Things to Do This Weekend in Cleveland Events

Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.

THU 07/16

AC/DC Fan Day

The Rock Hall celebrates the legacy of original AC/DC singer Bon Scott with this special celebration that takes place on what would’ve been Scott’s 80th birthday. The Rock Hall will screen exclusive footage of the late singer, and educational programming will center on Scott’s legacy.

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.

Asian Lantern Festival

Taking over parks and zoos across the country, the traveling Asian Lantern Festival shows off thousands of colorful handmade paper lanterns in open, green spaces. This year’s festival at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will include an Asian craft market and Asian food vendors. The event takes place from 6:30 to 10:30 tonight through Sunday. Check the Zoo website for ticket prices. It continues through Aug. 23.

3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clemetzoo.com.

Dave Attell

Known as the host of Comedy Central’s Insomniac with Dave Attell and The Gong Show, Dave Attell is also a great stand-up comedian, writer and actor. A New York native, he graduated from NYU in 1987 with a degree in communications. During the day, he worked crappy jobs and did standup at night. After getting national exposure courtesy of David Letterman, his career took off. He performs tonight at 6:30 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday.

2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.

David Bowie in NEO

Local publisher and musician Thomas Mulready leads this multi-media show about David Bowie’s first-ever appearance in Cleveland in the 1970s. Local rockers Vanity Crash and Time Cat will perform. In addition, the show features exclusive video interviews with WMMS Radio DJs Billy Bass and Denny Sanders, Bowie’s drummer Woody Woodmansey and pianist, Mike Garson, whose first gig with Bowie was in Cleveland., The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at Music Box Supper Club.

1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.

An Evening with Richie Furay

A one-time member of classic rock acts such as Buffalo Springfield, Poco and the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, the Americana singer-songwriter performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.

The Lion King

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the play presents a story “filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals.” The play also features the work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and tunes written by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16.

1519 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Ohlsson Plays Rachmaninoff

The Cleveland Orchestra plays pieces by Wagner, Rachmaninoff and Dvorak at this concert that’s part of the orchestra’s Summers at Severance series. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall.

11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.

A Taste of Black Cleveland

The annual event spotlighting local Black chefs returns to Rocket Arena. it begins at 6 p.m. The ticket price includes access to food tasting from more than 20 local Black chefs and dessert vendors as well as two drink tickets.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.

FRI 07/17

Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival

A slew of local, national and international musical acts will perform at this year’s Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival. The festival takes place today through Sunday at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea. Today’s hours are 5 to 11 p.m.

19201 East Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights, 440-243-0090, clevelandirish.org.

Deuce N’ a Quarter

International Blues Challenge finalists in 2023, the group headlines the Kent Stage. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.

Guardians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have played well this season and hovered around the .500 mark, a big improvement from last year. They come to Progressive Field tonight for a three-game series. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m.

2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians.

Lalah Hathaway & Eric Benet

The two soul singers bring their co-headlining tour to Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. The daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway has won five Grammy awards during the course of her career and collaborated with the likes of Kendrick Lamar. Eric, Benét initially had success with his group Benét before establishing himself as a solo artist. Robert Glasper and Snoop Dog. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

Inkcarceration

Inkcarceration, the annual music and tattoo festival that takes place at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, returns this weekend. The event, which takes place today through Sunday, will feature a slew of hard rock bands and more than 115 tattoo artists and haunted attractions. Acts such as Limp Bizkit, Disturbed, Bad Omens, Gojira and Papa Roach are slated to perform.

100 Reformatory Rd., Mansfield, inkcarceration.com.

Live with Rudy Rush & Friends

The comedian and radio personality known as the youngest host of Showtime at the Apollo teams up with some of his comedic friends this weekend at the Funny Bone. Shows take place at 7 and 9:30 tonight and at 6:30 and 9 tomorrow night.

1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.

Tim McGraw & 49 Winchester

Veteran country singer Tim McGraw teams up with the up-and-coming country rock act 49 Winchester for this show at Blossom. It begins at 7 p.m. Earlier this year, McGraw released two brand new songs, “Pawn Shop Guitar” and “Song for America,” marking his first new music in over a year.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.

