Want to feel like a Clevelander? Then you're going to have to party like one.
Yes indeed, there's a celebration going on somewhere every day. Following are our picks for the festivities you can't afford to miss.
JUNE
Wade Oval Wednesdays
June 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Bring a blanket or lawn chair as University Circle launches its series of Wednesday-evening outdoor festivals, with music, food vendors, and a farmers market.
Wade Oval, University Circle,
216-791-3900, universitycircle.org
Festival of the Fish
June 17-19
It's Vermilion's annual celebration of the sea, with parades, including a lighted boat parade, pet parade, and Father's Day parade — plus kids' queen and princess pageants, races, contests, and water fights.
Vermilion, 440-967-4477,
vermilionohionews.homestead.com
Avon Heritage
Duct Tape Festival
June 17-19
The "Duct Tape Capital" of the world hosts its eighth-annual fest celebrating the adhesive. It also honors the city of Avon itself and includes attractions from sculptures and fashion to games and a parade — all of it involving duct tape.
3701 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Avon, ducttapefestival.com
Shaker Heights
Arts & Music Festival
June 18-19
Formerly the Craftfair at Hathaway Brown, this annual arts and crafts show features works for sale by nearly 150 artists, including jewelry, clothing, paintings, and other media. There's also music and cuisine from local restaurants.
Farnsleigh Rd. and Van Aken Blvd., 216-491-1412, shakeronline.com
Boston Mills Artfest
June 24-26 (Show I)
July 1-3 (Show II)
This prestigious and highly competitive annual art and craft show unfolds in a picturesque ski-resort setting. Only 160 artists are chosen from more than 1,100 entrants.
Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort, 1146 W. Highland Rd., Northfield, 330-467-2242, bmbw.com
Gay Pride Parade
June 25
With Cleveland slated to host the Gay Games in 2014, interest is rising in gay pride. The annual downtown parade features colorful floats and costumes, live music, a beer garden, children's pavilion, numerous vendors, and organizations from the Cleveland GLBT community.
Voinovich Bicentennial Park,
216-226-0004, clevelandpride.org
Waterloo Arts Fest
June 25
Presented by Arts Collinwood, this unique blend of art, food, live entertainment, and activities for kids of all ages makes a great kick-off to the summer. Among the other highlights, don't miss the infamous Rock 'n' Roll Flea Market at the Beachland Ballroom.
Waterloo Road between East 156th and East 161st streets, 216-692-9500,
Summer Solstice Party
June 25-26
Celebrate the longest day of the year at this popular annual all-night party at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Highlights include jazz, soul, African, and electronic music, plus Mediterranean-inspired appetizers and beverages. It takes place from Saturday at 6 p.m. till Sunday at 2 a.m.
Cleveland Museum of Art,
Wade Oval, University Circle,
216-421-7340, clevelandart.org
JULY
Stars and Stripes and
Sousa Forever! A Family Fourth of July in the Sousa Style
July 4
Loras John Schissel, the world's leading authority on John Philip Sousa, conducts the Blossom Festival Band in Sousa marches and Tchaikovsky's "1812" Overture.
Blossom Music Center,
145 West Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-7524,
Cain Park Arts Festival
July 8-10
Featuring work from 150 artists, this fine arts and crafts event offers a chance to purchase quality and award-winning art at a reasonable price. In addition to the paintings, photography, sculptures, and ceramics, enjoy top-notch food and entertainment.
14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Hts., cainpark.com/arts_festival.asp
Painesville Party in the Park
July 15 -17
Ohio's largest free music festival, with more than 30 musical acts on three stages, plus activities and events for the whole family all day — plus delicious alcohol beverages!
Painesville Veterans Park. 76 S. Park Place, Painesville, parkpartyinfo.com
Taste of Tremont
July 17
The ninth-annual street festival in the heart of Tremont's restaurant district showcases the best of Tremont cuisine. Among the festivities are art exhibits, a beer garden, dance performances, church tours, and live music.
Professor Ave., tasteoftremont.com
Cleveland Irish Festival
July 22-24
It's their 29th-annual celebration of Irish heritage, with bands, step dancers, children's activities, plays, food, and Irish exhibits.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds,
164 Eastland Rd., Berea,
440-243-0090, clevelandirish.org
Scene's Ale Fest
July 23
Craft brews, food, and live music in a beautiful park setting: What else could you possibly need to know?
Tremont's Lincoln Park, between West 11th and West 14th streets,
216-241-7550, clevescene.com
Burning River Fest
July 23-24
Now in its 11th year, the Burning River Fest remembers the infamous 1969 burning of the Cuyahoga River and celebrates the renewed sense of environmental consciousness the infamous fire sparked. Expect educational exhibits, fresh food from local eateries, live music, and a special appearance by Great Lakes Brewing Company's Christmas Ale.
