Social and Cultural Outings

**Welcome! 😄** This is a friendly, informal social event to meet new people, have great conversations, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. There’s no structure or pressure – it’s all about good vibes and building genuine connections. 🥂 \-\-\- **Who is the event for?** People in their 20s & 30s living or working in London who want to meet others and expand their social circle in a natural, low-pressure setting. \~\~\~\~ **You’ll meet people who are:** * in their 20s & 30s living or working in London * open to meeting new people and making connections * up for good conversation and a relaxed evening 😊 \-\-\- **Why should you join?** * Meet new people and grow your social circle * Enjoy meaningful, easy-going conversations * Discover new friendships and connections * It’s a great way to spend your evening * It’s a lot of fun! 🚀 \-\-\- **How it works…** 🎟️ 1. RSVP on Meetup & join at OkGather.com 😊 2. Turn up & enjoy * The tables will be booked under the **"London Social Circle"** so ask the staff to point you to the tables. There should also be a sign on the table so it's easy to find the group. * Expect a friendly, welcoming group and a great atmosphere. The gatherings are generally self hosted with support from the venue. If you have any questions, feel free to email info@okgather.com Please try your best to arrive on time at 7pm - this is important because people will be introducing themselves and getting to know each other at the start. This is to help ensure everyone has a great time! Spots are limited to keep the group a good size. It’s a simple, enjoyable way to meet new people and have a great evening. \~\~\~\~ **📢 Action Required:** To attend, please become a member at OkGather.com for only £2.99 p/m (only takes 1 minute to join) and you will also get 20% off food & drinks at the gathering (show your OkGather profile at the bar). This small membership fee means we can keep running the gatherings, cover our costs and help more people meet new people! 🥳

Join us at Big Belly Bar on South Bank for all England World Cup Games. 🙌 Come solo or with a group! **[THIS WILL SELL OUT TICKETS ESSENTIAL!](https://bigbellycomedy.club/event/england-vs-dr-congo-entry-drink/)** [GET TICKET HERE](https://bigbellycomedy.club/event/england-vs-dr-congo-entry-drink/) 🎟️**Ticket Information:** ***£10 per person, including a welcome drink 🍺*** Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving early to meet the group, grab a drink, and enjoy the pre-match build-up. 📺 We'll be watching the game live across 10 big screens, with a fantastic atmosphere, great views from every seat, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate (hopefully!) England goals together. **Arrive around 4pm for some pre-game mixing and mingling.** We will have a reserved area upstairs for this Meet Up, so be sure to chat with the hosts when you arrive and they can point you in the right direction! **What to expect:** ⚽ England 🇬🇧 vs DR Congo 🇭🇷 live from the FIFA World Cup 2026 🍻 Welcome drink included with your ticket 🤝 Meet new people and make new friends 👋 Solo attendees encouraged 📺 10 big screens showing all the action 📍 Big Belly Bar, South Bank, London Need help finding us? Our entrance can be found at what3words: [https://w3w.co/putty.camera.roof](https://w3w.co/putty.camera.roof) **JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY HERE:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t) Whether you're coming for the football, the social atmosphere, or both, we'd love to have you join us. **Come for the match. Stay for the friendships.** ⚽🍻

