Festival Latino, Ohio's largest Latino festival, is packing up its riverfront roots and heading deeper into downtown Columbus this August, trading longtime host Genoa Park for a new footprint that stretches across Columbus Commons and the Ohio Theatre. The free, family-friendly two-day event runs Saturday and Sunday, August 22–23, with stages, food vendors, children's activities and dance programming for all ages. Organizers say the change will let them expand what they can offer on both indoor and outdoor stages.
What's changing and who's playing
The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) laid out the new plan and lineup in a June 25 press release, announcing that the 29th annual Festival Latino will be held Aug. 22–23 at Columbus Commons and in the Ohio Theatre. As outlined by CAPA, headliners include OKAN, Mazizo Musical, Oro Sólido and José Alberto "El Canario," with local favorites such as DJ Cale (Derek Amaya) and Los Borirengues del Swing also on the bill. Festival hours are listed as noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Why organizers moved the site
Organizers say the relocation gives the festival "greater infrastructure and resources" and will "provide a more secure, accessible, and welcoming environment for all participants," according to CAPA's statement. The updated layout, CAPA added, lets planners pair open-air stages on the Commons with indoor presentations at the Ohio Theatre, offering more weather-resilient programming and additional arts partnerships.
Inside programming and family features
The venue shuffle also opens space for curated indoor offerings. Local TV coverage reports that organizers are planning free films and arts activities inside the Ohio Theatre as part of collaborations with performing-arts partners. According to WSYX/MyFox28 Columbus, those indoor slots will be geared toward families and smaller showcase performances.
What to expect and how to get there
Festivalgoers can expect multiple stages, a dance plaza, and a marketplace of food and craft vendors spread across the Commons and into theatre spaces, Columbus Underground reports. Attendees should plan for downtown crowds and limited parking, and organizers and city partners typically publish transit and parking guidance in the weeks before the event.
Context: festival season is shifting
Festival Latino's move is part of a broader reshuffling of summertime events in Columbus this year, as some organizers look for venues with more controlled perimeters or indoor options. The Columbus Dispatch reported that Columbus Taco Fest relocated to Fortress Obetz this spring and tightened entry rules after past disturbances.
More information
CAPA and Festival Latino officials say additional details, including vendor lists and exact performance slots, will be announced in the coming weeks. For updates and practical tips, check local event listings such as Columbus Underground and the festival's official channels.