Whiskey Island, at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, burningriverfest.org
Cleveland Wine Festival
July 29-30
The sixth-annual celebration of wine, with tastings of more than 270 international, domestic, and Ohio wines, plus wine education, live music, cuisine from area restaurants, and a Belgian Beer Café (in Cleveland, there's always beer). Voinovich Park, East 9th St.,
877-772-5425,
AUGUST
Vintage Ohio
August 5-6
Annual wine festival featuring samples from more than 20 area wineries, plus arts and crafts, food, children's entertainment and activities, a carryout store, and fireworks on Friday night.
Lake Metroparks Farmpark,
8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, 800-227-6972, visitvintageohio.com
Twilight at the Zoo
August 5
It's the annual music festival and fund-raiser presented by your friends at Scene magazine — complete with food, drink, and dancing under the stars to music by 14 bands playing Motown, rock, salsa, swing, country, and blues.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,
3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clevelandzoosociety.org
Puerto Rican Parade
& Latino Festival
August 5-7
Now in its 43rd year, the Puerto Rican and Latino Festival celebrates the rich tropical culture with music, food, folklore, and fashion. All proceeds support the programs at the Julia De Burgos Cultural Arts Center. The parade kick offs on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the corner of East 13th and Superior Ave., and make its way to the festival.
Cleveland Municipal Parking Lot, 1500 South Marginal Rd.,
juliadeburgos.org/festparade.html
Pro Football Hall of Fame Game and Enshrinement
August 6
The NFL season doesn't start until Canton says so. The annual Hall of Fame Game marks the start of the preseason and a sort of Mardi Gras for the fine people of Canton.
Pro Football Hall of Fame,
2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, 330-456-7253,
Lakewood Arts Festival
August 6
The annual juried arts and crafts show, now in its 34th year, features works for sale by more than 160 selected artists from across the country, plus food and music.
Detroit Avenue between Belle and Elmwood avenues, Lakewood, lakewoodartsfest.org
Cuyahoga County Fair
August 8-14
After 115 years, it's no wonder they've got it down to a science. This year's festivities include midway rides, food stations, animals, countless exhibits, a haunted house, concerts, and the World's Largest Demolition Derby.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds,
164 Eastland Rd., Berea,
440-243-0090, cuyfair.com
Midwest Reggae Fest
August 12-14
At 20, the Midwest Reggae Fest has become one of the longest-running and best-attended reggae festivals in the U.S., with a lineup that includes national and international talent. A 2007 move to Nelson Ledges provides plenty of room for camping, swimming, and food and craft vendors.
Nelson Ledges Quarry Park,
12001 Nelson Ledges Rd.,
Garrettsville, midwestreggaefest.com
North Ridgeville Corn Festival
August 13-15
It's Lorain County's venerable celebration of maize, complete with arts and crafts, rides, games, food, and a parade — most of it wonderfully, eerily centered around corn.
North Ridgeville, 440-218-9802, nrcornfest.org
Jewish Food and
Culture Festival
August 14
Fourth-annual celebration of Jewish food, music, dance, and other cultural activities. Includes free admission to all museum galleries.
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Rd., Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org
Feast of the Assumption
August 12-15
More than 100,000 people descend on the Little Italy neighborhood for this signature Cleveland ethnic festival thrown in honor of the Catholic holy day. Unlike most holy days, this one features carnival rides, Italian food and drink, music, art, gaming, and parades.
In Little Italy, at Murray Hill and Mayfield roads, 440-391-0386
C-Town Chow Down
August 28
A convoy of Clevo food trucks converges for a fest of food and music.
In Tremont's Lincoln Park between West 14th and West 11th streets, facebook.com/CTownChowDown
SEPTEMBER
The Great Geauga County Fair
September 1-5
Ohio's oldest county fair boasts midway rides, more than 2,000 animals, vendors, exhibits, fair food, demolition derbies, midway rides, games, and concerts.
Geauga County Fairgrounds,
14373 North Cheshire St., Burton, 440-834-1846, geaugafair.com
Taste of Cleveland
September 2-5
It's our annual salute to the city's culinary scene, with dozens of eateries offering bite-sized tastes of their specialties.
Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica,
2014 Sycamore St., 440-247-2722, jacobspavilion.com
Cleveland Oktoberfest
September 2-5
More than 40,000 have attended since its 2005 revival. There's ample food, arts, a Bier Garten (that's German for "drunk tank"), vintage car shows, ethnic costumes and dance, and, yes, a wiener dog race.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds,
164 Eastland Rd., Berea,
440-243-0090,
Made in Ohio Craft Festival
September 3
Second yearly celebration of Ohio crafts, featuring more than 85 Ohio artisans. It all takes place at Hale Farm, a stunning recreation of a 19th-century village.
