The leaves are changing, that familiar fall chill is starting to return to the air and pumpkin is appearing on menus everywhere. Fall is here, which is an occasion worth celebrating here in Columbus! Fortunately, there are plenty of local events and festivals to look forward to over the next few months.
Whether you're looking to experience the bountiful autumn harvest, get scared at a horror film festival or peruse a craft fair—you'll find something on this list worth marking on your calendar. Have fun this season!
September | October | November
Where: Ohio Village
When: September 13-15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Country Living Fair from Stella Shows on Vimeo.This massive fair showcases hundreds of vendors from more than 25 states selling antiques, vintage items, handcrafted goods, arts, furniture, home decor, clothing, jewelry, specialty foods and so much more. Meet the editors of Country Living Magazine and HGTV superstars, attend seminars and how-tos, see artisan demonstrations, and shop the Harvest & Gourmet Market. There's no better place or time in Columbus to get inspiration for your home decor!
Where: Lake Snowden, Albany
When: September 13-15, Friday 4 p.m.-Midnight, Saturday 10 a.m.-Midnight & Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Ohio Pawpaw Festival is a fun-filled and educational community event that celebrates one of America's largest native tree fruits: the pawpaw. The annual three-day event highlights the rich history and future possibilities of the pawpaw through delectable foods, fantastic entertainment, unique arts, crafts and local vendors. This year, you can expect a full lineup of presentations and activities that will provide fun for your whole family, including a Best Pawpaw Competition, a Pawpaw Cook-off, a Pawpaw Eating Contest and much more.
Where: Downtown Hilliard
When: September 14, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
This street fair takes place in Downtown Hilliard on Main Street each fall, usually the second Saturday in September. Throughout the day, you can peruse vendors from all over the area, including local businesses, organizations and artists. After you've shopped your heart out, you can enjoy some live music, great food, games, a sunflower show, a car show, kids' fair and much more.
Where: Downtown Washington Court House
When: September 20-22, Times TBA

Welcome autumn in style at this annual festival in Downtown Washington Court House! The family-friendly weekend will be full of live music, delicious food, rides, games, craft vendors, a 5K walk and run, classic cars and so much more. Make sure to follow them on Facebook to see what the full lineup of activities will be!
Where: The Stratford Ecological Center, Delaware
When: September 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Harvest Fair is the Stratford Ecological Center's biggest event of the year, featuring plenty of tractors, farm animals, a horse-drawn wagon and so much more! Don't forget to bring the best of your bounty, which you can display to the rest of the fair, and some good walking shoes so you can traverse the nearby hiking trails while you're there. Tickets are $5 per person and children under the age of 3 are free.
Where: Emswiler Farm, Pataskala
When: September 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Presented by TWIG of Nationwide Children's Hospital, Pataskala's annual Pumpkinpalooza is a can't-miss event this season. This year, enjoy exploring a huge barn full of food and activities; pick out a perfect pumpkin from the pumpkin patch; take a hayride around the farm; and bounce around in a bounce house—the possibilities are endless! You can purchase advance tickets on their website. All proceeds will benefit the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Where: Lawrence Orchards, Marion
When: September 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Lawrence Orchards
This old-fashioned autumn event gives you and your whole family the chance to explore Lawrence Orchards, a local institution since 1921. Explore the orchard on a horse-drawn carriage, let the kiddos ride a pony, traverse the hay maze, take a train ride and, of course, eat a lot of apples! The event will feature plenty of fresh apples, caramel apple bars, apple pie and homemade apple cider that you'll want to take home gallons of.
Where: Young's Jersey Dairy, Yellow Springs
When: October 5-6, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Celebrate the fall season at Young's Jersey Dairy this year with the Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival! There you'll be able to take your picture with Humongous Gus; taste freshly made pumpkin donut holes; take a tour of their cheese making facility; and go pumpkin bowling. This event is entirely free, so bring the whole family out to have some autumn fun!
Where: German Village Meeting Haus
When: October 12, 7-11:30 p.m.
This annual event at the Historic German Village offers endless Halloween fun for kids-at-heart. The festivities start with an adult trick-or-treating route at 7 p.m., followed by dancing and drinks at the Meeting Haus at 9:30 p.m. There will be a photo booth, dancing and a costume contest, so come dressed in your Halloween finest! You can even grab a s'more and try a delicious concoction from Middle West Spirits.
