The Wizards & Wands Festival is going to be a scream! 😮

Westerville, OH – From Candyland to Middle-earth, immerse yourself in fantasy worlds at your library all month long! This year is going to be a SCREAM(!) with our first ever Halloween scream-along (ages 0-7) and - for those brave enough - a screening of the 1922 silent film Nosferatu (ages 12+). 

"Wizards & Wands is my favorite time of year at the library! The magic of libraries comes to life with the decorations you can find around every corner. We love bringing this tradition back to life year after year," shared Liz D, librarian. 

You should definitely plan to spend some time here at the library exploring the brand new mushroom kingdom, a pixel paradise paying homage to your favorite classic video games. And be sure to pick up the phone in the TARDIS to hear a Doctor Who-inspired surprise. 

"This is lovely - my daughter is only 4 months, but really looking forward to bringing her back and exploring all the fun stuff the library has to offer in the future," shared one of the 4,620 participants from last year's festival. 

"The library looks amazing! It was not only fun for my boys but I enjoyed the magic of each room as well," shared a survey respondent in 2024. 

If you're a budding theater enthusiast, delight in the storybook tales of Pinocchio and Hansel and Gretel with Bright Star Theatre (ages 2-11). If you're a Descendants superfan, party with your favorite fairy-tale villains through Descendants trivia, BINGO, and crafts (ages 4-11). Ever wondered How to Train your Dragon? Be sure to mark your calendar for training camp (ages 4-11). 

You could also make a paper dragon egg (ages 2-7), paint a haunted castle (ages 12-18), attend a fairytale ball  (ages 0-3). 

And don't worry - there's plenty for grown-ups, too! Love Studio Ghibli? Cross stitch a scene from My Neighbor Totoro with a free activity kit (ages 18+). You can also learn how to create stop motion animation or a 3D bobble head. 

"I'm looking forward to the return of the Back to the Future scavenger hunt and Delorean viewing. This movie is one of my all-time favorites and I can't wait to discover where Doc and Marty are hidden this year. I'm seriously considering dressing up as the "Save the clock tower!" lady," shared Tamara Murray, Marketing Manager.  

Some favorites from past years are also returning, like an escape room (ages 6-18), life-sized Candyland (ages 2-11) - including a sensory-friendly version! - and the pumpkin parade (ages 0-7). 

"I can’t wait to see what new magic is sprinkled through the library. Keep an eye out for some new, small nods to two of my favorite fantasy franchises of the year – How to Train Your Dragon and Wicked," shared Annamarie C, Youth Services Manager. 

 Animals take center stage again this year with reptiles, bats, bugs, a hedgehog, birds of prey, and Columbus Zoo animal ambassadors.

"Holding the tarantula and the grubs was my favorite thing to do at the wizards and wands festival," shared a survey respondent in 2024.

"All the animal shows were great. There was even a sloth!" shared another survey respondent. 

So stop on by and let your imagination run wild, October 1-31.

"You all are ROCK STARS for this festival!! We look forward to it every year!!!!" - Eat Play Cbus 

Learn more about the Wizards & Wands Festival.

Last updated: 7/15/2025