Fun Fact: A total solar eclipse is truly a spectacular and unique event, one that will not occur in the state of Ohio again until the year 2099!

Total Solar Eclipse in Westerville

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Learn more about the specific stages here.

On the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024, Ohio will be one of the states to experience a total solar eclipse during the Great North American Solar Eclipse! Westerville will be one of the best places to view the total eclipse, with a 99.9% totality. Learn more about all the events happening before, during and after this one-of-a-kind experience. Make sure to pre-order your Eclipse t-shirt by local boutique, Megan Lee Designs for this unique event.

Extend your stay in Westerville

Located just 15 minutes northeast of downtown Columbus, OH, Westerville is a vibrant city with a variety of offerings including unique shops, restaurants, breweries (a few of which are on the Columbus Ale Trail), hotels and activities and is known for its vast parklands and 50+ mile trail system. As the birthplace of Prohibition and other important historical moments, Westerville boasts a thriving cultural arts community. Avoid traffic coming into and out of the city for the eclipse and extend your stay in Westerville to being your exploration.

Find all there is to eat, play, shop and stay in this thriving town.

Blue Santa Mexican Restaurant coming to Uptown Westerville

EAT

Westerville is proof of Columbus' reputation of a foodie destination with something to offer everyone.
Family looking out over the water at Hoover Reservoir in Westerville.

PLAY

From parks and recreation, art galleries and historical tours, fill your day(s) before or after the eclipse!

SHOP

Westerville’s variety of eclectic shops and modern boutiques is ideal for any shopping guru.

STAY

Extend your visit and stay in Westerville to allow for plenty of time for exploration.

Pre- Eclipse Events at the Westerville Public Library

The Westerville Public Library will host a variety of educational programming leading up to the day of the solar eclipse, as well as a couple of events post eclipse. A limited number of eclipse glasses will be distributed while supplies last to attendees at these library-hosted events. (You must attend an event to earn a pair of glasses, limit one per family).

All events will take place at the Westerville Public Library, leading up to the viewing party at Hoff Woods Park on April 8.

Westerville Public Library
126 S. State St.
Westerville, OH 43081
614-882-7277
Learn more and register for the events below

STEAM Experiments: Space (Ages 6-11)

Thurs., March 7, 2-3 p.m.

Use science, technology, engineering, art, and/or math to test out different friction experiments. This month's theme is the solar eclipse! You'll earn your own pair of eclipse glasses for safe viewing.

STEAM Experiments: Space (Ages 6-11)

Thurs., March 7, 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Use science, technology, engineering, art, and/or math to test out different friction experiments. This month's theme is the solar eclipse! You'll earn your own pair of eclipse glasses for safe viewing.

The Science of the Total Solar Eclipse

Sun., March 10, 3–4 p.m.

A total eclipse of the Sun is one of nature's wonders of breathtaking beauty, an eerily majestic show that you won't want to miss! Learn what to expect during the eclipse on April 8, 2024 and how best to view it.

Vinyl Transfer: Eclipse Tote

Tues., March 12, 4-5:30 p.m.

Create an eclipse tote and learn about the Cricut technology available at the library's Innovation Lab. Get a tutorial on how to use the Cricut Design Space software, then decorate your tote with an eclipse graphic.

Visit with Columbus Astronomy

Sat., March 23, 4–5:30 p.m.

Learn about space and the stars with the Columbus Astronomical Society. Get hands-on time with telescopes while learning about the upcoming solar eclipse. You'll earn your own pair of eclipse glasses.

Eclipse Viewing Box (Free Activity Kit)

All day, Mon., March 25

Get ready for the total solar eclipse! Create a safe way to observe the fun with a pinhole projection box. Kit includes all instructions and supplies necessary to craft your way to a safe eclipse viewing.

STEAM: Science Time (Ages 4-8)

Thurs., March 28, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Explore a different STEAM concept each month through stories, songs & hands-on activities. This month's theme is the solar eclipse! By attending this event, you'll earn your own pair of eclipse glasses.

Drop-In Solar Eclipse Celebration

Sat., March 30, 2–4 p.m.

Visit stations to learn about the solar eclipse that's happening on Monday, April 8. After completing all activities, you'll earn your own pair of eclipse glasses for safe viewing. One per family. While supplies last.

Westerville Total Eclipse Viewing Party

Organized by Westerville Parks & Recreation in partnership with The Westerville Public Library

Westerville will be in a zone of eclipse totality for one minute, from 3:12 to 3:13 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets, chairs and eclipse glasses. A limited supply of eclipse glasses will be provided at the event.

The first 500 attendees will receive a gift bag containing various giveaways, eclipse glasses and fun eclipse themed snacks like Moon Pies, Sun Chips and Capri Sun (limit one bag per family).

**A limited number of eclipse glasses will be distributed  at the pre-eclipse events taking place at the Westerville Public Library (While supplies last. You must attend an event to earn a pair of glasses, one per family.) If you would like to purchase glasses, please view this list of manufacturers and distributors.

This viewing party is a family-friendly event designed for families and kids ages 5 and up.

Special Features include: 

Yard games
DJ
Photo booth
Eclipse-related arts and crafts
Educational offerings and activities
Watch live video of footage from NASA
View the eclipse through a telescope

While all of Hoff Woods Park will be open on April 8, the solar eclipse viewing area and activities will take place toward the back of the park. During the event, along with the planned activities, attendees and visitors can also take advantage of the beautiful 2-mile walking path that surrounds the park or visit the park’s nature area to enjoy a 1/4-mile gravel, woodland trail. Hoff Woods Park also features a large playground for kids to enjoy.

couple hiking at Hoff Woods Park in Westerville

Gravel woodland walking trail at Hoff Woods Park

Post- Eclipse Events hosted by the Westerville Public Library

Private Dinner with Author Mary Roach

Weds., April 10, 5-6 p.m.

Enjoy dinner and conversation with the funny and fascinating science author, Mary Roach. This exclusive experience will be held at “the big table” at Asterisk Supper Club. Share a set menu with an opportunity to ask Mary Roach about her life and work in an intimate setting.

Meet the Author: Mary Roach

Weds., April 10, 7-8 p.m.

Enjoy an onstage interview at Westerville Central High School with author Mary Roach about Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void, moderated by Ann Fisher. Discover the weird side of space science - from what happens if you vomit in your space helmet to what happens to you when you can't walk for a year.

Eye Safety During a Total Solar Eclipse

Except during the brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Viewing any part of the bright Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.

Learn more about Total Solar Eclipse Safety on NASA's website.

If you would like to purchase glasses, please view this list of manufacturers and distributors.

Eclipse T-Shirts for Purchase

Man modeling the Eclipse t-shirt available from Megan Lee Designs.

Local Westerville boutique, Megan Lee Designs, is creating an Eclipse tee that is available for purchase. Get this fun Eclipse tee and you'll also receive a pair of Nasa-approved Eclipse Glasses in pure white (ready to decorate) while supplies last.  This is a pre-order and shirts will begin shipping in Mid-March, you will have it in time for the eclipse. Or you can stop by Megan Lee & Friends at 13 E. College in Uptown Westerville to order your shirt -- if you want to try on a blank to make sure you get the right size we will have those available.

Shirts are printed by hand at their studio in Westerville using environmentally friendly water-based ink and the softest shirts that can be found.