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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nEarth Day: How to celebrate Earth Day<\/p>\n
Celebrate Earth Day with these sustainability tips.<\/p>\n
Problem Solved<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/story-highlights> Winter is finally shrinking away in the rearview mirror as central Ohio speeds into spring. Temperatures are rising, flowers are blooming and everyone suddenly has more daylight<\/a> than they know what to do with.<\/p>\n Now that the sun isn\u2019t setting at 5 p.m., how do you plan to spend your extra time? We’ve rounded up a few ideas to get you started.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re craving new cultural experiences, family-friendly fun or live music alongside a few thousand of your closest friends, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the extra sunshine this season.<\/p>\n When:<\/strong> March 25-April 25<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Franklin Park, 1755 E. Broad St.<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> Inspired by Washington DC’s famous National Cherry Blossom Festival, central Ohio celebrates its own blossoms from more than 100 cherry trees in Franklin Park each spring. Organized by International Voluntary Organizations, the theme for Columbus’ fifth-annual Cherry Blossom Festival is “Peace Begins with Me.” The Cherry Blossom Festival Food & Drink Trail will be open to the public for the entirety of the festival. and local venues will host additional cherry blossom events<\/a> throughout the month.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> ivocolumbusoh.org\/cherryblossomfestival<\/a><\/p>\n When:<\/strong> 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 3-4<\/p>\n Where: <\/strong>Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Road, Powell<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> The sun is finally out, and so are your favorite creatures at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. This two-day event is the perfect way for families to kick off Easter weekend. Schedule a photo experience with the Easter Bunny, enjoy meet-and-greets with the zoo’s friendly character ambassadors and take part in an “Eggs-splore and Find” activity for the chance to win a prize. Zookeeper talks are also scheduled to take place throughout the two days.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> General admission is $27.95 for children, $32.95 for seniors and $34.95 for adults.<\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> columbuszoo.org\/events\/eggs-paws-and-claws<\/a><\/p>\n When:<\/strong> 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Downtown<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> Whether you’re an elite runner or just trying to move more in 2026, this event has a course to fit your health goals. More than 12,000 runners and walkers will flood downtown Columbus on April 25 for the 23rd-annual OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon and Columbus Promise 5K. More than 30 bands and entertainers will line the course, and athletes and spectators alike are invited to the Byers Xtra Mile Finish Line Party and PNC Post Race Concert at Columbus Commons from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> Registration for the 5K is $65; quarter marathon is $95; and half marathon is $120. Spectating, of course, is free.<\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> capitalcityhalfmarathon.com<\/a><\/p>\n When:<\/strong> 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25-26<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Columbus Zoo and Aquarium<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> The Columbus Zoo promises an “eco-celebration like no other” for patrons throughout the Earth Day weekend. Local organizations like Franklin Park Conservatory and the Ohio EPA will host conservation activity stations inside the zoo entrance, and character ambassadors will be available for meet-and-greets \u2212 when they aren’t rolling through the zoo on a musical train, that is. And don’t forget your dancing shoes to properly Party for the Planet in the Conservation Courtyard.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> General admission is $27.95 for children, $32.95 for seniors and $34.95 for adults.<\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> columbuszoo.org\/events\/earth-day-celebration-weekend-protect-our-species<\/a><\/p>\n When:<\/strong> 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 26<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Scioto Audubon, 400 W. Whittier St.<\/p>\n Details: <\/strong>Green Columbus presents a free, family-friendly celebration of the planet filled with hands-on opportunities to learn about the environment and how to protect it. Peruse booths from more than 50 local vendors, visit the kids tent for live bugs and arts and crafts, and grab a bite to eat from a local food truck. In the true spirit of Earth Day, attendees are encouraged to walk or ride to the event if possible.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> earthdaycolumbus.org\/earth-day<\/a><\/p>\n When:<\/strong> April 29-May 2<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Various central Ohio locations, with the Big Science Celebration taking place 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 outside of COSI, 333 W. Broad St.<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> To spread the magic of science and technology to as many learners as possible, COSI Science Festival events will take place in several communities across central Ohio between April 29 and May 1. The Big Science Celebration will serve as the festival\u2019s finale, taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 2 on the Scioto Peninsula, just outside of COSI. The free outdoor event will include over 100 exhibitor stations with science activities hosted by local STEAM experts, plus live performances and food trucks to fuel up between discoveries.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> cosiscifest.org\/visit<\/a><\/p>\n When:<\/strong> Noon to 8 p.m. May 9<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> West 2nd Avenue to East Russell Street, Short North Arts District<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> Just in time for last-minute Mother’s Day shopping, Short North Hops on High boasts a vendor market of more than 80 artists and creators to help you find the perfect gift \u2013 for Mom or yourself. The all-day pedestrian-only event in the Short North Arts District features live musical performances, additional “artistic acts” and a curated collection of food trucks. Local businesses are also expected to join in with pop-up sidewalk shops.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> Free<\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> shortnorth.org\/hops-on-high<\/a><\/p>\n When:<\/strong> May 14-17<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong> Historic Crew Stadium, One Black and Gold Blvd.<\/p>\n Details:<\/strong> Ohio’s largest art and music festival will bring four full days of heavy music and its diehard fans to the city. This year’s lineup features more than 140 bands, including heavy-hitting headliners My Chemical Romance<\/a>, Shinedown, Bring Me the Horizon, and Tool, but Sonic Temple is a celebration of more than just music. Festivalgoers can expect to encounter immersive art installations throughout the festival grounds, plus plenty of food vendors, beer and spirits to choose from in between sets.<\/p>\n Admission:<\/strong> Four-day passes currently start at $449 and single-day passes currently start at $189.<\/p>\n Get Sonic Temple tickets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n More information:<\/strong> sonictemplefestival.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n
Greater Columbus Cherry Blossom Festival<\/h2>\n
Eggs, Paws & Claws<\/h2>\n
OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon<\/h2>\n
Earth Day at the zoo<\/h2>\n
Earth Day Columbus<\/h2>\n
COSI Science Festival and Big Science Celebration<\/h2>\n
Short North Hops on High<\/h2>\n
Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival<\/h2>\n