9 Reasons to Visit the Columbus Arts Festival

The Columbus Arts Festival returns to the downtown riverfront June 6 through 8, bringing three days of art, live music, theater and dance, fashion and poetry, local food and drink, and hands-on activities for everyone young and old. Here are nine reasons to visit the festival this year!

1. More Than 250 Local and National Artists
Browse works — featuring painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, wood-working and much more — from hundreds of artists set up along the riverfront and over the Main and Rich Street bridges. Artists come from across the country for the festival, with more than 50 artists representing Ohio.

2. Free Concerts & Performances
The Festival features four stages of live music, dance, theater and poetry from Columbus-based artists throughout the weekend. See great bands on the Big Local Arts Stage. Catch poets and storytellers at the Word Is Art & Acoustic Lounge. Catch more music, as well as dance and theater, on the Genoa Park Main Stage and the Bicentennial Park Stage.

3. Hands-On Activities for Kids and Families
At the all-ages Kids Hands-On Activity Village, volunteers from local cultural organizations help festival-goers can gain experience painting, silkscreening, printmaking and drawing their own fantastical creatures. Plus, with the Children’s and Teen Art Gallery nearby, younger ones can purchase their own art at the kid-sized — and kid-priced — gallery.

4. A Fashion Show
Returning for a third year, the popular Fashion As Art show, happening Friday evening, features Columbus-area designers and models, showcasing the most stunning and innovative creations.

5. The Big Local Arts Village
The festival-favorite Big Local Arts Village sits at the Franklinton entrance, where more than 60 Columbus-based artists and creatives showcase and sell their work. Watch live metalworking, Japanese calligraphy, woodturning and chainmail demonstrations too.

6. Boozy Slushies from High Bank Distillery
Columbus’ High Bank Distillery crafts boozy slushies using their award-winning whiskey and vodka. Perfect for cooling off while strolling the festival grounds.

7. The Rhinegeist Beer Garden
Festival guests can relax in the shade or play a variety of yard games in the Rhinegeist beer garden, all while sipping a refreshing Ohio-made brew.

8. More Than 40 Food Trucks & Carts
You won’t leave hungry from the Columbus Arts Festival! From fried chicken and burgers to barbecue and a wide range of international fare (plus vegetarian and vegan eats), the festival features something for everyone. Be sure to cool off with a lemon shake-up or scoop of Graeter’s ice cream!

9. Plenty of Photo Ops
With the rows of artist booths, exciting performances, stunning bridges and the scenic riverfront, the entire Columbus Arts Festival is one big photo op! To get the best photo at the festival, head to the giant selfie frame on the west side of the Scioto River near the Rich Street Bridge to snap a photo with the city’s skyline as a backdrop.

Website: https://www.columbusartsfestival.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColumbusArtsFestival

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/columbusartsfest