**PLEASE READ** 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹🇩🇪🇮🇳🇨🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇪🇬🇺🇸🇷🇺🇦🇺🇵🇱Join us on Wednesday for our always popular midweek global language exchange and social. We"re **Languages in London** the highest rated 🏆 international language exchange group in London, with 1700+ reviews rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **TO ATTEND THIS EVENT YOU MUS**T: 🔘 Have your Meetup confirmation visible on your phone when you arrive. 🔘 Collect & wear your languages badge as soon as you arrive BEFORE buying your drinks 🔘Pay the £2 event fee. The event fee is £6 if you arrive after 8:30pm ...Then, start meeting the community and having fun...lots of fun! [www.languages.london](www.languages.london) **WHEN & WHERE** Wednesday evening from 7pm at Craft Beer Co, Hammersmith. Address: 17-18 The Broadway, Hammersmith, London, W6 8YD [https://maps.app.goo.gl/etXMEm8fCBDmfaqT7?g_st=ac](https://maps.app.goo.gl/etXMEm8fCBDmfaqT7?g_st=ac) **HOW WE DO IT!** It's simple .... ✴️When you arrive please collect and wear your personalised languages badge. We'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome 😃 ✴️Wear your badge during the event and always return it before you leave ♻️ ✴️Just as you would normally, you're expected to buy something from the bar. This supports the venue, who kindly offer us a dedicated space. 🇷🇴🇮🇷🇹🇼🇵🇹🇨🇦🇨🇴🇸🇦🇹🇷🇺🇦🇭🇰🇱🇧🇸🇪🇲🇽🇳🇱🇦🇷 **WHO** Languages in London events are organised for our community - being social, making new friends, building cultural bridges and always very relaxed. We have the largest number of languages and countries represented in our weekly language exchange and social events in London. This is **not** a dating event. Our events are open to Internationals, Locals, Expats, Students, Travellers... Everyone! Are you an 18 to 24 year old? Come and explore our events. Our events are for a truly global community and citizens from around the 🌎 It's your international language hub in London 💂 Is this the Intercambio you've been looking for? Want to practice your ingles, espanol,p francais, italiano, Deutsch, portugues or other European languages? Asian languages? Or maybe prefer to only speak English ....that's just fine. **All languages and all fluency levels are welcome** Spread the word...Bring your friends, colleagues and family 💚 🇲🇦🇹🇭🇰🇪🇵🇪🇳🇿🇨🇭🇬🇷🇭🇺🇻🇪🇳🇬🇧🇬🇩🇰🇱🇰🇯🇴🇮🇪 The creator and organiser of **Languages in London - Girish**, will always be visible at the event and there to support you and help with introductions, if you prefer. We want to remain the BEST language events group in London, being the biggest isn't our focus. These are real events with real people. We don't fill our events with inflated numbers and fictitious attendees 👻 ⚠️Inactive community members and those that "no-show" at our events are regularly removed from our group⚠️ **LANGUAGES** Here's a selection of some of the languages that our community speak or have been practicing ... English, Spanish (incl Latin American), French, Italian, Portuguese (incl Brazilian), German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Russian, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew, Swedish, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Bengali, Dutch, Catalan, Farsi, Greek, Urdu, Welsh, Romanian, Norwegian, Czech, Slovak, Estonian, Danish, Finnish, Turkmen, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Yoruba, Filipino, Thai, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Ebo, Afrikaans, Tamazight, Tagalog, Creole, Malagasy, Mongolian, Tigrinya, Tok Pisin and more... you get the idea! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇧🇪🇵🇭🇮🇱🇪🇪🇵🇸🇪🇬🇳🇴🇬🇭🇵🇷🇲🇾🇻🇳🇪🇨🇿🇦 **SUSTAINABLE** 🌎🌳 Like you, we really care about our planet. We don't like single use paper name tags, stickers or wristbands as they can't be reused or recycled and can even damage your clothing☹️ The Solution?.Our personalised and completely reusable Languages in London badges! 👍 So, please make sure you return your badge before you leave the event. We'll sanitise it (anti bacterial & disinfectant cleaners) and use it again & again & again. Thanks for helping us do the right thing & keep our costs down🙏 **SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE** 👮‍♂️ - We don't tolerate prejudice or harassment of any kind, at any time. - Be polite and respectful to everyone else and they will reciprocate. - Let's keep the space safe, welcoming for everyone and free of any political agendas. - Please report any concerns to the Organiser immediately. - Look after your belongings, remember that the venue is a public place. - We may take photos or video at the event for future promotional use. Let us know if you'd rather not be included, we respect your choice 📸 **SPREAD THE WORD** 🗣️💬 **If you enjoy our events, please tell your friends and colleagues and help us grow your** community, thank you ♥️ Join our community - [https://www.languages.london/](https://www.languages.london/) We're looking forward to welcoming you at Languages in London 😊👋 🇨🇱🇵🇰🇨🇾🇲🇩🇰🇿🇫🇮🇦🇹🇲🇶🇲🇬🇵🇸🇦🇿🇬🇹🇯🇲🇦🇲🇮🇶🇸🇰🇨🇩🇭🇷🇹🇿🇧🇴🇶🇦🇲🇰🇳🇵🇧🇩🇩🇿🇮🇩🇹🇯🇦🇪🇦🇱🇯🇴🇱🇦🇱🇹🇱🇻🇰🇭🇲🇳🇬🇪🇦🇫🇲🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇭🇳🇧🇾🇺🇿🇲🇺🇸🇴🇵🇾🇹🇲🇮🇸🇵🇬🇰🇼🇿🇼🇪🇹🇸🇻🇷🇪🇾🇪🇬🇱🌎

Our regular table is in the middle of the pub. It will have a reservation notice for Ashley Farnham. Looking forward to seeing you! **PLEASE NOTE: Photographs of the event's attendees will be taken and posted on Meetup. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the event's organiser know on arrival.** **PLEASE NOTE: For the duration of the quiz, mobile phones are not allowed to be used for any reason.** **FOR NEW ATTENDEES: If you cannot locate either me or the group, please message me through the Meetup app which you can install on your phone.** ‘The greatest quiz ever to take place in Putney’ - The Spotted Horse website. Would you like to join our group at The Spotted Horse’s pub quiz on Wednesday evening? Putney Social Group has reserved seating for 8. This group event has prizes on offer including a £50 bar tab for the winning group and a golden question jackpot! It consists of 50 general knowledge questions with a break halfway. This is a very popular event, and regularly enjoys capacity attendance. The charge is £2 cash or QR code payable to the pub’s quizmaster. Please aim to arrive at 7:30pm as the quiz starts at about 8pm. Please cancel your reservation if you cannot attend. By way of information, wheelchair access is available at the right-hand side of the venue and the venue also has accessible toilets available on the ground floor. Nearest Public Transport: Train: Putney Tube: East Putney (District Line, Wimbledon Branch) Bus: 14, 37, 85, 93, 337, 430, N74. It takes about 5 minutes to walk to the venue from the train station. I look forward to seeing you at the Greatest Pub Quiz in Putney!

