There are so many fun things to do in Lancaster, Ohio, and at just 45 minutes from Columbus, it’s an easy place to visit for a day or weekend!
Nestled in the heart of Fairfield County, Lancaster is a vibrant destination offering a diverse array of activities for residents and visitors alike. Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or arts connoisseur, there is something to captivate every interest.
And the food! There are so many great places to eat! With a cute and walkable downtown, you can easy spend a day or longer exploring.
Here’s a curated list of festivals and things to do in Lancaster, Ohio, and you can always find more fun via Destination Downtown Lancaster and Visit Fairfield Ohio.
Lancaster DORA
What is DORA?
DORA stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. Such a cute downtown area is perfect for a Sip & Stroll. Purchase your favorite beverage from a downtown bar, restaurant, or brewery, ask for it in the approved DORA cup, and enjoy within the designated area shown below.
- Beverages must be purchased from one of the state-approved liquor license holders within the district.
- Beverages can be enjoyed daily between 11am and 12am within the designated area.
- Patrons must finish their beverage before entering another business that sells alcohol.
- Cups must say within the DORA. Look for signs that indicate the boundaries.
2024 Annual events and festivals in Lancaster
Winter Brewfest
February 24, 1 pm – 6 pm. Sample from over 20 Ohio craft breweries, ciders and distilleries, plus live music and food vendors. Tickets are $20-$65. 21+ only event. (website)
Shop Hop
March 7-9. Participating downtown businesses will offer discounts, specials, and giveaways during this shopping campaign.
Chocolate Walk
April 5. Indulge in the chocolate treats from downtown businesses and take advantage of downtown’s designated outdoor refreshment area, which allows you to purchase drinks from our downtown bars and restaurants to enjoy while on the walk. Check back for tickets.
Lancaster Saturday Cinema
2nd Saturday of each month, May-August.
Free outdoor movie on the square by the bandstand.
Come early to save your space, enjoy music, and participate in pre-movie activities starting at 7:30 pm. Bring blankets, chairs, and snacks, and enjoy this family film under the stars in our beautiful downtown. The movie will begin at dusk. Concessions are available for purchase.
June 8: Wonka
July 13: Barbie
August 10: Hocus Pocus
Lancaster Festival
July 18-27, 2024. This multi-day festival features a huge variety of activities, including concerts, art activities, family fun, food, and more. Read more here.
The sun sets as the Lancaster Festival Orchestra performs on the campus of Ohio University in Lancaster, Ohio, Saturday evening, July 25, 2009. (Photo by Timothy E. Black)
Artwalk
July 19, 2024. 6-9pm. Stroll through beautiful historic Lancaster and enjoy the juried exhibitions of local and regional artists at downtown locations. Enjoy live music on stage, in business locations, and with talented street performers.
Main Street during the Artwalk in downtown Lancaster, Ohio, Friday, July 24, 2009. (Photo by Timothy E. Black)
Wands and Wizards Weekend
August 8-10, 2024. During this magical weekend, celebrate all things enchanting and mystical with specials and events for muggles and wizards.
Find specially brewed potion drinks, enjoy a scavenger hunt to find fantastical creatures, or enroll in a class to create your own wand. Check website for details as they are announced.
Lancaster Brewfest
August 17, 2024. Over 25+ Ohio craft breweries. Check website for tickets and information (note; details won’t be available until after Winter Brewfest.
Fall Festival and Trick or Treat
October 19, 2024. An afternoon full of fall traditions and community with FREE hayrides, live music, local vendors, and much more! Downtown businesses pass out candy to trick-or-treaters between 1-3pm, or while supplies last. More details here.
Small Business Celebration Week
November 29-December 1, 2024. Specials, deals, and giveaways as you gear up for the holidays.
Winterfest & Tree Lighting
December 7, 2024 from 12 pm – 5:30 pm. Free horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, family activities, a scavenger hunt, holiday music, and much more!
Glass Town Countdown
December 31, 2024. NYE celebration features and event of celebration at Zane Square to count down the final minutes of 2024. Get your photo taken with the giant glass globe before it is lit and lifted at midnight.
Best dining in Lancaster, Ohio
I’ve dined at multiple places in Lancaster over several visits, and I’ve driven to Lancaster JUST to eat at these places (multiple times)! Check out a full list of places to eat, along with a few of my favorites below.
Ale House 1890, 149 W. Main Street. I’ve had great pizzas (Pig & Fig!), salads, burgers, and drinks here!
Provisions Bakery & Deli, 135 W. Main Street. We ended up at Provisions one Sunday afternoon after exploring at Rising Park, and we vowed to come back! The sandwiches were excellent!
The Well, 203 S. Broad Street. I can’t say how many times I’ve driven to Lancaster JUST to dine at The Well. This place is amazing. They feature from-scratch, healthy, and delicious food, including bowls, salads, sandwiches, and desserts – and it’s ALLLLLL gluten-free (but you wouldn’t know it). I would eat every single thing on the menu. Portions are generous, so I always order some treats to-go (especially if I enjoy the Maple-studded affogato while there).
