From mouthwatering bites to locally-crafted sips, Columbus knows how to celebrate great food. According to our 2026 Best of the 'Bus readers' poll, these food and drink festivals serve up some of the region's most delicious experiences.
Best Food Festivals
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First – Columbus Italian Festival
Larry Pishitelli
Oct. 9-11
The Columbus Italian Festival has been a fall tradition since 1980, when Father Casto Marrapese founded it as a way to build camaraderie and pride in the local Italian community.
Patrons can, of course, enjoy Italian cooking staples such as pizza, pasta and fried calamari from vendors, many of which are local dining institutions, such as Carfagna’s. Live musical entertainment accompanies the dining, and the most ambitious visitors can learn how to cook their own Italian dishes at the cultural tent.
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Second – Jazz & Rib Fest
July 24-26
Jazz & Rib Fest
The Jazz & Rib Fest was founded as a free music festival in 1979, and pays tribute to its roots by remaining free to this day. Three stages at Bicentennial and West Bank parks host music from such performers as Jonathan Butler (“Lies”) and Jeffrey Osborne (“On the Wings of Love”) over the course of the three-day festival.
Naturally, ribs are in the spotlight, with vendors employing a variety of sauces and styles to distinguish themselves from the rest. Brisket sandwiches, pulled pork, cornbread, mac and cheese, and loaded barbecue nachos fill out the rest of the menu, which also includes vegan and gluten-free options as well as a fair food and non-barbecue-themed food trucks such as Tortilla Street Food and Komodo Loco.
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Third – Columbus Greek Festival
Sept. 4-7
Columbus Greek Festival
Hosted by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in the Short North since its founding in the early 1970s, the Columbus Greek Festival has always emphasized its culinary line-up. Inside the cathedral space, visitors will find Greek standards such as dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), moussaka (a layered casserole similar to lasagna) and gyro bowls.
Outside, street food options include souvlaki (meat and vegetable skewers, sometimes with their contents served in a pita), loukoumades (sweet fried dough balls) and Greek fries. Save room for dessert, as Maria’s Pastry Shoppe sells Greek delicacies such as baklava – sometimes served in ice cream sundae form – and kataifi.
Once your belly is full, enjoy lively dancing and music as you peruse shops for handmade pottery and jewelry and listen to professors from The Ohio State University speak on Greek culture and history.
Best Drink Festivals
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Schmidt's Oktoberfest
First – Columbus Oktoberfest
Sept. 11-13
There’s more to Columbus Oktoberfest than just the brats, beer and live entertainment, but those are still highlights of the longtime community festival at the Ohio Expo Center, which celebrates its 60th year in 2026. The Craft Bier Garten in the Hofbräuhaus Hall hosts imported German beer as well as Ohio breweries such as Homestead Beer Co., while the Schmitt Söhne Wine Garten has offerings for the non-beer drinkers. After a drink or two or three, stroll around the Marktplatz and shop at local and small businesses.
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Tom Welsh Photography
Second – Uptown Untapped
Aug. 8
In the city once known as the Dry Capital of the World, Uptown Untapped brings roughly 20 craft breweries to the heart of Uptown Westerville, including Temperance Row Brewing Company and North High Brewing, both of which have a presence in Westerville. Proceeds from the event go to Uptown Westerville Inc., which uses them to preserve and improve Uptown and to host more community events throughout the year.
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Visit Grove City
Third – Grove City Town Center Wine & Arts Festival
June 2027 dates to come
The Grove City Town Center Wine & Arts Festival hosts 20 different wineries alongside its long list of artists and artisans, including Grove City’s own Plum Run Winery as well as central Ohio wineries such as Firefly Winery and Brothers Drake Meadery. Food trucks and vendor stalls line the streets as visitors enjoy live entertainment while exploring the festival grounds.
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Old Route 69 Brewery
Runner-up – Columbus Brew Festival
March 2027 date to come
The Columbus Brew Festival is part of COSI’s after-hours programming, giving visitors access to its exhibits while enjoying beer from more than 50 breweries, many of which are local to central Ohio. Some of the businesses at the 2026 event included Crooked Can Brewing Co., Land-Grant Brewing Co., Restoration Brew Worx and Counterbalance Brewing.
Angelina Godfrey is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