**Socialise, mix & mingle, enjoy conversations, make connections! BOOK VIA THE LINKS : [https://fatso.ma/f2lkw](https://fatso.ma/f2lkw) or [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/expand-your-social-circle-professionals-socialise-mix-mingle-tickets-1992660015748?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/expand-your-social-circle-professionals-socialise-mix-mingle-tickets-1992660015748?aff=oddtdtcreator) *RSVP TOO PLEASE! The meet-up QR code is NOT a ticket.*** **In this amazing venue, in Broadgate Circle, offering both indoor and outdoor space in the vibrant hidden gem - square, sets away from Liverpool Street station.** Mix and mingle with ladies and gentlemen alike, professionals perhaps in law, finance, IT, medical doctors, scientists or similar, with high expectations demanding professional and fast paced lifestyle in general, with sometimes limited time and opportunities to chill out, socialise and connect. **Seize the opportunity to enrich your social life with like minded people and why not, trust in perfect synchronicities of the right people at the right time and place getting together.** Make new acquaintances, catch up potentially with who you might have met in a previous event, interact with all attendees, engage in fascinating stories. **Make a friend, maybe find someone special that can make your heart sing or simply go out & about, indulge in handcrafted cocktails and mocktails in this amazing venue.** Approach with the best smile on your face, make a first best impression, see it reflected back to you! **See what can potentially happen** **next!** **HOW TO FIND :** **Please ASK FOR ELENI's BOOKING AT THE VENUE HOST!** **Kindly arrive at about 18:30 if you can so you can be in the flow of the introductions!** **ELENI is hosting this evening making sure all guests are welcomed to our table / area, introduced to each other and included throughout the evening.** *Mr Fogg's, City Tavern is part of an amazing collection of venues, inspired by Mr Fogg's travels of Jules Vernes novel, 80 days around the world!* ***Situated in the heart of Broadgate Circle, this eccentric Victorian-style tavern is a haven where Mr Fogg’s accountants, lawyers and bankers would convene after a long day in the office. Inspired by the globe-trotting spirit of Mr Fogg, The City Tavern showcases a collection of old Victorian portraits and artefacts from every corner of the world, personally contributed by his fellow members of the Reform Club – a living testament to shared journeys and camaraderie.*** Be part of a group of friendly and inclusive people that would like to invest in a beautiful evening in a prime venue, socialising and making new friends. Dress Code: Smart Casual Refunds only in case of the event being cancelled

We meet monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month, for some gaming fun, chat and drinks! We meet at ActOne Cinema, at 119-121 High St, W3 6NA. Free entry! There is a contactless donation tap point at the venue. If you are able to donate, your donations will go towards covering this group's MeetUp subscription fees. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or brand new to the world of board games, this event is perfect for everyone. You can bring and host your own games, join other people's games or play one from our newbie-friendly collection. If you don't know how to play a game someone will teach you and if you come alone we'll help you find a group. Our friendly and welcoming group is excited to meet new members and share our love for all things gaming, so grab your favorite board game and come join us for a fantastic game night! Some notes: 1. You can join anytime after 6pm, but the earliest you come, the easier will be to find a group. 2. All the games either belong to the group or to individuals who come to the meetup. Please take good care of all games - be careful with nearby drinks, help put everything back in the box after you're done and return them to the owner/organiser. 3. Drinks and food not bought at the venue are not allowed. The cinema has a great variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as some snacks and it's a not-for-profit, community space that needs our support! 4. We are of course LGBTQI+ friendly! 5. Pets are welcome!

Do you like museums? But bored of V & A or British Museum? Join me on my trip to the Museum of Freemasonry at Freemasons' Hall, 60 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5AZ Free entry into the museum except for temporary exhibitions!

Meeting point;: In the square in front of Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX Join us for a stroll through Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park & St James' Park - some historical info along the way & a pub social after

