Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend with Family

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

THU 07/23

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.

Chris Botti

The smooth jazz artist comes to Northfield Park Racino. He won a Grammy for his 2013 album, Impressions, and has collaborated with numerous pop stars. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

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

Christmas Ale in July

Great Lakes Brewing Company taps its beloved Christmas Ale for this special Christmas in July party. The event begins at 11 a.m. It’s a charitable event, too. Organizers suggest bringing an unwrapped toy donation for a toy drive presented by Scott’s Haul, benefiting Providence House.

2516 Market Ave., 216-771-4404, greatlakesbrewing.com.

Guardians vs. Minnesota Twins

The Guardians wrap up their four-game set against the Minnesota Twins with today’s day game at Progressive Field. First pitch is at 1:10 p.m.

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.

Pavement

The indie rock group that likes its music slanted and enchanted comes to the Agora. Doors open at 7 p.m. After Nirvana introduced the world of indie rock, Pavement benefited, and tracks such as the sardonic “Cut Your Hair” became underground hits.

5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.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., clevelandpublicsquare.com.

Javier Red Quartet

Led by Javier Red, a Chicago-based jazz pianist and composer who’s originally from Mexico City, this group draws from American jazz and West African music. The group recently completed the recording of a new album featuring special guest Steve Coleman; it’s scheduled for release later this year. The group performs at 8 tonight at the Bop Stop.

2920 Detroit Ave., 216-771-6551, themusicsettlement.org.

Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Festival

The annual Greek Festival at the Saints Constatine & Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland Heights kicks off today. Expect food, music and church tours. Admission is free, and the event runs through Sunday. In addition to raising funds for the ministries of the church, the festival also will raise money for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

3352 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights, stsconstantine.com.

Slightly Stoopid

The ska-punk band from the ’90s returns to Jacobs Pavilion. Over the course of the past 30 years, the group has maintained a DIY approach. The band founded its own record label, Stoopid Records, which released the platinum single “Closer to the Sun,” and gold singles “2am” and “Collie Man.” The Elovaters and Bumpin’ Uglies open the show. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m.

2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

SOUND: MEDS

Local musician LaToya Kent has organized this experimental listening experience that comes across as an artsy yoga class. The first 25 minutes will host two local artists performing a 12 min set each. A short break is followed by a 25-minute silent meditation. It takes place at 7 p.m. at SPACES.

2900 Detroit Ave., 216-621-2314, spacesgallery.org.

FRI 07/24

Chill @ CMNH

This event at the Museum of Natural History features after-hours access to the museum, including Perkins Wildlife Center, animal ambassador encounters, a cash bar, and a screening of Little Shop of Horrors. It all begins at 5 p.m.

1 Wade Oval Dr., 216-231-4600, cmnh.org.

A Conversation with Stewart Copeland: Have I Said Too Much?

The Rock Hall of Fame Inductee with discuss his lengthy musical career, which includes a long tenure with the Police. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

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

Faculty & Staff 2026 Visual Arts Exhibition Reception

Featuring artwork in a wide variety of styles and media, this exhibition highlights the creative voices of the artists who help make Beck Center a vibrant center for arts education and performance. A reception takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

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

Parker McCollum

The country superstar performs tonight at 7:30 at Blossom Music Center. Last year, he released his self-titled fifth studio album and then followed it up this year with an expanded version that includes four additional tracks, including the fan-favorite “Big Ole Fancy House.”

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

Mind Magic Live with Mentalist Joshua Seth

Winner of the Magic Olympics at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, Joshua Seth has become one of the top comedy mentalists in the world. He reads minds and conducts psychic experiments while blindfolded. He performs tonight at 7 at the Hanna Theatre.

2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Kevin Nealon

A former star on Saturday Night Live, comedian Kevin Nealon created some of the shows more memorable characters. He was responsible for the Subliminal Man and played one half of Hans and Frans. He performs tonight at 6:30 and 9:15 at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Sunday.

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

Ted Nugent

The divisive classic rocker known as the Motor City Madman was a liberal hater before it was cool to hate liberals. Nugent, whose career dates all the way back to the 1960s, hit the road on a farewell tour three years ago. Still in the process of hanging it up, he performs at 8 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino.

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

Zeds Dead

The electronic group performs at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. The electronic group is promoting this tour as a career retrospective that’ll even include tracks from its early days when it posted songs on MySpace.

2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

SAT 07/25

Beach Bunny

The Chicago-based indie rock band fronted by the exuberant Lili Trifilio performs at 7 p.m. at House of Blues. The current tour supports the group’s new album, Tunnel Vision, a collection of emo-ish tunes that possess a Paramore vibe.

308 Euclid Ave., 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com.

Cleveland Blues Jam Series

This quarterly series at the Sixty6 celebrates the ongoing legacy of local bluesman Wallace Coleman. Coleman and one other local artist will perform. Check the venue’s website for more info.

1966 E. 66th St., 216-615-7261, thesixty6.com.

Inlet Dance Theatre

The dance troupe performs at 8 p.m. at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights as part of it 25^th annual summer concert. Local Bill Wade founded the group in 2001.

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

Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances

Conductor Kevin John Edusei leads the Cleveland Orchestra as it plays Symphonic Dances, Rachmoninoff’s last major composition. The Kent Blossom Chamber Orchestra will join the festivities as well. The concert takes place at 7 p.m. at Blossom.

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

Tacos & Tequila Festival

Shaggy, Chamillionaire, XZibit, Trina, Ying Yang Twins, Bubba Sparxxx, and Murphy Lee will perform at this event that celebrates throwback hip-hop heroes as well as tacos and tequila. It takes place at ForeFront Field.

2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon, 440-934-3636, lakeeriecrushers.com.

SUN 07/26

Brit Floyd

Singer-guitarist Damian Darlington reportedly formed this Pink Floyd tribute act because it wanted it to improve upon the work he did with his previous band, the Australian Pink Floyd Show. The group has been touring since 2011, and it performs at 6 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion.

2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

An Evening with Idina Menzel

Famous for singing the tunes on the popular soundtrack to the Disney film Frozen, Idina Menzel performs tonight at Blossom with backing from the Cleveland Orchestra in a show that should draw a capacity crowd. Andy Einhorn conducts. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

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

Jokes on You

Inspired by crowd work clinicians like Dave Attell, Ian Bagg, and Big Jay Oakerson, Jokes On You makes the audience the center of the show by “pushing comics to avoid prepared material or written jokes and instead focus on organic interaction with the audience,” as it’s put in a press release about this event, which takes place tonight at 8 in the Frolic Cabaret Room at Hilarities.

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

Vigatron x Burner Album Release

These two local hip-hop acts collaborated on the new 14-song album, Hollow Apologies. They celebrate its release with tonight’s show at the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights. It begins at 8 p.m.

2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.