CLEVELAND, Ohio — Labor Day weekend has arrived, signaling the unofficial end of summer.
Before you know it, the leaves will be changing, the temperatures a bit cooler and everything at the grocery store will be made with pumpkin. But don’t let that happen without having one last burst of summer fun. This weekend marks the return of several Labor Day traditions including the Cleveland National Air Show, Cleveland Oktoberfest, Geauga County Fair, Hungarian Festival and more.
All you have to do is choose.
(Photo by Marc Bona, cleveland.com)
Cleveland Oktoberfest
Raise a glass to summer at Cleveland’s largest annual outdoor festival. Besides the beer, feast on German and Central European food, and enjoy live music, polka bands and dance groups. Don’t forget about the wiener dog races, too.
If you miss out on the fun on Labor Day weekend, this year Cleveland Oktoberfest has added a second weekend of festivities on Sept. 10 and 11. Tickets, $10-$13.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights
Sept. 3-6, Sept. 10-11
Annual Larchmere Sidewalk Sale
The best deals will be available at Larchmere’s bi-annual sidewalk sale this Saturday. You can find one-of-a-kind items at special prices, and visit the East Side neighborhood’s many restaurants and shops along the way. Free.
Larchmere Blvd., Cleveland
Sept. 4
(Photo by Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer)The Plain Dealer
Cleveland National Air Show
All eyes will be on the sky for this annual Labor Day tradition. Headliners include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, C-130 Hercules and F-15 Eagle. Spectators can also enjoy military demonstrations, parachuters, vintage warbirds, solo aerobatics and the GEICO Skytypers. On the ground, there will be a number of aircraft to see up close as well as aviation exhibits on display. Tickets, $20-$35, box seats available.
Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland
Sept. 4-6
(Photo by Lynn Ischay, The Plain Dealer)
Geauga County Fair
All the typical county fair attractions will be out for the Geauga County Fair, including farm animals, rides and lots of delectable fair food. But the fair also includes some eclectic programming over the weekend, including a demolition derby, rodeo, drag race and truck and tractor pull. Advance admission tickets $6-$25. Attractions vary in ticket price.
14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton.
Sept. 2-6
St. Rocco’s Festival
Every year, St. Rocco’s Festival takes over Labor Day weekend with Italian food, live music and family-friendly fun. This year the festival has taken on a drive-thru format due to the pandemic, offering pasta, meatballs, cannoli, sausages and more, to-go.
St. Rocco Catholic Church, 3205 Fulton Rd., Cleveland
11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sept. 3-6
saintroccocleveland.com/festival
(Photo by David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com)David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
The Cleveland Orchestra performs “A Salute to John Williams”
Hear some of the finest film soundtracks in the Cleveland Orchestra’s weekend performances at Blossom Music Center this weekend. The group will perform famous scores by John Williams from movies like “Harry Potter,” “E.T.,” “Star Wars” and more. Bring a picnic dinner with you for the family-friendly event. Tickets $26-$121.
1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls
7 p.m., Sept. 4-5
Brit Floyd in concert
The ultimate live Pink Floyd tribute show makes its way to Jacobs Pavilion in the Flats on Sunday. The band re-creates classics like “Wish You Were Young,” “Comfortably Numb” and “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” with stunning authenticity. Tickets start at $27.50
2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland
8 p.m., Sept. 5
(Photo courtesy Business Wire)
Akron Pizza Fest
Celebrate the cheesy goodness of pizza at Akron’s annual Pizza Fest. Local pizza shops will offer samples of their ‘za, while local bands rock out on stage at Lock 3. If you’re particularly hungry, be sure to sign up for the pizza-eating contest. Tickets $2-$5, buy-one-get-one-free deals available.
Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron
5-11 p.m. Sept. 3; Noon-11 p.m. Sept. 4; Noon-7 p.m. Sept. 5
(photo courtesy Float the River)
Float the River
Bob along the Cuyahoga River with Float the River, a one to two-hour tube adventure starting at downtown Cuyahoga Falls’ Water Works Park. It’s the last weekend of the season for this slow-moving fun. Tickets $20, group discounts available.
