Comprehensive guide to festival season

From zucchini and tomatoes to diverse cultures and hot air balloons, summer festival season is officially in full swing.

Why it matters: After two years of COVID-19 disruptions, there are celebrations planned for just about everything. Thousands of visitors are flocking to Central Ohio to welcome back many of our favorite yearly traditions.

• Some events serve as fundraisers for local groups or a good cause.

What's happening: Starting next weekend through the end of October, there's at least one festival every weekend.

• Many feature delicious food, and for some, that's the entire focus — so bring an empty stomach! We're looking at you, Mac and Cheese Festival attendees.

The list, in chronological order:

🍅 Reynoldsburg Tomato Festival: Aug. 4-6, Huber Park. Free!

☘️ Dublin Irish Festival: Aug. 5-7, Coffman Park. $15 daily or $35 weekend pass. Kids 10 and under free!

🎈 All Ohio Balloon Festival: Aug. 11-13, Union County Airport. $50 Thursday, $30 Friday (includes Saturday admission) and $11 Saturday.

💃 Festival Latino: Aug. 13-14, Genoa Park. Free!

🚚 Columbus Food Truck Festival: Aug. 19-21, Franklin County Fairgrounds. $5 daily or $10 weekend pass.

🇮🇳 India Festival: Aug. 20, Ohio Expo Center. $15.

🌍 Columbus African Festival: Aug. 20, Franklin Park. Free!

🎵 WonderBus Music & Arts Festival: Aug. 26-28, The Lawn at CAS. $99 daily, $159 two-day or $199 weekend pass.

🔥 Fiery Foods Festival: Aug. 27-28, Scioto Mile riverfront. $10. Kids 12 and under free!

💚 Obetz Zucchinifest: Sept. 2-5, Fortress Obetz. Free!

🇬🇷 Columbus Greek Festival: Sept. 3-5, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. $5 adults, $4 seniors (good all weekend). Kids 12 and under free!

🇺🇸 Canal Winchester Labor Day Festival: Sept. 3-5. Free!

🍯 Lithopolis Honeyfest: Sept. 9-10. Free!

🇩🇪 Columbus Oktoberfest: Sept. 9-11, Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fairgrounds. Free!

🍂 Scarecrow Festival: Sept. 16-18, Washington Court House. Free!

🍺 Creekside Hops & Vines Festival: Sept. 17, Creekside Gahanna. $60, includes 16 tasting tickets and complimentary food.

☕ Columbus Coffee Festival: Sept. 24-25, Ohio Village. Join a waiting list to be notified when tickets go on sale.

🧀 Mac and Cheese Festival: Oct. 7, Easton Town Center. $25 adults, $10 ages 3-12. Kids under 3 free!

🇮🇹 Columbus Italian Festival: Oct. 7-9, streets surrounding St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. $10 daily or $15 weekend pass.

🎃 Circleville Pumpkin Show: Oct. 19-22. Free!

The bottom line: Living here (almost) guarantees you'll never be bored.

📬 Don't see your favorite festival? Email [email protected], and we'll add it to the list.