Most small cities claim they’re “walkable” until you show up for a festival and spend 20 minutes circling for parking. Columbus actually delivers. The downtown core is tight, the trail network covers 30 miles, and the festival calendar runs from design showcases to classic car shows without creating traffic chaos. Here’s what to time your trip around, where to park, and where to stay.
- Exhibit Columbus runs August through November with free outdoor design pieces all over downtown—great for anyone who wants more than just “pretty buildings.”
- Ethnic Expo in October brings two days of international food and live music to City Hall, drawing one of the city’s biggest crowds of the year.
- Parking strategy: use the Jackson Street Garage or show up early on event days, then walk a few blocks—the downtown is small enough that ditching the car works.
What to Time Your Trip Around
Exhibit Columbus (August through November 30, 2025) turns downtown into an open-air design lab. Free installations appear across the city, giving you a reason to plan an entire weekend around opening events. Grab the exhibition map at the Visitors Center and create your own route that catches good light. You’ll see design students, architecture fans, and locals who just like something new to look at during lunch.
Ethnic Expo (October) takes over the blocks around City Hall at 123 Washington Street for two days. Food booths, cultural performances, and live music pack the area. Lines form at the popular vendors, so get there early if you want a good spot near the main stage. Families bring blankets and camp out for hours.
Mill Race Marathon (late September, fourth Saturday) brings weekend runs, kids’ events, and road closures downtown. Bib pickup is Friday, so if you’re racing, arrive a day early. If you’re spectating, expect closures Saturday morning and post up at a café near the finish line to watch.
Hot Rods & Rock ‘n’ Roll (September) fills downtown with classic cars and ends with a free concert in front of The Commons. Parts of Washington Street and cross streets close for the show, so arrive earlier than you think and be ready to walk from wherever you park.
Festival of Lights Parade (early December) sends lit-up floats through downtown at night. Dress warm, find a spot along the route early, and bring a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate.
Before booking, check the master calendar at columbus.in.us to see what overlaps with your dates. Some weekends stack multiple events, great if you want variety, rough if you hate crowds.
Where to Park
Jackson Street Parking Garage is the main public option. It’s central and handles most festival overflow without issues. The 2nd Street Parking Garage is often reserved and not open for event parking, so skip it.
During Hot Rods weekend, sections of Washington Street and connecting roads close. Show up early or accept that you’ll walk a few blocks. Mill Race Park lots and neighborhood street parking work as backups, just watch for time limit signs and use the People Trail to walk into downtown.
Getting Around on Foot
Columbus indiana built a compact downtown centered on The Commons at 300 Washington Street and the Visitors Center. Use them as meeting spots or rest stops when you need bathrooms, maps, or a place to sit.
The People Trail network covers more than 30 miles and connects parks to downtown. If you’re staying outside the center or want to skip event traffic, take the trail and walk or bike in. It’s well-marked, mostly flat, and better than driving in circles.
Where to Stay
Hotel Indigo Columbus Architectural Center sits downtown, walking distance to The Commons and the riverfront. Rooms have modern design with nods to the city’s architecture scene, and you can walk to any festival in under five minutes.
The Inn at Irwin Gardens is a historic mansion turned bed and breakfast a few blocks from City Hall. Good choice for festival weekends when you want character instead of a chain hotel. Rooms book fast during Ethnic Expo and Exhibit Columbus, so reserve early.
Weekend Plans That Work
Design + Street Life (Exhibit Columbus): Start at the Visitors Center at 506 Fifth Street for a map, then walk the installations at your own speed. Time it for late afternoon when the light hits the buildings right, then grab dinner downtown. Architecture tours and Miller House shuttles book through the Visitors Center if you want a guide.
Global Eats (Ethnic Expo): Get there before lunch to beat the worst lines at food booths near City Hall. Try a few vendors, take a break at The Commons indoor playground if you have kids, then come back for evening performances when things get lively.
Cars + Classics (Hot Rods): Park outside the closed streets, walk through the car displays, then find a spot for the free concert at The Commons. Bring a blanket or chairs because seating goes fast once the music starts.
Run & Recover (Mill Race Marathon): Pick up your bib and check the route Friday. Run Saturday morning, then eat at one of the cafés near the finish line. Everything you need is within a few blocks.
Things Worth Knowing
Start at the Visitors Center (506 Fifth Street) for maps, bathrooms, and tour bookings. They have printed guides for self-guided architecture walks and handle shuttle reservations for the Miller House, one of the city’s signature modernist homes.
The Commons is your indoor break spot between festival activities or parades. Bathrooms, a kids’ playground, and seating make it the default place to rest when you need a breather.
Street closures change by event, so check official pages the week before your trip for updated maps and schedules. Hot Rods closes different streets than Ethnic Expo, and Mill Race Marathon reroutes morning traffic in ways that aren’t obvious until you’re already driving.
Your Game Plan
Columbus makes it easy to plan a weekend around festivals without dealing with parking headaches or confusing layouts. The downtown is walkable, the trail system connects everything, and parking options actually exist. Book a hotel within walking distance, check the master calendar before you commit to dates, and use The Commons as your home base. You’ll spend your time at the festival instead of hunting for a parking spot or figuring out where you are.
