Get Outside, Get Involved and Go Green This Summer
May 22, 2026
Warm weather is here, and Central Ohio is gearing up for a summer season filled with events. Whether you enjoy art, food, music, books or classic cars, there is something happening this season for you.
SWACO supports local events through its Container Loan Program, providing waste sorting and disposal stations so attendees can enjoy events responsibly. When you attend these events, you are not just having fun — you are also helping keep Central Ohio clean and green.
Bring your family, your neighbors and your commitment to sustainability.
Check out this year’s summer container loan program event lineup.
*Check this page regularly for updates.
May
Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Culture Fest + Convention
May 22–25 | Ohio Black Expo Riverfront Culture Fest Celebrate Black excellence at Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., downtown Columbus. This Memorial Day weekend tradition features 150+ vendors, food trucks, live concerts, a kickoff parade with marching bands and drum lines, networking events, workshops and celebrity appearances.
June
Southside Pride
June 6 | Southside Pride A vibrant neighborhood Pride celebration on Columbus’s south side. Join the LGBTQ+ community and allies for a festive day of music, vendors, and community spirit as Columbus kicks off Pride Month in full force.
Chicken & Beer Festival
June 6 | Columbus Chicken & Beer Festival Head to Dodge Park in Franklinton for the 7th Annual Chicken & Beer Festival — noon to 8 p.m., free admission! Sample chicken dishes from top local food trucks, enjoy craft beers from 10 Columbus breweries, vote for the Best Chicken, and catch live music. All proceeds benefit Use Your Ears, a local youth music nonprofit.
State Street Pride
June 13 | State Street Pride Join the celebration of love, identity, and community along State Street. Pride Month in Columbus is one of the biggest in the nation, and neighborhood events like this one capture the heart of what makes our community so welcoming.
Greater Columbus Arts Festival
June 12–13 | Columbus Arts Festival The downtown Scioto riverfront festival features 250+ juried visual artists from across the country, four performance stages, hands-on kids activities, food trucks and craft beverages. Admission is free.
Worthington Arts Festival
June 20 | Worthington Arts Festival Head north to the charming Worthington Village Green for this premier Fine Art and Fine Craft festival. Over 120 artists from across the country display work ranging from glass and sculpture to jewelry and painting. With 23,000 visitors annually, this is one of Central Ohio’s most beloved community events.
July
Doo Dah Parade
July 4 | 42nd Annual Doo Dah Parade & Party No Columbus Fourth of July is complete without the Doo Dah Parade! This beloved Short North tradition is a hilarious, satirical celebration of “liberty and lunacy” winding through Victorian Village and the Short North Arts District. No registration needed — just show up! Parade kicks off at 1 p.m., with a free all-day block party at Goodale Park featuring live music from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Clintonville 4th of July Fireworks Show
July 4 | Clintonville July Fourth Celebration Clintonville’s fireworks are BACK for the first time since 2019! Head to Whetstone Park of Roses, 3923 N. High St., for a full day of community festivities including a community breakfast, patriotic pet parade, bike decorating contest, baseball games, a community festival, and fireworks at dusk.
Columbus Metropolitan Library Book Festival
July 11–12 | Columbus Book Festival Book lovers, this one is for you. The free, two-day Columbus Book Festival at the Main Library (96 S. Grant Ave.) and Topiary Park brings together 200+ national and local authors for panel discussions, book signings, an indie author alley, a big book sale, food vendors, and live entertainment. One of the most unique and beloved summer events in the city.
UPFAD: All Disabilities Festival
July 11–12 | UPFAD All Disabilities Festival Organized by Unlimited Possibilities For All Disabilities (UPFAD), this inclusive community festival celebrates and empowers individuals of all abilities. Bringing together families, community organizations, veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities for a joyful day of connection, resources, and celebration
Arthritis Foundation Charity Auto Show
July 16–19 | Arthritis Foundation Charity Auto Show Classic car enthusiasts, do not miss this one! Now in its 41st year, this iconic Dublin, Ohio show at Metro Center features 1,000+ unique street rods, classic cars, and street machines, alongside food, live entertainment, and a Rolling Legends Tour. All proceeds support Arthritis Foundation research and advocacy.
Taste of New Albany
July 25–26 | Taste of New Albany Presented by the New Albany Chamber of Commerce, this summer event at Rose Run Park showcases 35+ restaurants, caterers, and specialty food and spirit partners. Attendees can sample food and beverages throughout the evening.
Why Sustainable Events Matter
When thousands of people gather, the waste impact can be significant. SWACO’s Container Loan Program helps address that by placing clearly labeled recycling and composting stations alongside trash bins at events throughout Central Ohio, making it easier for attendees to reduce the amount of material that ends up in landfills.
Each can recycled, food scrap composted and piece of cardboard diverted from the landfill is a small step toward a more sustainable Central Ohio.
This summer, attendees can enjoy events while supporting efforts to protect the environment.
Want to bring sustainability to your next public event? Learn about the SWACO Container Loan Program here.