Cleveland turns up the energy in summer. Lakefront breezes, neighborhood block parties, and festival weekends create a season that’s packed with ways to get outside and have fun. Whether you’re into food trucks, live music, theater, or pool days with the kids, this guide is your go‑to for the best summer events in Cleveland—organized by interest so you can pick your perfect weekend plans.
Live Music & Concerts
These events bring big‑stage performances and live energy to Cleveland’s parks and amphitheaters.
Feature Event: Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom
July 25 | Blossom Music Center
Experience the soaring vocals of Cynthia Erivo alongside the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra in one of Northeast Ohio’s most beloved summer venues. Nestled in the Cuyahoga Valley, Blossom offers a scenic, open-air amphitheater perfect for picnicking on the lawn or enjoying an upgraded VIP experience with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. It’s a can’t-miss night of music under the stars.
$57–$228+ | clevelandorchestra.com »
Conan Gray: The Wishbone Pajama Show
September 11 | Blossom Music Center
A theatrical concert experience with rising pop icon Conan Gray. Tickets start around $65.
Ticketmaster »
Downtown Summer Series
May-September | Public Square & Voinovich Park
Free lakefront concerts, food trucks, and outdoor workouts. Great for casual evenings downtown.
Free | downtowncleveland.com »
Movies & Film Events
Between rooftop cocktails and family-friendly lawn screenings, Cleveland’s outdoor cinema scene is back.
Social Cinema at Great Lakes Science Center
Monthly, June – August
DJs, food trucks, and lake views turn movie night into a summer party. 21+ only.
Starting at $11 | socialcinemacle.com »
Crocker Park Outdoor Movies
Thursdays through August 28 | Westlake
Free, family-friendly screenings in a relaxed outdoor setting. Bring your own blanket or chairs.
Free | crockerpark.com »
Food & Drink Festivals
Tacos, trucks, and craft brews—Cleveland’s food scene brings the flavor.
Cleveland Taco Fest
August 24-29 | Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
40+ taco vendors, music, contests, and all the hot sauce you can handle.
$5 daily / $10 weekend | tacofestcle.com »
Taste CLE Food Truck & Music Festival
September 13 | Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
Food trucks, beer, and live bands make for a perfect Saturday.
$10-20 | tastecle.com »
Culture & Community Events
Celebrate Cleveland’s creativity through outdoor theater, garden nights, and inclusive festivals.
Feature Event: Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing
August 2-4 | Wade Oval, University Circle
Cleveland Shakespeare Festival brings a free, outdoor production of Much Ado About Nothing to one of the city’s most beautiful public spaces. Bring a blanket or chair, pack snacks, and enjoy a classic comedy under the stars. Great for families, date nights, or anyone who loves local theater.
Free | cleveshakes.org »
Summer Nights at Cleveland Botanical Garden
Select evenings, June-July
Evening garden strolls, themed exhibits, and live music in a peaceful setting.
Prices vary | garden.org »
Cleveland Pride Festival
August 2025 | Downtown Cleveland
A free, inclusive celebration featuring a morning parade, live entertainment, and family activities throughout the day.
Free | clevelandpride.org »
Outdoor & Family Activities
Keep kids happy and soak up sunshine with these outdoor experiences.
Feature Event: Cleveland National Air Show
Labor Day Weekend | Burke Lakefront Airport
Cap off summer with a high-flying spectacle over Lake Erie. The show features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels or Air Force Thunderbirds, parachute teams, and NASA Glenn exhibits. Great for families—but bring ear protection for the little ones.
$35–$38.50 adults / $20 kids / 5 & under free | clevelandairshow.com »
Cleveland Metroparks Summer Programming
June–August
Yoga, guided hikes, nature walks, and more across 18 Metroparks reservations.
Mostly free | metroparks.org »
Cleveland Metroparks Pools
June–August
Citywide pools and splash pads offer relief from the heat. Some are free; others have small entry fees.
Varies | metroparks.org »
Cleveland Browns Training Camp
July 25–August 4 | Berea
Attend eight free open practices and get a close-up look at your favorite players. Registration required through the Browns app.
Free | clevelandbrowns.com »
Cleveland Summer Event Calendar
Got it! Here’s the updated table without categories, with event names unlinked, and the links placed in a separate third column:
| Event | Dates | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom | July 25 | https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/ |
| Conan Gray: The Wishbone Pajama Show | September 11 | https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&user_input=Conan+Gray+ohio&q=Conan+Gray+ohio |
| Downtown Summer Series | May–September | https://www.downtowncleveland.com/ |
| Social Cinema at Great Lakes Science Center | Monthly (Summer) (21+) | https://socialcinemacle.com/ |
| Crocker Park Outdoor Movies | Thursdays through Aug 28 | https://crockerpark.com/ |
| Cleveland International Film Festival | April 2025 | https://www.clevelandfilm.org/ |
| Cleveland Taco Fest | August 24–29 | https://tacofestcle.com/ |
| Taste CLE Food Truck & Music Festival | September 13 | https://tastecle.com/ |
| Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing | August 2–4 | https://www.cleveshakes.org/ |
| Summer Nights at Cleveland Botanical Garden | Select Evenings (June–July) | https://www.garden.org/ |
| Cleveland Pride Festival | August (TBD) | https://clevelandpride.org/ |
| Cleveland Metroparks Summer Programming | June–August | https://metroparks.org/ |
| Cleveland Metroparks Pools | June–August | https://metroparks.org/ |
| Cleveland National Air Show | Labor Day Weekend | https://www.clevelandairshow.com/ |
| Cleveland Browns Training Camp | July 25–August 4 | https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/ |
Make This Summer One to Remember
Cleveland’s summer lineup has something for everyone—music under the stars, tasty eats with friends, family adventures, and community celebrations. Bookmark this guide, spread the word, and get ready to have a blast!
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