WinterFest Columbus is packing up and moving next door for its ninth year, relocating to Dorrian Green right beside COSI for a free celebration on Saturday, Nov. 21, from noon to 4 p.m. The shift puts the annual winter kickoff within steps of the science museum for the first time, and organizers are pairing it with a new partnership that adds a tree lighting, holiday-themed food trucks, axe throwing and a petting zoo to the mix.
The new location change was announced by Bernita Reese, director of Columbus Recreation and Parks, during an appearance on NBC4 Today with Matt Barnes. According to NBC4 WCMH-TV, the festival will take place in collaboration with COSI's Season of Celebrations, which kicks off the same day. Reese encouraged families to come out and enjoy the event's tree lighting, music, food and games.
Festivities begin early, with a tree lighting inside COSI's atrium at 11 a.m., about an hour before the main event gets underway at Dorrian Green. Dorrian Green itself is described by Columbus Recreation and Parks as a 6.32-acre regional park that borders both COSI and the Scioto Mile, making it a natural extension of the museum's new winter programming.
Free Admission, But COSI Itself Still Costs
Admission to WinterFest is free and open to all, the parks department notes on its event listing. That access doesn't extend inside COSI's exhibits, however — reaching the rest of the museum beyond the festival grounds still requires a general admission ticket, per the station's report.
Columbus Recreation and Parks describes WinterFest as bringing together local music, food trucks, and seasonal craft beer and cocktails, all presented under its own banner. Visitors can expect free food, seasonal beverages and vendors on site, with craft beers and cocktails available for purchase for those who want something stronger than hot cocoa.
Three Local Acts Take the Stage
The music lineup leans heavily local. Columbus-based indie rock band Silvis opens the day at noon, followed by local indie act Apricot House at 1:30 p.m. Closing out the afternoon at 3 p.m. is EMILÍ, who the same account says will bring modern funk and pop sounds to the stage.
Beyond the music, organizers have built out a full slate of winter activities: yard games, a gingerbread playground, Snow Throw axe throwing and a petting zoo are all part of the 2026 lineup. Food trucks featuring holiday flavors round things out, including Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace serving its Franksgiving dog and Pizza Cottage offering a cranberry apple dessert pizza.
COSI's Season of Celebrations Adds a Winter Wonderland
The timing isn't a coincidence. COSI's Season of Celebrations officially starts the same day, Nov. 21, transforming the science museum into a winter wonderland, according to COSI. The museum's seasonal programming includes a life-sized yeti, a Winter Chill Speakeasy, expanded photo opportunities, science demonstrations and hands-on activities. The Forest of Community Trees, a holiday fixture at the museum, is also moving to a new home in COSI's Traveling Exhibitions Gallery on Level 2 this year.
WinterFest has described itself in some official listings as a relaxed gathering along the Scioto Mile, while the newly announced 2026 plans place the festival at Dorrian Green near COSI — reflecting the event's shift in location and format for this ninth edition. Past iterations of the festival have featured sampling from five local breweries offering seasonal beers, alongside live music, cocktails and food trucks, according to an earlier NBC4 guide to the event.
