Spring is finally here, and with it comes a whole lineup of festivals that range from delightfully niche to straight-up bizarre. Whether you’re looking to embrace ancient wisdom at a sacred gathering, get rowdy at a pirate fest, or celebrate dandelions like they’re the world’s most underrated delicacy, Ohio has a festival for you.
Here are some of the weirdest and most wonderful spring festivals happening in Ohio this year.
Serpent Mound Star Knowledge Peace Summit | March 21 – March 23
📍 33200 State Route 41, Peebles, OH
If you’re into ancient wisdom, celestial energy, and drum circles that may or may not summon intergalactic visitors, this is the festival for you. Held at Serpent Mound — a Native American burial mound — this gathering brings together elders, thought leaders, and spiritual seekers for three days of music, ceremony, and transformation. Think TED Talk meets ancient prophecy, with a side of cosmic alignment.
Cabin Fever Arts Festival | April 5
📍 100 Hobart Ave, Hillsboro, OH
After a long Ohio winter, it’s time to shake off the cabin fever and dive into a world of handcrafted art. Featuring over 60 booths of folk art, pottery, jewelry, and woodworking, this festival is your one-stop shop for unique treasures. You can even watch artisans work their magic in real time. Bonus: It’s free to attend, so you can spend your cash on something cooler than a mass-produced mall decoration.
Ohio PinBrew Fest | April 10 – April 12
📍 1620 Motor Inn Drive, Girard, OH
Pinball wizards, rejoice! This three-day extravaganza is part arcade, part craft beer fest, and entirely a good time. With over 100 pinball machines set to free play, tournaments for the competitive types, and a selection of local brews to fuel your high scores, it’s the ultimate nostalgic experience. Food trucks, vendors, and new pinball machine demos round out the festivities. Whether you’re a casual flipper or a hardcore pinhead, this one’s worth the trip.
Oxford Bee Festival | April 12
📍 1 N Main St, Oxford, OH
It’s time to appreciate the hardest-working little guys in the ecosystem: bees. This festival features educational exhibits, family-friendly activities, and live music from appropriately named bands like BEE! The Band and King Bee & The Stingers. Come for the honey, stay for the good vibes, and leave with a newfound respect for our pollinator pals.
The Awakening – Spring 2025 | April 12 – April 13
📍 Pike County Fairgrounds, OH
More than just a festival, this is a full-on spiritual gathering featuring live music, an art gallery, intuitive healers, and even massage therapy. Whether you’re seeking energy healing, handmade crafts, or just an interesting way to spend a weekend, this event brings together a community of like-minded folks eager to share their gifts.
Ohio Valley 420 Cannabis Fest | April 18 – April 20
📍 63279 Tar Run Rd, Jacobsburg, OH
If you celebrate 4/20, this is basically Christmas for you. With free camping, live music, a free dab bar, and games like Bong Pong and Weed Darts, this festival is all about good vibes and, well, you know the rest. Plus, there’s BBQ. So even if you’re just there for the food, you’re in for a great time.
Geauga County Maple Festival | April 24 – April 27
📍 100 Short Ct St, Chardon, OH
The oldest maple festival in the U.S., this event is a syrup-lover’s dream. Expect pancake eating contests, a lumberjack competition, and even bathtub races (yes, actual tubs on wheels). There are also two grand parades and plenty of maple-flavored treats to go around.
Sugar Maple Festival | April 25 – April 27
📍 Downtown Bellbrook, OH
A small-town festival with big-time charm, the Sugar Maple Festival packs in everything from a 5K race and dog show to live music and a legendary all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. There’s even a hot dog eating contest hosted by the fire department (because nothing says community spirit like stuffing your face with spicy sausages). With crafts, kids’ activities, and a beer garden featuring local brews, it’s the perfect way to welcome spring.
Cridersville Fireman’s Food Truck and Jeep Invasion Festival | April 26
📍 100 E Main St, Cridersville, OH
If you love food trucks and off-roading, this festival has your name written all over it. Expect 30+ food trucks serving up everything from BBQ to gourmet donuts, alongside a Jeep showcase where you can admire the biggest, baddest, mud-covered beasts around. Prizes are awarded for various categories like the most extreme rides, oldest Jeep, and more, so bring your best Jeep game.
Hollow Earth Fest | April 26
📍 401 South 3rd Street, Hamilton, OH
For fans of cryptids, conspiracy theories, and weird local history, this festival celebrates the Hollow Earth Theory, which suggests that the Earth is — you guessed it — hollow. Featuring vendors, live entertainment, and a deep dive into the theories of John Cleves Symmes, Jr., it’s part history lesson, part sci-fi fever dream that celebrates the history of Hamilton.
Ashville Viking Festival | April 26 – April 27
📍 Ashville, OH
Step into the world of Vikings with this historically themed festival featuring combat reenactments, an authentic Saxon market, and feasting worthy of Valhalla. There’s even a Viking-themed food pantry drive, because nothing says ‘Norse warrior’ like supporting your local community.
