Hilliard, Ohio is located just west of Downtown Columbus, and is an area rich with festivals, fun events, parks, and more.
Hilliard is home to the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 2 public pools, a Community Center/Senior Center, Splash Pad at Hilliard Station Park, and over 27 parks and 41 miles of multipurpose trails.
You’ll also find unique attractions like an authentic 1800s Historical Village, the only U.S. Early Television Museum, First Responders Park, more than 41 miles of outdoor trails and the Bo Jackson Elite Sports Facility.
There are plenty of fun outdoor activities in Hilliard all year round!
Scroll down to see our calendar listing of all of the fun events coming up in Hilliard!
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Hilliard DORA
A DORA is a designated outdoor refreshment area where residents age 21+ may purchase and carry alcohol. Old Hilliard’s designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) runs year round now. DORA hours are be noon-9 p.m., everyday.
Hilliard’s FREE Playground & Parks Passport
Sign up for Hilliard’s FREE Playground & Parks Passport! Earn points toward prizes by checking in at one of the 27 parks on the gamified pass! You can earn bonus points by trying out some of the park’s attractions! See details and instructions on the website.
Historical Village at Weaver Park
The Hilliard Ohio Historical Society Historical Village is open on Saturday’s and Sunday’s from 1pm to 5pm, May 4th to September 29th, 2024. The Village is located in Weaver Park in Hilliard at 4162 Columbia Street
Visit and explore the log cabin, one room schoolhouse, caboose, Hilliard’s original train station and other buildings from Hilliard’s past. The museum has several new displays along with newly expanded displays and a new gift shop.
Parking is free, close to the Village and the tours are free; donations are appreciated. Docents are available to share the history of the buildings and the area. Details here.
Special events in Hilliard
(scroll down to see the calendar listing of all of the upcoming events)
Total Eclipse in the Park at Hilliard Station Park
April 8, 2024 from 1 pm – 3:30 pm
Hilliard will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. Watch the once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon while attending a special event in Downtown Hilliard.
This free event will include: Solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last), DJ/music, Sun catcher craft, Solar Eclipse Trivia, Snacks (moon pies, starbursts, mars bars, and more), photos with an astronaut, mirror dancer, and more.
Event parking available at Franklin County Fairgrounds, 5024 Northwest Parkway
Earth Day Recycling Event
Saturday, April 13, 2023 from 10 am – 1 pm
Go Green Hilliard is planning a community Earth Day recycling event on Saturday, April 13 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia Street, Hilliard. Help us keep Hilliard “green” by recycling this Earth Day!
Enter the fairground at Northwest Parkway to drop off recycling. See details about what can be recycled here.
Hilliard Historical Society Open House
Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Free admission, free tours, family fun, and so much more. Visit the newly renovated museum and restored caboose. Starts at Norwich Pavilion, snacks & drinks available, open to the public, FREE admission (donations welcome). Details here.
Located at Hillard Historical Village in Weaver Park, 5274 Norwich St. Hilliard, OH 43026
Hilliard Farm Market
Tuesdays, May 21-September 3, 2024 from 4-7 p.m., at Hilliard United Methodist Church (5445 Scioto Darby Rd. Hilliard). Click here for the updates and food truck options, if available.
Upcoming events in Hilliard
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Monday, April 8, 2024
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Annual events
Autism Awareness Day
April is Autism Awareness Month, and Hilliard Division of Police opens its doors to our residents who have autism and their families. This event provides participants the opportunity to socialize with First Responders in a calm and reassuring environment.
Touch a Truck at Hilliard’s Station Park
May tba from 10 am – 12 pm. This Children’s event features interactive fun with Big Trucks, Cars, Machines, Police and Fire Vehicles. Touch-A-Truck takes place at Hilliard’s Station Park (corner of Center and Main Streets in Old Hilliard). Details.
Police Memorial Ceremony
Each spring, the City of Hilliard holds a Peace Officers Memorial Day service at First Responders Park to honor all Ohio police officers killed in the line of duty. The event is now held May 19. It is especially poignant as it marks the anniversary of the loss of Hilliard Officer Sean Johnson, whose end of watch occurred on May 19, 2016. Officer Johnson was the first Hilliard officer killed in the line of duty since the department’s creation in 1957. The public is encouraged to come pay their respects during this free event at First Responders Park.
Celebration At The Station
Free live music at Hilliard’s Station Park in Old Hilliard on Thursdays June – August, 2024 from 6:30 pm – 9 pm. Concerts occur during Hilliard’s DORA (designated outdoor refreshment area). Adults 21+ can enjoy adult beverages outdoors in the designated outdoor refreshment area from 12 – 9 p.m. daily.
Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics
Every June, Hilliard police participate in this run, which garners awareness and raises money for Special Olympics of Ohio. The run begins at Kroger on Cemetery Road and finishes at First Responders Park.
Lunch Time Live!
Kick off your weekend early by enjoying lunch time concerts on select Fridays this summer at Weaver Park. A food truck will be available or pack a picnic.
