Signature Festivals & Major Events in Columbus, Indiana

Be sure to plan your visit so you can be here for special festivals and events like Ethnic Expo, Scottish Fest, and Deja Vu Art and Fine Craft show.

Columbus and Bartholomew County are worth celebrating throughout the year. Our signature events bring the local community together and give visitors another reason to plan a getaway, with plenty of family-friendly events and experiences for all ages.

If you’re looking for festivals in Indiana near Indianapolis, Columbus is less than an hour south of the city and hosts memorable events throughout every season. Explore the signature events below, then visit our Events Calendar to see what else is happening during your stay.

Upcoming Signature Events

Columbus Farmers Market

May – September

On Saturday mornings from 9:00am to 12:30pm enjoy tons of vendors, different brunch options, and musical entertainment to help perk up your morning!

Columbus on Tap

This event features UNLIMITED POURS from an estimated 50+ craft breweries, distilleries & wineries from all over the state and ~250+ different beers, wines & spirits! There will be incredible live music on the big stage, great local food, local art, games and more from 1:00pm – 5:00pm. It’s going to be one of the biggest parties of the year and is expected to sell out in advance!

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Smoke on the Square

Mark your calendar for an unforgettable weekend filled with mouthwatering BBQ, great company, and plenty of fun. Whether you’re a BBQ pro or just a fan of fantastic food, this event welcomes competitors from near and far to showcase their skills. Judged by experts and certified judges from the Kansas City BBQ Society, this promises to be a flavorful showdown you won’t want to miss.

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Juneteenth Jubilee

The Columbus branch of the NAACP invites everyone to join the Juneteenth Jubilee, a day dedicated to honoring the strength, resilience, and cultural legacy of the Black community.

A variety of events will highlight how food, music, art, and movement have served as sources of healing and connection through centuries of adversity and triumph will be happening all day.

Event dates and details have not been released yet. Check back soon for updates!

Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder Classic is an 8-10 mile loop of mud-soaked mayhem loaded with 25 best-in-class obstacles. Tough Mudder creates hardcore obstacle courses designed to test your all around strength, stamina, and mental grit. With the most innovative courses and millions of participants worldwide to date, it is the premier challenge series in the world.

This is is your chance to get outside your comfort zone, discover what you’re made of, and cross that finish line stronger than you started.

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Columbus Pride Festival

Since 2018, the Columbus IN Pride Festival has been a vibrant celebration of unity and inclusivity, bringing the Columbus community together to honor our diverse LGBTQA+ residents, allies, and families.

This festival is a lively blend of delicious food, live music, inspiring art, and a variety of booths from nonprofits and LGBTQA+-friendly retailers. Join in for an unforgettable day filled with joy, acceptance, and pride!

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Fiesta Latina

Get ready for a lively day filled with music, dance, and flavors! Come enjoy live performances, including authentic Mariachi and traditional dance, and explore the cultural and arts & crafts booths. Savor delicious food from Latino vendors and join in on the fun with soccer games and more. Don’t miss this vibrant celebration of heritage and community—there’s something for everyone!

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Scottish Festival

A weekend of Scottish entertainment including: Celtic concerts, Ceilidh, Highland dancing competition, sporting competitions, clan tents, sheep dog trials, European car show, music, bagpipe marching bands, re-enactors and living history, children’s activities, Scottish dancing, merchandise, and food vendors.

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Hot Rods & Rock 'n' Roll

Enjoy classic cars, trucks, hot rods, motorcycles, and more at this family-friendly event! There is no registration fee and no trophies – just pride, passion, and a good time, with music at night so don’t forget to bring lawn chairs. Food and merchandise will be available.

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Mill Race Marathon

Don’t miss one of the largest Kids Fun Run events in the Midwest. Open to all children up to 6th grade, and it’s completely FREE!

On Saturday, lace up your sneakers as the full marathon begins! Powered by Cummins, the Marathon course is a flat Boston Qualifier that runs through downtown Columbus taking participants past the architectural sights of the city and through the parks. Still looking for a challenge, but maybe not 26.2 miles worth? Sign up for the half marathon or 5k!

After the races, enjoy family fun downtown with food and music…even if you do not run! Register early for a discounted entry fee!

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Hope Heritage Days

Hope Heritage Days is entering its 58th year. Long considered the quintessential Hoosier Celebration, the event is Bartholomew County’s largest and oldest multi-day festival.

From the always excellent musical entertainment to the over 125 food and vendor booths, this autumn festival is wonderfully Hoosier…. and uniquely HOPE!

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Ethnic Expo

Ethnic Expo is a weekend of events celebrating cultures that come together to call Columbus home to create a vibrant, welcoming community – and also one of the largest and most beloved local festivals.

Enjoy international food and marketplace, continuous entertainment and children’s activities.

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Mill Race Monster Festival

In 1974, something green and hairy was spotted in Columbus’s Mill Race Park. The story made the local papers, captured imaginations, and became part of the city’s folklore.

Now the legend returns as the Mill Race Monster Festival, a three-day celebration of art, storytelling, and delightfully strange creativity. Local artists will bring the park to life through installations, performances, and hands-on experiences.

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Deja Vu Art & Fine Craft Show

Leave it to an artist to see the beauty in worn leather coats, mismatched silverware, broken dishes, and old sweaters.

Many of the work at the show includes collage, jewelry, book arts, home décor, mixed media, sculpture, wearable art, woodworking, mosaic, and glass art – all created from scrap materials or items that have been repurposed.

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Festival of Lights

Columbus Festival of Lights is an annual event where the community gathers to watch illuminated floats grace the street of the City of Columbus. Thousands gather to create new traditions and remember nostalgic times from their childhood.

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