This edition was for Sunday, October 25, 2026. Times, prices and plans applied to that day only.
Columbus City Schools and the city run Traffic Safety Awareness Week from Monday, Oct. 26, as part of Vision Zero, after a crash injured a Mifflin Middle School student. It ends Oct. 30 at Independence High School, where new sidewalks went in.
Drivers in school zones and neighborhoods are the ones city and school leaders are asking to slow down and put phones away.
ABC6 · Sat 11:20 AM
Haitian residents, faith leaders and supporters walked for four days to show solidarity with families affected by the end of temporary protected status. Advocates said ICE ankle monitors and detentions have added to families' financial strain. 10TV
Unemployment rose from 3.3 to 3.4 percent and labor force participation fell to 61.2 percent, below the national 61.8. Policy Matters Ohio and the Buckeye Institute both point to inflation outpacing wages. 10TV
A Franklin County appeals court affirmed that the voucher program is unconstitutional, and the interim attorney general will appeal. The coalition of more than 300 districts says it is confident it will win there too. 10TV
The festival returns to Historic Crew Stadium May 13 to 16 with nearly 150 acts. Four-day GA stadium passes are $425 and rise as each tier sells out. Columbus Navigator
Adam Fantilli scored 59 seconds into overtime for a 2-1 Blue Jackets win, ending an 0-for-22 power-play drought. Cam Talbot made 26 saves. NBC4
2–5 PM · Grange Insurance Audubon Center, Scioto Audubon Metro Park, Brewery District
It is free, it is outdoors on a sunny 70-degree afternoon, it runs until 5 with a hayride and the Arch City Big Band, and it is a short drive from North Market and the art museum.
Free; register online · 1 mi south of downtown
7:30–10:30 PM · Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell
Tonight is the last night of the season, it runs latest of anything here at 10:30, and parking is included.
Ticket prices not stated; festival tickets do not include daytime zoo admission · 15 mi northwest of downtown
Milestone · Reopened this weekend
Fairgrounds · 800 E 17th Ave, Columbus, OH
The 1890s village reopened for All Hallows' Eve after nearly three years of renovations, with new cobblestone roads, sidewalks, lighting and a gazebo. Both nights reached capacity, and more programming is planned.
Milestone · 10 years this October
Arena District · 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH
The North Market cut-to-order cheese shop marks a decade with a screening and afterparty at the Grandview Theater today.
Milestone · Announced this week
Grandview and Italian Village
USA Today readers ranked Echo's bar fifth among the country's best spirits tasting rooms and its rum eighth, and Middle West eighth for craft vodka.
Closing · Closing in the coming weeks
Northland · 5957 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH
The clinic's doctor pleaded guilty to a $1.6 million Medicaid fraud scheme, and the state suspended his provider agreement in September.
Trick-or-treat at North Market from 11, drive about a mile east on Broad Street to the art museum, which is free on Sundays, then head about 2 miles south to Scioto Audubon for the Fall Family Fest until 5.
Make crafts in the Ohio Theatre lobby from 2 before the 3 PM Spooktacular, then drive about 10 minutes east on Broad Street to Franklin Park for Pumpkins Aglow, which opens at 5.
The top-ranked Buckeye women's soccer team plays at noon with free admission and parking, and the Schottenstein Center is a short walk away for the 2 PM basketball tip.
Boo at the Zoo ends at 6 on its final day, then the Lantern Festival opens at 7:30 for its final night; the two need separate tickets.
Admission is free on Sundays, and Clare Rojas: Returning and Queer Constellations are on view. Youth 16 and under are always free with one adult caregiver.
Photo: Columbus Museum of Art: Plan Your Visit
Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E Broad St, Columbus · Downtown
Free on Sundays; museum lot parking $10Good for kids
A trick-or-treat trail with 11 candy stops and two teal pumpkin stations, a hay maze and character meet-and-greets in Adventure Cove. Today is the last day; ride wristbands are sold near Tidal Twist.
