The Short North Arts District is mashing up two of its biggest fall draws into one giant street party. HighBall Halloween and Hops on High are set to merge into a single, free street festival on Oct. 3, shutting down a stretch of High Street so vendors, performers and market programming can take over. The move pulls HighBall’s signature Costume Couture runway into the daytime mix and is meant to open up the neighborhood’s flagship creative events to more people at once.
In a press release shared with The Columbus Dispatch, Short North Alliance Executive Director Betsy Pandora said, "By bringing them together, we're creating a fresh fall event that offers something for everyone." Organizers told the paper that combining the events is intended to streamline logistics while keeping the core elements of both. According to the Dispatch, the new combined festival will be free to attend.
What To Expect On High Street
Daytime programming from Hops on High will anchor the street festival, complete with a vendor market, pop-up galleries and multiple stages set up along High Street. Local businesses are expected to add sidewalk activations and food trucks to the mix. The Short North Alliance’s event page notes that Hops on High typically turns High Street into an open-streets experience for a full day, with curated vendors and neighborhood programming filling the corridor. Organizers say the merged schedule will let the Costume Couture fashion show unfold alongside the maker market, so visitors can browse vendors, watch performances and catch runway looks without bouncing between separate events. Expect family-friendly installations, live performances and an expanded maker market running up and down the district.
Costume Couture Meets The Street
The Columbus Dispatch reports that the HighBall Costume Couture fashion show will now be woven directly into the High Street festivities. The showcase will feature five designers, with attendees in standout costumes invited to walk the runway ahead of the main program. Organizers say this format is meant to give local designers the spotlight while also letting more visitors experience the runway without separate ticketing. The late-night spectacle is shifting into a daytime centerpiece, blending HighBall’s theatrical runway energy with the open-streets market vibe.
When, Where And Access
The combined festival is slated for Saturday, Oct. 3, along High Street in the Short North Arts District. According to the Short North Alliance’s event page, past Hops on High closures have run from W 2nd Ave. to E Russell St., turning that stretch of High Street into a pedestrian-only corridor for performances and vendor markets. Attendees are encouraged to plan ahead for transit and parking around those potential closures. Organizers say they will release a full event map and detailed logistics as the date approaches.
Why It Matters
The decision to fold HighBall into a daytime street festival marks a notable shift for a neighborhood that built its reputation on elaborate Halloween costumes and late-night runway shows. HighBall has already been moving toward broader public access in recent years, and general admission was made free in 2024, according to Columbus Underground. Bringing the fashion program into a daylight market continues that push toward accessibility. Local retailers and restaurants are expected to watch closely to see how the new format shapes daytime foot traffic and crowd management along High Street.
Staying In The Loop
Organizers plan to share the full schedule, vendor roster and safety guidance as the festival gets closer. Businesses and visitors are being urged to keep an eye on the Short North Alliance’s event calendar and social channels for maps, street closure details and programming updates. For now, planners describe the merger as a way to stitch together two of the neighborhood’s longest-running celebrations into one larger, more accessible fall festival.
