We’ve all depended upon it at some point—from all-nighters to get that college paper submitted to getting that pick-me-up that’s much needed in the morning to fend off drowsiness. And if you haven’t, you might be some sort of superhuman anomaly. We’re, of course, talking about coffee, that magical morning elixir that fully turns our brains on and gets us going for the day.
Whether you like it for its practicality, or you’re really into all of the different brews, methods of crafting, and intricacies of the coffee bean, the Columbus Coffee Festival, a yearly festival staple in the heart of Buckeyeland, has something for everyone.
About the Coffee Festival
The Columbus Coffee Festival is a coffee-lover’s paradise. It’s without a doubt one of the more popular festivals that happen every year in the city, and for good reason. If you’re into coffee, this is basically your one-stop shop for finding the best local brewers, discovering some new favorites, and making a fun time out of an early-autumn weekend.
The Columbus Coffee Festival was started in 2016 by Columbus Underground, one of the city’s best independent journalism sites dedicated to showcasing what’s happening in Columbus from events, to new developments and restaurants popping up around the city. Fast-forward 8 years later, and the CCF has amassed a cult following, growing in attendance to over 8500 people in 2023. It just goes to show that people are crazy about their coffee. You can also feel good about attending—we’re talking on an intrinsic level, because, well, caffeine will also do that—because the festival also doubles as a fundraiser for Columbus Underground to help support self-funded, local journalism.
And it’s not just any coffee—the CCF features over 40 coffee roaster partners from all around the Midwest, with the majority being local to Ohio. It’s a celebration of all of the talented coffee roasters and baristas that the Midwest has to offer.
While the focus is obviously on the coffee, the festival lets craft and baked goods vendors set up shop for the weekend, and it also features festival staples like live music, poetry readings, pop-up petting zoos, food trucks, and tons more for guests to get involved with. With all that’s going on, it’s no wonder that this festival has some major drawing power in Columbus.
The 2024 Columbus Coffee Festival is taking place in Hilliard, one of Columbus’ suburbs, on October 5th and 6th. Which honestly couldn’t happen at a better time. The crisp, early fall air pairs perfectly with a nice, hot cup of coffee after all. Tickets for the event can be found on Columbus Underground’s website, and gives coffee fanatics plenty of options to plan their weekend accordingly. All ticket purchases will also net festival-goers a collectible, commemorative mug for the festival. If you’re a fan of coffee, you’ve got to experience the magic that is the Columbus Coffee Festival at least once.