Although summer may soon be coming to an end, that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Whether you just moved to Columbus or have been here your entire life, it is always fun to get out and experience some local events. Take a look at our list of upcoming fall events in Columbus to be sure to check out!

1. Columbus Oktoberfest Sept. 10-12, Ohio Expo Center

Put on your dirndls and lederhosen, pump up the polka and raise your beer stein. Columbus’ German heritage is on display at this fun annual celebration, which fills two giant beer gardens and a lot more. The city’s best German food purveyors also bring their A-game.

2. Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival Sept. 17-19, Gahanna

Gahanna is planning for the return of its annual Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival after a hiatus in 2020. Moving the date to later in the year will allow the steering committee to implement several changes to the event, including a modified footprint to best manage crowd capacity, two live music stages, and pre-event online admission sales.

3. Festival Latino Sept. 18, Columbus Commons

Held in 2021 at the Columbus Commons, this free event put on by CAPA offers live music, dancing in the streets, cultural and art workshops for children and adults, Latin-American cuisine, national and international music acts, Ohio-based Latino dance, and more. Get updates on this year’s festival here.

4. Fashion Week Columbus Sept. 26-Oct. 2, Around Columbus

Columbus is a fashion capital and there’s no time it shows more than at Columbus Fashion Week. See runway couture from our best local designers, meet the fashion cognoscenti and shop for your next look to make heads turn at this full week of events and shows.

5. All-American Quarter Horse Congress Sept. 28-Oct. 24, Ohio Expo Center

The largest single-breed horse show in America takes place in Columbus each year, stretching for three weeks and welcoming more than 725,000 guests. Find the best riding gear, and watch fun competitions like barrel racing.

6. Cartoon Crossroads Columbus Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, Around Columbus

Helmed by the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum, CXC is a city-wide celebration of cartoon art in all its forms. The show serves as a showcase for both the city of Columbus and the cartooning art form. Plans are currently underway for both in-person and virtual options.

7. Origins Game Fair Sept. 30 – Oct. 3, Greater Columbus Convention Center

Annual tabletop gaming convention in Columbus offering 6,000+ gaming events and a wide variety of other activities, such as True Dungeon experiences, cosplay, a robust film festival, a full schedule of Anime programming, and even comedy and music shows!

8. HighBall Halloween Oct. 23, Short North Arts District

Fashion is at the forefront at HighBall, a costume couture party that closes down High Street for two nights. The local fashion scene is on full display with eight local designers presenting runway shows. There’s a high bar for the public costume contest, so bring your best.

9. Italian Festival Oct. 8-10, St. John the Baptist Church

Columbus’ Italian Village is undergoing its own renaissance right now, booming with new condos, hip bars, fun live music venues, and cozy cafes. See the roots of this neighborhood at the Italian Festival and join in the music, food, and parades.

*Special thanks to Experience Columbus for all event descriptions!