Summer in Ohio is certainly an occasion to celebrate. Here, our warm-weather days are spent enjoying cookouts with close friends and neighbors, exploring the outdoors and our local community, and attending as many festivals as we can fit on our calendars.
In the coming months, there will be countless celebrations in the Akron and Canton area ranging from family-friendly gatherings to full blown country getaways. And since there are so many to choose from, we've rounded up some of the most popular local events to get you started. Happy planning!
Jump ahead:
MAY | JUNE| JULY | AUGUST
MAY
When: May 12, 10 am-5 pm
Where: The Historic Zoar Village, Zoar
Give summer a proper welcome at this traditional German festival, Maifest! Zoar will celebrate its heritage with German food and drink, German Music and a Maypole for dancing. Other activities include art exhibits, a plant sale and local vendor booths.
When: May 19
Where: North Market Street, Minerva
Photo courtesy of Brick Street Art & Jazz Festival
Enjoy a full day of live jazz performances, arts & crafts and so much more in the heart of downtown Minerva! The festival will feature Northeast Ohio artists and musicians alongside local students — all presenting their best work.
When: May 24, 4:30-9:30 pm
Where: Central Plaza, Downtown Canton
At this sophisticated gathering, you'll find live music, vibrant art exhibits, local bites and wine from around the world! Ticket holders will enjoy 8 wine tastings, gourmet cheeses and breads, and access to the local restaurant booths.
When: May 20, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Gervasi Vineyard, Canton
Photo courtesy of 720 Market
720 Market is a unique open-air market that presents an opportunity to support local businesses, sample interesting food and beverage and dance along to live music. If you can't make the first event on May 20 at Gervasi Vineyard, try to catch the market later in the season (July 14 or September 30).
JUNE
When: June 8-9, 6:30 pm
Where: Market Square, Downtown Canton
Northeast Ohio's favorite free blues festival will return this year, featuring talented blues musicians from near and far. Headliners include Tab Benoit and Toronzo Cannon.
When: June 16, 11 am-10 pm
Where: Main Street, Massillon
Photo courtesy of Denis Kucharski via the Cruise-on-In & Dance Party
You'd best come hungry to the Cruise-On-In & Dance Party! There will be delicious bites served from an impressive selection of local establishments. Grab your morsel of choice and then cruise down Main Street, where you'll find hundreds of antique and custom cars, trucks and motorcycles on display, as well as live entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
When: June 14-16
Where: Clay's Park & Resort, North Lawrence
Photo courtesy of The Country Fest
Don your cowboy boots (or at least your best dancing shoes) and head out to this unique country music experience and campout at Clay's Park & Resort. Performers will include big names like Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell and Dierks Bentley, and between acts, you can enjoy vendor booths and the Adventure Water Park. Grab your tickets here!
JULY
When: July 12-14, Times Vary
Where: Downtown Canal Fulton
Locals look forward to Olde Canal Days year-round, which is perhaps why the festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Enjoy amusement park rides, live performances, a grand parade, fireworks and plenty of community love.
When: July 27-29, Times Vary
Where: Kent State University at Stark, North Canton
As part of the festivities celebrating the new Football Hall of Fame inductees, there will be a balloon classic featuring ballooners from all over the region! Spectators are welcome to join in the fun in the Up, Up & Away 5K, the balloon glow and the fireworks display on Saturday night.
When: July 14-15, 10 am-7 pm
Where: Hale Farm & Village, Bath
This festival is designed to celebrate local folk musicians. Guests are welcome to enjoy live performances, sample from an incredible selection of local wineries (including Gervasi Vineyard and Deer's Leap Winery), and munch on bites from local food vendors. Don't miss the wine and cheese pairing seminar, which will take place at 2 pm each day, or the sensory tasting at 4 pm!
When: July 20-July 22, times vary
Where: 8120 Coon Club Road, Medina
Photo courtesy of the NEO Jamgrass Festival
Get ready for a weekend full of dancing! The Jamgrass Festival will feature live performances from Ekoostik Hookah, The Dirty Grass Players, the Tripped Up String Band and so many more. Between shows, enjoy swimming, fishing, and other fun activities — and don't worry about making your way home afterward. There are options to camp onsite for two nights!
When: July 27-August 12
Where: Silver Park, Alliance
Alliance, Ohio is known as the Carnation City, and this festival is all about celebrating the town's roots. During the festival, there will be parades, food and fun throughout the community, including a balloon lift off, an ice cream social, flower shows and more. In fact, there are more than 40 individual events to look forward to. Check the event page for more details!
AUGUST
When: August 1-6 (Full schedule here)
Where: Locations vary
Attention, football fans — this is one festival you'll want to be in attendance for! Each year, tens of thousands flock to Canton, home of the National Football Hall of Fame, to celebrate the enshrinement of the newest additions! The festivities kick off with a football game on Thursday night, followed by fashion show lunch and an elegant dinner on Friday, a grand parade and ceremony on Saturday, and a concert featuring headliner Maroon 5.
When: August 28-September 3
Where: The Stark County Fairgrounds, Canton
The Stark County fair is one of the region's longest running agricultural fairs, and will feature a country concert, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derbies, harness racing, lots of live performances, hundreds of animals, delicious fair food and much more. It is truly the best way to give summer a proper salute.
Have a great summer!