**Another Summer weekend. And to make the most of the warmer weather - we've got your Sunday sorted again with our next Social Walk and Pub trip, exclusively for 20s and 30s.** And for this latest Sunday walk, we’ll be visiting one of the most popular walking spots in the city, **Greenwich Park 🌳** As always, before heading off on the hike, you'll be allocated a group/team for an initial mix of fun and light-hearted games to help break the ice and help you get to know your fellow walkers a little better. After the games and everyone is warmed up for walk, we’ll then set off on our 2-3 hour hike across East London 🥾 From the green bushy pastures of Blackheath, we will wander into Greenwich Park taking in some of the most famous views overlooking London and the Old Royal Observatory along the way. We will then venture past the historic sailing ship, the Cutty Sark, through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel and along the canals of the Isle of Dogs to Canary Wharf. When we've reached Canary Wharf, we will then finish up at a pub nearby where you can grab a drink and get to know your fellow hikers a bit better 🍻 As always, owing to the size of the venue, we will be having to cap numbers for this event, and so do make sure you nab your place as soon as you can! **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **WHERE/WHEN WE WILL MEET** Meet Point - On the grass opposite the All Saints Church, All Saints Dr, Blackheath, London SE3 0TJ ([https://maps.app.goo.gl/RHaV8LUNJ521baVL7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RHaV8LUNJ521baVL7)) Closest stations: Blackheath (5 mins walk) Destination: Brewdog Canary Wharf Meet Time - 2:00pm Finish time: 5:00pm Pub Finish time: 7:00pm-8:30pm (Approx) **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **JOIN THE COMMUNITY** Set up in November 2021, the project was set up to help young adults meet, connect and hopefully build life-long friendships. To help make this happen, we also host all kinds of events from free social walks, games evenings, day trips, social events, activity nights to picnics. To learn more about our community or to follow us on social media, please follow one of the links below. **Website** - **[https://friendship-project.co.uk](https://friendship-project.co.uk)** **Instagram** - **[https://www.instagram.com/great.friendship](https://www.instagram.com/great.friendship)**

***🚨 Important: Meetup RSVP is not a valid ticket. All attendees must purchase a ticket via our link:*** [TICKETS LINK](https://buytickets.at/cocktailsconversation/2244288/r/dv) Join us for an exclusive evening of sophisticated socialising at **Clap**, the acclaimed Japanese-inspired restaurant and bar in the heart of London. Cocktails & Conversation brings together London's most eligible professionals — stylish, successful singles in their 30s and 40s — for an evening of genuine connection in one of the city's most beautiful spaces. **Scheduel of events:** * **7:30pm:** Arrival — welcome drink included for first arrivals * **7:30–10:30pm:** Hosted mingling and conversation **Dress Code:** Smart casual to cocktail. Come looking your best — our crowd always does. ***🚨 Important: Meetup RSVP is not a valid ticket. All attendees must purchase a ticket via our link:*** [TICKETS LINK](https://buytickets.at/cocktailsconversation/2244288/r/dv)

**NEW START TIME 8.30PM THIS WEEK ONLY** WE WILL SOON BE LIMITING SPACES DUE TO DEMAND **Social Saturday Sessions** is a **FREE** indoor & outdoor social designed to help people meet new mates, have a few drinks, play some games and enjoy a low-pressure night with genuinely good vibes. **Come solo. Leave social. JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY HERE:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t) PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU WANT KARAOKE OR DJ's TILL LATE **What's the Plan?? 👀** * **Start time: 8.30PM 🍹** Head to the front-of-house desk and say you're here for the Meet Up! * **Early evening – Games & icebreakers 🎮** Fun, low-key ways to get chatting (zero cringe, promise). * **Mid-evening – Mingle mode 💬** More chats, more drinks, more “how did we all end up here?” moments. * **Later on – Anything goes 🔥** Karaoke? Dancing? Bit of both? We’ll see where the night takes us. * **All night – Good people, good energy ✨** No pressure, no expectations—just show up and see what happens. Need help finding us? Our entrance can be found at what3words: https://w3w.co/putty.camera.roof **JOIN OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY HERE:** https://chat.whatsapp.com/CpmuQWTBGJ12dVNCfXdJdQ?mode=gi_t **Come solo. Leave social.** Just head to the main entrance (the food hall side), and you’ll find our friendly hosts waiting for you behind the front desk!

**Yep, they're finally back! With the temperatures a little kinder and the sunshine still here... on Friday, we'll be hosting our first Summer Picnic of the year!** Yep, we’ll be marking the start of the weekend in Kensington Gardens (Hyde Park) with social drinks, good vibes, and plenty of friendly new faces. And over the evening, there’ll be the option to play some light-hearted park games like spikeball, frisbee, and football, but you're just as welcome to come along and unwind in the sunshine. You’re also welcome to bring along any board games or card games to play, any snacks or drinks you want, and maybe something to sit on to stay comfy. And then as the sun goes down and the temperature dips, we’ll head to a nearby pub to carry on the evening with anyone who wants to keep things going. These picnics are rather rare and always a special occasion, so we’d love for you to join us while the sunshine lasts. **\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **WHERE/WHEN WE WILL MEET** Meet Point - Kensington Gardens Bandstand, Hyde Park ([https://goo.gl/maps/hS9T58cpHr1EFAtp8](https://goo.gl/maps/hS9T58cpHr1EFAtp8) ) Closest tube stations: High Street Kensington (10 Min walk), Gloucester Road (15 min walk), South Kensington (15 min walk) Start Time - 6:15pm Finish time: 9:30pm **\-\- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \- \-** **JOIN THE COMMUNITY** Set up in November 2021, the project was set up to help 20s and 30s in London meet, connect and hopefully build life-long friendships. To help make this happen, we also host all kinds of events from free social walks, games evenings, day trips, social events, activity nights to picnics. To learn more about our community or to follow us on social media, please follow one of the links below. **Website** - **[https://friendship-project.co.uk](https://friendship-project.co.uk)** **Instagram** - **[https://www.instagram.com/great.friendship](https://www.instagram.com/great.friendship)**

