We ranked nine festivals and fairs within reach of Columbus using what each organizer publishes: dates, hours, admission, parking, schedules and history, checked on October 30 and 31. Most of these events have already happened this year, so we list next year's dates wherever organizers have posted them. The ranking rewards events with deep roots and a program that fills a full day, then clear prices and family policies such as free admission for kids. We did not attend these events for this update, so nothing below describes a crowd or a plate we saw, and one organizer's website was down when we checked.
9 festivals
2026 Winners·Winners announced Sep 16, 2026·Picks by Bart Rian
Why Columbus Italian Festival Is Our Best Overall Pick
The Columbus Italian Festival has run since 1980 on the grounds of St. John the Baptist in Italian Village, and this year's edition ran Oct. 9 to 11. Admission is $15, children 12 and under get in free with an adult, and parking and shuttles are free. Sunday opens with Mass under the main tent at 10:15 a.m., followed at 1 p.m. by a parade and high school marching band competition hosted by the Columbus Piave Club, stepping off from Goodale Park down High Street. A bocce classic and a kickoff dinner round out the weekend.
