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The HighBall
Halloween festival 2026
A mix of couture, drag show and Day of the Dead taking place annually in October in Columbus Ohio.
The HighBall Halloween Festival 2026
The HighBall Halloween festival is a mix of couture, drag show and Day of the Dead taking place annually in October in Columbus Ohio.
- Visiting Columbus for Halloween? Book your hotel in Short North, close to all the gay bars and events. Stay at the Graduate Columbus, rated “Superb” by guests with uniquely designed rooms, perfect location and friend
The Festival
- Next Edition: Awaiting dates.
- HighBall Halloween began as a one-night event centered around our signature Costume Couture Fashion Show, where teams of local designers compete for the top spot and a cash prize. It has evolved to become America's most elaborate costume party.
- HighBall, High Fashion, takes place along North High Street, Short North, from Goodale to Nationwide. At HighBall Halloween, you are what you wear.
- The HighBall is the nation's fiercest costume party and brings together thousands of visitors for street parties, stage shows, designer competitions and an outrageous “Howloween” pet costume contest.
- HighBall Halloween helps raise money to support various initiatives in the Short North Arts gay district.
- Stay close to the block party. Check out the top hotels nearby.
How to enter the competition
- Sign up at the Info Booth between 6:00–9:30pm
- Pick one category: Horror Story, Life Imitates Art, Squad Goals, #WHAT?
- Be at the Staging Area by 10:30pm
- Category winners receive a $100 Visa gift card and compete for HighBallers’ Choice
Bazaar & Street Vibe
- HighBall Bazaar (6pm–midnight): 50+ stores, including Little Gay Bookstore, Inferno Candle, Queen Bee’s Vintage, SquidCat, Ink and more
- Potion Patios (6pm–midnight): street-side bars with wristband discounts at Agave & Rye, Barley’s, Denmark on High, Martini Modern Italian, Mikey’s Late Night Slice, Novak’s
- Don'nt miss the Yard games, photo ops, roaming performers and the new Open Walls legal-wall art project.
HighBall Drag Brunch
- Typically on Sunday after the event – Black Sheep Kitchen & Spirits — 25% off brunch food. The Columbus, OH restaurant is known for its drag brunches with a fun vibe and great atmosphere.
Gay Columbus Neighborhoods
Columbus is one of Ohio's leading cities for the LTBTQ community and has one of the largest resident communities in the USA. The city has three distinct neighborhoods.
- German Village is the oldest gay neighborhood with cobbled streets and beautiful elm trees and lined by graceful houses that are more than a century old.
- Short North is the city's newer gay district mixing farmers markets, art galleries, boutique shops and gay bars.
- The Arena district is where you will find most of the late night bars and clubs.
Hotels close to the gay area in Columbus, Ohio
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
Hotel LeVeque is where we stay when
we visit Columbus Close to the gay bars.
Official Website
For further information and advice on
HighBall Halloween festival Website
Gay Map of Columbus
The city has three distinct neighborhoods.
- The German Village is the oldest gay neighborhood with cobbled streets
- Short North is the city's newer gay district mixing farmers markets, art galleries, boutique shops and gay bars.
- The Arena district is where you will find most of the late night bars and clubs
620 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
provides accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a fitness centre and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers an ATM. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and room service for guests.
50 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215
Hotel LeVeque, Autograph Collection offers pet-friendly accommodation in Columbus. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar. Free WiFi is available throughout the property and private parking is available on site.
33 E Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, OH 43215
Sonesta Columbus Downtown offers accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a fitness centre and a bar. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. Guests can have a drink at the snack bar.
808 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Moxy Columbus Short North provides accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, a bar and a shared lounge. The property features a terrace, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi is available.
BOOK NOW
195 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43215
Set in the centre of Columbus The apartment features 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine and 1 bathroom with a shower, and a living room with a TV.
140 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Located in the centre of Columbus offering air conditioning, 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Free WiFi
100 E Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215
This modern air conditioned apartment includes 1 bedroom, a living room, cable flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen, and 1 bathroom with a bidet and a shower. Providing a patio with city views. Free WiFi.
621 Dennison Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
This apartment is the perfect mix of original character with modern updates & amenities. providing guests with 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV and air conditioning. The accommodation is equipped with a kitchen, a dishwasher and microwave.
630 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Fun frienly gay bar with good food and service well worth a vist if your in town
202 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43215
Slammers Bar and Pizza Kitchen, located in the heart of Downtown Columbus. Featuring mean Slammer concoctions, pool, patio, pride, and of course our famous, outstanding "Slammer Style" pizza.
863 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
Offbeat gay bar in a circa-1880 house featuring live music, theme nights & happy hours.
913 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
fun local gay bar, great staff friendly owner and fun atmosphere
782 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Union Cafe is a popular restaurant and bar lounge located in the heart of the Short North offering good food and fun shows
775 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Axis is Columbus’ largest dance club with a modern patio, cabaret featuring all male revues, VIP room, the best in drag entertainment and two levels of viewing space over a modern dance floor. Axis has been packing crowds for over a decade.
1224 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
Columbus's premier show bar with a wide selection of beverages, male revues, and drags Shows
744 Frebis Ave, Columbus, OH 43206
Great bar and staff. Always friendly people working and also friendly customers.
Fun bar, very entertaining drag shows
20 E Duncan St, Columbus, OH 43202
Never a cover; always a show! An LGBTQ bar that was started in 1994, where you can arive as a stranger but leave as friend!!!
1409 S High St, Columbus, OH 43207
Columbus, Ohio's ONLY Gay Irish Pub!! Enjoy the laid back atmosphere and Irish Flair this Friendly Columbus Destination provides!
Offering regular events and shows
126 E Moler St, Columbus, OH 43207
This gay bar is like Cheers with a queer twist! offering Drag Shows, All Open Stage Night, Live Music and Drink Specials
708 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
A friendly neighborhood bar that has been gay owned and operated since 1987 and caters to all LGBT communities and thier friends.
Offering regular events, friendly bar tenders and good drinks
49 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
One of Central Ohio's Longest Operating Gay Bars!! offering regular Events and Fantastic Cocktails to keep you feeling great!!
Recommended Hotels in Columbus By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Columbus that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Hotel LeVeque
4 Star – Central Location
- 4-Star, Pet-Friendly, On-Site Bar
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Free WiFi, private parking
- Pet-friendly accommodation with a bar & convenient access to Columbus attractions.
Le Méridien
4 Star, Luxury
- 4-Star, Restaurant, Fitness Center
- Close to the gay district
- ATM, 24-hour front desk
- Luxury stay with restaurant, fitness center, & attentive service in Columbus.
Sonesta Hotel
4 Star – Great Amenities
- 4-Star, Restaurant, Fitness Center
- A short taxi ride to the gay bars
- Free WiFi, snack bar
- Offers restaurant, fitness amenities, & a snack bar for a comfortable Columbus visit.
Moxy Hotel
3 Star – Perfect Location
- 3-Star, Fitness Center
- Close to the gay district
- Private parking, free WiFi
- Modern facilities with a fitness center & lounge, ideally located in the Short North area.
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