Could this be the start of London's first ever Manga Cafe?! 😵 We're trying something new and exciting by combining our main club activities in our very own space. Add some food and drink, some nice vibes and activities, and we basically have our own café! So if you fancy reading some manga, playing some board games, talking about anime and games and meeting new people over a cup of coffee or matcha, this is the place for you! Thanks to the amazing feedback from our first event, version 2.0 will be bolder and better than the previous. Therefore, there will be more music, more games and icebreakers more freebies and most importantly, MORE CHAIRS for you to enjoy at your leisure! 🙂 \*\*\*\*\*Entry cost is £5 at the door!\*\*\*\*\* Feel free to cosplay! Note: there will be signs as you leave the station to help you find our location, but please do contact us if you need any assistance - or please search 'City Island Social' on Google Maps. Note II: There may be photography/filming taking place during the event, please let us know if you do not wish to be included in the filming.

Join us for a relaxed wander through one of London’s most characterful corners. We’ll meet **outside Richmond Station’s main exit** — *The Quadrant, Richmond, TW9 2NA* — before setting off through the old town, the riverside, and a few of Richmond’s lesser‑known but wonderfully atmospheric backstreets, including **The Vineyard**. From there, we’ll make our way up towards **Richmond Hill**, taking in the views, the architecture, and the slower rhythm of the area. We’ll finish at a **proper local pub** — the kind that’s full of charm and not full of tourists — for a well‑earned drink. Bring your camera if you fancy shooting along the way, or just make sure your phone is fully charged. There’ll be plenty worth capturing. **📍 Meeting point:** Richmond Upon Thames (outside the train station's main exit) **🕛 Time:** 14:00 **Optional -** Come meet us at **1pm** at Ealing Broadway tube (outside Marks and Spencer's), then travel with us to Richmond.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Want to learn pickleball in a fun, low-pressure setting? I’m hosting a free beginner-friendly meetup at Olentangy Parklands to help new players learn the basics and get comfortable on the court. I’m a pretty skilled player and will walk everyone through the essentials, including rules, scoring, serving, basic strategy, and how to start playing real games. No experience needed. We’ll meet on the upper courts. Bring a pickleball paddle if you have one. If not, no problem, I’ll have some extras available for people to use. This event is meant for beginners and anyone curious about trying pickleball for the first time. Come ready to move, learn, and have fun.

The only Metro Park with a fire tower! **History** [Scioto Grove Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/scioto-grove/) officially became the 19th park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system when it opened to the public on May 6, 2016. Located along a scenic bend of the Scioto River in Grove City, just south of Columbus, the 620-acre park was designed to blend preservation with modern recreation. Long before it became a park, this river corridor served as a vital footpath and trade route for Indigenous communities. Decades later, the mature forests and dramatic river bluffs caught the eye of conservationists looking to expand regional green spaces. The grand opening was a major milestone, drawing over 19,000 visitors in its very first weekend. The creation of the park was made possible through a sequence of land acquisitions and strong community partnerships. In October 2009, Franklin County voters approved a critical property tax levy that funded the initial purchase of 66 acres. Shortly after, the City of Grove City generously donated nearly 193 acres of land, previously known as Talbot Park, to anchor the project. Additional parcels were acquired using state grants from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, successfully closing the gap between properties by December 2012. This collaborative funding model ensured that pristine wilderness areas remained completely protected from commercial development. From its inception, the park aimed to introduce innovative amenities to the regional park system, most notably the concept of "urban backpacking". Through a key partnership with the outdoor gear retailer REI Co-op, the park established the scenic REI River Trail. This trail features five rustic, reservation-only campsites along the river, specifically designed to give newcomers a safe place to practice backpacking close to home. Additionally, planners prioritized making the park fully pet-friendly, allowing leashed dogs across all trails and areas. This open-pet policy uniquely distinguished Scioto Grove from many other traditional Columbus Metro Parks. As the park grew in popularity, community members established special commemorative landmarks to honor local lives. In June 2019, a dedicated memorial garden was unveiled near the park entrance in memory of Reagan Tokes, an Ohio State University student. The serene space features a central pond bordered by bright blue flowers, representing her favorite color. A primary buckeye tree stands alongside a dedicated plaque, surrounded by four additional buckeye trees to represent her immediate family members. This addition transformed a portion of the park into a meaningful place for community reflection, healing, and peace. The historical depth of the park took a significant leap forward with the relocation of a massive piece of Ohio history. In August 2023, Metro Parks officially unveiled the Keystone Forest Lookout Tower, which had been carefully moved from Jackson County, Ohio. Originally constructed in 1942 by the Aermotor Windmill Company, the 82-foot-tall metal structure spent decades guarding southern Ohio’s vast forests from devastating wildfires. Workers painstakingly disassembled, re-galvanized, and reassembled the historic landmark at Scioto Grove. Today, visitors can climb its 111 steep steps to experience a panoramic view stretching all the way to the downtown Columbus skyline. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Scioto Grove](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SGR-map_1980px_2026.jpg). **Summary** We will hike around 5 miles on the Overlook, REI River, Mingo, and Arrowhead Trails. While the configuration of the trails can lead us to occasionally taking longer hikes than at other parks, Scioto Grove is not generally a very strenuous place to hike. If you use hiking poles and inadvertently forget them, this is not a park where you're likely to end up caring that much. That said, Scioto Grove is one of the better Metro Parks for hiking as well as other things. They are the only Metro Park with five camping areas where you can literally pitch a tent and sleep for the night. You must contact the park and reserve these in advance; they are however free. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area, near the restrooms and playground. Arrowhead is the main picnic and parking area of the park, and it also has the only water fountain at Scioto Grove. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Grove City Brewing](https://www.grovecitybrewery.com/) for [drinks and food](https://www.grovecitybrewery.com/menu). They have pretty good hamburgers. I was mortified to discover that I've never had their [Grove City Hooyah](https://www.beermenus.com/beers/486553-grove-city-hooyah) before, but I will correct that during this event. The actual address of the brewery is [3946 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3946+Broadway,+Grove+City,+OH+43123/@39.8836912,-83.0919635,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88389b3a28d0f4ad:0x3d85c41f608406c6!8m2!3d39.8836912!4d-83.0919635!16s%2Fg%2F11g8dh6h1_?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

