Big Fest Energy: 12 festivals happening in July
In June, you survived ComFest and you marched proudly in the Pride Parade. Good for you! You definitely earned your June festival badge (*badges sold separately). But now it’s July, and it’s time for another go around in the city. With arts and music festivals in anywhere from Yellow Springs to the Hilltop, here’s what you can’t miss this month.
JULY 6-7: The 5th Annual Gnarbeque Music And Arts Festival | Woodland’s Backyard
In its fifth installment, the Gnarbeque Music and Arts Festival is bringing a wide collection of musicians, artists, and DJs, to Woodland’s Backyard. With CD102.5, Snarls, and many other local music favorites, this year promises to be the biggest yet.
JULY 6: Springfest 2019 | Yellow Springs
Just to the south of the city is Yellow Spring’s popular Springfest featuring national and regional music, an arts market, and local craft beer by the cupful. The family-friendly event is a great getaway for a day in the sun.
JULY 11 – AUGUST 15 21st: Annual Heritage Music Festival | Mayme Moore Park
The month of July kicks off The King Arts Complex’s Heritage Music Festival where Thursdays offer live music. The lineup will feature blends of different musical acts as well as feature acts like The Quan Howell Project.
JULY 12-14: GoodGuys PPG Nationals | The Ohio State Fairgrounds
The smell of race fuel and gasoline will fill the air at the Fairgrounds as the classic hot rods and vehicles roll in for the weekend. Check out some of the most eye-grabbing cars from across the country, meet their owners, and sit in on some of the events like time trial races.
JULY 12-13: North Market Ohio Wine Festival | The North Market
Featuring wines straight from Ohio, the North Market Ohio Wine Festival is your chance to sample your way through a variety of options. Your admission ticket gets your 10 wine tastings to start, but the real challenge will be figuring out if you should get 10 or 20 more sample tickets. And to balance out all that alcohol intake, the North Market merchants will be open until 9 p.m. during the two-day festival.
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JULY 13: Summer Jam West: Peace Train | Westgate Park
This free and family-friendly arts festival in Hilltop is an all-day affair on Friday. Take your little ones to check out the professional chalk artists or let them run wild with chalk creations of their own. With local music and art installations being hung around throughout the community, this is a celebration of Hilltop.
JULY 13-14: Westerville Music & Arts Festival | Heritage Park
Step out of the city and into the suburbs as Westerville hosts its annual music and arts festival. The two-day festival features The Reaganomics on Friday as well as food and booze vendors and family-friendly activities.
JULY 19-22: Jazz and Rib Festival 2019 | The Scioto Mile
Back for another three days in the city is the Jazz And Rib Festival on The Scioto Mile where you can bask in the sounds of jazz, and the stains of barbeque sauce. Bring a lawn chair, extra napkins and towelettes, and maybe even a backup shirt. You can never be too safe!
JULY 20: Sommerfest (II) | Germania
Fröhlicher Sommer! That (should) say happy summer in German… don’t quote us on that, though. What you can quote us on is an abundance of German-themed treats at Sommerfest like big mugs of hefeweizen or the iconic cream puffs. And if you’re feeling competitive, try your luck in one of the Stein hoist competitions.
JULY 25-AUGUST 6: The Ohio State Fair | The Ohio State Fairgrounds
Deep fried everything, cows made of butter, and a star-studded lineup of entertainment: welcome to the State Fair! This year brings in comedian Gabriel Iglesias as well as country superstars Toby Keith and Hank William Jr., plus who doesn’t want to go check out all the cute barnyard animals?
JULY 27: What? Fest | Location: 400 West Rich
Of the summer festivals in July, What? Fest is perhaps the youngest with its humble beginnings just last year. The arts and music forward festival features an intimate setting at 400 West Rich along with several musical acts ranging from a variety of genres.
JULY 27: 2X2 Hip-Hop Festival | 3440 W Broad St.
This festival is for the hip-hop and rap heads living in Columbus. The 2X2 Hip- Hop Festival will feature rappers, graffiti artists, and plenty of food trucks. Whether you’re into breakdancing or MC battles, 2X2 will supply the heat.
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