The Downtown Weekender: Things to Do in Downtown Marion, Ohio | October 16 –18, 2026

MARION, Ohio — Mid-October brings a packed weekend to Downtown Marion, with live music, fall crafts, family activities, a community cleanup, a carnivorous-plant brunch, pottery, theatre auditions and a live sing-along at the Palace. Here’s what’s happening Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18.

Friday, October 16

5:30 PM – Kid’s Night In – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Kids can spend the evening painting, eating pizza and getting creative during this drop-off event. Cost is $35.

6:30 PM – Plants & Pinot – Blend of Seven Winery – 146 W. Center St., Marion – Plants & Pinot PLINGO combines 10 rounds of the game with houseplants awarded throughout the night and a special charity round supporting a local nonprofit. Cost is $20.

7:00 PM – Live Music with Matt Petty and The Whiskey Chasers – Shovel City Drinkery – 181 N. Main St., Marion – The three-piece Appalachian Americana band from Williamstown, West Virginia, brings traditional sounds and original music to Shovel City. Pizza Hot on the Spot begins serving at 5 p.m.

Saturday, October 17

9:00 AM – Downtown Marion Community Fall Cleanup Day – Founders Park – NE corner of Main and Church streets, Marion – Volunteers of all ages are invited to help pick up trash, sweep sidewalks, tidy alleyways and freshen flower beds throughout downtown. The event runs until noon and is free.

9:30 AM – Saturday Storytime & Little Art Explorers Club – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Miss Amanda and the Little Art Explorers Club welcome young participants for storytime and creative exploration until 11 a.m.

11:00 AM – Bugs for Breakfast – Props & Pots – 132 S. State St., Marion – Brunch meets carnivorous plants during a class with Todd Issler covering Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, sundews and more. The $30 ticket includes brunch, a take-home carnivorous plant, soil for potting and the class.

2:00 PM – Sip & Craft: Macrame Pumpkins – Blend of Seven Winery – 146 W. Center St., Marion – Participants will make two decorative macrame pumpkins and choose from a variety of colors for their fall display. Cost is $35. Registration was scheduled to close October 13.

6:00 PM – BIGGER, PLEASE! A Live Sing-a-Long Experience – Marion Palace Theatre – 276 W. Center St., Marion – The Palace hosts an interactive, audience-powered night of live entertainment, sing-alongs and audience participation. Preferred admission begins at 6 p.m., with general admission at 6:30 p.m. Tickets range from $33.99 to $54.59 including fees.

8:00 PM – Potty Mouth Pottery – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – This 21-and-older, BYOB pottery night gives adults two hours to get creative in a relaxed setting.

Sunday, October 18

12:00 PM – Besom Making: Protecting and Clearing – Bohemian Besoms – 218 E. Center St., Marion – Participants will learn about the history and traditions of the besom while creating a functional handmade broom from natural materials, herbs, ribbons and decorative elements. Cost is $44.44, with an early-bird price listed at $33.33.

1:00 PM – Christmas at the Palace Auditions – Marion Palace Theatre – 276 W. Center St., Marion – Auditions are being held for Christmas at the Palace, directed by Clare Cooke. Ages 5–11 audition from 1–2 p.m., with ages 12 and older from 2–4 p.m. All acts and ages will be considered.

1:00 PM – Sunday Funday with Larry Thiel – Shovel City Drinkery – 181 N. Main St., Marion – Larry Thiel performs favorite hits from the ’60s and ’70s from 1–4 p.m. Steak-N-It serves from 12:30–5 p.m., and Sunday drink specials include Bloody Marys, mimosas and $5 craft drafts.

1:00 PM – Fall Porch Leaners Painting – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Create a decorative fall porch leaner during this seasonal painting workshop. Cost starts at $20.

2:00 PM – Mommy & Mini: Boo Buckets – Props & Pots – 132 S. State St., Marion – Mothers and kids can customize Halloween-themed buckets with beads, charms and decorations. Kids can use theirs for trick-or-treating while moms create a plant-filled bucket. Cost is $30 per pair.

4:00 PM – Teen Night – Mimi’s Art Hollow – 287 W. Center St., Marion – Teens can spend the afternoon getting creative at Mimi’s Art Hollow from 4–6 p.m. Cost is $5.

From community volunteering and family activities to live music, fall workshops and a full-scale sing-along at the Palace, Downtown Marion has plenty happening throughout the October 16–18 weekend.