2025 Munroe Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls
Sept. 4-6
Lavell Crawford at Hilarities Theatre
Comedian Lavell Crawford, known for his role as Huell Babineaux in the shows “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” will perform five shows at Hilarities this weekend. Tickets range in cost, from $60-$180, for groups of two to six guests.
2035 E. 4th St., Cleveland
7 p.m. Sept. 3, 4 and 5; 9:30 p.m. Sept. 4 and 5
pickwickandfrolic.com/comedy-calendar
(Photo courtesy of Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum)
Motorcycle exhibits at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
Motorcyclists can enjoy learning about the history of American motorcycles at the Western Reserve Historical Society’s latest exhibits, located inside the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum. “Century of the American Motorcycle,” a traveling exhibit, showcases how American motorcycles developed over the years. Get the local angle with an exhibit called “Open Road: The Lure of Motorcycling in Ohio,” featuring local motorcycle collectors and preservationists. Tickets $6-$15.
10825 East Blvd., Cleveland
Noon-8 p.m. Thursdays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“Private Lives” exhibit at Cleveland Museum of Art
In the late 19th-century, a group of influential Paris painters named themselves the Nabis, including Pierre Bonnad, Maurice Denis, Edouard Vuillard and Felix Vallotton. Those four standouts are the focus of “Private Lives: Home and Family in the Art of the Nabis,” the Cleveland Museum of Art’s latest traveling exhibition.Tickets $8-$15, museum admission otherwise free.
11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland
Through Sept. 19, Tuesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
(Photo by Troy Smith, cleveland.com)
Rock out at the Rock Hall
In early July, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame reopened its Interactive Garage exhibit, allowing visitors to try out a few instruments inside of the museum. One special feature: The Replacement founder Bob Stinson’s organ, which visitors can perform themselves. Tickets $20-$30, discounts available for local residents and students.
1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
(Photo by John Pana, cleveland.com)
Take A Hike tours
Explore Cleveland by foot with the Take A Hike tours, which are presented as in-person guided experiences and self-guided virtual routes through the Gateway District’s website. This month, tours are centered around North Coast Harbor, historic hotels, Public Square, University Circle and more. Free.
Downtown Cleveland
Through September
clevelandgatewaydistrict.com/takeahikesummer
(Photo by John Kuntz, cleveland.com)John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Asian Lantern Festival at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The Asian Lantern Festival lights up the night at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Walk through massive light installations on your way to see your favorite animals, and catch a few acrobatic performances throughout the evening. Tickets $20, group discounts available.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
6:30-10:30 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 26
Make Em Laugh Mondays
Get a good laugh on Labor Day. A comedy show will take place at B-Side Lounge, featuring local comedian John Bruton and friends. $5.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights
7 p.m., Sept. 7
The Jonathan Hale House, along with many other buildings at Hale Farm & Village, is open to visitors for a safe, interesting adventure in history.
Made in Ohio Art & Craft Festival
Over 150 artisans from across the state including jewelry makers, potters, woodworkers, glass artists, soap and lotion makers, quilters and more will be selling their wares at Hale Farm & Village. The event also features live entertainment, food trucks and Ohio beer and wine. Tickets, $6-$12.
2686 Oak Hill Rd., Akron
Sept. 3-5
Rockin’ on the River
Take a trip back to the ‘80s with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tribute band King’s Highway and J. Geils cover band House Party at Black River Landing, the site of Northeast Ohio’s longest-running and highest-attended summer outdoor concert series. Tickets, $7.
421 Black River Landing, Lorain
6:15 p.m., Sept. 3
Cedar Point’s Magnum XL-200, introduced in 1989, was the world’s first roller coaster to break 200 feet.
Cedar Point Nights
This is the last weekend of the season to experience the park’s nighttime glow DJ-dance party on the beach complete with lounge chairs, fire pits and games. For an additional fee, you can enjoy a unique glow-in-the-dark dining event. Daily admission starts at $49.99. Add on Dine in the Dark for $15.99-$24.99.
Now through Sept. 5
1 Cedar Point Dr, Sandusky
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton.Mar Bona, cleveland.com
Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic
The annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic returns to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton as Grambling State takes on Tennessee State. Tickets, $29-$150.
1835 Harrison Ave NW, Canton
4 p.m., Sept. 5
profootballhof.com/BCFHOFClassic21
The Hungarian Scout Folk Ensemble and members of the scout troops will perform in their colorful, authentic folk costumes at the Hungarian Festival in Parma.