Photo: Columbus Zoo: Boo at the Zoo
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Adventure Cove, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell · 15 mi northwest of downtown
Included with zoo admission; admission prices not statedGood for kids
Goldrush and Fuji apples are open to pick at 9199 Morse Rd, and pumpkins are at 9680 Morse Rd; the last bucket sells at 5:45. The corn maze closes at 7 on Sundays, with last tickets at 6.
Lynd Fruit Farm, 9199 Morse Rd SW, Pataskala · 15 mi northeast of downtown
U-pick and maze prices not statedGood for kids
Merchants hand out candy, with free face painting, live music and pop-up vendors. The market closes at 5 on Sundays; park in the Vine Street Garage and get a validation slip from a merchant.
North Market Downtown, 59 Spruce St, Columbus · Downtown
Free; food prices vary by merchantGood for kids
The No. 3 Buckeyes play their last home game of the regular season with first place in the Big Ten at stake. Amanda Schlueter has 14 goals this year.
Photo: Ohio State: No. 3 Buckeyes Take on Rutgers, Illinois at Home
Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, 2450 Fred Taylor Dr, Columbus · 4 mi northwest of downtown
Free admission and parking
DirectionsCalendarOhio State: No. 3 Buckeyes Take on Rutgers, Illinois at Home
The North Market cheese shop screens The Big Cheese with a tray of the cheeses in the film, then a Q&A with its star, Adam Jay Moskowitz, and an afterparty with giveaways. The organizer says bring the whole family.
Grandview Theater, 1247 Grandview Ave, Columbus · 3 mi northwest of downtown
Ticket prices not stated; each ticket includes a cheese trayGood for kids
DirectionsCalendarNorth Market: Black Radish Creamery 10 Year Anniversary
The last tune-up before the Nov. 2 opener, with former coach Thad Matta honored at halftime. Tickets are on Ticketmaster or at 1-800-GOBUCKS.
Photo: Ohio State: Buckeyes Welcome Butler for Exhibition Game Sunday
Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr, Columbus · 3 mi northwest of downtown
Ticket prices not stated
Short North Stage's ninth year of the stage musical, with ASL interpretation at today's only show. It is rated R and returns Wednesday through Halloween.
Short North Stage, Garden Theater, 1187 N High St, Columbus · 2 mi north of downtown
Ticket prices not stated
Trunk or Tweet in costume from 2 to 3, a ranger hayride, live painting, and the Arch City Big Band from 4 to 5. Bring chairs; Dirty Frank's food truck is on site.
Grange Insurance Audubon Center, Scioto Audubon Metro Park, 505 W Whittier St, Columbus · 1 mi south of downtown
Free; register onlineGood for kids
A costumed concert for kids 5 to 12 with John Williams, Star Wars and Harry Potter music and Night on Bald Mountain. Lobby crafts and photos with the mascot Bee-thoven start at 2.
Photo: Columbus Symphony: Halloween Spooktacular
Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, Columbus · Downtown
Ticket prices not statedGood for kids
Stand-up from first responders. Doors open at 1:30 for the 3 PM show, and it is 21 and up.
Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Center, Columbus · 8 mi northeast of downtown
$32 to $37
Lit pumpkin scenes, a pumpkin house, a singing pumpkin patch and a light-up dance floor, with a sway-pole witch and spider stilt walker from 6 to 8. Sundays close at 9, and food trucks and the Watershed Bar are open.
Photo: Franklin Park Conservatory: Pumpkins Aglow
Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad St, Columbus · 2 mi east of downtown
Ticket prices not stated; reserve a timed entryGood for kids
The Dublin food hall stays open until 9 on Sundays, unlike the downtown market, which closes at 5. It is about 15 minutes from the zoo, so it works before the Lantern Festival.
North Market Bridge Park, 6750 Longshore St, Dublin · 11 mi northwest of downtown
Prices vary by merchant
More than 70 lantern sets, including new dinosaur lanterns, after the zoo closes for the day. Parking is included, and tonight is the last night of the season.
Photo: Columbus Zoo: Lantern Festival
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell · 15 mi northwest of downtown
Ticket prices not stated; festival tickets do not include daytime zoo admissionGood for kids
