The Columbus Italian Festival is back starting today and running through October 13th! This beloved event at St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church is the perfect opportunity to dive into the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italian culture here in Columbus.

Since the first festival in 1980, with an unexpected turnout of more than 10,000 people, this celebration has been all about community. Originally held in the Lausche Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, the event has grown to its current location and attracts more than 35,000 attendees annually.

With a $10 admission fee (free for ages 12 and under), you can dive into a weekend of delicious food and lively entertainment. Just a heads up: pets are not allowed on the festival grounds, so leave them at home.

When it comes to food, you naturally want something tasty.

Think homemade pasta, fresh cannoli and all your favorite Italian dishes. There’s something for everyone, and you’ll definitely want to try a little bit of everything. And while you enjoy delicious snacks, take a moment to enjoy the festive atmosphere full of music, dancing and the joy of community.

There will be live performances throughout the day, giving visitors the chance to see everything from traditional Italian dancers to beloved big bands.

Don’t miss the highlight of the weekend: the high school parade and marching band competition on Sunday at 1 p.m. It’s a fantastic parade, with local bands, colorful floats and a lot of Italian pride.

The festival is a family affair, with many activities for the children. There will be rides all weekend long, plus kid-friendly entertainment like balloon artists, craft activities and more.

This year parking will be much easier than last year. The Columbus State Community College Indoor Parking Garage is the place to be, complete with a free shuttle that will take you directly to the festival entrance.

The shuttle buses are available at the following times:

You don’t have to worry about driving around to find a spot: just park in the garage, hop on the shuttle, and enjoy the ride. You can read more about the shuttle here.

This is one of the largest and most popular fall festivals in Columbus and I can pretty much guarantee you’ll be eating something incredibly delicious. What’s not to like about that?

For more information or to purchase your tickets in advance, visit columbusitalianfestival.com.