The Preferred Fall Guide: 20+ Fun Things to Do in Columbus, Ohio This Fall
Crisp mornings. Golden leaves. Cozy coffee shops. Pumpkin everything.
There is something undeniably special about fall in Columbus, Ohio. As summer fades into cooler temperatures and colorful foliage, the city comes alive with seasonal festivals, outdoor adventures, local dining, football traditions, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beauty of Central Ohio.
At Preferred Living, we believe where you live should make it easy to enjoy everything your city has to offer. And when it comes to fall, Columbus gives you plenty to explore.
Whether you're planning a family day, a date night, a weekend with friends, or simply looking for a reason to get out and enjoy the season, consider this your Preferred Guide to Fall in Columbus.
���� 1. Pick Apples at a Local Orchard
Few experiences capture the feeling of fall quite like wandering through an apple orchard on a crisp afternoon.
Central Ohio has several beautiful farms and orchards where you can pick apples, enjoy fresh cider, explore seasonal activities, and stock up on fall treats.
Branstool Orchards in Utica offers 37 varieties of apples, while Pigeon Roost Farm in Hebron combines apple and pumpkin-season fun with activities such as a corn maze and wagon rides. Van Buren Acres also offers a pumpkin patch, corn maze, sunflower trail, and cow train.
Preferred tip: Make a day of it. Grab a warm drink on the way, spend the afternoon at the orchard, and finish the evening with dinner at one of Columbus' many locally owned restaurants.
���� 2. Find Your Perfect Pumpkin
Whether you're decorating your front porch, carving jack-o'-lanterns with the kids, or simply looking for the perfect fall photo opportunity, pumpkin patches are a seasonal must.
Lynd Fruit Farm, Pigeon Roost Farm, Van Buren Acres, and other Central Ohio farms offer plenty of ways to turn pumpkin picking into an afternoon adventure.
And don't forget the cider, donuts, hayrides, and corn mazes that often come with it.
���� 3. Go Leaf Peeping Around Columbus
You don't have to travel hours away to experience beautiful fall foliage.
Columbus' parks, neighborhoods, and Metro Parks provide plenty of opportunities to see the leaves change. Take a leisurely walk through Scioto Audubon Metro Park, explore Schiller Park in German Village, or spend an afternoon discovering one of Central Ohio's many scenic trails.
Fall is also the perfect season to explore Columbus' charming neighborhoods on foot.
Grab a coffee. Put on your favorite sweater. Take the long way home.
Sometimes that's all you need.
���� 4. Experience Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory
For one of the most beautiful fall experiences in Columbus, head to Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens for Harvest Blooms, running September 26 through November 1, 2026.
The gardens are transformed with pumpkins, mums, cabbages, fall foliage, and creative horticultural displays—including whimsical pumpkin houses that are practically made for fall photos.
It's a wonderful choice for families, couples, or an afternoon spent simply enjoying the season.
���� 5. See More Than 700 Pumpkins at Pumpkins Aglow
Once the sun goes down, Franklin Park Conservatory takes on a completely different atmosphere.
Pumpkins Aglow, running October 7 through November 1, features more than 700 hand-carved pumpkins along with themed displays featuring everything from pirates and spiders to mermaids and aliens.
It's one of those Columbus fall traditions that's worth putting on the calendar early.
Perfect for: Families, date nights, visiting guests, and your fall Instagram feed.
���� 6. Spend a Fall Day at the Columbus Zoo
Fall is a fantastic time to visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Zoo has several seasonal experiences worth adding to your list.
Lantern Festival
Through October 25, the Lantern Festival transforms the Zoo after dark with more than 70 sets of illuminated Asian-inspired animal lanterns. The 2026 festival also introduces dinosaur lanterns for an extra dose of prehistoric fun.
Boo at the Zoo
For family-friendly Halloween fun, Boo at the Zoo takes place October 3–4, 10–11, 17–18, and 24–25.
The "merry-not-scary" celebration includes Halloween activities, costumes, entertainment, and trick-or-treating throughout Adventure Cove.
Preferred tip: Make it a full fall day. Explore the Zoo during the afternoon, take a break for dinner, and come back after dark for the Lantern Festival.
���� 7. Celebrate Oktoberfest
Columbus' German heritage takes center stage at Schmidt's Columbus Oktoberfest, September 11–13 at the Ohio Expo Center.
Expect German food, live music, cultural traditions, and plenty of festive energy. The celebration has been a Columbus tradition for more than 50 years.
Grab your friends, embrace the lederhosen-and-dirndl spirit, and enjoy one of Columbus' most established fall festivals.
���� 8. Indulge at the Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival
Comfort food and fall weather were practically made for each other.
On September 25, head to Easton Town Center for the Columbus Mac & Cheese Festival, where local restaurants showcase creative takes on the ultimate comfort food. Proceeds benefit the Adolescent and Young Adult cancer program at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Because sometimes the best fall activity is simply eating something delicious.
���� 9. Experience the All American Quarter Horse Congress
From September 26 through October 24, the Ohio Expo Center hosts the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the largest single-breed horse show in America.
The event features competitions, shopping, exhibitors, and plenty to see for both longtime equestrian enthusiasts and first-time visitors.
It's an unexpected Columbus tradition—and a fun way to experience something a little different this fall.
☕ 10. Explore the Columbus Coffee Scene
Cooler weather means one thing: it's officially coffee season.
Spend a Saturday morning exploring Columbus coffee shops and trying seasonal drinks. From pumpkin-inspired lattes to chai, apple cider, and creative specialty beverages, fall is a great excuse to discover a new favorite.
You can even make it a challenge by exploring the Columbus Coffee Trail, which encourages residents and visitors to discover local coffee shops throughout the city.
