Hot Hits Weekend Best Bets – 9/5-9/7/25

Columbus Oktoberfest returns to the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds, offering free admission with plenty of live entertainment, hearty fare and beer. The festival runs Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

Central Ohio Home & Design Show invites families to browse home improvement exhibits, live demos and even sassy “Fastest Baby” races on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free; parking is set at $7.

At Historic Crew Stadium, the “Classic for Columbus – Soul of the City Tailgate Party” kicks off Friday evening. Gates open at 4:30 p.m., welcoming attendees for an HBCU marching band–fueled celebration with community spirit.

Metro Parks Programs continue with community hikes and family-friendly nature activities:

• Night Hike—Friday evening through Schrock Lake parkland.

• Blacklick Hiking Club—moderate-paced group hike Saturday morning.

• Grandparents & Grandkids on the Farm: Meet the Animals—Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.

• I-Spy Trail—Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. opportunity to spot hidden woodland creatures.

• Science Sunday: The Importance of Trees—Sunday 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., a nature talk highlighted for adults.

• Fall Migration Bird Hike—Sunday morning bird-watching exploration.

Other Local Attractions
Event calendars also point to open attractions like the Paul Busse Garden Railway and Central Ohio Home & Design Show on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Oktoberfest celebrations at Zoombezi Bay, various fall farm festivals, and free or low-cost admission to the Columbus Museum of Art and Franklin Park Conservatory.

Weekend At-A-Glance