Oh, and there’s a tree house for the kids to play on in the back, so it’s a great place to take little ones!
Open for breakfast and lunch only, M-F.
Happy Goat Gluten-free Bakery, 502 N High St, Lancaster. Preorder from this fully gluten-free bakery, or stop in on Saturdays between 9-12 to see what goodies they have in stock!
Gypsy Joe’s, 2237 West Fair Avenue. Unique place to stop for donuts and ice cream!
Favorite Attractions in Lancaster
There are plenty of places to enjoy around Lancaster, but a few are major stand-outs for me.
AHA! A Hands-on Adventure Children’s Museum
1708 River Valley Circle South. This is one of the BEST indoor play places for kids in Central Ohio! My kids asked to go here ALL OF THE TIME. If you have kids ages 2-8, go check this place out!
There are so many interactive things for them to do inside AND in the huge and amazing outdoor playscape. Bring a change of clothes – the water table room is just too much fun for kids. (aha4kids.org)
Mt. Pleasant in Rising Park
1200 N High St, Lancaster, OH 43130
Take a short, but steep hike up Mount Pleasant at Rising Park to enjoy panoramic views of Lancaster, Fairfield County Fairgrounds, and the surrounding area.
Mount Pleasant is a 250 foot high sandstone bluff, once referred to as “Standing Stone” by earlier Native Americans.
While the main lookout area has railings up to discourage people from getting near the edge, it’s basically totally open at the top. Please be cautious and recognize that this may not be a safe place for kids who don’t follow directions.
Rising Park offers free parking, as well as a large lake to walk around, a large playground, picnic tables, and plenty of space to spread out and enjoy an afternoon.
Sensory Trail Park
College Ave, behind Forest Rose School, 1592 Granville Pike, near OU-Lancaster. Another perfect stop with kids! Wander this paved trail and play at the sensory stations, including outdoor musical instruments, tactile station, swings, and other sensory stops in front of Fetter Run Creek.
You’ll end up at the HUGE wheel-chair accessible tree house, that also features a fireman’s pole and multiple rooms.
Bring a lunch for a picnic or to enjoy at the covered shelter. (fairfieldcountyparks.org)
Skyview Drive-in
One of two drive-in movies located around Central Ohio (the other is South Drive-in). Read more about visiting Skyview Drive-in here.
Visit Lancaster’s Skyview Drive-in movie theatre for double feature fun and flea markets
Downtown Shops
The downtown stands out with how many great shops there are to explore within walking distance. From antiques, gifts shops, and boutique stores, you can go in and out of shops all day. See a list of stores on Destination Downtown Lancaster website.
Ohio Glass Museum and Glass Blowing Studio
We haven’t been here, but have heard great things! (ohioglassmuseum.org)
Art & Clay on Main
150 W. Main St. Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Super cute building inside and outside! Paint your own pottery and coffee shop!
Pickup is in 6-12 days for kiln-fired options, so make sure you can return to pick up within a couple of weeks. They also host parties and events. (artandclayonmain.com)
Picture Perfect Ranch
1214 Rockmill Rd NW Lancaster, Ohio 43130. Schedule a tour at this fun hobby farm! Meet the highland cows, mini horses, alpacas, pigs, goats, dogs, chickens, and rabbits! There are photo ops throughout the property, including a vintage Ford truck, vintage Jeep, Farmall tractor, and more.
They also offer birthday parties, rentals, photography passes, on-site photography, summer camps, and more. (pictureperfectranchohio.com)
Jet Pack Water Adventures
Lakeview RV Park, 2715 Sugar Grove Rd Lancaster. I haven’t done this, but it looks amazing! Soar up to 20 ft. in the air and walk on water on this private lake. Says it’s easy to learn, and you control the thrill in this unique adventure. 16+ up only.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. (jetpackwateradventures.com)
Lancaster Parks and Recreation
There are multiple parks within the Lancaster Parks district that are worth a visit. Check the website to see what special events are going on! (lancasterparks.com)
Christmas Rocks State Nature Preserve
2360 Meister Rd SW, Lancaster, OH 43130. 4.5 miles of hiking trails, featuring the scenic vista from the top of the formation known as Jacob’s Ladder. This Black Hand Sandstone formation towers some 250 feet above the valley of Arney Run. (ohiodnr.org)
Flight of the Hawk Park
4750 Old Logan Rd SE, Lancaster. 6+ acres featuring sculptures of native Ohio animals, plus birding and nature watching, photography, hiking or walking, dog walking, picnicking.
Local artist, Ric Leichliter, created the huge Hawk sculpture, plus life-sized white-tailed deer, turkey vultures, a wild turkey gobbler and hen. (fairfieldcountyparks.org)
Want to know more about visiting Fairfield County? Read about our visit to Lancaster a few years ago.
Nancy says
Thanks for a great article with so many places to visit in Lancaster. I was sorry to see that the Decorative Arts Center of Ohio was not included is your list.