Columbus Parks & Recreation | Free Events

Halloween Fall Fest

All Ages | October 21 | 4-7pm | Donner Park

Are you ready for an evening of fun fall festivities in the park? Join Columbus Parks and Recreation at Donner Park on October
21 for family fun and take a trip down the Donner Trick-Or-Treat Trail. Think your costume is the best? Stick around for our annual
costume contest for a chance to win fabulous prizes! Register by 4:45 at the Parks and Recreation booth!

  • Ages 0–5: Judging begins at 5pm
    6–12: Judging begins at 5:30pm
    12+: (adults welcome) Judging begins at 6pm
  • Pets: 6:30pm

Tuesday Night Trivia

Columbus Indiana Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook Live at 6:30pm

Put your knowledge to the test for fabulous prizes. Join us on Facebook for our live virtual Trivia. Each night’s winner will receive an award. Simply click on the trivia video when it goes live at 6:30pm on trivia nights, enter your answers in the comments and have fun!

  • October: 10 & 24
  • November: 14 & 28
  • December: 5 & 12
  • January: 16 & 30
  • February: 13 & 27
  • March: 12 & 26
  • April: 9 & 23

Santa at the Commons

All Ages | December 2| 12 – 2:30pm | The Commons | Free

Join Columbus Parks and Recreation and Old St. Nick himself at The Commons on December 2 from 12 – 2:30pm. December 2nd Downtown Columbus will be the local hotspot for Holiday festivities! Before the Annual Festival of Lights Parade, Santa will be available to meet with all the good children of Columbus to hear their Christmas wishes and for a photo. This event is free and we ask that you bring your own means of capturing a photo.

Holiday Creations Craft Show & Sale

Ages 18+ | December 9 | 9am–2pm | Donner Center | Free to the Public

Make plans to join us for our 24th annual sale to display our vendors’ holiday handiwork! Admission to sale is free to the public

Festival of the Young Child

Ages 8 & Under | April 13 | 10am | The Fieldhouse at NexusPark

Join Parks and Recreation and Children Inc. as we celebrate the54th annual Festival of the Young Child. This year we will Make a Little Music. Festival of the Young Child is an event celebrating the youngsters of Columbus. Community organizations and businesses that focus on serving young children and their families all work together to put on an event that celebrates children 8 and under, and also is an informational opportunity where families can interact with and learn about the different resources available to them in town. This year, we are Making a Little Music and the games and activities will all be themed around music. Drop in to the Nexus Park Fieldhouse for FREE games, activities, snacks information and enjoy some live music and maybe make some yourself!

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Free Ages 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 | March 30 | 10am The Fieldhouse at NexusPark

Co-sponsored with radio 1010 WCSI. Please bring a bag or basket for your eggs!

Egg-Ceptional Egg Hunt

All Ages | March 30 | 11am | The Fieldhouse at NexusPark

Sensory friendly/quiet egg hunt for individuals with sensory and special needs. Lots of eggs and prizes to win!

Columbus Bluegrass Jamboree

All Ages | 4-8pm | Donner Center

Open Jam Session begins at 4pm Group performances begin at 5pm Donations will be accepted.

  • November 11
  • January 13
  • March 9