Celebrate America’s 250th in Bartholomew County

Start making your Fourth of July week plans now: Columbus and Bartholomew County are celebrating America’s 250th with food trucks, kids’ activities, live entertainment, local history, fireworks, and a downtown parade.

Celebrate 250 Columbus runs Monday, June 29 through Saturday, July 4, 2026, with events planned throughout the week, from Star Spangled Kids Day on 4th Street and the All-American Festival at the Columbus AirPark to the Fourth of July Parade and downtown festivities.

Keep reading for full details and tag @visitcolumbusin in all your social media posts!

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Monday, June 29

American Revolution Day

The celebration begins Monday, June 29 with American Revolution Day on 4th Street, from Jackson Street to Washington Street. From 4:00–8:00 pm, families can enjoy hands-on historic activities like make-and-take games, whirligigs, and fabric dolls.

The evening will also include free cookies from the Daughters of the American Revolution, $1 whirligigs with Propeller, military and Honor Guard participation, and a flag collection for proper disposal.

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Tuesday, June 30

Tea Day, Food Trucks & More

On Tuesday, June 30, head downtown for Tea Day and the Downtown Columbus Food Truck Festival in the former Sears parking lot, south of Hotel Indigo. From 11:00 am–8:00 pm, enjoy a wide range of food trucks and cuisines, live music, vendors, outdoor games, seating, and free parking.

The lineup includes local favorites like Boujie Bites, Chilango Tacos, Junkyard BBQ, Brozinni Food Truck, Pierogi Place, Big JT’s BBQ, Cheeky Chow, Cookie Paradise, Lemonade Bros., Dang Quesadilla, and more.

Hotel Indigo will also host a vendor craft market and outdoor games, making this a great day to grab a meal, explore downtown, and enjoy the Celebrate 250 festivities.

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Wednesday, July 1

Star Spangled Kids Day

Wednesday, July 1 is all about family fun on 4th Street, from Jackson Street to Franklin Street. From noon–8:00 pm, enjoy kid-friendly activities including free Snowbiz, hair tinsel, face painting, educational displays from kidscommons, and a free YES Popcorn event with special showtimes of Toy Story 5.

Downtown restaurants will offer special kids’ menus, and Zaharakos will join the fun with a special creative ice cream flavor for the celebration.

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Credit: Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor

Thursday, July 2

Historical Society Day

On Thursday, July 2, stop by the Bartholomew County Historical Society from 4:00–8:00 pm. Visitors can enjoy blacksmith and textile arts demonstrations, children’s activities, colonial food and beverage tastings, and live historic American music.

First Thursdays Downtown will also be part of the celebration, so it’s a great evening to explore the regular summer activities happening downtown, too.

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Friday, July 3

All-American Festival on Central

Friday, July 3 brings the All-American Festival on Central to the Columbus AirPark from 2:00–10:20 pm The day includes children’s activities, chalk art on Liberty Lane, bounce houses, carnival games, giant yard games, sports tournaments, and more than 30 food trucks.

Guests can also enjoy Cincinnati Circus performances, magic shows, juggling, strolling performers, smoke-trailing airplane flyovers, and live music from Vinyl Escape from 5:00–9:00 pm.

The evening wraps up with fireworks coordinated by QMIX at 10:00 pm.

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Credit: The Republic

Saturday, July 4

Fourth of July Parade and Events

The week wraps up Saturday, July 4 with a full day of Fourth of July fun in downtown Columbus. Start the morning at the Farmers Market before the Patriotic Walking Parade steps off at 11:00 am, then stick around for opening ceremonies, food and drinks, a beer garden, live DJ, and family activities throughout the afternoon. The Chaos I sculpture will be running with the cannonballs from 12:30-1:00 & from 3:30-4:00!

Kids can enjoy Revolutionary-era games, crafts, face painting, hair tinsel, library activities, kidscommons fun, Snowbiz, and Ms. Rachel’s Neat Treats.

The afternoon also includes a Most Patriotic Costume Contest, an apple pie contest, a hot dog eating competition, and Rock the Block, Revolutionary Style under InterOculus. Downtown will be the place to celebrate, gather, and close out Celebrate 250 Columbus.

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Start planning your Fourth of July week in Columbus and Bartholomew County now. For the latest schedule, event updates, and full details, visit Columbus250.com — and don’t forget to tag @visitcolumbusin when you share your Celebrate 250 photos.

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