Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly festival or an event to celebrate the miracle that is craft beer, Northeast Ohio has got you covered this summer through Labor Day Weekend. Celebrations of food, drink, but also music and art abound with traditions old and new. Some festivals on this list haven’t yet seen round two, while others have been supported for the past three decades. Don’t let the summer pass you by without attending a few of these events.
Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly festival or an event to celebrate the miracle that is craft beer, Northeast Ohio has got you covered this summer through Labor Day Weekend. Celebrations of food, drink, but also music and art abound with traditions old and new. Some festivals on this list haven’t yet seen round two, while others have been supported for the past three decades. Don’t let the summer pass you by without attending a few of these events.
Tri-C JazzFest
Playhouse Square (June 28-30)
Multiple stages of jazz performers means that one can only expect to get jazzed by this festival’s 39-year history. There will also be numerous food trucks, artists and vendors taking over the square.
Photo via tricjazzfest/InstagramWaterloo Arts Fest
Waterloo Arts and Entertainment District, between E. 161st St. and Calcutta Ave. (June 30)
Ten stages, featuring 30 musical acts ranging in style from polka to hip hop, street performers including stilt walkers and magicians, and art demonstrations, are just a few things you can expect at this unique arts fest. Join in on the action by learning skills from some local artists themselves.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceLarchmere Festival
12736 Larchmere Blvd. (July 7)
Enjoy vendors, crafts, performances and more in the heart of Larchmere from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Some special activities and performances to expect include an author alley with more than 50 participants, a chess challenge and Martial Arts demonstrations.
Photo via veganeatingcle/InstagramKale & Ale Festival
Lincoln Park, Starkweather Ave. and W. 14th St. (July 7)
Expect more than 38 locally-crafted beers, seven local restaurants and two local musicians at this festival from 2-6 p.m. Learn about the local brewing process, share in the supportive and enthusiastic local beer community and pick your new favorite craft beers.
Photo via kaleandalefestival/InstagramCain Park Arts Festival
Cain Park, 216-371-3000 (July 13-15)
This beloved outdoor arts festival features work from the best local artists, as they have to be accepted into the show. Fine arts and crafts range from photographs, paintings and ceramics to leather pieces, jewelry and wood work.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceTaste of Tremont
Professor Ave., between W. 10th and Starkweather, (July 15)
For 16 years, this free festival has shown off the neighborhood’s best of the best foods, drinks and culture. Enjoy the eclectic specialties of the neighborhood’s chefs, breweries, bars, artists and performers.
Photo from Scene ArchivesCleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds (July 20-22)
Nothing says Irish heritage like step dancers, bagpipes and corned beef. For 36 years, this festival has honored Irish art, music, dance, food and drink traditions while engaging the community.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceOur Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Festival
29850 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe, 440-585-0700 (July 22-24)
Try your hand at casino favorites such as blackjack and Texas hold’em, enjoy polka and disco music and experience different homemade ethnic foods, all within a local church that has been holding this festival for 28 years.
Photo via YouTubeScene Ale Fest 2018
Lincoln Park in Tremont (July 28)
Get ready to choose from over 90 beer varieties and jam out to live music. There will also be food trucks serving everything from pizza to gyros to tacos. You don’t want to miss out on the beer experience Cleveland has had for years.
Photo from Scene ArchivesFamily Unity In The Park
3090 Martin Luther King Jr Dr. (July 28)
Do you to listen to soul music and jazz? Family Unity In The Park is the perfect event to picnic with your family, whilst listening to live jazz music. It is a perfect way to celebrate generations of people and Cleveland’s east side community.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceOld Brooklyn Smorgasbord Street Fest
Old Brooklyn’s Main Street (July 29)
Set on Main Street, Old Brooklyn Smorgasbord Street Fest is your quintessential summer street fair. The event features live music, drinks, a movie screening, inflatables, and an array of food trucks including Barrio Tacos and the neighborhood’s own Honey Hut.
Photo courtesy Old Brooklyn ClevelandTaste of St. Casimir’s
8223 Sowinski Ave. (Aug. 3-5)
The Taste of St. Casimir’s will offer you a taste of homemade traditional desserts, dishes, and music. After paying an admission fee, you will be given food and drink tickets. Enjoy a visit to the beer truck, try some grilled kielbasa or fried perch, and jam out to the surrounding live entertainment.
