September is Ohio’s biggest festival month, so it could be overwhelming when deciding on which ones to attend.
That’s why I’ve put together a list of my favorite festivals to help you navigate through your weekend plans.
Please remember that this list is based on my personal experience. Also, festivals will be listed chronologically as they occur through the month. They are not ranked.
At the end of the post, I’ll list some festivals that also look great which I haven’t had the chance to check out.
My Favorite Festivals for September 2022
1.) Perch, Peach, Pierogi and Polka Festival – Port Clinton
Dates: 9/2-9/4
Official Website: http://www.kofc1750.org/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/perch-peach-pierogi-polka-festival/
Notes: Just the festival name is fun to say. Get some of your favorite foods all together in one meal, learn to polka and just have fun.
2.) Milan Melon Festival
Dates: 9/2-9/5
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/milanmelonfestival/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/milan-melon-festival-revisited/
Notes: Not only can you enjoy some delicious cantaloupe ice cream and watermelon sherbet (made by Toft’s only for this festival), but there is a wide selection of food, plenty of rides and games and various competitions.
3.) Columbus Greek Festival
Dates: 9/2-9/5
Official Website: https://www.columbusgreekfestival.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/greek-festival-columbus/
Notes: This Greek festival has a larger food selection that many Greek festivals throughout the state – plus the food is just delicious. There’s also entertainment, cooking demonstrations, vendors, Cathedral tours and more.
4.) Fair at New Boston – Springfield
Dates: 9/3-9/4
Official Website: https://www.fairatnewboston.org/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/fair-at-new-boston-springfield/
Notes: Travel back to a period between 1790 and 1810 where you can eat, learn and shop as they did then. It’s a really cool festival and great for the family.
5.) Ohio Renaissance Festival – Waynesville
Dates: Weekends and Labor Day from 9/3-10/30
Official Website: https://www.renfestival.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/75-ohio-renaissance-festival-harveysburg-september-25-2010/
Notes: Tons of vendors, entertainment, food options and period games. The Ohio Renaissance Festival goes above and beyond (and the amount of guests in costume is amazing). It’s easy to spend the whole day here as there’s plenty to do and see.
6.) Marion Popcorn Festival
Dates: 9/8-9/10
Official Website: https://www.popcornfestival.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/60-marion-popcorn-festival-september-10-2010/
Notes: This is the largest popcorn festival in the world, bringing in over 250,000 people each year. Located in downtown Marion, vendors galore line the streets for several blocks. There is also a large variety of food vendors and there is some great entertainment. Lita Ford is actually performing this year.
7.) Black Swamp Arts Festival – Bowling Green
Dates: 9/9-9/11
Official Website: https://www.blackswampfest.org/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/black-swamp-arts-festival-bowling-green/
Notes: This arts festival in downtown Bowling Green has plenty to offer from youth arts, hundreds of artist booths, great music and delicious food.
8.) Rarden Whitetail Deer Festival
Dates: 9/9-9/11
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/RardenFestival
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/65-rarden-whitetail-deer-festival-september-11-2010/
Notes: I call this the Back To School For Hunters Festival because of the vendor offerings (bow, arrows, hunting gear, etc.), but it’s still a great festival, whether you hunt or not.
9.) Skunkfest
Dates: 9/10
Official Website: http://www.skunkhaven.net/SkunkFest.htm
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/skunk-fest-north-ridgeville/
Notes: Where else can you get up close and personal with a bunch of living skunks? All the skunks must be descented and guests must sign a waver before entering the festival. Along with food and vendors, there are skunk competitions and more. A very unique festival.
10.) Beavercreek Popcorn Festival
Dates: 9/10-9/11
Official Website: http://www.beavercreekpopcornfestival.org/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/beavercreek-popcorn-festival/
Notes: The Beavercreek Popcorn Festival is a huge festival with all sorts of vendors, entertainment and food. There’s also a children’s area, beer garden and car show. Just be sure to take some time and explore all the nooks and crannies along the festival grounds.
11.) Ohio Fish and Shrimp Festival – Urbana
Dates: 9/10, 9/17, 9/24
Official Website: https://fwfarms.com/festival/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/columbus-food-truck-fest-revisited/
Notes: This festival held at Freshwater Farms of Ohio has grown over the years, offering delicious locally raised shrimp and fish, top quality music entertainment, vendors games and more. Held over 3 Saturdays, the festival is worth a visit if not only for the grub!
12.) Ohio Pawpaw Festival – Albany
Dates: 9/16-9/18
Official Website: https://ohiopawpawfest.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/ohio-pawpaw-festival-albany/
Notes: Celebrate Ohio’s state fruit, indigenous to this area, and learn about pawpaws – how they grow, what they taste like and their significance in the state. Food vendors incorporate pawpaws in their foods (pawpaw funnel cake!) and there are plenty of pawpaw beers. Add great music, awesome vendors, lectures, exhibits, games and more for a wonderful and memorable festival.
