Your Guide to the Columbus Arts Festival

By Sav McKee / Story Design by Tori Smith

Where else in Ohio can you soak in the work of award winning artists, eat an award winning lobster roll from a gourmet food truck, and wash it down with a never before had beer? None other than the Columbus Cultural Arts Festival, of course. This year’s highly acclaimed arts festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of artistic expression, cultural diversity, and community engagement. Stunning performances, hands-on activities, and dozens of delicious food and drink vendors will all gather downtown to share their devotion to the arts with Columbus. Here’s your guide on what to know, see, eat, drink, and do while there.

When, Where & How to Get There

Guests can begin festivities at Columbus’ Downtown Riverfront on Friday, June 9th from 11am to 10:30pm, Saturday, June 10th from 10am to 10:30pm, and Sunday, June 11th from 10am to 5pm. Parking is available all around downtown and the Scioto Mile, and bus riders can use the High St. and Front St. bus lines for easy access. There’s even bike parking at Franklinton Cycle Works! Just bring your own lock.

Who to Visit

Evan Miller - Columbus, OH

Honors and pays tribute to cultural icons with the ultimate goal of telling a story.

Benjamin Lamb - Columbus, OH

Utilizes scrap wood to make amusing pieces that make us think critically.

Samuel Hitchman - Cincinnati, OH

A ceramicist focusing on creating utilitarian wares which blend elements of fine art design with functional craft.

Cody Miller - Columbus, OH

Specializes in 2D mixed media using paper and paint. Their work often portrays humans experiencing a transformative journey.

Liza Compass - Tampa, FL

Inspired by lucid dreams and the majesties of the natural world, their work is considered “Dreamscape Realism.”

Annie Grimes Williams - Winston Salem, NC

A jewelry designer offering contemporary necklaces, bracelets, and other statement pieces.

Steve Palmer - Minnetonka, MN

An experienced glass blower since 1979 who focuses on lively colors and patterns.

Melissa Bracken - Cincinnati, OH

Stitches whimsical, handmade animals from reclaimed sweaters & eco-friendly fabrics.

Who to Watch

There’s a reason this festival takes place over 3 days; along with all of the artists to see, there are also film makers, musicians, fashion designers, dancers, and poets taking the stage. You won’t want to miss performances by Columbus Modern Dance Company, Fashion As Art, The Black Women Rise Poetry Collective, Maella Belly Dance, or the Columbus Children’s Theater. For a comprehensive list of performers and their schedules, check out the festival’s website or download their app using this QR code.

Photo courtesy of Columbus Modern Dance Company

Extra Events!

STONEWALL COLUMBUS PRIDE - June 16-17

JUNETEENTH OHIO CELEBRATION - June 17-18

COMMUNITY FEST (COMFEST) - June 23-25

JAZZ & RIB FEST - July 21-23

OHIO STATE FAIR - July 26-Aug. 6

PELOTONIA - Aug. 4-6

COLUMBUS FESTIVAL LATINO - Aug. 12-13

COLUMBUS FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL - Aug. 19-20

What to Eat

Local classics and Columbus staples such as Graeters, Schmidt’s, Pizza Cottage, Melt, and Mikey’s Late Night Slice will all be there, but take a look at (and try a taste of) what these other exceptional food trucks have to offer:

Tortilla Street Food

Customizable Mexican street food and churros.

Rime Time Pops

Established with a passion for healthy and local food and an ode to childhood treats, these popsicles are made with fresh produce and specialty ingredients.

Squeaky's Cheese Curds

Deep fried cheese curds... say no more.

Kona Ice

Hawaiian style shaved ice in a variety of tropical flavors.

Simply D'Lish Concessions & Confections

Boasts the “freshest, biggest, BEST Funnel Cakes you've ever had!”

Cate’s Steakhouse Catering

Serving specialty wraps, signature sandwiches, and their famous loaded nachos.

Island Noodles

Try their award winning, wok fired soba noodles with vegan friendly options.

Cousins Maine Lobster

From trap to truck, this award winning, gourmet food truck featured on Shark Tank keeps sustainability in mind with each lobster roll.

Big Mouth Egg Rolls

Fresh, handmade, Vietnamese egg rolls using a traditional family recipe, fully sourced from local ingredients. A portion of the profits are shared with the owner’s extended family in Vietnam to help with better housing, education, and other resources to improve their quality of life.

Fork in Nigeria

Nigerian cuisine that honors the communities from the mountains of Isuikwuato. They prepare steak, goat, chicken, and vegetarian options that embody the flavors and traditions of authentic Nigeria.

What to Drink

Specially made for this event, Rhinegeist and the Columbus Arts Festival teamed up to create a limited release, hoppy, wheat ale they named “Sketch.” It has bright notes of grapefruit, orange, and cream. If beer’s not your thing, some other options include:

• A High Bank Distillery frozen cocktail. You can purchase an insulated, refillable tumbler for $10 and refill for only $8!

• Graham + Fisk’s Wine-In-A-Can: Red, white, bubbly rose, or moscato

• Soda stations

What to Do

Besides all of the eating, taking in live performances, and mingling with top artists, there’s plenty of other choices. The Hands-On Interactive Activities Village will offer entertainment suited for a wide range of interests and ages, all led by volunteers from more than a dozen of local organizations.

Younger children can play with kinetic sand, dabble in face painting, design their own castles, partake in arts & crafts, sing, dance, play instruments, make bracelets, and much more.

Teenagers and young adults can also participate in more in-depth arts & crafts projects like cookie decorating and floral arranging.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, music lover, a foodie, or just looking for a fun day in Columbus, this festival has something for everyone. Columbus has plenty to offer, and thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, artists, performers, and members of our community, we can join together to celebrate what makes our city so remarkable.