Over 40 Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties around Columbus

The Total Solar Eclipse of 2024 is happening on Monday, April 8, 2024 and the whole country is getting excited about it!

Parts of Ohio are along the path of totality, so everyone can catch a partial solar eclipse, and many will be able to see a total solar eclipse with a little driving!

If you can swing it, take a day trip to see the total solar eclipse along the path of totality within driving distance. Traffic may be bad, so make sure to prepare with a full tank of gas, snacks, water, and a plan!

Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties around Columbus.

Museum and Parks Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties around Columbus 

COSI

April 8, 2024, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
At COSI – Partial Eclipse Experience (99.6% totality)

Come explore the science of the Great American Eclipse with COSI! On April 8, 2024, COSI will offer hands-on educational STEAM demonstrations and activities, a live video stream of the eclipse in totality, free solar eclipse glasses and STEAM kits (while supplies last), and more from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

While you’re at COSI, be sure to check out of the all-new video, Eclipse: The Musical, made in partnership with Alphabet Rockers. All eclipse activities will be available to the public. Tickets to COSI will be available for those who want to continue the learning experience. Learn about the science of solar and lunar eclipses with COSI’s own Dr. B in 3!

Solar Eclipse SOLAR-BRATION

April 8, 2024 from 12 pm – 4 pm

Join us at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to witness the magic of the solar eclipse amidst the wonders of wildlife. Details here. 

• Eclipse viewing glasses will be available (while supplies last)
• Meet and greet our Character Ambassadors
• Enjoy Partner Activity Stations at Conservation Courtyard

Dawes Arboretum in Newark

April 8 from 2 pm – 4 pm at The Dawes Arboretum: Guests can safely view the Moon passing between the Sun and Earth. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets and solar eclipse viewers. Note: Newark, Ohio will only receive 99.5% totality and protective eyewear will need to be worn to look towards the sun for the experience. 

SPI Mount Vernon

April 8 from 1 pm – 3:30 pm at Ariel Foundation Park. Organized and hosted by SPI at Mount Vernon’s unique and centrally located Ariel-Foundation Park, this free event promises entertainment and learning for families, area residents and out-of-town guests. 

Join us from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in the outdoor space outside of the Knox County Foundation Pavillion. Starting at 1, we’ll have food vendors selling snacks and treats. PLUS on-air personalities from WCLT T-100 FM will broadcast remotely from Big Thunder! SPI’s official welcome and kick-off will begin at 1:30 p.m. Leading up to totality (around 3:12 p.m.) we’ll feature stations and a FUN danceworthy show by an awesome intergallactic kids rock band The Shazzbots! 

Columbus Metro Parks

Five Columbus Metro Parks will be in totality for the Solar eclipse. Find out more details on the website. 

Library Solar Eclipse Viewing Parties 

Many local libraries are hosting viewing parties, and/or giving away solar eclipse glasses!

Note: Columbus Public Libraries are out of glasses to give away.

Columbus Public Metropolitain Library: Library branches are hosting events and watch parties, including the Main Library watch party with COSI from 1-4 pm. 

Westerville Public Library: Eclipse events leading up to the eclipse, and they’ll have a booth at the Viewing Party at Hoff Woods Park. 

Southwest Public Library: Eclipse glasses giveaway and eclipse program for kids.

The library has a limited supply of eclipse glasses to give away the week of April 1–8, while supplies last. First come, first served at both Grove City Library and Westland Area Library. No holds, limit 4 per family, one member of family must be present at pickup (can’t pick up for other families. 

Eclipse program for kids grades K-5 on Saturday, April 6 @ 2 p.m. at Grove City Library and Westland Area Library.
Learn all about the upcoming eclipse and safe viewing, plus enjoy eclipse-themed crafts and activities. No registration is required. Each elementary school-age participant at this program will receive a free COSI learning kit while supplies last that includes a pair of eclipse glasses. *Please note this program is on Saturday, April 6, not on the day of the eclipse itself, Monday, April 8.*

Eclipse Watch Party at Land-Grant with COSI Science

April 8, 2024, from noon – 6 pm. Interactive experiments with COSI, collaboration Black IPA, Totality, food trucks, and more. Details here. 

