Festival season is in full swing! You can find lots of charming celebrations happening all around the state. Here are some of the more popular festivals that are worth traveling for.
Troy Strawberry Festival
Downtown Troy
June 6-7
This annual festival — celebrating its 50th year in 2026 — is a celebration of community, culture, and of course, strawberries. Enjoy family-friendly activities, including live entertainment, a car cruise, 5K run and an incredible selection of food, all highlighted by the star of the show: fresh strawberries in every form imaginable.
Columbus Arts Festival
Downtown Columbus Riverfront
June 12-14
One of the most highly acclaimed arts festivals in the U.S., the Columbus Arts Festival features more than 230 professional, juried visual artists; four performing art stages; hands-on kids’ activities; demonstrations; dozens of food vendors including popular local food trucks; and craft brews and cocktails.
Asheville 4th of July Celebration
Asheville Park
June 30-July 4
Since 1929, families have gathered to celebrate Independence Day with this Ashville tradition. The five-day party begins with a fish fry and continues through the 4th with a parade, family entertainment, contests and plenty more food. The grand finale is a fireworks show.
Huron River Fest
Huron Boat Basin
July 10-11
This multi-day summer festival celebrates the community and its waterfront along the Huron River, featuring a lively mix of family-friendly activities, a parade, live music, food vendors, carnival rides, craft booths and a fireworks display over the river.
Columbus Book Festival
Columbus Main Library & Topiary Park
July 11-12
Free and open to all book lovers, the Columbus Book Festival features a lineup of more than 120 national and Columbus-based authors, panel discussions, author talks, book signings and more. The Festival Marketplace features dozens of bookish retailers, community exhibitors, an entertainment lineup, a local food court and the popular Indie Author Alley pavilion.
Lancaster Festival
Downtown Lancaster
July 17-25
Ten days of music, art and family fun. This festival celebrates music and the arts, featuring live concerts, daily activities for children and families, an artwalk, a 5K road race and performances across multiple downtown venues. Thousands of festival goers from around Ohio travel to Lancaster each summer for it.
Frankfort Sunflower Festival
Downtown Frankfort
[Can’t be verified: 2026 dates not yet published]
Held annually the last weekend of July, the Frankfort Sunflower Festival has something for everyone, including food vendors, a car show, antique tractors, a kiddie tractor pull, games, live music, a parade, an adult tug-of-war contest, a sunflower contest, photo ops, a cornhole tournament and a craft tent.
Dublin Irish Festival
Coffman Park, Dublin
July 31-Aug. 2
The largest three-day Irish festival in the world is held in Dublin, Ohio. With seven stages, roughly 60 acts and more than 800 performers, there is something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy great food, browse the multiple vendor booths, and kids can play at the Pot O’ Gold Playland, which features inflatables and crafts for little ones.
Festival Latino
Columbus Commons & Ohio Theatre, Columbus
Aug. 22-23
This two-day event celebrates family and community with lively music, dancing, cultural and arts workshops for children and adults, Latin-American cuisine and community information tents. The festival moves to Columbus Commons and the Ohio Theatre this year.
Fairborn Sweet Corn Festival
Community Park, Fairborn
Aug. 15-16
This family-friendly event features handmade arts and crafts booths, food vendors and plenty more. Enjoy your favorite corn dishes and summertime food favorites, including steamed sweet corn, BBQ chicken, pork chop sandwiches and fresh-cut watermelon.