13.) Backwoods Fest – Thornville
Dates: 9/16-9/16
Official Website: http://www.thornvillebackwoodsfest.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/backwoods-fest-thornville/
Notes: You really want to arrive here early – not only to try and beat the crowds, but to take your time and shop among the over 300 vendors. If you get hungry, you can rest a spell with plenty of bluegrass music or eat among a large selection of food vendors.
14.) Flat Rock Creek Fall Festival – Paulding
Dates: 9/16-9/18
Official Website: https://www.flatrockcreekfestival.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/flat-rock-creek-fall-festival-paulding/
Notes: Held on the Fairgrounds, this is a pretty sizable festival with vendors that sell art, antiques, flea market items, collectibles and more. Local organizations host food booths and there is some great entertainment, vehicle shows and activities.
15.) Preble County Pork Festival – Eaton
Dates: 9/17-9/18
Official Website: https://www.porkfestival.org/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/preble-county-pork-festival-eaton/
Notes: Whether you love watching pig races, getting up close with some sweet piglets or eating local sausage with your pancakes, you’ll enjoy this festival. There are some great meal options (all you can eat breakfast and the smorgasbord) as well as ala carte items and a meat market to bring items home. There are also plenty of vendors, exhibits and more to entertainment yourself throughout the day.
16.) Tipp City Mum Festival
Dates: 9/23-9/25
Official Website: https://tippmumfestival.org/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/tipp-city-mum-festival-2012/
Notes: This fall festival, which takes place in the city park, is decorated with mums and you can purchase them as well. All sorts of vendors, plenty of food (the Fire Departments waffles looked great) and entertainment.
17.) Luckey Fall Festival
Dates: 9/23-9/25
Official Website: https://luckeyfallfestival.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/luckey-fall-festival/
Notes: This festival tends to keep going with all sorts of vendors (many flea market types, but also novelty items and everything under the sun), music entertainment, a nice food selection, games for the kids and more. I was really impressed with how much there was.
18.) Roche de Boeuf Festival – Waterville
Dates: 9/24
Official Website: https://watervillechamber.com/https-business-watervillechamber-com-events-details-roche-de-boeuf-parade-1120/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/roche-de-boeuf-festival/
Notes: Take a shuttle from one of the lots and make your way to downtown Waterville where the festival lines along multiple streets. It can be confusing to navigate at first (and I ended up missing a Pioneer Arts area), so be sure to comb all the nooks and crannies. Various entertainment areas, plenty of food, stuff for the kids, vendors and more. A big fall fest.
19.) Country Applefest – Lebanon
Dates: 9/24-9/25
Official Website: http://www.countryapplefest.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/74-country-applefest-lebanon-september-25-2010/
Notes: The festival has moved locations since I visited it in downtown Lebanon (it’s now at the fairgrounds), but I am told there are still a lot of vendors, food and entertainment. I’m actually hoping to make it back there this year.
20.) Geneva Grape Jamboree
Dates: 9/24-9/25
Official Website: http://www.grapejamboree.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/geneva-grape-jamboree-revisited/
Notes: You’ll be seeing purple by the end of this festival. Grape juice, wine, and special grape foods like pie and ice cream. The food vendors could incorporate the grape theme more, but it’s still a great festival with entertainment, rides and vendors.
21.) Barberton Mum Fest
Dates: 9/24-9/25
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/BarbertonMumFestival/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/57-barberton-mum-fest-september-25-2011/
Notes: This is a full-on chrysanthemum festival. When I went, the festival was decorated with 20,000 mums and it showed – it was beautiful. Guests are able to purchase mums at the festival and there will be plenty of food, vendors and entertainment, which can include a water ski show.
22.) Ohio Swiss Festival – Sugarcreek
Dates: 9/30-10/2
Official Website: http://www.ohioswissfestival.com/
My Review: https://ohiofestivals.net/82-ohio-swiss-festival-sugarcreek-october-2-2010/
Notes: The Swiss Culture is celebrated through music, costumes, entertainment and cheese. There are various competitions, crafts, cheese and wine tasting, entertainment and the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, which should not be missed.
Festivals I have NOT been to…
Here are some festivals that I would love to go to but have not had the chance to visit.
I will also list them chronologically.
9/9-9/10 – Vandalia Oktoberfest – Vandalia
9/9-9/11 – Macedonian Festival – Reynoldsburg
9/16-9/18 – Scarecrow Festival – Washington Court House
9/16-9/18 – Ohiolina Music Festival – Granville
9/17 – Cleveland Pickle Fest – Cleveland
9/17-9/18 – MustardFEST – Springfield
9/17-9/18 – Johnny Appleseed Festival – Lisbon
9/23-9/24 – Crop Circle Arts and Music Festival – Fremont
9/23-9/25 – Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival – Laurelville
9/24-9/25 – Fall at the Round Barn – Lancaster
9/24-9/25 – Ohio Heritage Days Festival at Malabar Farms – Lucas
9/30-10/2 – Norton Cider Festival – Norton
What are your favorite festivals in September?
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To find the full listing of Ohio festivals, go to the Ohio Festival Guide at https://ohiofestivals.net/ohio-festivals/
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