19 Festivals in Ohio you should visit This Summer
Attending festivals is my favorite way to travel. There are so many great events going on this summer and here are 19 festivals you should visit:
May
Moonshine Festival – New Straitsville, OH
On the last weekend of May visit New Straistville Ohio for the annual Moonshine Festival. Featuring a working moonshine still display and Straitsville Special Moonshine, visitors can tour the local history museum, shop flea market vendors, chow down on great eats and so much more.
Walleye Festival – Port Clinton, OH
Downtown Port Clinton Ohio hosts the annual Walleye Festival on the last weekend in May. Located in the picturesque Waterworks Park on the shores of Lake Erie the Walleye Festival is packed with live music, rides and of course walleye. Plus, there is no charge for admission. Check out my vlog of the Walleye Festival here.
Feast of the Flowering Moon – Chillicothe, OH
During the last weekend of May is the Feast of the Flowering Moon in Chillicothe. With the mission to preserve and honor the Native American Culture, Feast of the Flowering Moon invites visitors to learn through music, dance and so much more.
June
Van Wert Peony Festival – Van Wert, OH
Once known as the “Peony Capital of the World” the Van Wert Peony Festival is hosted on the first weekend in June. Free entertainment, art and vendor show, fishing derby for kids and a Peony Patio that features adult beverages are among the many activities available at the Van Wert Peony Festival.
Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival – Coshocton, OH
The Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of Ohio’s longest continuous Hot Air Balloon Festivals and is hosted annually at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds on the second weekend in June. Gaze at the colorful hot air balloons for free. The festival also has rides, many food vendors, a hot air balloon night glow and fireworks.
Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival – Avon, OH
Duck tape is everywhere on the third weekend in June during the Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival. Duck tape-made sculptures, prom wear and accessories are among the many specialty forms of art that can be seen. Plus, guests can make their own duck tape creations in the craft tent.
Ohio Fairy Gardening Festival – Jefferson, OH
Jefferson Ohio is transformed into a mystical fairy paradise on the third Saturday in June during the Ohio Fairy Gardening Festival. Visitors can come dressed up, submit their fairy garden in the contest and walk half a block away to the Depot Strawberry Festival. Two festivals in one trip? Can’t beat that.
Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival – Middleburg Heights, OH
Competitors gather on the fourth Saturday in June for the Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. From heavy athletics and Highland dance to live entertainment (including pipes) and whiskey tasting the Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival is an event worth attending. Purchase your ticket online here.
Put-In-Bay Pirate Fest -Put-In-Bay, OH Last weekend of June
Pirates “invade” South Bass Island the last weekend in June during Put-In-Bay Pirate Fest. This family-friendly event hosts re-enactments with cannon firing demonstrations, parades, performances and more. There is no admission to attend the event however there are costs affiliated with transportation to the island.
Lorain International Festival – Lorain, OH
Celebrate heritage, history and culture during the Lorain International Festival and Bazaar the last weekend of June. From food, entertainment and community visitors will leave feeling like they traveled the globe.
July
Wyanstock – Upper Sandusky, OH
Dance to country music favorites while enjoying local craft beer during the Wyanstock Country Music Festival the first weekend of July. Plus, a portion of proceeds goes toward local charities.
Celina Lake Festival – Celina, OH
On the fourth weekend of July Celina, OH hosts the annual Celina Lake Festival. Kicking off the event with the amphicar “splash in,” visitors can also enjoy a craft show, a cardboard boat duct tape race and so much more.
August
Carey Fest – Carey, OH
For over 40 years Carey Fest has been bringing the community and visitors together on the first weekend of August. The event features regional and local entertainment, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a Civil War encampment and so much more.
Twinsburg Twins Day – Twinsburg, OH
The first weekend of August visitors of Twinsburg may feel they are seeing double during the Twinsburg Twins Day. Since 1976 the festival has seen over 77,000 twins.
Dublin Irish Festival – Dublin, OH
No need to wait for March to celebrate Irish heritage when the Dublin Irish Festival is the first weekend of August. Enjoy Irish dancing, food and of course delicious brews.
Lexington Blueberry Festival – Lexington, OH
On the third weekend of August visit Lexington for the annual Lexington Blueberry Festival. In addition to the delicious eats made from blueberries, visitors can enjoy a car and bike show, live entertainment and more.
Uptown Untapped Westerville – Westerville, OH
Westerville, OH may be titled “the dry capital of the world” but on the third Saturday of August, the town welcomes 12+ breweries for the Uptown Untapped Westerville festival. In addition to the craft beer tasting the event also has live music and plenty of places to check out. Learn more about Westerville, OH here.
German-American Festival – Oregon, OH
Celebrate German culture and heritage during the German-American Festival in Oregon, OH on the last weekend of August. Be sure to grab your boot (sold in the festival) for all the delicious German beers available to try.
September
Milan Melon Festival – Milan, OH
The birthplace of Thomas Edison transforms on the first weekend of September for the Milan Melon Festival. In addition to melons, the festival also hosts one of the oldest road races in Ohio.
There are so many incredible festivals happening this summer in Ohio. Be sure to follow me on social media to check out some the the events I’ll be attending. Comment below with your favorite festival.