**Summary** The [Ohio State Fair](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/) is consistently ranked as one of the [best](https://www.realpropertymgt.com/expert-tips/top-5-state-fairs) ... [state](https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-state-fair/) ... [fairs](https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/local/2025/08/06/ohio-state-fair-named-top-fair-nation-usa-today/85527343007/) ... [in](https://www.blueribbongroup.net/blue-ribbon-foodies/tag/what-are-the-best-state-fairs-in-the-united-states/) ... [America](https://614now.com/2025/explore-columbus/usa-today-names-the-ohio-state-fair-as-one-of-the-countrys-best-find-out-where-it-ranked-here). By [acreage](https://www.google.com/search?q=largest+state+fairs+in+us+by+acreage&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=5a1ec5f7868eb06c&prmd=ivns&sxsrf=AE3TifOrRyB0UF_zcJxuzJ2blALpROCfFA:1763485805100&source=lnms&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZPH5QghoXViUOqdFyhkUfHhA90f6RZnLvcDKUWyhDavFJHvqNnhR_vnElk0C8uWstYqkR_Pamh3VQhx9plk87wYYnFhXCtQ6JPByPAvG0_LeyIQszFojQ7tWAfAvDzo6MwRJuWxS0jrzFWBkVvjkxbHuA6PTQnwEl88m-YBBItnTFmNlR9xZ9YLttetzKJB1GAWacLg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX3-rHmPyQAxU6_8kDHcKPH1gQ0pQJegQIBRAF&biw=1735&bih=926&dpr=1), it's one of the five largest fairs in the country. And a million people [visit](https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2025-08-06/attendance-off-slightly-at-2025-ohio-state-fair-but-sales-of-champions-was-up-big) it each year. Last year's [attendees](https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/nearly-1-million-visitors-2025-ohio-state-fair-fun-facts-statistics/530-e6c7db59-e9ca-469b-9d3e-ef39011aca00) came from each of Ohio's 88 counties, from all 50 states, and from as far away as 26 other countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, and others, according to Ticketmaster sales data. **Map of the Fair** Here is a [map of the grounds](https://cdn.saffire.com/images.ashx?t=ig&rid=OhioStateFair&i=map2025.jpg&cb=0508a2a3). **Directions, Parking, Tickets, Timing** Take exit 111 (17th Avenue) off of I-71. Turn west (toward the McDonald's). [Parking is $10](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/pricing-hours) whether you pay in advance or on-site. It's generally not too bad getting in and out of the fair. You generally get an excellent spot, too, early in the mornings. There are cops everywhere and they will let you know where to park. [Tickets will be $13](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/pricing-hours), but through July 26, you can buy them online for $9. You can also buy 3- and 12-day admission tickets in advance for $24 and $84, respectively. I've scheduled this meetup from 9 to 3, but you can obviously come late or leave early if you want. They will also stamp your hand for free same-day re-admission if you want. The fair is a big place. You will get plenty of steps in at this event, so be prepared to do some walking! **Outside Items** From the [FAQ](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/faqs): * *Bags* "Purses, backpacks, book bags, coolers, strollers, etc. are permitted, but are subject to search. Bag searches will also be conducted for guests entering concerts and events in the WCOL Celeste Center." * *Outside Food and Beverage* "You may bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Glass bottles and containers are not permitted on grounds." I like to bring a disposable plastic bottle of water with me and refill it on the grounds as I go. **What's New at the Fair** They've spent the last couple years doing major construction at the fair, and most if not all of it should be completed by the start of this year's fair. They've been massively overhauling what's located at the heart of the fairgrounds just north of Kiddleland and just west of the Midway, they're supposed to also have completed improvements to the Dairy Building. In the center of the fairgrounds, there's supposed to be a new food hall, which I would consider to be the centerpiece of the whole shebang. It's supposed to [include](https://www.ohioexpocenter.com/p/about/expo-2050-master-plan) "multi-purpose dining and event space and incubator kitchens on the first floor, and additional dining and event space on the second story." Furthermore, "both levels [will] include outdoor dining on a patio or balcony." A new "Town Square" and surrounding area will also feature a permanent "Ohio-themed carousel" that will also be "complete with ample shade and seating." The new Dairy Building will be air-conditioned and add public restrooms, a universal changing table, and other new amenities. Four hundred and sixty million dollars have been spent on these improvements and renovations, and I expect they will be very cool! **Where We'll Meet** At no later than 9 a.m., I'll be standing by the giant cardinal just inside Cardinal Gate 1, then we'll wander down to Tracey's (see below). If you come late, Tracey's is where you'll find us (DM me or drop a note in the comments if you need help finding us after you arrive). *Note: There's a smaller Tracey's booth near the main entrance. This is not the Tracey's location we'll be meeting at. You will have to walk down to the Bricker Marketplace to get to the correct Tracey's. There's more information on this, below, in the "What We'll Do" section.