Hello autumn, I was starting to worry you got lost.

This the most wonderful time of the year. Chill nights, outdoor fires that you can smell on the air, leaves exploding into brilliant colors, hot drinks, knitted hats—I love it ALL. So naturally the first event that caught my eye when I searched ColumbusMakesArt.com’s events calendar was an outdoor event at the Franklin Park Conservatory.

Wednesday, Oct. 20 Franklin Park Conservatory kicks off Pumpkins Aglow—that’s a crisp fall evening with hundreds of glowing jack-o-lanterns. There are other Halloweeny type stuff going on in this exhibition, and it’s certainly targeted for all ages. But, me, I just want to walk outside, enjoy the lit up pumpkins, hopefully find some hot cider, and embrace the joys of autumns. Also, Franklin Park Conservatory is a passport stop.

Other stops to get that passport stamped:

• Oct. 20, Gateway Film Center hosts a conversation between author Wil Haygood and American poet Hanif Abdurraqib followed by a screening of Joseph Sargent’s The Man (1972). This is part of a series of events celebrating the release of Haygood’s latest book Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World.
• The National Veterans Memorial & Museum hosts the traveling exhibition, The Wounded Warrior Dogs Project, on Oct 20-24.
• The Columbus Symphony presents Brahms & Dvorak at the Ohio Theatre Oct. 22 & 23.
• ROY G BiV has multiple shows up, including Dia De Los Muertos, which includes work by 12 artists.
• The Writing is On the Wall, the current exhibition in the Carnegie Gallery at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, main branch will be closing Oct. 28. Don’t miss it. (Also, please note: passport stamping for this stop is in the library store, which is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., So if you want that sticker, make sure you are visiting the exhibition when the store is open.”
• Also closing soon (Oct. 30), is Tight & Loose, featuring work by Michael Bush and Garrison Latimer at Sarah Gormley Gallery in the Short North.
• Saturday, Oct. 23 is the last Phoenix Rising Printmaking Coopertive open house. Learn more about printmaking, check out demos and get some cool original prints.
• Sunday, Oct. 24 is the last Sunlight Market for the season. It’s not to early to find those cool unique holiday gifts.

There are only two weeks left of passport stops and many of you have already hit most of them. But that doesn’t mean an end to arts events. Here are a few more things to check out from ColumbusMakesArt.com that are not passport stops—just fun ways to enjoy the weekend.

• HighBall Halloween 2021, Saturday Oct. 23 at Express Live! In addition to a a next-level fashion show and public costume contest, there will be performances from Mojoflo and the West Family.
• On Thursday, Oct. 21, Maroon Arts group is hosting a special event in the Franklin Park Conservatory Wells Barn. Roots: Stories of Resilience will include poetry, music, dance and visual art. While the event is technically free, they are collecting donations. If you can give, please do to support this wonderful organization and ensure they can do more programming like this.
• Black Film making in Hollywood: a Conversation with Wil Haygood, is Oct. 21 at the Drexel. The event will include a screening of the 1974 Foxy Brown and a book signing. This is part of a series of events celebrating the release of Haygood’s latest book Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World.
• And there is another opportunity to hear Wil Haygood speak on Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, main branch. In addition to Wil Hey good discussing his new book, Urban Jazz Coalition musicians will be playing.

Those are my picks for the weekend. What are yours?

Lacey Luce is a digital marketing strategist for the Greater Columbus Arts Council who is happiest with a cup of something hot in her hand and a chill in the air.