Where: Oakland Nursery, Dublin
When: October 12-13, 12-4 p.m.

Come celebrate all things autumn at this family-friendly festival! There will be tractor-pulled hayrides, make n' take crafts, a pumpkin bounce house, apple cider pressing, a giant pumpkin carving demo and much more—all of the ingredients needed for a perfect fall fest.
Where: The Drexel Theater
When: October 12-13, Noon-Noon
Sharpen your wooden stakes and stock up on silver bullets because Columbus's terror tradition is back to haunt your nightmares! This 24-hour horror marathon is held at the Drexel Theater and will feature a lineup of several terrifying films. In addition to watching a few movies, you'll also have the chance to meet Michael Gornick, the legendary director of photography for Creepshow, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Knightriders and Martin!
Where: Ohio Village
When: October 12 & 19, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of 1890s-style fun at the historic Ohio Village. All Hallows' Eve will feature a retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by the bonfire, pumpkin carving and strange characters roaming the village. Revel in old-fashioned entertainment for all ages, including fortune telling, crafts, games and more!
Where: East Franklin Street, Circleville
When: October 14-19, Times Vary
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Any Ohioan will tell you, fall means the Circleville Pumpkin Show! The 113th Circleville Pumpkin Show is just south of Columbus and attracts more than 400,000 visitors each year. Check out the parades, rides, entertainment and every kind of pumpkin-flavored treat that you can think of. Be sure to stop by and see the largest pumpkin pie, measuring at 14 feet in diameter, along with all of the massive pumpkins on display around East Franklin Street!
Where: The Ohio Statehouse
When: October 18-19 & 25-26, 7-9 p.m.
See the iconic Ohio Statehouse from a different perspective this Halloween season as you embark on a haunted tour of the building—if you dare! Combine history and legend in this special family-friendly haunted tour, which travels through dimly lit limestone corridors by lantern. This spooky tour features recently found evidence of paranormal activity and is most appropriate for children ages 9 and up. Purchase your tickets for this unique historic tour with a Halloween twist!
Where: The Columbus Zoo
When: Weekends October 11-27, Fridays 5-9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m. & Sundays 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
This "merry-not-scary" Halloween event is a must for little ones of all ages! Go on a trick-or-treating adventure at the Columbus Zoo on the weekends leading up to Halloween, stopping by various treat stations scattered throughout the zoo. Make sure you catch the animals smashing pumpkins, which is a favorite amongst guests each year! Admission to Boo at the Zoo is included with your membership or paid admission to the zoo.
Where: Easton Town Center
When: October 20, 12-3 p.m.

Make sure your fur baby isn't left out of the fall fun! Dress your dog in their best costume and head to Easton Town Center for a special Halloween Pet Parade and Fall Festival. Costumes will be judged and awards are given based on a number of categories, including Best Group, Best Duo, Cutest, Funniest, Most Creative and Scariest. Free registration begins at noon and the parade kicks off at 2 p.m.!
Where: Short North, Columbus
When: October 11-12, Times TBD
Head to the vibrant Short North Arts District for a Halloween party unlike any other! HighBall Halloween is considered one of the nation's most elaborate costume parties, bridging runway style with the culture of this lively area. This festive weekend attracts over 40,000 costumed participants in a celebration of costumes and creativity. The party is taking place along High Street between Goodale Street and Nationwide Boulevard.
Where: Creekside Park & Plaza, Gahanna
When: October 19, 11 a.m-3 p.m.
Don't miss the annual Creepside Festival two Saturdays before Halloween! This event is free and appropriate for all ages with a number of kid-friendly activities, including live music, games, a haunted trail, escape rooms, character interactions, pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating with local organizations, and more. Head to Creekside Park & Plaza in Gahanna for this exciting community event!
Where: Hollywood Casino Columbus
When: November 15-16, Friday 6-10 p.m. & Saturday 12-7 p.m.
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Let us know how you plan to celebrate the season in the comments!
Fall is finally upon us! Crisp morning walks through crunchy leaves, homemade apple pie, pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters—there are so many things we love about this season in Ohio. Don't miss out on these important rituals by attending one of the fall festivals and events happening in and around Cleveland this year!