* If you want to come later in the day, drop me a note and I'll help you navigate to us or I'll come find you if that's feasible. **What We'll Do** This will be sort of a soft itinerary, depending on the interests of the group. The following is based on last year's [fair schedule](https://www.ohiostatefair.com/events), and might need to be changed depending on this year's schedule. But the overall fair schedule doesn't normally change that radically year-over-year. * 9:00 a.m. - *Tracey's* Tracey's is located at the northernmost part of the "WNCI Food Highway," just south of Brown Arena and at the northern corner of the Bricker Marketplace. They have a covered area with picnic tables where you can sit. They have one of the most varied food selections at the fair. They serve breakfast in the mornings, including eggs, bacon, and pancakes. We'll meet here and start our day by socializing over coffee and, if you want, breakfast. Last year, the pancakes with bacon was $7. You got two pancakes that I would describe as average-sized, and a couple strips of bacon. They gave me extra syrup for free. Both the pancakes and the bacon were actually pretty good. Their coffee is generally good, too. They also serve their coffee in Styrofoam cups, which I like because good coffee is more important to me than the environment. I've posted pics, below, of last year's Tracey's menu, as well as a picture of the venue itself relative to the main entrance of the Bricker Marketplace (this entrance faces the Celeste Center). * 10:00 a.m. - *Kasich Hall* Here they have the Ohio State Fair history exhibit, which is very cool. This building also hosts the creative exhibits, including quilts, cakes and pastries, and fair posters. Finally, events like girls' baton competitions, girls' cheerleading, youth choir, and youth boxing (my favorite) are held here. * 11:00 a.m. - *Lausche Youth Exploration Space* This building features 4-H exhibits, Boy and Girl Scout exhibits, and various science exhibits, with the latter including exhibits from COSI and the Ohio State Physics Department. You can also buy Girl Scout cookies here! * 12:00 a.m. - *Bricker Marketplace* Bricker Marketplace is the fair's main flea market. It's a huge indoor shopping area with a food court at its center. The [ODOT](https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/) booth is here, and I always like to check and see if they have any maps I want. Because Bricker is air-conditioned, it's a good place to stop for lunch. There are booths here with burgers, pizza, chicken, Asian food, and alcoholic beverages. * 1:00 p.m. - *Cox Fine Arts* There are art displays here -- paintings, drawings, sculptures, and such. I always like going through here, and people usually like the displays here. * 2:00 p.m. - *Natural Resources Park* The Natural Resources Park is next to Kiddieland, and I think it's the best area of the fair. It's certainly a very popular area. The Timber Show is popular, though I confess to finding it slightly overrated. This area also includes youth fishing, a kayak pond, archery range, butterfly house, aviary, and animal exhibits -- and these are all free. You can also get free chap stick and pens in the [Oil & Gas building](https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/oil-gas/oil-gas). The chap stick is functional, though perhaps a bit mediocre, but the pens are absolutely the best possible pens you can get anywhere, and I'm being completely serious about this. These are seriously my all-time favorite pens, so I encourage you to grab a few. **Other Things Along the Way** Again, the Ohio State Fair is a big place! So here are some of the other things we might check out along the way: * *The* *Cincinnati Circus Company, The Nerveless Nocks, Lady Houdini, or some other "death-defying" act* These typically start at 1:30 and run once every two hours in the afternoon. The show is generally decent and worth catching, whatever it happens to be. These used to run at the south end of the fair by the south gate on 11th Avenue, but a couple years ago they moved them to the south end of the Midway and next to Natural Resources Park. My guess is that this is where they will be again this year. * *Main Street Stage / Gazebo Stage* These stages are at opposite ends of the "WNCI Food Highway." They'll have shows like live music, magic, hypnosis, juggling, and the like. I usually end up seeing most of the shows, almost by accident, during my annual trips to the fair. If there's music at the Gazebo, though, it can be a little loud if the performer is using a big amp. But otherwise the shows are generally entertaining, if not spectacular. If [The Beach Geeks](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1440916777197254) are playing again this year, we are absolutely dropping everything to check them out. I'll fight people on this. * *The Midway* I'm not a big *riding*-the-rides person, and I doubt we will go through here though unless there's interest. However, I