Motivation At The Station
Motivation at the Station runs from June through August. Work out and have fun on Saturday mornings in the summer with our yoga and fitness series. Featuring local instructors, this event is great for your body and mind. Free classes start at 8 a.m. and are 50 minutes long.
Participants must register in advance. (use keyword search for Motivation to find the available dates and to register).
Hilliard Arts Council Summer Concert Series
June – Sept tba 2024. This Sunday evening concert series features an eclectic mix of performers and music styles. The concerts are free to the public and usually occur in front of the Hilliard Civic and Cultural Arts Center.
The concerts are held during Hilliard DORA, which allows you to enjoy alcoholic beverages outside within a designated zone (read more about DORA above). Bring food and your beverage of choice from DORA participating establishments, or purchase from limited concessions available for purchase.
Click here for full concert schedule.
Sprouts Night Out
Dates tba 2024. Families can enjoy a fun summer night with live music, kids activities, and food trucks at Hilliard’s Station Park. Registration is required.
National Night Out
August 1, 2024. Every August, Hilliard Division of Police hosts the community for National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. The event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention, as well as encourages community and police interaction.
Freedom Fest
Held on the first Saturday in July, Hilliard’s celebration of our Independence Day is one of the biggest days in Hilliard! We kick off the Freedom Fest festivities in Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park with live music by a national artist, food trucks, inflatables and games for kids and adults. Stick around for the spectacular fireworks show after dusk. Details for Freedom Fest here.
Independence Day Parade
July 4 at 9:30 a.m. The annual parade starts at Franklin County Fairgrounds, continuing through Old Hilliard. Register for the parade on July 4 at the parade website.
Franklin County Fair
July 15-21, 2024: At the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Admission to the Fair is $10. Most attractions and performances are FREE with admission (excluding select Grandstand events, rides, games and food).
There are discount days, presale tickets, and more ways to save money – check them out here!
9/11 Rememberance Ceremony
September 11, 2024. The community is invited to join Hilliard Division of Police and Norwich Township Fire each Sept. 11 at First Responders Park as we remember the 9/11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Pennsylvania. Details here.
The First Responders Park, in the center of Old Hilliard, memorializes those who died on 9/11 and pays tribute to the 403 First Responders who died making the ultimate sacrifice for their community.
Hilliard Fall Festival
Sunday, September tba, 2024 from 1-4 pm at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park. With food trucks, inflatables, games and crafts, pumpkin picking, petting zoo, pony rides, and even a hayride, it’s an event that’s perfect for all ages! Find details.
Beggar’s Night
Thursday, October 31, 2024 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Each year, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission sets the Trick or Treat date for cities in central Ohio.
When Halloween, Oct. 31, falls on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, Trick or Treat is held on the Thursday before Oct. 31.
Prescription Pill Drug Take Back Day
Hilliard Division of Police joins other communities every October for the Drug Enforcement Agency’s National Drug Take Back Day. Residents can use a simple drive-thru service at the police department, 5171 Northwest Boulevard, to drop off their unwanted or expired medication in pill form. It’s typically held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a Saturday.
Veterans Day Parade
The parade will proceed will proceed from the Fairgrounds, head South on Avery/Main Street, West on Cemetery Road to Scioto Darby Road and South on Veterans Memorial Drive, where it will conclude with a short ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.
Holidays in Hilliard
Letters to Santa
Drop off letters to Santa at Hilliard Station Park. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to receive a return letter from Santa. The red Santa mailbox is located at the corner of Main and Center streets.
Holiday Hop and Hilliard Tree Lighting
Sunday, December 1, 2024 from 4-6:30 p.m. Lighting of the tree in Hilliard’s Station Park with holiday music, visit by Santa and the elves, ice sculpting demonstrations, reindeer, cookie decorating, food trucks, face painting, holiday train and carriage rides and hot chocolate!
There are activities in the park, along Main Street, and Historical Village. The event is walkable, but a trolley will also be available from the Chase Bank parking lot to the Historical Village.
Mrs. Claus and elves will be in the schoolhouse with children writing letters to Santa and many other activities including village tours, balloon twister, face painting, holiday music and more. FREE admission (donations welcome)
Convenient, free parking is available at the Franklin County Fairgrounds and at the lot at Madison and Wayne streets.
Santa in the Train Station
Sunday, December tba 2024 from 2 PM – 5 PM, at the Historical Village train station.
Children can share their Christmas list with Santa at the Historical Village train station, horse drawn wagon rides, music in the chapel and hot chocolate & donuts available, FREE admission (donations welcome)
Hilliard Holiday Sip, Shop & Stroll
December tba 2024 from 6 pm – 9 pm
Hilliard will be full of merriment, holiday cocktails, delicious food, and local shopping! Grab a couple friends and the Sip, Shop & Stroll map for an evening to remember. While exploring the various sipping options and retail offerings, fill up your Shop Local Passport to earn a fun prize and entries into amazing giveaways!
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Walking Tour of Old Hilliard
TBA from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join longtime resident Tim Woodruff for a guided tour of historic Old Hilliard.
