About 35,000 people are expected at St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church, 168 E. Lincoln St., when the 2026 Columbus Italian Festival opens Oct. 9. The three-day event runs through Oct. 11 and draws roughly that many visitors each year, according to an event spokesman. It's a neighborhood tradition that fills a block—and a weekend—with food, music and faith.
This year's theme is "Roma Eterna – All Roads Lead to Rome," a nod to Italy's capital as a hub of culture, faith, art and tradition. The festival website calls Rome a city "where every road truly leads back to its rich history and vibrant spirit."
What's on the Grounds
Live music and entertainment, authentic cuisine, wine and desserts, cooking demonstrations, local vendors, cultural exhibits, church tours and a Sunday Mass are all on the program. The focus is community: local vendors, a church open for tours and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
Two new features arrive this year. Bocce courts make their debut, with a ribbon-cutting set for 5:15 p.m. Oct. 9. The Columbus Italian Festival Bocce Classic will run there throughout the weekend. Organizers have also added Piazza del Bambini, a children's area with activities for younger festivalgoers.
Music, Parade and Local Talent
Sorelle, a trio of Ohio sisters and finalists on season 23 of NBC's "The Voice," will perform at 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. Oct. 9. The festival parade steps off at 1 p.m. Oct. 11 from Goodale Park, winds through Italian Village and finishes at the festival. Columbus Blue Jackets player Dante Fabbro will serve as grand marshal. The High School Marching Band Competition follows the parade, and organizers scheduled a meet-and-greet with Fabbro, a Blue Jackets defenseman, for 2 p.m. that day. Crew Cat from the Columbus Crew is expected on the evening of Oct. 9 and the afternoon of Oct. 11.
Cost, Hours and Getting There
The festival runs from 5-11 p.m. Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 10, and noon to 7 p.m. Oct. 11. Single-day admission costs $15; a three-day pass costs $30. Children under 12 get in free. That helps keep a weekend out affordable for families with several kids.
Getting there won't cost extra. Festivalgoers can park free at Columbus State Community College and take a free shuttle to and from the event all weekend. The pickup point is the parking garage at 534 E. Long St. Tickets and more information are available at columbusitalianfestival.com.
Belinda M. Paschal, a Columbus Dispatch features and entertainment reporter, published the original report Oct. 6, 2026. The publication said it may earn a commission from purchases made through links on its page, while its editorial recommendations remain independent of that compensation.
Why This Matters: Events like this do quiet civic work. About 35,000 people attend each year, and children under 12 get in free. Free parking and shuttle service also lower the barrier for families who might skip pricier outings. In a city where getting to an event can be as big a hurdle as paying for it, free transportation matters. Local vendors gain a built-in audience, and the church opens its doors to neighbors and visitors alike. A shared cultural tradition reaches a new generation through spaces like Piazza del Bambini. It's a small example of how community institutions and thoughtful access choices can make public life more open and inclusive.