Things to Do in Cleveland for a Fun Weekend

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

THU 10/01

Big Jay Oakerson

The co-host of numerous popular podcasts, Big Jay Oakerson has consistently toured and released new material over the course of a two decade-long career. His recent hour-long special, Dog Belly, finds him opening with some crowd work before launching into bits about “girl drunk” and how calling yourself an “adult” is a cliche. This weekend, he returns to Hilarities, where he performs at 7 p.m. He has shows scheduled through Saturday at the club.

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

The Billy Joel Legacy

The producers of The Simon and Garfunkel Story and The Life and Music of George Michael present this tribute to the Piano Man whose hits span decades. The show begins at 8 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre.

1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns go up against their long-time rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers in this nationally televised matchup that takes place at 8:15 p.m. at Huntington Bank Field.

100 Alfred Lerner Way, 440-891-5000, huntingtonbankfield.com.

Death Becomes Her

This musical comedy based on the 1992 film about two women who drink a potion that gives them immortality comes to the State Theatre. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and performances continue through Oct. 3.

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

Mayor Wertz Release Party

Future Nobel Peace Prize Winner, the new album from this local comedy musician, features songs about timely subjects like why there are too many fast food chicken places. Mayor Wertze celebrates the album’s release with tonight’s show at the 5 O’Clock in Lakewood.

11904 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, 216-521-4906.

Ole 60

The Kentucky-based band raised eyebrows with the infectious rock, blues and folk influenced songs on 2025’s Smokestack Town. The opening title track sets the tone for the album with undulating guitars and sneering vocals that draw equally from Southern rock and grunge. The group performs at 7 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion. Kolton Moore, the Clever Few and Garret Elias open.2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter

On tour to celebrate 50 years of punk, the latest incarnation of the Sex Pistols comes to the Agora. The group will perform its groundbreaking 1977 album, Never Mind the Bollocks, in its entirety. God save the Agora! Bad Nerves open. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

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

John Waite

Singer-songwriter John Waite first came to prominence as the vocalist and bassist of the English rock outfit the Babys, best known for pop-rock hits such as “Isn’t It Time?” and “Every Time I Think of You” in the late 1970s. That group disbanded in 1980 (after a final performance in Akron), but Waite kept going and scored a No. 1 U.S. hit with “Missing You.” The singer-songwriter comes to the Northfield Park Racino. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

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

West Clinton Historic Haunts

Hosted by the West Clinton Block Club in cooperation with Near West Theatre, this annual event features a lantern-lit, guided walking tour filled with artistic storytelling about the residential areas surrounding Gordon Square Arts District. Starting at 6:30 p.m., tours depart from Parish Hall every 15 minutes.

6702 Detroit Ave., nearwestheatre.org.

Whose Live Anyway

Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray serve as cast members in this comedy show. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Akron Civic Theatre.

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

The Winter’s Tale

A jealous king destroys his family in this Shakespeare play about a lost princess’s attempts to save a kingdom. Great Lakes Theater presents the play at 7:30 tonight at the Hanna Theatre, where it runs through Oct. 11.

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

FRI 10/02

California Dreams — Sounds of Laurel Canyon

This program promises to present “an immersive trip” through California in the ’60s and ’70s when so many great acts (the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt Jackson Browne) emerged from the Laurel Canyon area outside of Los Angeles. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Kent Stage.

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

Mickey Mencin Artist Reception

A self-taught, “old-school” printmaker, local artist Mickey Mencin creates bold prints and home goods in a modern Arts and Crafts style. A new solo exhibition at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood celebrates her career, and an artist reception takes place at 6 p.m. today.

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

MIX: Noche de Ritmos

This special monthly party at the Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates Latin Heritage Month with a performance by local musician Son Gitano. It begins at 6 p.m.

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

Monsters vs. Grand Rapids Griffins

The Monsters kick off their 2026-2027 season with tonight’s game against the Grand Rapids Griffins at Rocket Arena. The two teams play again at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

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

Marcus D. Wiley

With a little help from comedic superstar Ali Siddiq, Marcus D. Wiley released a new comedy special, Marriage Is Major Surgery, last year on YouTube to much acclaim. A former preacher, the comedian performs at 7 and 9:30 tonight and at 6:30 and 9 tomorrow night at the Funny Bone.

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

World Class Care

Set in a not-so-distant future, where two powerful hospital systems have expanded to control nearly all of Cleveland, this play by local playwright Eric Coble examines what happens when “profit-driven healthcare loses sight of humanity,” as it’s put in a press release. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Beck Center for the Arts, where performances continue through Nov. 1.

