Curated by Bonnie Cook
Festivals, fairs, farmers markets, concerts, ballgames, and seasonal family fun across Northeast Ohio, handpicked every week. Every event below is real, dated, and an easy drive from Akron, Cleveland, Summit County, or Portage County.
Last updated September 25, 2026 · refreshed every week
This Weekend · Sep 26–27
Eight can't-miss events across Ravenna, Barberton, Akron, Cuyahoga Falls, Peninsula, and Cleveland
Downtown Ravenna & the Portage County Fairgrounds
The 47th annual festival fills the sky over Ravenna with balloon glows and launches, plus a Thursday evening children's parade, the big Saturday Grand Parade, a Jeep show, midway rides, crafts, and live music. Fairgrounds admission is $10, kids 12 and under free.
Official siteLake Anna Park, Barberton
More than a million mums hand-planted in “red, white and blue” designs around Lake Anna, plus food vendors, craft artisans, chalk art, water ski shows, the Great Lake Anna Canoe Race, and a potted-mum sale. Free admission, and it smells like fall in the best way.
Festival detailsDowntown Akron
The 24th annual marathon, half marathon, and team relay line up downtown bright and early Saturday. Cheer the runners along the course, catch the free Kids Fun Run Friday evening, and wander the free Health & Fitness Expo at the John S. Knight Center.
Race detailsIngenuityLabs at the Hamilton Collaborative, Cleveland
Cleveland's signature festival of imagination turns a four-story warehouse into an immersive dreamscape of art, music, engineering, and hundreds of performances under the theme “America Dreams.” Family-friendly, wildly creative, and unlike anything else on the calendar.
Festival siteClay's Park Resort, Canal Fulton
The 53rd annual festival closes out with its third and final weekend: pioneer-era crafts, period demonstrations, costumed musicians, and family entertainment at Clay's Park along the Tuscarawas. This is your last weekend to step back in time.
Festival siteBlossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls
Kick the weekend off tonight when the R&B star headlines the Neo Trapsoul Tour at Blossom with Majid Jordan, Ty Dolla $ign, and Austin Millz. A big outdoor show to close out September in the valley.
Blossom scheduleAkron Zoo, Akron
The zoo stays open after dark for a family-friendly, just-spooky-enough evening designed for little ones and their grown-ups. A gentle way to ease into the Halloween season.
Zoo detailsHeritage Farms, Peninsula
Heritage Farms opens its “Pumpkin Pandemonium” corn maze and hayrides in the Cuyahoga Valley this weekend, right up Riverview Road from Peninsula. The classic fall family outing, and pumpkin season is officially here.
Next Weekend · Oct 2–4
Eight can't-miss events across Akron, Bath, Cleveland, Tallmadge, and Mantua
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, Akron
The 59th annual juried artisan show fills the Manor House grounds with 150-plus makers selling pottery, jewelry, textiles, and more. A crisp fall day of browsing the gardens at one of Akron's most beloved landmarks.
Event detailsRocket Arena, Cleveland
The Monsters drop the puck on their 20th AHL season in Cleveland at Rocket Arena against the Grand Rapids Griffins. Friday-night hockey downtown, and hockey season is officially back.
Tickets & infoHale Farm & Village, Bath
Step back to a 19th-century harvest in the Cuyahoga Valley: heirloom skills, farm animals, and old-fashioned autumn chores come alive at Hale Farm & Village in Bath. Wonderfully hands-on for kids.
Village detailsSt. Stanislaus Parish, Cleveland
Cleveland's Polish heart celebrates with pierogi, polka, and parish hospitality on the grounds of St. Stanislaus. Equal parts food festival and neighborhood reunion.
Summit County Fairgrounds, Tallmadge
The Summit County Home Show returns to the fairgrounds with a weekend of exhibitors, home improvement ideas, and local vendors, and admission is free. A handy stop if you are planning projects before winter settles in.
Fairgrounds scheduleLock 3, downtown Akron
Bring your pup to Lock 3 for a dog-lovers' day on the riverfront, with contests, vendors, and plenty of four-legged company. Downtown Akron's friendliest tail-wagger event of the season.
Downtown AkronDowntown Mantua, Portage County
Stroll Mantua's Wine & Chocolate Walk through this small Portage County village, with sipping and snacking stops along the way. A cozy way to spend a fall afternoon.
Akron Civic Theatre, Akron
Cary Elwes brings his beloved “Princess Bride” evening to the gorgeous Akron Civic Theatre: stories from the set, audience questions, and a screening of the film. Inconceivable fun for the whole family.
Coming Up · October & beyond
Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls
The indie pop band brings the Good Mourning Sunshine Tour to Blossom for an early-October Thursday night in the valley. A great excuse to catch one more outdoor show before the season winds down.
Blossom scheduleDowntown Kent
Downtown Kent throws a free street celebration with seasonal beers from Bell Tower Brewing and North Water Brewing, German-inspired food, live music, German dancing, a steinholding competition, and the Wurst 5K and Brat Trot 1-mile walk. Mark your calendar now.
Official pageDussel Farm, Kent
Pumpkins, hayrides, a corn maze, and fall family fun at this longtime Portage County favorite just outside Kent, running through Halloween. Check the farm's site for this season's opening hours.
Farm detailsPeninsula & the Cuyahoga Valley
Corn mazes and pumpkin patches are open for the season at Szalay's Sweet Corn Farm, Heritage Farms, and more along Riverview Road. Perfect for an afternoon drive with the windows down.
Mark Your Calendar
Downtown Kent
Portage County's oldest producers-only market, outdoors on Franklin Avenue with certified organic farms, meat, eggs, and baked goods well into fall.
Howe Meadow, Peninsula
A scenic market on the edge of the national park, running at Howe Meadow through the end of October.
Tallmadge
The final Thursdays of the season run through early October, perfect for late tomatoes and winter squash.
Akron
A friendly neighborhood market in the Summit Lake area, wrapping up its outdoor season this month.
Merriman Valley, Akron
An easy after-work stop at the edge of the valley, through October.
Barberton
A big, well-loved market running through mid-October.
Corn maze, pumpkins, and cider in the national park valley, mid-September through October.
“Pumpkin Pandemonium” corn maze and hayrides just up Riverview Road.
Pumpkin Village opens weekends in September with mazes, hayrides, and the Apple Barn.
U-pick apples, starting with Honeycrisp at the end of summer, plus a fall festival.
Corn maze and pumpkin patch opening dates shift with the weather, so check each farm’s website before you load the car.
A Note From Bonnie
When I am not showing homes, my husband Mark and I love getting out to these very events. A Friday night under the lights at Blossom, a Saturday morning cheering runners through downtown Akron, a Sunday afternoon watching balloons drift over Ravenna. If you are new to the area, this list is one of the warmest ways to start feeling at home. And if one of these communities catches your eye, I would love to tell you what it is like to live there.
I refresh this list each week so the dates, highlights, and seasonal picks stay current. Check back Thursday or Friday for the newest roundup. Dates, times, and lineups can change, so please confirm on each event’s official page before you head out.
Love the Area?
From the Balloon A-Fair in Ravenna to Oktoberfest in Cuyahoga Falls, the region knows how to gather. If you are thinking about putting down roots here, I would love to help you find your neighborhood.