Photo via WikimediaLatino Arts and Culture Celebration
Voinovich Bicentennial Park, E. 9th St. Pier (Aug. 3-5)
From street food to art to shopping, the festival will immerse you with Puerto Rican and Latino Culture. There are carnival rides and live music for people to enjoy. Plus, this year’s parade will celebrate all of the wonderful aspects of Puerto Rican culture.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceWarehouse District Street Festival
Voinovich Bicentennial Park, E. 9th Street Pier (Aug. 5)
Interested in handmade items? Pastels, oil, leather, woodwork, jewelry, photography, you name it. If the product can be handmade, you will certainly find it here. Also expect live entertainment, food, and activities for the kids.
Photo from Scene ArchivesCleveland Dragon Boat Festival
421 Black River Ln., Lorain (Aug. 11)
Teamwork and cooperation are two key traits for those who participate in this year’s Dragon Boat Festival, as dozens of teams of 20 paddle in a 500-meter canoe race. People who do not participate in the actual race can come watch and cheer on the boats. Food and drinks will be provided to those participating. The ambiance of the whole festival gives everyone a genuine race experience.
Photo via @Crafty_ccc on InstagramFeast of the Assumption
12021 Mayfield Rd. (Aug. 15-18)
Followed by a morning mass service, the 2018 Feast of Assumption will kick off featuring amusement rides, live music, and a casino. The three values of the Feast include religion, family and ethnic pride and parish outreach. Come celebrate the Feast in Little Italy August 15-18 if you interested in learning more about the culture.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceBurning River Festival
1000 Cuyahoga River Rd (Aug. 17-18)
Close your summer up with spectacular live performers. This year’s lineup includes Robert Delong, known for immense and colorful EDM shows, as well as Akron-based artists, Wesley Bright & The Honeytones. A plethora of food vendors and beer will also be available for those who attend to see live music right by the water.
Photo from Scene ArchivesThe Flats Festival of the Arts
1055 Old River Rd. (Aug. 18-19)
Celebrate the diversity of art and creativity right by the waterfront. Many vendors will be at the festival celebrating their artwork. Some artists are local, but many have traveled long distances to share their art at this festival. Performances will feature the region’s most talented musicians and dancers. If you like art and creativity, this festival is perfect way to end your summer.
Photo via @G3Studios/InstagramBlue Sky Folk Festival
10848 Chillicothe Rd., Kirtland (Aug. 25)
Blue Sky is your prime go to festival for everything folk music. From live performances to workshops to jam sessions, there is something that allows everyone to dive into their desire of classic folk music. Workshops can be taken in fiddle and guitar.
Photo courtesy Geauga County Maple LeafInCuya Music Festival
The Malls In Downtown Cleveland, West Mall Drive (Aug. 25-26)
Come celebrate art and music at the very first, InCuya Music Festival, commemorating the end of summer. There will be two stages that featuring a variety of today’s artists, including SZA, K.Flay and AWOLNATION.
Photo via Scene ArchivesKamm’s Corners Greek Festival
3853 W. 168th St. (Aug. 30-Sept. 3)
Honor the city’s rich Greek culture at the 8th annual Kamm’s Corners Greek Festival. The event will feature live folk dancers, as well as a variety of Greek cuisine, including gyros, lamb on a stick, souvlaki, and more.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceCleveland Labor Day Oktoberfest
19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights (Aug. 31-Sept. 3)
Northeast Ohio’s largest annual outdoor festival is returning. This festival offers so many activities it’s hard to keep up, but some events include a microbrew competition, a rainbow 5K run, a weiner dog competition, a selfie competition, Miss Oktoberfest, and a bier garden with classic rock.
Photo via Scene ArchivesDowntown Willoughby Corn Roast
2nd Street, Willoughby (Sept. 1-2)
Not only will regional bands and craft beer be seen and heard on the streets of downtown Willoughby this upcoming Labor Day, but you’ll be surrounded by more corn than you ever thought possible. Roasted corn, buttered corn, chili lime corn, corn dogs, you name it. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Willoughby-Eastlake Teach-Learn-Grow Program for Autism.
Photo by Emanuel Wallace
