October in Columbus means one thing: you’re either embracing all things spooky or trying to squeeze in every last outdoor activity before winter turns you into a popsicle (just me?).
Lucky for you, Central Ohio has something for everyone this month. Whether you’re a sports fanatic, a concert junkie, or someone who just likes to bask in the beauty of fall foliage while sipping cider, there’s a lot going on.
From cheering on the Columbus Crew and watching the Blue Jackets kick off their 2024 season to catching Justin Timberlake’s smooth moves or listening to Neil deGrasse Tyson blow your mind with space facts (you know, casual), October is jam-packed. And if haunted houses and ghost walks are more your vibe, don’t worry—you’ll find plenty of chances to scream like a banshee.
Oh, and did I mention Twenty One Pilots will be playing a three-night run at Nationwide Arena?
So, whether you’re looking to get your adrenaline pumping at a haunted event or chill out on a scenic train ride through the fall foliage, this guide has it all. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Columbus and Central Ohio this October—before it’s all gobbled up by November’s turkey season.
Brick-or-Treat: Monster Party
Thu, Oct 10 - Thu, Oct 31 • All Day
LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Columbus • 157 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Central
Weekday Fall Foliage Trains
Thu, Oct 10 +more dates • 1:00 pm
• 33 W. Canal St. Nelsonville, 45764
Other
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
Thu, Oct 10 • 4:45 pm
Gateway Film Center • 1550 N High St Columbus, 43201
Central
The Rocky Horror Show
Thu, Oct 10 +more dates • 7:00 pm
Short North Stage • 1187 N High St Columbus, 43201
Central
COSI After Dark Event – Unmasked
Thu, Oct 10 • 7:00 pm
Admission starts at: $20COSI – Center of Science and Industry • 333 West Broad St. Columbus, 43215
Central
The Book of Mormon
Thu, Oct 10 +more dates • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $39Ohio Theatre • 39 E State St Columbus, 43215
Central
Fall Safari
Fri, Oct 11 • 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Admission starts at: $250Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • 4850 Powell Rd Powell, 43065
North
Boo at the Zoo
Fri, Oct 11 +more dates • 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium • 4850 Powell Rd Powell, 43065
North
2024 Ghost Trolley
Fri, Oct 11 +more dates • 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Admission starts at: $15Ohio Railway Museum • 990 Proprietors Road Worthington, 43085
North
Boo in the Bog
Fri, Oct 11 - Sat, Oct 12 • 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Admission starts at: $5Cedar Bog Nature Preserve • 980 Woodburn Road Urbana, OH 43078
Other
Ghost Tours
Fri, Oct 11 +more dates • 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Admission starts at: $19Zoar Village • 198 Main Street Zoar, OH
Other
Grandma Gatewood’s Fall Colors Hike
Sat, Oct 12 • 9:00 am
Hocking Hills • 13178 State Route 664 S. Logan, 43138
Other
Sesame Street LIVE! SAY HELLO
Sat, Oct 12 • 2:00 pm
Admission starts at: $30.50Mershon Auditorium • 1871 N High St. Columbus, 43201
Central
Ohio State Buckeyes Women’s Volleyball vs. University of Michigan
Sun, Oct 13 • 1:00 pm
Admission starts at: $6Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Central
Columbus Blue Jackets Vs. Florida Panthers
Tue, Oct 15 • 7:00 pm
Admission starts at: $47Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Central
Jeff Tweedy
Wed, Oct 16 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $60.29Southern Theater • 21 E Main St Columbus, 43215
Central
Lil Wayne – LIVE IN CONCERT
Thu, Oct 17 • 7:00 pm
Admission starts at: $53.50Schottenstein Center • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Central
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Thu, Oct 17 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $52.50Mershon Auditorium • 1871 N High St. Columbus, 43201
Central
Whose Live Anyway?
Fri, Oct 18 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $72.37Palace Theatre • 34 West Broad St Columbus, 43215
Central
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Fri, Oct 18 - Sun, Oct 20 • Times Vary
Admission starts at: $12Stuart’s Opera House • 52 Public Sq Nelsonville, 45764
Other
GHOST WALK – Haunted Historic Delaware
Sat, Oct 19 • 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Boardman Arts Park • 154 W. William Street Delaware, 43015
North
Fright at the Museum
Sat, Oct 19 +more dates • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Admission starts at: $9Ohio History Center • 800 E. 17th Ave. Columbus, 43211
Central
Monster Bash 2024
Sat, Oct 19 • 6:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Admission starts at: $125German Village • 588 S 3rd St Columbus, 43215
Central
CLAIRO: Charm Tour
Sun, Oct 20 • 6:00 pm
Admission starts at: $80.50Kemba Live! • 405 Neil Ave Columbus, 43215
Central
Adult Fans of LEGO Nights
Wed, Oct 23 • 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Admission starts at: $29.99LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Columbus • 157 Easton Town Center Columbus, 43219
Central
Justin Timberlake – The Forget Tomorrow World Tour
Wed, Oct 23 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $59.50Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Central
David Cross – The End of The Beginning of The End
Thu, Oct 24 • 8:00 pm
Admission starts at: $49.50The Athenaeum Theatre • 32 N 4th St Columbus, 43215
Central
Dane Cook
Fri, Oct 25 • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $39.50Mershon Auditorium • 1871 N High St. Columbus, 43201
Central
Ohio State Buckeyes Football vs. Nebraska Cornhusker
Sat, Oct 26 • All Day
Ohio Stadium • 555 Borror Dr Columbus, 43210
Central
Fall Foliage Hike
Sat, Oct 26 • 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Wahkeena Nature Preserve • 2200 Pump Station Road Southeast Sugar Grove, OH 43155
Other
Little Big Town + Sugarland+The Castellows
Sat, Oct 26 • 7:00 pm
Admission starts at: $29.50Nationwide Arena • 200 W Nationwide Blvd Columbus, 43215
Central
Booze in the Garden
Thu, Oct 31 • 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Admission starts at: $35Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens • 1777 E. Broad Street Columbus, 43203
Central
Wife of a Salesman
Thu, Oct 31 +more dates • 7:30 pm
Admission starts at: $65.38Riffe Center • 77 S High St Columbus, 43215
Central