Ice bumper cars, brewery curling, and the eclipse at Land-Grant Brewing Company

Delaware County Viewing Parties

Destination Delaware has shared a list with dozens of eclipse parties, from small to huge! Check them out here! 

Solar Eclipse Day on the Rooftop at National Veteran’s Memorial Museum

Catch the Great North American Eclipse from the rooftop of the NVMM in Downtown Columbuse! In partnership with the Ohio History Connection, we will have hands-on learning programs throughout the Museum between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission is free for NVMM members, $5 for OHC and COSI members, and $10 for anyone else who wants to marvel at this celestial phenomenon. Special eclipse glasses will be provided to all visitors.

2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE: Experience Dublin in the Dark

April 8, 2024: Dublin, Ohio sits within the path of totality, and will experience approximately 90 seconds of total darkness midday (3:11 pm)! The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806, and the next will not occur until 2099, so don’t be left out and in the dark!

Dublin invites you to book a stay at a participating hotel and get access to Dublin’s exclusive rooftop viewing party. Claim your spot when you make a reservation at one of our participating Dublin hotels. See participating hotels and details here. 

New Albany Solar Eclipse Experience

Parks and Recreation partners with Healthy New Albany to bring you the Solar Eclipse Experience! 

New Albany is just off the path of totality, and will see 99.68% coverage according to elicpse2024.org. 

Enjoy the viewing and experience at Bevelhymer Park from 1pm-5pm on April 8, 2024.  There will be food trucks, science based activities for kids as well as FREE eclipse glasses to the first 2,000 attendees! Come early and stay late  – bring your own blankets or chairs! Details on naparks.org.

Delaware County Preservation Parks Viewing

These parks have the best visibility. There is limited parking and will be open on a first come, first served basis. Parks open at 8 a.m. Staff stationed at these parks will have eclipse information and a limited number of solar eclipse glasses for safe viewing.

Deer Haven Park (Tacomania food truck, 2-5 pm)
Gallant Woods Park (Hogback BBQ food truck, 2-5 pm)
Hickory Woods Park (Frida’s Authentic Mexican food truck, 2-5 pm)
Gallant Farm
Blues Creek Park

More details here about Delaware County Preservation Parks eclipse events

Total Eclipse of the Cat at The Woods Park and Pavilion

April 8 from 11 am – 7 pm. 

Enjoy Nature at The Woods Park and Pavilion and watch the eclipse with Homeless to Home Animal Rescue and Cat Sanctuary. Great Music by DJ Sound Investment , corn hole, and food truck by Slap Yo Self. Great Family Fun! Parking $10, Event TShirts $25, and glasses $2. All proceeds benefit the Rescue. 

Richland County Fairgrounds

In the path of totality!

Weekend long festival with a viewing party for the April 8th eclipse. Campsites are available for rental. The celebrations include seminars, kidszone, food trucks, live music. local vendors, and more. 

OHclipse at the Richland County Fairgrounds
April 8, 2024,  8:00 am – 5:00 pm
2500 prime seats directly facing the eclipse!  Don’t miss out on the best viewing in the area.  Glasses available, 200 campsites, kids activities, food trucks, live music, vendors and more.  Click HERE for tickets to the event.  Contact the Fairgrounds for more information at 419-747-3717. 750 N Home Rd, Mansfield, OH 44906

Find more options on the Destination Mansfield website. 

Find more Solar Eclipse Viewing parties around Columbus below!

Solar Eclipse Glasses

Solar Eclipse glasses note: The most important thing to know about the solar eclipse is that you must have proper eyewear to view the eclipse, or you could suffer permanent eye damage, whether you are witnessing the total or partial solar eclipse.  

Many places have sold out of the glasses and it can be hard to tell which ones are real and fake, but watch parties listed below will have some available (please check the links to ensure details and/or glasses availability have not changed on Monday).  

You can also make a pinhole viewer to safely see the eclipse, which can be a great craft for kids to make over the weekend.  Regular sunglasses WILL NOT provide sufficient protection!

Read more about where you can find solar eclipse glasses!

Where to get Solar Eclipse glasses for April 8

If you can’t get out of the office or you don’t have proper safety eyewear or a viewing device, you can watch it on your computer with NASA’s Live Stream of the event.

All about the upcoming solar eclipse in Columbus in April 2024