Clear your weekend plans in September, Columbus.
On September 6, High Street will once again trade cars for creativity as Hops on High returns for an all-day, open-street celebration. From noon to 8 p.m., the Short North Arts District will be packed with live music, hands-on art, street performances, local shopping, and of course, plenty of food and drinks.
This month’s event is leveling up the neighborhood’s iconic Gallery Hop with interactive art zones, pop-up classes, and live demonstrations. Lincoln Street will transform into an artist alley featuring Blockfort creators in action, from carnival-style games to massive murals.
And if you’re still looking for that picture-perfect summer backdrop, the Summer Spray mural—1,300 square feet of colorful, collaborative art—will be hosting its closing reception with the artists themselves on site.
One of the coolest additions this time? Open Walls.
Picture an 8-foot cube turned blank canvas just waiting for you (yes, you) to grab a brush and add your mark.
“There’s a special kind of magic that happens when we turn the Short North into a place where people can walk freely along High Street,” said Betsy Pandora, Executive Director of the Short North Alliance. “You can feel the neighborhood’s heartbeat in every conversation with a shop owner, every note of live music, every piece of art being made right in front of you. September’s Hops on High is about celebrating that energy together.”
And the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll find street soccer with the Columbus Crew, skate demos with live music from Half Baked Brewing, family-friendly activities, and an open-street market featuring more than 80 local vendors and artists. The Hops on High Trail will also connect you to 30+ neighborhood shops with deals, treats, and surprises along the way.
Basically, if you love live music, food trucks, street art, or having fun, this is your event.
Bonus: it’s totally free.
Hops on High will return once more this year on December 6 for a holiday edition that promises a wintry wonderland of shopping and art. Until then, grab your friends, your comfy shoes, and maybe a paintbrush—you’re not going to want to miss this one.
For full event details, including vendors and schedules, visit shortnorth.org/HopsOnHigh.