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

SAT 10/03

An Acoustic Evening with John Hiatt

The singer-songwriter holds down a two-night stand at the Kent Stage and performs at 7:30 tonight and at 7 tomorrow night. Hiatt’s career dates back to the 1970s, and his 1987 album generated moderate hits with the ballad “Have a Little Faith in Me’ and the bluesy “Memphis in the Meantime.”

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

Celebrating Black Warriors in Family and Community Past and Present

The program featuring W. Paul Coates in conversation with Black Child Journal publisher, interviewer and longtime East Cleveland resident Paul Hill Jr. commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Black Panther Party. It begins at 1 p.m. at the East Cleveland Public Library.

14101 Euclid Ave., E., 216-541-4128, eastclevelandpubliclibrary.org.

Cleveland Pickle Fest

From sweet and spicy to dill, all shapes, sizes and flavors of pickled cucumbers are included in this free, family-friendly event. Restaurants from around Cleveland are set to offer up all kinds of pickle-themed dishes at this event that also includes live music. Gates open at 11 a.m.

Mall C, off Lakeside Avenue, clevelandpicklefest.com.

Fusión Latina: A Hispanic Heritage Month Community Celebration

Fusión Latina, a 12-piece group featuring Colombian performer Ale Almanza, will perform as part of this Hispanic Heritage Month celebration that takes place at 8 p.m. at Severance Music Center.

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

Guardians vs. Chicago White Sox or Houston Astros

After playing stellar baseball in September, the Guardians received a bye for the first round of the playoffs. They’ll play the winner of the Houston Astros/Chicago White Sox wild card series today at Progressive Field. Game 2 will take place a Progressive Field on Monday.

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

Hessler Street Fair

The annual event that had been on hiatus for the past six years returns with 40 vendors and live music. It takes place from noon to 7 p.m. on Hessler Road.

Hessler Rd. and Hessler Ct., facebook.com/officialhesslerstreetfair/.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration

The local band Grupo Son Gitano and 2026 Artist in Residence, Carlo Michel will perform at this event celebrating Hispanic heritage. DJ Fuse1 will man the wheels of steel and spin Latin tunes. It takes place from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rock Hall.

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

In the Heartland

Local rockers pay tribute to the late singer-songwriter Michael Stanley, one of the most successful musical acts to ever come out of Northeast Ohio. Pet the Cougar opens the show. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Goodyear Theater in Akron.

1201 East Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com.

Bert Kreischer

Not many comedians have fought a grizzly bear. In his 2005 television movie Hurt Bert, Bert Kreischer not only comes face to face with a ferocious (yet ultimately harmless) bear but lives to tell you about it in his nationally successful comedy act. Kreischer makes his way to Cleveland this week for a standup show at 7 p.m. at Rocket Arena.

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

Stop Making Sense

Talking Head Jerry Harrison hosts this screening of the 1984 concert film featuring art-punks Talking Heads. Harrison will introduce the restored version of the film and answer questions following the screening. The event begins at 8 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre.

1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Brad Williams

At 4’4,” diminutive comic Brad Williams hasn’t let his height become an obstacle. He prefers to think of his height (or lack thereof) as a disability that’s become the basis for all his jokes. Carlos Mencia reportedly discovered him one night and made him his opening act. Williams performs tonight at 7 and 10 at the Northfield Park Racino.

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

Wish You Were Here: The Great Tour in the Sky

The Pink Floyd tribute act puts on this special concert that benefits the Akron Children’s Pediatric Palliative Care Center. The concert begins at 8 p.m. at the Akron Civic Theatre.

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

SUN 10/04

Cortex

Founded by pianist, composer and singer Alain Mion, this jazz /rock/funk group famously influenced numerous hip-hop acts and has been heavily sampled. The concert takes place at 6 p.m. Adrian Younge and J Rocc open.

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

Michael Franti Trio

The lanky singer and rapper brings his trio to House of Blues. Franti uses his inspirational concerts that draw from reggae, rock and hip-hop to spread positive vibrations, so you can expect this to be a rousing good time.

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

Les Délices: Bach’s “Musical Offering”

The local string ensemble plays Bach’s The Musical Offering at tonight’s show at Cleveland Museum of Art. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m.

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

Robin Trower

The veteran guitarist performs at 7:30 p.m. at the Northfield Park Racino. Now 81, Trower played with Procol Harum in the late ’60s. He put a new solo album, Come and Find Me, last year.

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

XCSB New Studio Benefit

This concert at the Treelawn featuring, Drumplay, one of Cleveland’s longest-running local bands benefits XCSB, the new online station that formed after IdeaStream Public Media controversially took over Cleveland State’s college radio station, WCSB 89.3 FM frequency last year. Doors open at 6 p.m. 7 p.m.

15335 Waterloo Rd, 216-677-TREE, thetreelawn.com.