Columbus Arts Festival returns this June: What you need to know before you go

Taijuan Moorman, The Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·3 min read

One of Columbus' signature summer events, the Columbus Arts Festival, returns next month.

The six decade-old festival is set to bring more than 200 visual artists to the Scioto Mile riverfront as well as three stages of music, dance, poetry, fashion, storytelling and other performances, hands-on art activities for kids, dozens of food vendors and more.

What else is there to anticipate from the festival, which is expected to host around 450,000 attendees June 9-11? Read on to find out.

When is the Columbus Arts Festival taking place?

The festival will take place on June 9, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; June 10, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; and June 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where will the festival be held?

The festival will be held on the Scioto Mile riverfront in downtown Columbus, 233 S. Civic Center Drive.

What activities will take place at the festival?

The festival will feature the work of visual artists from around the world, including sculptors, crafters and photographers. The festival will feature music, dance, poetry, fashion and storytelling stages.

Performers include Mojoflo, Laveer, the Deeptones, Honey & Blue, Transit Arts, Columbus Modern Dance Company, the Black Women Rise Poetry Collective, Writers' Block Poetry Night and a Fashion as Art runway show.

The festival will also feature a film showcase, a "mini" version of the live painting mural festival Scrawl, a teen art gallery and a beer garden.

Other things to do include hands-on art activities and demonstrations for kids and dozens of beverage and food vendors, including Graeter's Ice Cream, Cousins Maine Lobster, Mikey's Late Night Slice, Cupzilla, Tortilla Street Food, Schmidt's and Fork in Nigeria.

How much does the festival cost?

The festival is free to attend. However, VIP packages are available at the festival, allowing access to VIP hospitality areas. Proceeds from the package purchases benefit the festival's artist awards presented during the festival.

Where is parking for the festival?

There are several options for parking Downtown, including metered spaces on surrounding city streets and surface lots on both the east and west sides of the Scioto River.

As far as traffic is concerned, the following streets will close at noon on Wednesday and will re-open at 6 a.m. on Monday, June 12:

  • South Civic Center from Broad to Main Street

  • South Second Street from Main to Mound Street (open to local traffic)

  • South Civic Center from Mound to Main Street (open to local traffic)

  • Main (Rich west of the river) from the east side of Lucas to Front Street (local traffic only starting at McDowell)

  • South Ludlow Street from Town to Main Street (open at Town to local traffic)

  • West Cherry from South Second Street to South Ludlow

  • Washington from Main to Broad Street

  • Rich Street (Town west of the river) from the east side of Lucas to Front Street (open to local traffic on Starling)

  • Noble Street east side of South Second to South Civic Center Drive

  • Jewett Street from Mound to Main Street

  • Town Street from Front to Civic Center Drive (open to local traffic)

  • Belle Street from State to Main Street

  • Starling Street from State to Main Street (open to local traffic)

  • Chapel Street, south of State

Parking kiosk spots around the festival site will be closed starting at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. The kiosk spots on both sides of Washington Boulevard will be closed all week, starting Monday.

The festival is directing visitors to the ParkColumbus website to find parking options.

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@taijuannichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Arts Festival: What to do, where to park and more