Listen to stories, learn fun facts like where the first silent movie played, where the first Hilliard bank robbery took place, where the first integrated school was in Hillard and where the first hotel was located and much, much more.
Starts at the Historical Society Library, 5274 Norwich St. Hilliard, Fee is $10.00 per person, Tour size is limited. Details here.
Summer in Hilliard
Hilliard Splash Parks
The Hilliard’s Station Park and Clyde “Butch” Seidle Community Pool splash pads open to the public in early May, tba. The CBSCP splash pad will close as a free amenity when the pool opens on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend
Both splash pads operate post-pool season through the end of September.
Swimming in Hilliard
Hilliard is home to two community swimming pools. Day passes and memberships available for 2023.
Hilliard Family Aquatic Center
Opens Memorial weekend, closes in late August
Hilliard Family Aquatic Center features slides, lazy river, multiple pools, zero depth entry kids area splash pad
3850 Veterans Memorial Dr., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$15. Daily visitors must register for a RecTrac account and obtain visitor pass key fobs prior to entering the facilities. Account registration can be done online or at the Hilliard Community Center and must be done prior to visiting the pool. Online account registration may take up to three business days for activation
Membership: Prices start at $25 (seniors)
Membership: Open to residents on May 3; if available they will go on sale to school district/non-residents May 17. Read all rules and regulations before purchasing.
Website: link
Clyde “Butch” Seidle Community Pool
Opens Memorial Weekend – Labor Day weekend
4450 Schirtzinger Rd., Hilliard
Daily Admission: $5-$15. Daily visitors must register for a RecTrac account and obtain visitor pass key fobs prior to entering the facilities. Account registration can be done online or at the Hilliard Community Center and must be done prior to visiting the pool. Online account registration may take up to three business days for activation
Membership: Prices start at $25 (seniors)
Website: link
Historical Society Art Show
June 15, 2024 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at Weaver Park, 4100 Columbia St.
There will be 50+ local artists displaying and selling their wares at this year’s fair. There will be paintings, mixed media, jewelry, wood crafts and ceramics along with many others.
Children can enjoy their own arts and crafts activities along with face painting, face painting and various photo opportunities.
Food will be available for purchase from the popular Buckeye Crepes and Kona Ice food trucks.
Fall Fun in Hilliard
Fall is the BEST season in Ohio, so get outside and enjoy the cool weather and beautiful colors before everything turns cold and gray. Head to Hilliard to check out some of the fun activities going on this fall!
Walking Tour of Old Hilliard
Saturday, September tba 2024 at 10 AM. Starts at the Historical Society Library, 5274 Norwich St. Fee is $10 per person. Rain date: Sunday, September 4th.
Old HilliardFest Street Festival
Cancelled for 2023
Heritage Day presented by the Hilliard Historical Society
September tba, 2024 from 11 am – 4 pm. Go back in time to the 1800’s during Heritage Day at Weaver Park.
The historical village will host Civil War reenactors, artisans, craftsmen, village tours, bean soup prepared in a cast iron kettle on the village green, other food and drinks available. FREE admission (donations welcome).
Visit the restored buildings on the grounds of historic Weaver Park, an 1850 period village. The historical buildings and museum will be open for tours and historical crafts and skills such as broom making, rope making, blacksmithing and bee keeping will be showcased.
Pumpkin Float and Flick at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park
September tba, 2024 from 6:30 pm- 9:30 pm
Enjoy the park after the sun sets and the pumpkins are launched in the pond. Walk on the lantern-lit trail and enjoy some hot chocolate before we end the evening watching “Transylvania.”
Bring your lawn chair, blankets, picnic, and pre-carved pumpkin (no more than 5 pounds), or carve your own at the pumpkin carving station, to float in the pond.
Please register if you plan to bring a pumpkin to donate to the event. This event is FREE!
Scarecrow Spooktacular 2023
Check out scarecrows all over Hilliard with the Scarecrow Spooktacular from October 16 to November 1, 2023. Find over 30 scarecrows! This fun event is FREE – go at your own pace! Find the map on the Hilliard Chamber of Commerce website.
Haunted Village
Friday, October 20, 2023, 6 PM – 9 PM
Saturday, October 21, 6 PM – 9 PM, at the Historical Village for Halloween tours. Food and drinks available.
Admission: $5 per person, kids three and under are FREE.
There will be many children’s activities such as “Keep It Safe Trick or Treat”, storytelling in the one room schoolhouse, the Witches’ Cauldron, a Haunted Cemetery, “Spooky” character Photo Op Cutouts and a Costume Contest.
Halloween Haunt
Saturday, October tba 2024 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Trick or treat at participating businesses located in Downtown Hilliard! Kids are encouraged to wear costumes, and there will be scattered free activities along the way. You can also participate in an electronic scavenger hunt of skeletons!
This event is presented by Destination Hilliard.
Hilliard United Methodist Church
5445 Scioto Darby Rd. Hilliard
Hilliard, OH 43026
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