do really enjoy *watching* people ride rides, so I never have a problem taking a stroll down the Midway. I do like doing bumper cars, though, as well as some of the various haunted or fun houses. If you think there's a snowball's chance in hell I'm doing the [Defender](https://talleyamusements.com/attraction/defender/), though, then please put the bong down and slowly back away. * *The Dairy Building* This is where the famous Butter Cow is, and the exhibit is always popular. You can also get fairly overpriced ice cream and milkshakes here. Unless something changes here because of their renovations, there are cheaper places at the fair where you can get dairy desserts, and I can show you where they are. * *Taft Coliseum* An indoor arena where they have rodeo- or cowboy/cowgirl-type shows. Sometimes these shows are very good and entertaining and worth checking out. Note that, while you're out of the sun here and the seating is generally good, the arena is not air-conditioned. If trick riders [Tracie Spitznogle](https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tracie-lee-spitzongle) and [Carlie Hale](https://www.facebook.com/trickriderCarlie/) are here, you are likely to enjoy their show, and it will be free (and well-attended). * *The Petting Zoo* & *Pig Races* These used to be in Kiddieland, but in 2025 they were moved to "The Barnyard," next to the Gazebo Stage and the Celeste Center. I suspect they'll have moved again in 2026, but that they will otherwise be back. They're both free and generally popular, with the Pig Races being *extremely* popular. The woman who does the announcing for the Races always delivers the exact same script year after year, but she has so much charisma you won't care, even if you've seen it many times before. * *Central Park* Sometimes I like to just sit here, people-watch, and listen to the sounds of the fair. There are typically several beer vendors right next to Central Park if you want to relax and nurse a beverage while you do so, and the Dairy Building is also very close by. This area may end up being superseded in desirability by the new "Town Square." The Park does suffer from a paucity of shade, and the Square is supposed to rectify some of this. We will see! * *Live Music* There is likely to be some sort of band performing classic rock from something like 2p-5p either in the Taste of Ohio Pavilion next to the Natural Resources Park, or in the Pavilion's replacement/renovated area near the new Town Square. The show will be free and highly likely to be quite good. You should be able to get drinks and food here, too (wherever the ultimate location is), while you check out the band. * *Zultar - Fortune Teller* I saw this guy for the first time last year. He's one of the fair's "strolling entertainers," meaning he takes his act all over the fair and you never know where he will show up next. He's got a "booth" and he wears a costume and face paint that make him look exactly like one of those fortune-telling-booth mannequins. He is completely hilarious (particularly when dealing with children), and if we see him, we will stop and watch him. Don't make me fight you on this, too, people. * *Ohio History Center* Buying a ticket to enter the Ohio State Fair will automatically get you free admission to the [Ohio History Center](https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-history-center/) and [Ohio Village](https://www.ohiohistory.org/visit/ohio-village/), which are located just outside the fairgrounds but otherwise are just next door. They've been doing major renovations of the Village, but these are supposed to be completed by the time the State Fair opens this year. You can walk from the fair to the History Center and the Village, or they have a free shuttle you can take. It's not a short walk, but it's also eminently doable. The History Center is a museum that's really not too terribly big, but is very interesting. And the Village is a living simulation of life in a small 19th-century Ohio town. I suspect most of the people who come out this Meetup would probably enjoy both the Center and the Village. Just keep in mind, though, that if we go, we'll probably be up there for at least a couple hours, which means less time at the fair. However, you won't have to twist my arm to get me to go up, because the whole History complex is actually pretty cool. **Conclusion** Come on out to the Ohio State Fair! 🥳 🎉 😄

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Join us for the Summer edition of [Nature Loving Fest](https://www.facebook.com/events/1575999320350910/), a small, thoughtfully curated outdoor gathering celebrating vibrant vegan eats, handmade goods, and the fullness of the season. Formerly known as our Vegan Pop-Up, this gathering continues to grow as a space rooted in nature, community, and intentional living. Expect around 20 + local vendors offering refreshing seasonal vegan dishes, small-batch bakes, handcrafted goods, and earth-conscious products. This is a welcoming space to slow down, connect, and enjoy the warmth and abundance of summer. Come support local makers, share good food, and celebrate the height of summer with us. Admission is Free.