Hale Farm and Village,
2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, 330-666-3711, madeinohiofestival.com
Cleveland National Air Show
September 3-5
If it's Labor Day weekend, it must be time for the annual Cleveland National Air Show, featuring the U.S. Army Golden Knights, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, aeronautical exhibits, kids' activities, and tours.
Burke Lakefront Airport,
216-781-0747, clevelandairshow.com
Yankee Peddler Festival
September 10-11, 17-18, 24-25
This popular annual event recreates the world of Ohio from 1776-1825. Handcrafts by 350 exhibitors are complemented by colonial cooking and entertainment.
Clay's Park Resort,
13190 Patterson St. NW, N. Lawrence, 800-860-4386, clayspark.com
Cleveland Browns
Season Opener
September 11
A veritable holy day among the faithful, the annual season opener is as much about the partying as it is the football. Revelers stake out the downtown Muni Lot early for this first of eight weekend celebrations en route to that elusive first Super Bowl appearance, with satellite parties happening in bars and homes throughout the region. This year's first victim: the Cincinnati Bengals. Three of the Browns' first four games are at home, thus minimizing frostbite and maximizing quality party opportunities.
Cleveland Browns Stadium,
1085 Alfred Lerner Way,
440-891-5001, clevelandbrowns.com
Scene's Very Vodka
September 16
Dine, dance, and drink in a VIP setting, with a lineup of classic and fashion martinis created for the occasion by Finlandia Vodka.
Liquid/Suite Sixx/Ultra,
1212 West Sixth St., 216-241-7550, clevescene.com
Ingenuity Fest
September 16-18
Cutting-edge celebration of art and technology, with performances and immersive new work. Best of all, it unfolds on the old subway level of the usually closed Detroit-Superior Bridge.
Detroit-Superior Bridge,
lower level, 216-589-9444,
Ohio Mart
September 29-October 2
The annual juried invitational outdoor show of fine arts and crafts takes place against the backdrop of the historic landscaped gardens and grounds of Stan Hywet, an historic mansion in Akron.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens,
714 N. Portage Path, Akron,
330-836-5533, stanhywet.org
OCTOBER
Apple Butter Festival
October 8-9
Copper kettles will simmer with Geauga County tradition at the 63rd-annual event.
Century Village, Burton,
440-834-1492, geaugahistorical.org
Scene's Tasteful Affair
October 13
This annual homage to the city's dining scene features food, booze, and a chance to watch local pros make like Iron Chefs.
Crawford Auto Aviation Museum, 10825 East Blvd., University Circle, 216-241-7550, clevescene.com
Cleveland Beer Week
October 14-22
An event near and dear to many Clevelanders' hearts, the second-annual Cleveland Beer Week promotes the city's vibrant craft beer industry with hundreds of craft beer tastings, demonstrations, activities, and more.
Various locations,
Boo at the Zoo
October 20-23 and October 27-30
It's non-scary Halloween fun for kids and their families at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's spectacularly popular eight-night evening party.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo,
3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clemetzoo.com
NOVEMBER
The Fabulous Food Show
November 11-13
The largest "Taste, Try & Buy" culinary celebration in the U.S. features celebrity chefs including our own Michael Symon.
I-X Center, One I-X Center Drive, fabulousfoodshow.com
Grape Escape
November 12
Sample fine wines aboard a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad car on a two-hour journey.
7900 Old Rockside Rd.,
Independence, 800-468-4070,
WinterFest
November 25
Cleveland's annual holiday celebration includes music, dancing, and hot chocolate, culminating in the lighting of Public Square's Christmas display and tree in front of Tower City. More than 50,000 people attend every year.
Holiday Lantern Tours
November 26, December 2-3,
9-10, 16-18, 20-23
Leisurely guided tours around the Village of Wheatfield, circa 1862, offering period home visits and insight into Civil War-era holiday celebrations.
Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Rd., Bath, 330-666-3711, wrhs.org
DECEMBER
Holiday Circlefest
December 4
The city comes together to take part in an 18-year tradition of holiday music, activities, and shopping. Experience the museums, gardens, and galleries of University Circle for free during this one-day opportunity. In addition, the Cleveland Museum of Art will host its popular Winter Lights Lantern Walk around Wade Oval.
Wade Park, University Circle,
216-791-3900, universitycircle.org
First Night Akron
December 31
This New Year's celebration, now in its 15th year, features alcohol-free family-friendly festivities, including music, dance, theater, and art.
Downtown Akron, 330-374-7690, firstnightakron.org.
