Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
THU 08/06
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.
Sam Barber
The singer-songwriter performs at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Waylon Wyatt and Wild Horses open. The tour supports Barber’s new album, Broken View, an album that shows off his husky voice. Opening tune “Borrowed Tune” has a Bob Seger feel to it and will likely figure into tonight’s set.
2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.
Joe Gatto
Best known for TV shows such as Impractical Jokers and The Misery Index, comedian Joe Gatto brings his standup show to Hilarities. Gatto is also the co-host of the Two Cool Moms Podcast. He performs at 7 tonight and has shows scheduled through Saturday.
198 Hill St., Akron, 330-972-7570, ejthomashall.com.
Guardians vs. New York Mets
The New York Mets, a team loaded with some of baseball’s biggest stars, just haven’t been able to get it together. The team missed the playoffs altogether last year. It appears the guys will come up short again this year. They play the Guardians at 1:10 p.m. at Progressive Field.
2401 Ontario St., 216-420-4487, mlb.com/guardians.
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.
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.
Medina County Fair
There will be bull riding, motocross and monster trucks at the annual Medina County Fair that runs through Sunday at the Medina County Fairgrounds.
710 W. Smith Rd., Medina, 330-723-9633, medina-fair.com/main.html.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival
The event billed as “football’s greatest week” comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton this week. The Arizona Cardinals will play the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game, and the country act Lainey Wilson will perform as part of the festivities. Check the website for a complete schedule.
2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, 330-456-8207, profootballhof.com.
Public Square Movie Nights
Feature-length family friendly films screen on a monthly basis at this event that takes place at 8 p.m. at Public Square. Food trucks will be on hand, and there will be a pop-up bar and interactive activities.
Sister Act Presented by Akron Civic Theatre’s Millennial Theatre Project
The Millennial Theatre Project puts on this performance of the musical based on the movie about a woman who transforms a choir at a convent. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Akron Civic Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com.
FRI 08/07
American Football
The emo act out of Urbana, IL released its first album way back in 1997. The group splintered after just three years, but now that Midwest emo is popular again, it’s back at it. The indie group performs at 7 p.m. at House of Blues. Afternoon Bike Ride opens.
308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.
Dutchman
This confrontational one-act play (written by Amiri Baraka formerly LeRoi Jones) which premiered at the Cherry Lane Theatre in 1964 remains “a fascinating exploration of racial identity, oppression and power dynamics,” as it’s put in a press release. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7 at Dunham Tavern, where performances continue through Sunday.
6709 Euclid Ave., 216-431-1060, dunhamtavern.org.
Riley Green: Cowboy as It Gets Tour 2026
The country music superstar and former college football quarterback became a sensation upon the release of his debut album, 2019’s Different ‘Round Here. On tour in support of his new album, That’s Just Me, he performs tonight at 7 at Blossom.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.
How To Train Your Dragon in Concert
The Cleveland Orchestra provides the live orchestral underscore to the screening of this kids’ films about a young Viking who teaches his family and friends that not all dragons are destructive. The event takes place at 7 tonight and at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Mandel Concert Hall.
11001 Euclid Ave., 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
MGK Day
This annual event celebrating the success of local rapper Machine Gun Kelly returns to downtown Cleveland., The weekend begins today at 5 p.m. with the Red Bull Best Trick Contest at Crooked River Skatepark. The event will also feature vendors, food trucks, live music, exclusive merchandise and additional activities. Tomorrow, the celebration moves to North Coast Yard where MGK and rapper Wiz Khalifa will perform.
MIX: Summer Soirée
Local heroes Opus 216 will perform at this edition of the Cleveland Art Museum’s monthly party. The event will celebrate the Regency era and Rebecca Sweet, the co-owner and master instructor of Viva Dance Studio, will lead a brief waltz dance lesson. The event begins at 6 p.m.
11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.
Old Brooklyn Art Hop
As part of the Third Annual Old Brooklyn Art Hop, Pinwheel Gallery and Logo Creative Studio will host opening receptions, and a dozen other venues are planning art-related events. All the participating venues will also have a section of what will come together to create a modular mural for Art Hoppers to help paint during the evening. The finished mural will be assembled and displayed on Broadview Road during Old Brooklyn Streetfest. The event takes place from 5 to 9 p.m.
Union County
Actors Will Pouter and Annette Deao and director Adam Meeks will be on hand for this early screening of Union County, a film about two brothers trying to make it through a drug rehab program. The film is set in Ohio and includes a terrific performance by Deao, a therapist in real life. It screens at 6:45 p.m.
