6 Best Festivals Coming Up in Cleveland, Ohio

Festivals are a great opportunity to get out, meet new people, and enjoy the fresh, warm air in the spring and summer months. Cleveland, OH is a bustling, charming Midwestern city, and there’s no shortage of exciting and unique festivals to attend, whether you want to soak in some culture or you’re simply looking for something fun to do over the weekend.

With so many festivals to attend during the warm months, it’s not always easy to find the perfect ones to attend with friends and family. That’s why our team at Honda of Cleveland Heights has put together a list of some of the best festivals worth checking out. Read on to learn about the top six festivals in and around Cleveland.

Cleveland National Air Show

Image via Flickr by DVIDSHUB

If you enjoy getting to see aircraft performing all kinds of cool maneuvers, you’ll want to attend the Cleveland National Air Show, held for three full days every Labor Day weekend. The show features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and is designed to commemorate the contribution of the U.S. military. The event is held at Burke Lakefront Airport, where you can enjoy the vast expanse of Lake Erie while also gazing out over the city’s gorgeous downtown skyline. You can see the fighter jets performing a variety of rare and impressive feats.

Ground attractions include plenty of interactive displays, an air show scavenger hunt, and a special virtual reality activity. The event also includes several kid-friendly activities, including the Kiddie Koncourse, where parents can take children ages 7 and under to enjoy crafts and other activities during the show.

Cleveland International Film Festival

Typically held in the first week or two of April, the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) is one of the longest and largest film festivals in the country and presents a fantastic opportunity to screen everything from documentaries focusing on serious social issues to humorous shorts to foreign films. For two weeks, you have the opportunity to watch several films and interact with festival-goers and filmmakers alike. CLIFF attracts hundreds of filmmakers from all around the world, all with their own unique filmmaking styles and genres.

Almost every CLIFF film is screened in downtown Cleveland in the Tower City Center, near hotels and the JACK Cleveland Casino. CIFF organizes films into categories called Sidebars, which can be a useful way to select films based on your interests if you’re unfamiliar with the film festival scene. Be sure to stick around after if you’re interested in learning more about the topics addressed within films and hearing what the directors, local leaders, and others have to say.

Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest

Held every Memorial Day weekend, for a total of four days, Berea’s National Rib Cook-Off & Beer Fest is the perfect festival to attend if you have a true love for delicious ribs, beer, and great music. The event features a family-friendly, picnic-like atmosphere, with fun activities ranging from face painting to rock climbing for the kids and plenty of entertainment for the adults.

However you like your ribs cooked, Berea’s gives you the chance to try a variety of yummy ribs from some of the best grillmasters in the country. Besides ribs, you’ll find a variety of carnival foods, like funnel cake, cotton candy, ice cream, fair fries, and good old-fashioned corn dogs. The festival is held rain or shine at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. Parking is free all weekend, and admission is free for children under 12.

Duck Tape Festival

Held every Father’s Day weekend in June in Avon, a western suburb of Cleveland located approximately 25 miles from downtown, the Duck Tape Festival attracts tens of thousands of annual visitors. This unique festival features a variety of cool creations and statues made entirely from duct tape. An event favorite is the Duck Tape Festival Fashion Show, featuring eye-popping outfits and accessories made from duct tape. Non-tape activities include live music and fair rides. Plenty of great food and drink are also available for purchase.

Burning River Fest

If you’re looking for some great rock ‘n roll music from dozens of local acts, look no further than the Burning River Fest, a two-day music festival held to remember when the Cuyahoga River caught fire in 1969 and to educate the general public about the importance of protecting and cherishing waterways. The event is held on Whiskey Island in mid-June and includes many talented musical artists and acts. You can enjoy the music as you eat some great food and sip from the Great Lakes Brewing Company’s most popular brands, including the popular Burning River Pale Ale.

Cleveland Garlic Festival

If you’re a serious garlic lover, or simply enjoy tasting local food in a relaxed atmosphere, you’ll want to attend the Cleveland Garlic Festival. Held in late August at Shaker Square, the Garlic Festival rarely disappoints, with dozens of on-site vendors ranging from local farmers to some of the region’s most acclaimed chefs. You’ll find a tent entirely devoted to cheese and will enjoy getting to see Miss Garlic get crowned. Kids can get their faces painted and learn about growing garlic at the Mighty Locavores Kids Area, while adults can enjoy craft beer, music, and live entertainment.

Along with the music, you can get the chance to learn from local garlic growers, who can teach you how to use garlic for optimum taste. The Cleveland area is home to more than 300 varieties of garlic, and the festival presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the region’s varieties.

If you’re looking for a festival to look forward to, Cleveland’s certainly got you covered. From great music to entertainment that the whole family can enjoy, you won’t want to miss any of these upcoming festivals. Is there an annual festival you and your family love that isn’t on this list? Feel free to fill out our contact form, and we’ll be sure to include it. Whether you’re looking for a new or used vehicle or need to service your car, SUV, van, or pickup truck, you can count on us for all your Honda needs.