Every year on Columbus Day weekend, the Italian community comes together for a 3-day celebration. Here's what you need to know about the 2018 Columbus Italian Festival. LOCATION: Italian Village (720 Hamlet St.). FESTIVAL HOURS. Friday, Oct. 5: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6: Noon - 11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7: Noon - 7 p.m. TICKETS: $5 at the door; free for 12 and under with adult admission. Call: 614-249-8259 or email [email protected] to purchase tickets in advance.

The date of the first Italian festival was set for the weekend of September 20th and 21st 1980. The location chosen was the most central and accessible possible, the Lausche Building on the Ohio State Fairgrounds. In 1999, the Columbus Italian Festival was moved to its current home on the grounds of St. John The Baptist Italian Catholic Church. As one of Columbus’ premier festivals it now annually attracts over 35,000 visitors.