9 Reasons to Visit the Columbus Arts Festival

The Columbus Arts Festival — named a Top 10 festival in the country by USA Today and Sunshine Artist magazine — returns to the downtown riverfront June 12 through 14, bringing three days of art, live music, theater, dance, fashion, 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 230 Local and National Artists
Browse through hundreds of artists’ work, lined up along the riverfront and over the Main and Rich street bridges, featuring painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, wood-working and much more. 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 Columbus-based artists performing live music, dance, theater and poetry throughout the weekend. See local bands at the Rich Street Stage. Catch local poets and storytellers at the Cultural Arts Center Stage. Watch local bands, as well as dance and theater companies perform on the Genoa Park Stage and the Bicentennial Park Stage. The Columbus Jazz Orchestra performs at Bicentennial on Sunday, June 14.

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 experience painting, silkscreening, printmaking and drawing their own fantastical creatures. Plus, with the Children’s and Teens’ 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 fourth year, the popular Friday night fashion show 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 chain maille 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 Arts Festival! From fried chicken, burgers and barbecue to 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, the stunning bridges and scenic riverfront, the entire Columbus Arts Festival is one big photo op. For the best photo at the fest, head to the giant selfie frame on the west side of the Scioto near the Rich Street Bridge to snap a photo with the city’s skyline as a backdrop.

Learn more by visiting columbusartsfestival.org or by following on Facebook facebook.com/ColumbusArtsFestival and Instagram instagram.com/columbusartsfest.