COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio offers a wide mix of entertainment for this mid-September weekend.
Music fans can enjoy the Olde Towne East Jazz Festival, the Blues and Brews Festival in Reynoldsburg, a free Columbus Jazz Orchestra concert downtown, “Hokus Pokus Live!” on stage and a big-name show from Eric Church at Nationwide Arena.
Families can head to Hilliard’s Fall Fest, attend the See Brilliance STEAM Festival, or Olentangy Caverns for crafts, puppets, and live youth performances. Movie lovers can catch the classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on the big screen in Marysville.
Food, sports, and fashion also take the spotlight with Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus Columbus, the Ohio State Buckeyes game against Ohio University, and the start of Fashion Week Columbus.
3rd Annual Olde Towne East Jazz Festival
Blackburn Recreation Center, 263 Carpenter Street, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12 to 14
• Three days of free family fun. This year's theme: Bringin It Back Home, honoring the historic Mt. Vernon Comin Home Festival with original organizers and the iconic electric slide. Great music, food vendors and resources onsite. Saturday Headliner Four80East and Sunday headliner Lin Rountree. Live music at 8 p.m. each night. Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. More info and registration: otejazz.com
Oktoberfest Grandview!
Hofbrauhaus Columbus, recurring weekly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Sept. 28
• Celebrate Oktoberfest with authentic bier, traditional German dishes, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Festivities include stein-raising singalongs, balloon artists, and plenty of food and drink. Kick off Friday at 7 p.m. for the ceremonial keg tapping with Dave Man from QFM96.
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Blues and Brews Festival
Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr., Reynoldsburg, Friday, Sept. 12, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• The Blues and Brews Fest is a celebration of live blues music, craft beer, great food, and fun family activities. Food trucks and live music with Austin and the Syd Experience and Bobby Floyd and Sean Carney.
Hokus Pokus Live!
KEMBA LIVE! Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.
• Hokus Pokus Live conjures up a wickedly spooky fully-scripted theatrical experience starring Ginger Minj, Jujubee, and Sapphira Cristál as the legendary Sisters and featuring Landon Cider as Billy. With hauntingly hilarious comedy, powerhouse vocals, and a dash of magic, this live spectacle brings the cult classic to the stage like never before. Ages 13 and up recommended for language.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
The Avalon Theatre, 121 S. Main St., Marysville Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.
• A delicious family classic. Join Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) in a splendiferous movie that brings the endlessly appetizing delights of Roald Dahl’s classic book. On a whirlwind tour of Willy’s incredible, edible realm of chocolate waterfalls, elfish Oompa-Loompas and industrial-sized confections, a boy named Charlie (Peter Ostrum) will discover the sweetest secret of all, a generous, loving heart. First Friday Film, pay-what-you-can, $4 minimum.
Actors Gene Wilder (1933 - 2016) as Willy Wonka in the film 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory', 1971. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
Columbus Jazz Orchestra at Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park Downtown, Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.
• Free outdoor concert featuring the Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Byron Stripling and Sydney McSweeney on vocals. Local band Starlit Ways opens at 5:30 p.m., CJO begins at 7 p.m. Food trucks onsite. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free.
See Brilliance STEAM Festival
MPACC Box Park, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave., Saturday, Sept. 13, noon to 5 p.m.
• The See Brilliance STEAM Festival is a family-friendly celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and confidence in youth across Columbus. Now in its third year, the festival brings together over 300 students, families, educators, and community partners for a day filled with hands-on activities, live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, music, food, and more.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Ohio Bobcats
Ohio Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.
• The Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Ohio Bobcats at 7 p.m. in Columbus.
NBC4 File
Eric Church: Free the Machine Tour
Nationwide Arena, Saturday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.
• Making the most of the long-awaited opportunity to “gather again,” for the first time in his career, Eric Church will play in-the-round.
FILE - In this April 29, 2016 file photo, Eric Church performs at the 2016 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. Church is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File)
Hilliard Fall Fest
Hilliard Municipal Park, Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Celebrate the beginning of fall at an event hosted by the City of Hilliard. Enjoy hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, inflatables and games, face painting, balloon artists, live dog shows, and more. Plus, live music from Simba Jordan!
Kids craft market, Mr. Puppet puppet show and local teen rock band 'Short Fuse'
Olentangy Caverns, 1779 Home Road, Delaware, Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Young entrepreneurs are invited to set up and sell their wares at the Made By Me Market, more details and to register, click here: olentangycaverns.com/made-by-me-market. At 2 p.m. enjoy a free kid-friendly puppet show featuring Mr. Puppet at the outdoor shelter house stage. Local teen rock band “Short Fuse” performs at 3:30 p.m.
Fashion Week Columbus
Various locations around Columbus, Sept. 14 to 20
• Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council, which produces a full week of fashion shows and fashion-related programs showcasing emerging fashion designers to media, buyers, and the incredible fashion community in Central Ohio.