See Calendar for dates, times and updates.
February
Central Ohio Home & Garden Show
Late February through beginning of March. The show offers an array of things to do including meeting special guest speakers, browsing through hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest in home improvements, cooking, energy efficiency, landscaping and gardening, pools and spas, and much more. All located at the Ohio Expo Center.
www.dispatchevents.com
March
The Arnold Sports Festival
The largest multi-sport festival in the nation with more than 18,000 athletes competing in 45 sports and events. 700 booths of the latest in sports equipment, apparel and nutrition and a stage that hosts unique, non-stop competitions and entertainment combine to make the Arnold Fitness EXPO, the heart of the Arnold Sports Festival.
www.arnoldsportsfestival.com
Columbus International Auto Show
Annual car show with around 30 makes of vehicles including some of the coolest cars on the road will be showcased in the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
www.columbusautoshow.com
April
Monster Truck Nationals
See incredible, high jumping, car crushing, giant trucks race in side-by-side drags, wheelie shootout, and freestyle action. Meet the drivers and witness the trucks up close at the pre-event Autograph Pit Party on the arena floor.
www.monsternationals.com
May
Asian Festival
One of the major special events in Central Ohio, the Asian Festival promotes and preserves the rich Asian Culture heritage through culture exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, food, games, market place, career fair and more!
www.asian-festival.org
Goodguys Nationals
This is a three day, huge indoor and outdoor car show featuring over 7,000 Hot Rods, Customs, Classics, Muscle Cars, Street Machines and Trucks thru ’72, over 400 vendor and manufacturer booths, Friday night drags, model and pedal car show, hot rod seminars, poker run, nostalgia stage shows, and more.
http://www.good-guys.com
Memorial Golf Tournament
This annual golf tournament is all about honoring the great golfers of the past, and those individuals who built the foundation to a game that today is played and enjoyed by millions around the world. Charitable contributions to organizations benefiting needy adults and children are given each year. Since 1976, some of the best names in Golf have competed at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, recently including, Justin Rose, Tiger Woods, Kenny Perry, and more. This event lasts for one week. Children under 18 years of age can join in on Junior Golf Day.
www.thememorialtournament.com
Ohioana Book Festival
This festival celebrates Ohio’s authors with over 100 authors on site, readings, panel discussions, children’s activities, book appraisals, Barnes and Noble book store and a Starbucks café.
http://ohioanabookfestival.org
Relay for Life Grove City
Grove City’s Relay For Life will celebrate survivors, remember those lost and fight back against cancer. This overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will feature live performances, games, prizes and children’s activities. Anyone can participate in Relay For Life. Friends, families, neighbors, classmates, sports teams, etc., can form their own teams. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=31532
June
Columbus Arts Festival
Produced by the Greater Columbus Arts Council the Columbus Arts Festival is the city's welcome-to-summer event, pairing the finest artists and craftspeople with continuous entertainment including hands-on art activities, musical performances and food from the area's finest restaurants.
http://columbusartsfestival.org
German Village Haus und Garten Tour
Visitors are heartily invited for this day-long celebration of renowned designs, enchanting gardens, and award-winning private home restorations. Guests may meander through the open sites at their own pace, while stopping to enjoy plenty of shopping opportunities and a wide array of dining opportunities throughout the Village.
www.germanvillage.com/
Parade of Homes
Tour incredible homes at the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio’s Parade of Homes. See the latest in design and building trends in a stunning community, meet special guests, come for ideas and leave with inspiration.
www.biaparade.com
July
Jazz and Rib Fest
Experience the finest jazz musicians and savor the best BBQ from across the country. The Jazz & Rib Fest has become one of the most anticipated summertime traditions in Columbus – thanks to hot ribs, cool jazz and great fans!
www.hotribscooljazz.org
Ohio State Fair
July through August. Over a dozen competition categories, concerts, bands and choirs, some of the best fair food in the country, hundreds of outdoor and indoor exhibits, rides and activities make the Ohio State Fair a fun, family experience.
www.ohiostatefair.com
Red, White and Boom!
Celebrate American Independence, view a spectacular fireworks display, watch the Ohio National Guard flyover and Independence Day Parade, enjoy live entertainment from various stages, food vendors and take your children to play in the Columbia Gas' Children's Park.
www.redwhiteandboom.org
August
Dublin Irish Festival
The place to be for the annual St. Patrick’s Day is at the Dublin Irish Festival. This three day fest has numerous activities including, Celtic Sports, Canine area showcasing native Ireland breeds, cultural exhibits, musical exhibits, Genealogy, workshops, storytelling, Wee Folk Area for children, whiskey, beer and mead tasting, marketplace and food vendors and not to mention the seven areas of entertainment with over 15 live bands and artists.
www.dublinirishfestival.org
Pelotonia Tour
Pelotonia is a grass roots bike tour with one goal, to end cancer. 100% of every dollar raised goes directly to cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Bicyclists have the option of riding 23 miles, 43 miles, 102 miles, or 180 miles. Register to ride, volunteer, or support your bicyclist during this two day event.
www.pelotonia.org
September
Columbus Food & Wine Affair
The annual affair events include Wine Enthusiast and Competition, Grand Tasting, Food & UN-Wine, Food & RE-Wine’d and Uncorked. Taste international wines from over 60 wineries and food from over 40 restaurants at the Grand Tasting at Franklin Park Conservatory. The food and wine experience continues for seven days after the Grand Tasting. Relax and enjoy remarkable food and libations at spectacular restaurants and venues.
www.foodandwineaffair.com
October
All American Quarter Horse Congress
The All American Quarter Horse Congress is the World's Largest Single-Breed Horse Show. The show receives more than 17,000 horse show entries and will house more than 8,500 registered American Quarter Horses during its three-week schedule. The Congress attracts more than 650,000 people to the Columbus area.
www.oqha.com/congress
Columbus Marathon
The 2011 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon takes place annually in downtown Columbus. To help participants along their way, approximately 80 bands, entertainers and radio stations will be lining the course (approximately every half-mile). In addition to the numerous bands that line the routes, many families and friends in Columbus make a day-long celebration of the event in front yards and driveways, encouraging participants along the way. Walker, wheelchair racers and a children’s run are also available.
www.columbusmarathon.com
November
Columbus International Festival
Two day annual festival featuring over 200 exhibitors from 75 countries. Enjoy international food, arts, crafts, and entertainment. Watch and learn at the ethnic culinary exhibits and buy cookbooks. Children of all ages have a dedicated area for activities and demonstrations.
www.foodandwineaffair.coml.org/
Wildlights at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
November through January. This annual light show boasts over 3 million LED lights throughout the entire Zoo. Visitors to the Zoo can view the light show at the lake, running in conjunction with seasonal music every half hour, nightly. Meet Santa and his reindeer, drink hot cocoa and visit the new Polar Bear Frontier. Check out the Zoo website for special events happening this year.
www.colszoo.org
December
First Night Columbus
Celebrate New Year’s Eve in downtown Columbus. Everyone can enjoy the beginning of the year with a celebration that is substance free and community oriented. Enjoy live entertainment from over 150 entertainers at 15 downtown performance sites and First Night’s fireworks Extravaganza. There are plenty of activities for New Year’s Eve including the Game Truck, COSI interactive activities, First Night’s Got Talent, Lego Store Experience, Fitness Fun Zone and Food Corner, Limited Brands Family & Children's Festival, and much more.
www.firstnightcolumbus.com