Preferred idea: Pick a different neighborhood each weekend and turn coffee hunting into your own fall tradition.
���� 11. Get Into the Halloween Spirit
Columbus doesn't hold back when it comes to Halloween.
Families can enjoy Boo at the Zoo, Pumpkins Aglow, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating, while adults can embrace the more elaborate side of Halloween at HighBall Halloween.
On October 3, the Short North Arts District will host Fall Hops on High featuring HighBall Halloween, complete with interactive art, performances, shopping, a Trick-or-Treat Trail, and the Costume Couture Fashion Show.
Whether your Halloween style is cute and cozy or elaborate and dramatic, Columbus has something for you.
���� 12. Experience an Ohio State Football Saturday
You can't talk about fall in Columbus without talking about the Buckeyes.
An Ohio State football Saturday is more than a game—it's a citywide tradition.
Head toward campus, take in the tailgates, experience the energy around Ohio Stadium, and soak up the scarlet-and-gray atmosphere.
Even if you don't have tickets, there's something special about being around Columbus on game day.
Preferred tip: Make a day of it and explore the surrounding Short North, Grandview, or Downtown neighborhoods before or after the game.
���� 13. Explore Columbus' Creative Side at Urban Scrawl
Columbus' arts scene is another reason to get out and explore this fall.
Urban Scrawl, taking place October 9–11 in Franklinton, brings artists together for live mural painting, gallery and studio tours, performances, and interactive art experiences.
It's a great reminder that some of the city's most interesting experiences happen outside traditional museums and galleries.
�������� 14. Celebrate at the Columbus Italian Festival
The Columbus Italian Festival, October 9–11, is another longtime fall favorite.
With Italian food, live music, a parade, and even a bocce tournament, the festival celebrates Columbus' Italian heritage in a lively and welcoming atmosphere. More than 35,000 people attend annually.
Come hungry—and stay for the music.
���� 15. Take a Day Trip to the Circleville Pumpkin Show
About an hour south of Columbus, the Circleville Pumpkin Show is worth the drive.
Taking place October 21–24, this Central Ohio tradition is famous for its enormous pumpkins, pumpkin-themed food, entertainment, and all things fall.
It's the kind of classic Ohio experience that belongs on every Central Ohio fall bucket list.
���� 16. Cheer on the Columbus Marathon
On October 17–18, downtown Columbus will come alive for the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon.
Whether you're participating, volunteering, or simply cheering from the sidelines, it's an inspiring way to experience the city and support thousands of athletes taking on the challenge.
���� 17. Discover Columbus Fashion
Columbus has a surprisingly vibrant fashion scene, and Fashion Week Columbus is a great way to experience it.
The 2026 dates are still to be announced, but the annual event showcases emerging designers and the city's creative community through runway shows and fashion-related programming.
Consider it your excuse to get dressed up and experience a different side of Columbus.
���� 18. Visit Hank's Low Country Oyster Fest
For something a little unexpected, head downtown September 27 for Hank's Low Country Oyster Fest.
The event features oysters, Southern-inspired dishes, live jazz, oyster shucking and roasting, plus a Kids Zone with crafts and activities. Admission is free.
It's a great choice when you're looking for something beyond the typical fall festival.
���� 19. Take a Sweet Trip to Lithopolis Honeyfest
Looking for a unique fall outing?
Head just outside Columbus to Lithopolis Honeyfest, September 11–12. The annual event celebrates all things honey and bees with arts and crafts, honey-themed activities, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy this charming Central Ohio community.
����️ 20. Explore Columbus Neighborhoods
Sometimes you don't need an event at all.
Spend a Saturday exploring some of Columbus' most distinctive neighborhoods.
German Village
Stroll brick-lined streets, browse local shops, stop for coffee, and enjoy the architecture.
Short North Arts District
Explore galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and local art along High Street.
Franklinton
Discover murals, galleries, studios, and one of Columbus' most creative neighborhoods.
Easton
Spend an afternoon shopping, dining, and enjoying seasonal events.
Fall is the perfect season to slow down and explore Columbus one neighborhood at a time.
���� Your Preferred Fall Bucket List
With so much happening around the city, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy fall in Columbus.
Our Preferred Fall Bucket List:
☐ Pick apples at a local orchard
☐ Visit a pumpkin patch
☐ Walk through the fall foliage
☐ Visit Harvest Blooms
☐ Experience Pumpkins Aglow
☐ Visit the Columbus Zoo
☐ See the Lantern Festival
☐ Attend Boo at the Zoo
☐ Celebrate Oktoberfest
☐ Try a new Columbus coffee shop
☐ Attend the Mac & Cheese Festival
☐ Experience Ohio State football
☐ Visit Urban Scrawl
☐ Attend the Columbus Italian Festival
☐ Explore HighBall Halloween
☐ Visit the Circleville Pumpkin Show
☐ Watch the Columbus Marathon
☐ Explore Columbus Fashion Week
☐ Visit Hank's Low Country Oyster Fest
☐ Take a day trip to Lithopolis Honeyfest
☐ Explore a new Columbus neighborhood
Fall Looks Even Better When You Love Where You Live
One of the best things about living in Columbus is having access to experiences like these right outside your door.
At Preferred Living, we believe home should be more than the place you return to at the end of the day. It should be the starting point for the lifestyle you want to live.
From beautiful communities and thoughtfully designed residences to amenities designed for relaxing, entertaining, and connecting, Preferred Living makes it easy to enjoy both the comfort of home and everything Columbus has to offer.
So this fall, get outside. Try something new. Explore your city. Make a few memories.
And when you're ready to come home, come home to Preferred.
Preferred Living — Luxury Living. Preferred.