Columbus Ganesh Mandal Dhol Tasha Pathak performs during the 40th celebration of Ethnic Expo on Oct. 11, 2025, outside of Columbus City Hall.
The Republic file photos
Many festivals uplift culture, but not all can celebrate a few dozen at once.
The 41st Ethnic Expo, presented by First Financial Bank, will be from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday near and around Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St. This is a free, unticketed event.
Last year, the festival held its 40th event, but since there wasn’t an Ethnic Expo in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 40th anniversary was in 2024. In 2025, a record-breaking attendance of over 40,000 was there for the span of two days, Ethnic Expo Coordinator Jody Coffman said
Since then, there has been a shift from having a host country every year as the event’s highlighted culture to a general theme.
“So this year’s theme is ‘Global Voices, Local Stories,’ and our goal is that we hope that everybody when they come to expo will talk to their friends, talk to new people they meet, and say ‘This is why I chose to come to Columbus. This is why we love Columbus,’” Coffman said.
Coffman, also the community development specialist with the city, said there are 43 food vendors and 20 bizarre market vendors, together representing over 30 countries.
The main stage will feature live entertainment, including Mariachi Sol Jalisciense, Yidam, Darkside Troupe, CGM Percussion, Malachi Parks and DJ Garth. Both Liah Mazz and Southern Indiana Taiko will not only perform, but hold workshops as well. The Biergarten stage will host Marissa Fullenkamp, New York State of Mind, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and Hi Rise.
Since the city still has to “conduct normal business” Friday morning and afternoon, Coffman said music and performances will start later in the festival, but Saturday is a day full of flashy entertainment.
Kids’ activities, hosted by kidscommons and Columbus Recycles, will kick off at the start of the festival and will wrap up at 7 p.m.
There isn’t anything brand new going on this year, but one new feature that has carried over from 2025 is the inclusion of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), allowing patrons 21 and older to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved businesses within the DORA and carry them within those boundaries. This means instead of staying in the Biergarten, attendees can wander the premises.
Not being from Columbus originally, Coffman said there’s something special about Ethnic Expo, through the food, art and fellowship that shares so many cultures at once.
“When you walk around, you see so many people getting to visit with friends, family, neighbors that they haven’t maybe been able to see in a few weeks, months, maybe since last Expo, people that they normally wouldn’t have an opportunity to hang out (with) are here,” she said. “It’s a great reunion for people.
“It’s also … overwhelming to the senses, right? Everything gets hit — your smell, your taste, the sounds, even touch — and … it’s just unique compared to any other festival I’ve ever been to.”
To learn more about Ethnic Expo, visit www.ethnicexpo.org.