Mean Girls

The musical adapted from the film by the same name comes to Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. It centers on a teenager who must navigate “frenemies” at her suburban high school. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and the play runs through Aug. 9.

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.

Summit Wellness Presents: The Sound of Recovery with Marc Lee Shannon

Local singer-songwriter Marc Lee Shannon shares songs and stories about his recovery and mental health struggles. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre.

182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.

Third Friday

From 5 to 9 p.m., many of the 78th Street Studios resident artist studios and galleries will be open as part of this monthly event. There will be live music, and Local West, a Gordon Square sandwich shop, will serve food. BARneo will have a selection of adult beverages as well. Admission is free.

1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com.

SAT 07/18

Artist in the Atrium

Every third Saturday of each month, stop by the Ames Family Atrium between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to get a firsthand look at the art-making process. Each session provides the opportunity to engage and interact with a different Northeast Ohio maker during pop-up demonstrations and activities.

11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.

Brahms & Shostakovich

Semyon Bychkov conducts the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Brahms’s Fourth Symphony as well as Shostakovich’s First Violin Concert. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, clevelandorchestra.com.

Zac Brown Band: Love & Fear Tour

Known for live shows that often feature a slew of oddball covers in addition to original material, the versatile Zac Brown Band brings its Love & Fear tour to Rocket Arena. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.

Rodney Carrington

The veteran country singer-songwriter and comedian regularly mixes comedy and music during his live performances. He performs at 8 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino.

10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com.

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead

The jam band known for its “wild and incredibly adventurous” renditions of Grateful Dead tunes performs at 7 tonight at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. According to the venue’s website, the show is sold out.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

Lakewood Summer Meltdown 2026

This annual block party takes place on Detroit Avenue between Marlowe and Arthur Avenues. The festival features a 5K race and 1-mile family fun run and walk. It also features games, food vendors, a beer garden and live music.

lakewoodalive.org.

Music in the Garden

These free concerts featuring local bands take place on the first and third Saturdays throughout the summer at the Ben Franklin Community Garden. You can bring a lawn chair, and admission is free.

1905 Spring Rd., 216-459-1000, benfranklincommunitygarden.org.

Pablo Cruise

The light rock group famous for hits such as “Whatcha Gonna Do When She Says Goodbye?” and “Love Will Find a Way” performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.

Sensory-Friendly Saturday

Sensory-Friendly Saturday events at the Cleveland Museum of Art offer “adaptations” to meet diverse sensory-processing needs every third Saturday of each month from 9 to 10 a.m. Guests on the autism spectrum, people experiencing dementia and those of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities are invited to participate in a calming museum experience with less stimulation in a section of the museum’s galleries before they open to the public.

11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.

SUN 07/19

Blood Brothers — Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia

The blues rockers team up for this show at the Kent Stage. Solo artists in their own rights, the have recorded together as the Blood Brothers and released their debut studio album in 2023.For tonight’s show, they’ll play songs from it as well as their own original tunes from their respective solo careers. The music begins at 7.

175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org.

Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets

Veteran singer-songwriter Nick Lowe teams up with instrumental rockers Los Straitjackets for this special concert that takes place at 8 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom.

15711 Waterloo Rd., 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com.

Reggae Sundays

This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series continues every Sunday through the end of the summer. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Music Box will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series.

1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.

Salsa Across Borders

This annual event at the Rock Hall will feature live music and dance celebrations. It’s a day-long event that kicks off at 11 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. with an awards and closing ceremony.

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.

Taste of Tremont

One of Cleveland’s longest standing neighborhood festivals returns today as Tremont welcomes more than welcome more than 20,000 people to Professor Avenue for the annual Taste of Tremont. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from various vendors. There will be live music throughout the festival, which takes place from noon to 8 p.m.

Professor Avenue, experiencetremont.com.

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

The two singer-songwriters perform tonight at 7 at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. They recently released their tenth album, Woodland, to much acclaim. Recorded at their own studios in Nashville, the album chronicles the trials and tribulations the two have endured over the past two decades.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.