11610 Euclid Ave., 216-421-7450, cia.edu.
Vintage Ohio Wine
This two-day event at the Lake County Metroparks Farmpark will feature Ohio wines, live music, cooking demos and family activities. It takes place from noon to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow.
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, 800-227-6972, lakemetroparks.com/select-park/farmpark.
Marlon Wayans
One of the best-known comics to emerge in the late ’80s and continue to be active, Marlon Wayans has successfully ventured into film and had hits with flicks such as Scary Movie, White Chicks and Little Man. Tonight at 7and 9:30, he performs at the Funny Bone, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
SAT 08/08
Civil War Weekend
This annual event at Hale Farm & Village in Akron features an immersive experience thanks to recreations of Federal and Confederate camps. Re-enactors, musicians and interpreters will be on hand to bring the Civil War to life. It begins at 10 a.m. today and tomorrow.
2686 Oak Hill Rd., Akron, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.
Cuyahoga River Rally
This free community festival celebrating the renewal of the Cuyahoga River with riverside yoga, kids’ crafts, water-themed experiences, free rides on the Holiday Boat, live music and a beer garden. The event begins at 10 a.m. It takes place at Hart Crane Park.
1820 Merwin Ave, 814-746-2350, canalwaypartners.com.
The Happy Together Tour
The tour featuring ’60s acts the Association, the Troggs, Jason Scheff, Gary Puckett, the Fortunes, Ron Dante, the Vogues and the Cowsills comes to Northfield Park Racino. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.
10705 Northfield Rd., Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Glow-N-Fire
The event featuring the giant tricked-out trucks that kids love comes to Rocket Arena this weekend. Today’s sessions take place at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tomorrow’s session is at 1:30 p.m.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Peninsula Flea
This upscale flea market features handmade, repurposed and vintage items from dedicated artists, crafts people and collectors. Local musicians are slated to perform and food vendors will be on hand. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Farms. Admission is free.
6050 Riverview Road, Peninsula, 3306572788, explorepeninsula.com.
Steel Pulse
The veteran reggae act performs at 7 p.m. at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. Local heroes Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S. Band open.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
Summer Night Bazaar
This event at StoneWater will feature more than 15 local artisans and crafters. Vendors will be on hand from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the live music goes until 11 p.m. The Fungry Food Truck will be on hand for the festivities.
One Club Drive, Highland Heights, stonewatergolf.com.
The Voices that Changed Music
The Cleveland Orchestra plays music by the likes of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Whitney Houston and Elvis Presley at this special concert that takes place at 7 p.m. at Blossom.
1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com.
The Willoughby Pop-Up by the Lake
Dozens of local artisans, markers, crafters and speciality food vendors will be on hand for this annual event that takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Osborne Park in Willoughby. It’s free.
38575 Lakeshore Blvd, Willoughby, avantgardeshows.com.
SUN 08/09
Warren Haynes and Joe Bonamassa
The jam band Gov’t Mule and blues rocker Joe Bonamassa bring their co-headlining tour to the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.
201 S Phelps St., Youngstown, 330-746-5600, theyoungstownfoundationamp.com.
Boney James
The smooth jazz act performs at 7 p.m. at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights. The sax man has recorded and toured since the 1970s and received several Grammy nods along the way. Avery* Sunshine opens.
14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.
LoveMuffinPalooza 2026
Launched in 2008 when Love Muffin label owner Adam Rich wanted to do his own version of Undercurrents, the popular yearly music showcase that took place in Cleveland in the ’80s and ’90s, LoveMuffinPalooza benefits the Gathering Place. This year’s incarnation of the benefit concert includes the G Strings, Blue Drivers, Mal SanMarco, Lost State of Franklin, Flowers Love, Being Eerie and Bill DeGidio. It takes place at 7 p.m. at the Treelawn.
15335 Waterloo Rd, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com.
The Princess Concert
A traveling music group performs the music of Frozen, Wicked, Kpop Demon Hunters, Moana, Taylor Swift, Wizard of Oz, Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin Anastasia and Pocahontas during this concert at Akron Civic Theatre. It begins at 3:30 p.m.
182 South Main St., Akron, 330-253-2488, akroncivic.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.
WKYC Channel 3 Talent Showcase: A Fundraiser for VeloSano
Local comedian Mike Polk Jr. hosts this special fundraiser for VeloSano cancer research. The show will feature local celebrity comedians. It begins at 7 p.m. at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
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