Family events in Marion, OH

Enjoy complimentary general admission every Sunday at the Columbus Museum of Art, with access to special exhibitions included. This weekly offering is supported by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All and Free for the Future Campaign donors. Friends and families can explore the Walter Wing and collaborate on a puzzle in a gallery. There is something to discover around every corner. Photo credit: JToland Photo.

Lenny Pearce brings the Toddler Rave World Tour to KEMBA Live in Columbus for an indoor, all-ages experience. Ticket transfer will be delayed for this event and will not be available immediately. Resale on AXS Resale is also not available right away and may be offered later. Please review the terms of AXS’s Purchase Agreement for more information.

The Columbus Walk to End Alzheimer’s is part of the largest event of its kind worldwide, raising awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Individuals, families, corporate teams, and supporters of all ages gather to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The experience features an opening ceremony, a Promise Garden that recognizes personal connections, and a meaningful walk alongside others committed to the cause. Participation helps fund critical care and support for local families while advancing research toward better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Participants can start or join a team and honor a loved one while helping move this mission forward.

Celebrate Italian heritage and community spirit at the 17th Annual Italian Festival Parade and High School Marching Band Competition, organized by the Columbus Piave Club. The route moves through Victorian Village, the Short North, and Italian Village, finishing at the Columbus Italian Festival. Look for lively marching bands, vintage cars, and showcases from local groups along the way. Participation is open to bands, organizations, businesses, and other groups. There is no entry fee for most participants, and groups are encouraged to carry a banner. A $100 fee applies to politicians or political organizations.

Experience a choral showcase with five distinct ensembles that trace a journey from the bright, youthful tones of third graders to the polished sound of musicians preparing for college-level performance. The program is suitable for all ages. Presale tickets are $12 for students and seniors and $15 for general admission. At the box office and on the day of the concert, tickets are $15 for students and seniors and $18 for general admission. Children 5 and under are free.

Enjoy a lively story time at Marengo United Methodist Church with story readings, singalongs, hands-on crafts, and plenty of playful fun. Designed for preschoolers and their grown-ups, this friendly session creates space to read, sing, and make simple crafts together.

The Lady Stripes volleyball squads head to Marion for matchups with the Be Panthers, with both the junior high and varsity teams taking the court.

Skate the rink with a budget-friendly public session that is great for pairs or solo skaters. Admission is $10 for two people or $6 for one, and skate rentals are available for $6.

Designed for teens in grades 6 through 12, this monthly club offers a rotating lineup of enjoyable activities, with each gathering bringing a new experience.

Discover indoor climbing at DICK’S House of Sport with a beginner friendly class designed for ages 6 and up. Participants start with a safety overview and a look at essential gear, then move to the rock wall for supervised climbs led by certified coaches. Instruction focuses on building confidence, improving technique, and developing strength in a welcoming environment suited to new climbers of any age.

Honor Flight Columbus returns from Mission 156, bringing home veterans who served with courage and sacrifice. At John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus, OH, community members can line the terminal to offer the Welcome Home many never received years ago. For some, this may be the first time they hear those words. Applause, flags, and gratitude are welcome, helping show that their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. Mission 156 is sponsored by The Ragan & McNamara Family.

At the Galion Firelands FCU branch, the parking lot will be filled with decorated trunks, participation from local businesses, and plenty of treats for an evening of trunk-or-treating. Families can wear costumes and walk from trunk to trunk to collect treats in a festive atmosphere. Admission is free and no registration is required.

Settle out on the grass for a Halloween-themed movie night with complimentary popcorn available until it runs out. Pack a blanket or a folding chair for comfort. The bar will be pouring drinks, and a food truck will be serving on site.

A hands-on gallery experience designed for children ages 3 to 4 and their caregivers, offered on the third Friday of each month. Together, participants explore artworks through conversation, movement, and playful activities that encourage close looking and shared discovery. The program nurtures early language development, sparks curiosity, and builds confidence while fostering meaningful connections between adults and children. Expect to observe carefully, talk about what you notice, imagine together, and play, then leave with simple ideas to keep creative learning going during future museum visits and at home. Caregivers are asked to stay nearby and explore alongside their child throughout the session. Backpacks are not permitted in the galleries. Registration is free for members and $10 for nonmembers, and covers admission for one child and one adult.

Wizfest, The Mini Ren of Delaware, brings a whimsical, fantasy-filled atmosphere with activities and entertainment for all ages. A lively marketplace features vendors offering handcrafted goods, curios, and treasures suited to witches, wizards, rogues, and noble travelers. Hungry guests will find food trucks serving tasty fare, and drinks are available from the onsite bar cart. Performances and activities unfold throughout the event, including a bubble artist fairy filling the air with iridescent bubbles, the fiery artistry of a pyromancer, and bold appearances by The Columbus Tyrants. A live band sets the tone alongside a variety of stage acts. Young adventurers can enjoy a bounce house, and face painting invites transformations into knights, enchanted beings, or favorite storybook characters. Costumes from bards to dragon tamers fit right in, creating a day centered on music, magic, fire, feasting, and fantastical fun.

Blue Couch Bookshop hosts a storytime for little ones, offering a simple chance to listen to stories together.

Enjoy a visit filled with hands-on activities and nature exploration. Get creative with arts and crafts, check out nature-themed toys, and settle in with books about the natural world. Explore interactive, informative displays, then test your knowledge with crossword puzzles and word searches inspired by nature.

Enjoy a Pokemon-themed skating session featuring a Pokeball scavenger hunt, an appearance by a Pikachu character, and a trading card station, plus more activities. Admission is $15 and includes a mini glow stick and a Pokemon card for trading. Skate rental is $6. Guests ages 3 to 17 must pay admission and either rent skates or bring their own. Non-skating adults may enter at no charge. An online waiver is required for all skaters, including adults and parents of skating children, and the signed confirmation must be presented at admissions. Birthday party bookings are available.

Project Noelle’s Red Ribbon Spooktacular brings a free, family-friendly celebration to Marion with a focus on living drug-free and making healthy choices. Set at McKinley Park, the event welcomes the community with hands-on activities and helpful information. Attendees can take part in a coloring contest with prizes, enjoy free pizza and candy, and explore prevention information and community resources. Costumes are welcome but not required, and the emphasis is on creating a fun environment that supports a brighter, healthier future for kids.

Celebrate the season at a fall-themed gathering hosted by the RVHS Cheerleaders for children in pre-k through 5th grade. Kids can take part in pumpkin painting, crafts, snacks, storytime, and a short movie. An optional costume contest is included, and those who plan to dress up should bring a change of clothes since paint will be used. Parents are welcome to stay, or children can participate independently for a two-hour session. Registration is complete once the $25 entry fee is paid.

Colony Cats (& dogs) brings adoptable cats and kittens to Petco in Upper Arlington. Every cat is FIV and FeLV tested, vaccinated, microchipped, spayed or neutered, and dewormed, and is ready for a new home. Adoptions require an approved application.

Test your skills in the Bird Migration CHALLENGE, a game-focused activity that explores the obstacles birds face during their annual journeys. Participants should dress for the weather, wear closed-toe footwear, and meet at the Nature Center.