And because we can't wait until the official first day of fall, we are starting the harvest party a bit earlier in September! From art shows to pumpkin festivals, here are the essential Cleveland events you can't miss this fall.
This post was updated on September 4, 2019 to reflect current information.
If you're looking for historic, educational and kid-friendly farm experiences around Cincinnati, you're in the right place. Right here in our southwest corner of Ohio and into Kentucky, we have countless farms and orchards that have been family-owned-and-operated for decades. During the fall, these places turn festive, selling their homegrown pumpkins and hand-picked apples alongside seasonal fun like corn mazes, hayrides and petting zoos. This year, make the most of the season and see how many of these pumpkin patches you can visit. There might even be one on the list that turns into your new favorite family tradition. Enjoy!
This small, family-owned farm has been in operation since 1918, accumulating one hundred years of experience in growing, harvesting and celebrating. During the fall, that culminates into an October fall extravaganza complete with more than 20 varieties of locally grown apples, corn stalks, gourds and pumpkins of all kinds, Indian corn, apple cider and mums. While visiting the farm in Ross, families can also enjoy the corn maze, the skid maze, the Halloween scavenger hunt, the crawl-through straw tunnel, the corn pool and weekend hayrides!


Right here in Cincinnati, Parky's Farm is run by Great Parks of Hamilton County and is nestled on more than 100 acres in Winton Woods. Those acres are home to beehives, goats, gardens, chicken coops, farmland and a barnyard. A visit during the fall means you can find out what it's like to grow up on a farm and take home your own pumpkin.
This post was updated on August 20, 2019, to reflect current information.
Fall is officially here! Though we had a tough time bidding summer farewell, we are thrilled at the prospect of a new season filled with vibrant colors, warm apple cider and plenty of pumpkins. Visiting a pumpkin patch or an apple orchard is a beloved tradition here in Ohio, as it allows us to soak up some autumn sunshine, take a hayride and gather some amazing fall bounty. Whether you're looking to gather some apples for making pie, pick-your-own pumpkin to carve into a jack-o-lantern or simply wanting to enjoy some good old-fashioned family fun, these local orchards and patches should provide you with some incredible fall memories. Enjoy!
Photo courtesy of Bauman Orchards
If you make the hour-long journey to Bauman Orchards in Rittman, you will be treated to more than 40,000 apple trees and 18 different varieties (10 available to pick yourself). Visitors can pick their own apples from September 1 through October 13, and afterwards, are invited to enjoy fresh-pressed apple cider (and maybe a few baked goods) in the market. Looking for a pumpkin, gourd or squash for eating or decorating? You can find those in the market as well. Tip: Don't miss the Fall Festival on September 21, September 28 and October 5! There will be pick-your-own apples as well as live music, pony rides, a hay maze, homemade caramel apples, a petting zoo and more.
Hillcrest Orchards strives to grow the highest quality apples, the largest pumpkins, the juiciest peaches and the happiest family memories. On weekends during the fall, you will be treated to a fun wagon ride out to the apple orchard or pumpkin patch, as well as sage picking advice to help you harvest the cream of the crop. Make sure to check the 2018 ripening calendar before planning your visit.
Photo courtesy of Monroe's Orchard and Farm Market
Monroe's Orchard is a must-visit location for families looking for a fun day out in the sun. You'll find fresh fruits year-round, but it would be a shame to miss the sight of the bountiful apple orchards and the pick-your-own pumpkins during the fall months. The Apple Harvest Festival begins on the last Saturday of September, and is also when the pumpkins are available!
Red Wagon Farm is known for its incredible selection of local produce, which (depending on the season) includes pick-your-own strawberries, peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes and more. During the fall months, don't miss the pumpkin festival, which runs on weekends from September 22 to October 28 this year. Activities include wagon rides, a corn maze, face painting, delicious food, and a selection of seasonal homegrown produce in the market — including pumpkins, of course.
Photo courtesy of Sage's Apples
Sage's Apples is celebrating its 151st anniversary this year and it's no surprise why it has been so successful for so long! The farm grows more than 50 varieties of apples and sells a wide range of fresh produce in its market year-round. While you aren't actually able to pick-your-own apples at this location, the market offers several delicious varieties that you won't be able to find anywhere else, as well as a spectacular selection of melons, berries, peppers, corn and other local fruits and vegetables. It's certainly worth a visit!