Video: PNC Festival of Lights 2025 at the Cincinnati Zoo
The PNC Festival of Lights is open at the Cincinnati Zoo now through Jan. 4, 2026. Here’s what you can expect from the annual holiday tradition.
As temperatures warm and Ohioans head outdoors ahead of the dog days of summer, festivals across the state bring unique traditions to the cities and towns hosting them.
Whether it’s twins, bratwurst or pickles, Ohio leans into its quirks. Family Travel Forum recently rounded up a dozen family‑friendly festivals across the state that celebrate unique traditions. Each festival brings out a different side of the state’s personality, with food, parades, music and more.
Here are a few of Ohio’s most unique upcoming festivals to look forward to.
12 unique summer and fall festivals in Ohio in 2026
Here are some of the state’s most unique festivals for those willing to travel, according to Family Travel Forum:
- Poultry Days in Versailles: A chicken‑themed community festival featuring parades, contests, marching bands and classic small‑town traditions. The festival will be held June 12–14.
- Steam Threshers Reunion: A hands‑on historical event showcasing vintage steam engines, tractors, and traditional farming. The 81st National Threshers Reunion takes place June 25–28, 2026.
- Moon Festival in Wapakoneta: A space‑themed hometown festival honoring Neil Armstrong, centered around the Armstrong Air & Space Museum with parades and exhibits. The festival runs July 14–19, 2026
- Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg: The 2026 Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, is scheduled for August 7–9, 2026. As the world’s largest annual gathering of twins and multiples, the 51st annual event will feature a “Totally Two-bular!” (1980s) theme, including parades, entertainment and opportunities for twins and multiples to connect.
- Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival in Bucyrus: A lively street festival celebrating Bucyrus’ German roots with bratwurst, music, parades, and an unexpectedly large hometown crowd. The 2026 Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival runs August 13–15 in downtown Bucyrus and typically attracts more than 100,000 visitors.
- Dan Emmett Music & Arts Festival in Mount Vernon: A laid‑back music and arts festival on the Public Square honoring songwriter Dan Emmett and Mount Vernon’s creative community. The festival runs August 14–16.
- Bean Day in McClure: The McClure Bean Soup Festival & Fair is held every September featuring open show exhibits, various contests, a pageant program, rides and food. It derives its name from the bean soup made in kettles over an open fire. The festival offers free admission and free entertainment.
- Melon Festival in Milan: A relaxed summer festival around Milan Square celebrating melons, local vendors, parades, and the town’s historic charm. The festival is a popular Ohio tradition held in the birthplace of Thomas Edison, taking place September 5–7, 2026, according to Ohio Traveler.
- National Pickle Day Festival in Carey: A pickle‑centric celebration with parades, green decorations, and nods to Carey’s quirky claim to fame. The festival takes place near 127 N. Vance St. in Carey.
- Apple Festival in Oak Harbor: A calm, family‑friendly festival filled with apple-themed decor, parades, craft booths, and classic small‑town pacing. This year, the festival takes place Oct. 10–11.
- Sauerkraut Festival in Waynesville: One of Ohio’s most crowded street festivals, bringing thousands to Main Street for sauerkraut dishes, vendors, and small‑town charm at scale. The festival is held October 10–11, 2026.
- Circleville Pumpkin Show in Circleville: A massive fall festival that transforms downtown Circleville into a sea of pumpkins, parades, rides, and elaborate gourd displays. The 2026 Circleville Pumpkin Show will be held from October 21–24, 2026, in downtown Circleville, Ohio.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.cincinnati.com ’