Spring Plowing Days at Malabar Farm State Park | April 26 – April 27
📍 4050 Bromfield Rd., Lucas, OH
Step back in time and watch as draft horses plow the fields just like in the good ol’ days. This free event features everything from old-fashioned skill contests (think egg-and-spoon races on horseback) to demonstrations of traditional farming techniques. Pack a picnic and enjoy a day of rural nostalgia.
Dandelion May Fest | May 2 – May 3
📍 5934 Old Route 39 Northwest, Dover, OH
Some see dandelions as weeds. Others see them as an opportunity for wine, sausage, and gravy. As the hills of Ohio become covered in Dandelions, this festival turns the humble dandelion into a gourmet delicacy, with vendors selling dandelion-infused food, drinks, and crafts. Try the Dandelion Sangria and see if it changes your perspective on lawn maintenance.
Village Viking Festival | May 3 – May 4
📍 14373 N Cheshire St, Burton, OH
Channel your inner Norse warrior at this immersive Viking festival, complete with battle reenactments, axe throwing, and a bustling Viking village. Whether you’re into historical education or just want an excuse to wear a horned helmet, this festival delivers. Bonus points if you feast like a true Viking while you’re there.
Oddmall: Inside Out | May 3 – May 4
📍 305 Wertz Ave NW, Canton, OH
Think of Oddmall as the lovechild of a comic convention, a street fair, and an art show — but with an extra dose of the bizarre. This festival spills both inside and outside, featuring everything from an exotic animal expo to live entertainment and food trucks. Expect hundreds of vendors selling geeky, strange, and wonderfully weird creations. Plus, it’s free to attend!
Ohio Civil War Show | May 3 – May 4
📍 750 North Home Road, Mansfield, OH
History buffs, rejoice! The Ohio Civil War Show isn’t just about buying and selling collectibles — it’s a full-blown immersive experience. Expect live artillery demonstrations, battle reenactments, and period-accurate fife and drum corps performances. There’s even a WWII medical air evacuation presentation and a Sunday morning period church service. And of course, no Civil War event is complete without a dramatic reading of the Gettysburg Address. If you’ve ever wanted to step back in time (without giving up modern amenities), this is the festival for you.
Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest | May 16 – May 18
📍 Buckeye Lake, OH
Ever wanted to dress like a pirate, search for treasure, and eat seafood by a lake? This is your moment. Featuring a treasure hunt with over 40 locations, a mermaid dining experience, and plenty of pirate-themed shenanigans, it’s the ultimate weekend for landlubbers and seadogs alike.
Amesville Coonskin Saturdays | May 17, June 21, August 16
📍 Gifford Park, Amesville, OH
Amesville’s Coonskin Saturday is a celebration of history, music, and local food, all in honor of the town’s famous Coonskin Library — founded in 1804 with literal raccoon pelts as funding. Each month features a different theme, from The Spring Garden (plants and crafts) to The Bee’s Knees (all things pollinator-friendly) and The Alonzo Weed Festival (not what you think — it’s about a historic figure, not that kind of weed). Jackie O’s beer, live music, and small-town charm make this an under-the-radar gem worth checking out.
World Bee Day | May 17
📍 19201 E Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
Bees are kind of a big deal. This festival raises awareness about their importance while also being a great excuse to eat honey-based treats. With cooking demos, educational stations, and a honeybee observation room, you’ll leave with a newfound appreciation for these tiny pollinators. Plus, all proceeds go toward a Honey Breakfast for local students, so you can support a good cause while buzzing around the event.
HorseFest | May 17 – May 18
📍 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH
Horses: majestic, powerful, and (at this festival) the stars of the show. HorseFest is a celebration of equine culture, featuring breeds of all sizes, skill demonstrations, and even adorable mare-and-foal moments. Kids can get in on the fun with pony rides, and for those fascinated by history, there are plenty of exhibits showing how horses have shaped transportation, farming, and entertainment over the centuries.
Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival | June 5 – June 7
📍 707 Kenilworth Ave., Coshocton, OH
For over 40 years, colorful hot air balloons have dotted the skies over Coshocton County during this festival. It’s a classic small-town event with food vendors, live music, kids’ activities, fireworks, and (weather permitting) spectacular balloon launches. If you’ve ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon without committing to a full flight, they offer tethered rides that let you hover 50 feet the ground — perfect for thrill-seekers who still like their feet somewhat planted.
Oddmall: The Great Grassman Gathering | June 6
📍 Kenmore Blvd, Akron, OH
A festival dedicated to Ohio’s answer to Bigfoot? Sign us up. This block party features cryptid-themed vendors, a costume contest, and enough geeky, bizarre fun to satisfy even the biggest skeptics. If you’ve ever wanted to cosplay as the Grassman himself, this is your time to shine.
Final Thoughts
Ohio doesn’t mess around when it comes to weird and wonderful spring festivals. Whether you’re in the mood for Viking battles, UFO energy, or maple syrup-fueled bathtub races, there’s something for everyone. So mark your calendars, embrace the weird, and get ready for a season of unforgettable adventures.
What festival are you most excited to check out? Let us know!