your fix of old-timey feasting and festivities in Ashville.
🌸 Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Festival: May 16, Bexley. Free!
🏴☠️ Buckeye Lake Piratefest: May 16-18, Buckeye Lake. Free!
🐲 Asian Festival: May 24-25, Franklin Park. Free!
✊🏾 Ohio Black Expo: May 24-25, Genoa Park. $20-$50.
Arts & Science
🧪 COSI Science Festival: April 30-May 3 Franklinton and around the region. Free!
Enjoy nature walks, exhibitions, trivia and art projects.
📚 Ohioana Book Festival: May 3, Italian Village. Free!
🪴 Herb Day Festival: May 3, Gahanna. Free!
🎨 Delaware Arts Festival: May 17-18, Downtown. Free!
🖼️ Columbus Arts Festival: June 6-8, Downtown Riverfront. Free!
The event draws hundreds of artists from across the country.
🧑🎨 Worthington Arts Festival: June 14-15, Old Worthington. Free!
Music
🪕 Central Ohio Folk Festival: May 3-4, Highbanks Metro Park. Free!
🎸 Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival: May 8-11, Historic Crew Stadium. $160-$530.
This year, it's headlined by Korn, Linkin Park and two nights of no-repeat sets from Metallica.
🪩 Breakaway Music Festival: May 30-31, Historic Crew Stadium. $70-$1,000.
🎷 Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival: June 13-15, Gahanna Creekside. $15-$30.
The centerpiece of Gahanna's calendar, this festival has grown from a half-day local event to a three-day regional draw.
🏳️🌈 All Out Music Festival: June 14, Kemba Live! $60-$90.
Food & Drink
