CityScene spotlights what to watch, what to watch for and what not to miss! For a comprehensive list of all other happenings around Columbus, check out www.cityscenecolumbus.com.
Experience Columbus Days
Oct. 9 - 12
The sixth annual event aims to get people out to explore everything that makes Columbus a unique place to live and visit. For complete details, including a full list of participating attractions and restaurants, and to print off discount flyers, visit www.ExperienceColumbusDays.com
Bob Evans Farm Festival
Friday, Oct. 9 through Sunday, Oct. 11
Celebrate the harvest season and get a taste of yesteryear at the annual festival in Rio Grande. Among the attractions are farm demonstrations and contests, arts and crafts, children's activities, food and entertainment. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The farm is at 10854 Ohio 588, south of Columbus. Admission is $5; $3, children 6-18; free, children under 6. Call 1-800-994-3276 or go to www.bobevans.com.
CATCO presents Murderers
Sept. 30-Oct. 18
Studio Two Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S. High St.
A dark comedy by Ohio native Jeffrey Hatcher about three unlikely killers who justify their crimes humorously. www.catco.org
Echoes in Time Theatre presents Within the Realm of Reason, as told by Ambrose Bierce
Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Ohio Historical Center, 1982 Velma Ave.
Bierce was an Ohio-born American newspaper columnist, satirist, essayist who disappeared in the Mexican Revolution. His fate remains a mystery. www.ohiohistory.org.
Taste of Gahanna
Oct. 8, 6-9 p.m.
Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Rd.
Attendees are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes for this event with unlimited signature samples from restaurants in the Gahanna area. www.GahannaAreaChamber.com
Columbus Italian Festival
Oct. 9-11
Italian Village, corner of Lincoln and Hamlet streets
Enjoy entertainment, open-air markets, dancing, children’s activities, food and more. Parade is at 2 p.m. Oct. 11. www.columbusitalianfestival.com
Columbus Symphony Classical Series presents “Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9”
Oct. 9-11
Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Gunther Herbig will conduct opening night. www.columbussymphony.com
Thurber House Evenings with the Authors, Julia Glass
Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Columbus School for Girls, 56 S. Columbia Ave.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, with discounts for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 614-464-1032 or visit www.thurberhouse.org.
Tiesto Kaleidoscope Tour
Oct. 13, 9 p.m.
BoMA, 583 E. Broad St.
Dutch-born DJ Tiesto was the first DJ in the world to sell out a solo stadium event for more than 25,000 people two nights in a row. www.bomaevents.com
Magic of the Night: A Haunted Magic Show for the Whole Family
Oct. 16 and 17, 7:30 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 769 E. Long St.
Featuring illusionist Stephen Knight in an original "haunted" magic show. www.magicofthenight.com
BalletMet presents Swan Lake
Oct. 16-18
Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Soar to new heights as BalletMet joins the Cincinnati Ballet to present one of the most classical ballets of all time. www.balletmet.org
Boo at the Zoo
Oct. 16-25
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W. Powell Rd., Powell
With candy, storytellers, magicians, activities and more. www.columbuszoo.org
Haunted Statehouse Tours
Oct. 16-24
Ohio Statehouse, corner of High and Broad streets
This historical tour is led by conductors with lanterns through the darkened chambers of the Statehouse. www.ohiostatehouse.org
All Hallow's Eve
Oct. 17 and 24, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Ohio Village, 1982 Velma Ave.
Experience a family-style, 19th century Halloween celebration, including children's activities, fortune-telling, a museum of oddities, games and more. www.ohiohistory.org
CAPA presents David Sedaris
Oct. 17, 8 p.m.
Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.
Sedaris, author of bestsellers Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim presents readings and recollections. www.capa.com
Chamber Music Columbus presents the Ying Quartet
Oct. 17, 8 p.m.
Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.
The Ying Quartet presents an imaginative view of chamber music. www.cmcolumbus.org
The Columbus Marathon
Oct. 18
Throughout Columbus
More than 7,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers participate in the race, dubbed “The Place to do 26.2” because of the flat course. www.columbusmarathon.com
Columbus Signature Chefs Auction
Oct. 20, 5:30-9 p.m.
Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Rd.
This March of Dimes’ food and wine event includes live and silent auctions. www.marchofdimes.com/ohio
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Oct. 21-24
159 E. Franklin St., Circleville
One of the nation’s largest pumpkin festivals, with seven parades, entertainment, food and more. www.pumpkinshow.com
Opera Columbus presents Pagliacci
Oct. 23 and 25
Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci tells the tragic story of a traveling troupe of actors. www.operacolumbus.org
Broadway Across America – Columbus presents Young Frankenstein
Oct. 27-Nov. 1
Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St.
The classic Mel Brooks movie comes alive. www.broadwayacrossamerica.com
Columbus Jazz Orchestra presents “Duke’s Place”
Oct. 28-Nov. 1
Southern Theatre, 21 E. Main St.
Starring Dwight Lenox and Lew Tabackin playing classic Duke Ellington. www.jazzartsgroup.org
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra presents Ben Folds
Oct. 28
Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St.
The CSOvations! Concert series kicks off with punk-rock pianist Ben Folds. www.columbussymphony.com
Highball Halloween, Masquerade on High
Oct. 31, 4 p.m.-1 a.m.
High Street from 2nd to 4th Avenues
Show off your costumes and dance. Proceeds benefit the Short North Arts District. www.HighBallHalloween.com