65th Hungarian Festival
Ohio’s largest Hungarian festival takes place at German Central in Parma and features delicacies such as chicken paprikash, stuffed cabbage and strudel. The event also has polka dance performances and lessons, live music, games, kids activities and crafts. Tickets, $7.
7863 York Road, Parma
9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Sept. 5
Saganaki, a Greek dessert, flames in a frying pan.The Plain Dealer
Kamm’s Corner Greek Festival
The George Varouh Cretan Club of Cleveland hosts its 10th annual Greek Festival featuring all your favorite Greek foods like stuffed grape leaves, pastitsio, gyros souvlaki, lamb chops, baklava and more. Stick around for live performances and dance performances, too. Free admission.
3853 W. 168th St., Cleveland
Sept. 3-6
facebook.com/cretanclubofcleveland
Food is the No. 1 attraction at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Festival in Parma this weekend.The Plain Dealer
St. Andrew Ukrainian Festival
Do you have a sweet tooth? Then check out the torte table at this ethnic festival hosted by St. Andrew Ukrainian Catholic Church in Parma. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy delicious Ukrainian cuisine, live music, dancing, children’s activities and a raffle. Free admission.
7700 Hoertz Rd, Parma
Sept. 4-5
Stock photo of fireworks by Ayla Fazioli from Pexels
Stow Summer Sunset Blast
Say goodbye to summer at Silver Springs Park with all kinds of fun stuff like a mobile video game truck, inflatables, rock climbing wall, axe throwing, petting zoo, face painting, balloon animals, caricature artists, food and more. Enjoy live performances by the Boy Band Night and Old Skool Cleveland. The event wraps up with a big fireworks finale at 9 p.m. on Sunday. Free admission.
5238 Young Road, Stow
5-10 p.m., Sept. 4 & 5
stowohio.org/stow-summer-sunset-blast
Barberton Labor Day BBQ & Music Fest
You’ll find barbeque vendors, live music, a kids’ fishing derby and more at this family-friendly event on Lake Anna. Highlights include a rib burn-off and a performance by Disco Inferno with fireworks to follow on Saturday night.
Lake Anna Park, Barberton
Sept. 4-6
The Peninsula Flea is an upscale flea market.
Peninsula Flea
Shop up to 70 local vendors for a unique assortment of art, handmade products, antiques, collectibles and more at Heritage Farms located near the heart of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. While you’re there, don’t miss the many sites in the area including hiking trails, waterfalls, not to mention the charming shops and restaurants. Free.
6050 Riverview Road, Peninsula
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 4
heritagefarms.com/peninsula-flea
(Photo by Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Drive-In Movie night
See a movie under the stars. The area’s five drive-in movie theaters are currently open for an evening of nostalgic, socially distanced fun. Find more information about individual showings through the following websites:
Aut-O-Rama Twin
33395 Lorain Rd., North Ridgeville
Mayfield Road
12100 State Route 322, Chardon
Midway
2736 OH-59, Ravenna
Magic City
5602 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Barberton
Blue Sky
959 Broad St., Wadsworth
“Dead Wax and Distant Transmissions” at Cleveland Print Room
The Cleveland Print Room’s 2020 Peer Show award winners Ilenia Pezzaniti and Christine Zuercher will show their works at the Print Room’s gallery space this month, starting with an opening show 5-8 p.m. on Friday night. The two artists will present work that was created entirely during the coronavirus pandemic. Free.
2550 Superior Ave., Cleveland
5-8 p.m., Sept. 3; on view through Oct. 2.
Hartville Flea Market
Explore more than 12 acres filled with local vendors at the Hartville Flea Market. The event runs on Saturday and Monday for Labor Day weekend, featuring both indoor and outdoor shopping. Free.
1289 Edison St., Hartville
8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 4 and Sept. 6
(Photo by Marc Bona, cleveland.com)Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Phunk Market
Sip a Phunkenship beer and shop around the Phunk Market on Saturday. Local vendors will showcase their creations at the small market, which takes place the first Saturday of every month at the brewery.
3135 Sackett Ave., Cleveland
Noon-3 p.m., Sept. 4
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