Columbus Arts Festival returns to Scioto Mile Downtown Riverfront

The Columbus Arts Festival is a free event that will be held June 12-14 along the Scioto Mile Downtown Riverfront.
Ranked among the nation’s best, the festival features more than 230 juried artists, a fashion show, live entertainment and more.
New this year, the festival is a stop on the Big Bite Tour, offering free samples from major brands.

The Columbus Arts Festival’s designation as the kickoff to the local summer festival season isn’t official. However, its reputation as one of the best arts festivals in the nation is.

The festival landed at No. 5 on the Best Arts Festival list in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards results released in March. It came in second place in 2025’s awards.

The three-day fest features more than 230 juried exhibiting artists from central Ohio – including 19 Emerging Festival Artists – as well as from around the country.

The festival’s Big Local Arts Village will feature central Ohio creators selling their work, with select artists giving live demonstrations.

Another kind of visual art will be on display again this year during a fashion show organized by Celeste Malvar-Stewart, a Columbus designer and fiber artist.

There’s more to see and do at the 64th Columbus Arts Festival, from live entertainment to a hands-on art. Read on for more details about this year’s fest.

When is the Columbus Arts Festival?

Festival hours will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 12; 10 a.m to 9 p.m. June 13; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 14.

Where does it take place?

The festival will be held along the Scioto Mile Downtown Riverfront.

How much does it cost to attend?

Admission to the fest is free. VIP packages cost $150 and include admission to the private Patron Party at 5:30 p.m. June 12.

What’s new this year?

The Columbus Arts Festival will be a stop on the Big Bite Tour, an annual traveling consumer festival offering free brand samples, food vendors and retail promotions.

The tour’s 2026 partners include such recognized brands as Kraft Heinz, Dunkin’, Russell Stover Chocolates, and Pernod Ricard Malibu and Dole Rum.

What live entertainment will be offered?

Throughout the weekend, more than 75 Columbus-based acts will perform music, dance, theater and spoken word on the Genoa Park, Bicentennial Park, Rich Street and Cultural Arts Center stages.

Colorful light and images shows will accompany the evening music performances on June 12-13 on the Rich Street Bridge.

What’s this about hands-on art?

In partnership with Lookout Supply, 934 Gallery will present “Legal Walls,” where festival attendees can express themselves with spray paint.

Is the festival kid-friendly?

Yes! In fact, there will be a whole village devoted to kids’ activities such as painting with acrylics, printmaking, tap dancing, building theater sets and more.

When is the fashion show?

Hosted by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the show will take place at 8 p.m. June 12. Four Columbus designers will be showcased.

What’s the food situation?

There will be more than 40 food trucks serving an array of cuisines, plus plenty of thirst-quenching beverage options.

Where can I park?

Parking will be available on surface lots east and west of the river, at paid kiosks or through the ParkColumbus app on surrounding city streets and in garages throughout Downtown and the Franklinton area.