Fall in Columbus is a beautiful time of year — the leaves on the trees are bright and colorful, the weather is cool and perfect for your favorite sweater, and there are tons of activities to keep you busy.

The first section of this post goes through the best fall activities in Columbus, or you can skip ahead for Halloween activities in Columbus and fall festivals in Columbus in 2024.

The Best Fall Activities in Columbus, Ohio

1. Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is one of my favorite things to do in Columbus in the fall! As soon as I am in the orchard, I feel like I’m ready for boots, sweaters, and pumpkins galore.

There are lots of places to pick apples in Columbus. Many locations also have other activities in addition to apple orchards so you can make a whole afternoon out of it.

Here are some great places for apple picking in Columbus:

• Lynd Fruit Farm in Pataskala
• The Orchard and Company in Plain City
• Cherry Hawk Farm in Marysville
• Branstool Orchards in Utica

2. Visit A Pumpkin Patch

You can’t get more fall than spending an afternoon at a pumpkin patch, and Central Ohio has no shortage of them. There is something amazing about a pumpkin patch in the midwest — the colorful leaves on the trees, drinking apple cider, and enjoying “sweater weather” — it’s all so festive!

Here are a few pumpkin patches to check out this fall in Columbus and surrounding areas:

• Circle S Farms in Grove City
• Leeds Farm in Ostrander
• Lehners Pumpkin Farm in Radnor
• Lynd Fruit Farm in Pataskala
• Pigeon Roost in Hebron

For a full list of things to do in Columbus at any time of the year, check out my ULTIMATE Guide to Columbus, Ohio.

3. Go On A Columbus Scavenger Hunt

Here’s a unique and fun activity to try out in Columbus — a scavenger hunt. Explore landmarks and hidden gems in downtown Columbus during this walking tour/scavenger hunt. This activity is suitable for up to 10 people in a group and lasts about 2 hours.

Starting point: 233 South Civic Center Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Tickets: Order here

4. 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:

• September 14, 2023 – Everything Everywhere All at Once
• September 21, 2023 – Legally Blonde
• September 28, 2023 – Black Panther
• October 12, 2023 – Hocus Pocus
• October 13, 2023 – The Sixth Sense

Location: Genoa Park, next to COSI

5. Check Out COSI’s New Exhibits

COSI has 2 awesome new exhibits opening this fall in Columbus.

Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence: Opens October 14, 2023

Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience: Opens October 24, 2023

6. Visit A Columbus Metro Park

The fall season in Columbus comes with some gorgeous days — blue skies and crisp, autumn air. It’s a great time of year to visit one of the 19 metro parks in Columbus! This park system includes more than 230 miles of trails and over 27,700 acres of land across 7 counties.

In addition to activities like hiking and biking, you’ll find special events for the whole family. More information can be found here.

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

Explore More: If you want to do some more hiking, take a quick drive to nearby Hocking Hills in Logan, Ohio. You’ll find some of the best hiking and scenery in the state! You can even stay overnight in a private cabin.

7. Do the Short North Gallery Hop

The Gallery Hop is a long-standing Columbus tradition that happens the first Saturday of each month on High St. in the Short North Arts District. You’ll find a mix of gallery exhibitions, street performers, special events, food, drinks, and more. Festivities run from 4-10 p.m.

Fall 2023 Dates:

• September 2, 2023
• October 7, 2023
• November 4, 2023
• December 2, 2023 (Holiday Hop)

8. Explore the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Fall is a great time to visit the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. The weather isn’t too hot or too cold, so a walk around our fantastic zoo will be a delight. You’ll quickly learn why the Columbus Zoo is one of the area’s most popular attractions.

There are lots of special events happening, too. Here is just some of what you’ll find at the Columbus Zoo this fall:

• Rwandan Fete: September 30, 2023
• Zombiezi Bay Horror Park: Weekends from September 22, 2023, through October 29, 2023
• Sensory Friendly Character Meet & Treat: October 1, 2023
• Fall Quiet Hours: October 1, 2022
• Boo at the Zoo: Weekends from October 6, 2023, through October 29, 2023
• Slothvasana – Yoga with Sloths: November 4 and 5, 2023
• Sensory Friendly Light Stroll and Santa Experience: November 14, 2023
• Wildlights Member Night: November 16, 2023
• Wildlights: November 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024

9. Experience Columbus Fashion Week

Yeah, you read that right. Columbus is actually kinda a big deal when it comes to fashion (too bad it wasn’t really this way back when I was a fashion designer!!) Columbus Fashion Week will take place from September 24, 2023, to September 30, 2023.

10. Visit a Comedy Club

The Funny Bone Comedy Club, located in Easton Town Center, is a great place to relax on a cool fall evening. Here is what’s coming up at the Funny Bone in the fall of 2023:

Looking to get away for the day? Check out these great day trips from Columbus — all within a 2-hour drive.

Halloween Activities in Columbus [2024]

11. Haunted Woods at Shawnee Hills

The Haunted Woods at Shawnee Hills is an almost mile-long walk on a spooky trail through the forest. Admission is $15 per person or $20 per person for front-of-the-line VIP access. All proceeds benefit Adaptive Sports Connection.

Location: 6000 Harriott Drive, Powell, Ohio

Dates: October 2023

12. Jack O’Lantern World

Thousands of custom jack-o’lanterns — including one of the largest in the country weighing in at over 1,000 pounds — will line a 3/4 mile immersive exhibition at Jack O’Lantern World. This family-friendly event would also make a fun and unique date night. Tickets are available here.

Location: Franklin County Fairgrounds | 4051 Northwest Pkwy, Hilliard, Ohio

Dates: TBD

13. Boo at the Zoo

Boo at the Zoo is an annual Halloween event at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. This family-friendly event is held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings throughout October.

Location: Columbus Zoo | 4850 W. Powell Rd, Powell, Ohio

Dates: TBD

The Best Fall Festivals In Columbus [2024]

Curious about what to do in Columbus this week? Here are some of the best fall festivals and events in Columbus in 2024.

September Festivals and Events

• Columbus Greek Festival: August 30 – September 2, 2024
• Upper Arlington Labor Day Arts Festival: September 2, 2024
• Columbus Oktoberfest: September 6-8, 2024
• Central Ohio Fall Home Show: September 6-8, 2024
• Columbus Caribbean Festival: September 14, 2024
• Columbus Fashion Week: TBD
• Jack O’ Lantern World: TBD
• Rwandan Fete: September 21, 2024
• Cartoon Crossroads Columbus: September 25-29, 2024

October Festivals and Events

• Ohio Gourd Show and Festival: October 4-6, 2024
• Columbus Coffee Festival: October 5-6, 2024
• The Columbus Italian Festival: October 11-13, 2024
• Boo at the Zoo: Weekends from October 4-27, 2024
• The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow: TBD
• Highball Halloween: October 26, 2024

November Festivals and Events

• Slothvasana – Yoga with Sloths: November 2-3, 2024
• Wine for Wildlife: November 8, 2024
• Sensory Friendly Lights Stroll at the Zoo: November 19, 2024
• Columbus Zoo Wildlights: November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025
• Ohio Made Holiday Market: November 22, 2024

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If you’re visiting Columbus another time of year, check out my detailed activity and festival guides:

• Columbus in Spring
• Columbus in Summer
• Columbus in Winter

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