CLEVELAND, Ohio — We’ve arrived at that part of the year where summer is winding down and fall events are just getting started. That means you’ve got the best of both worlds this weekend with concerts, festivals, theater shows and more.
So, if you’re in search of plans, here are 20 ways to spend your weekend.
Crocker Park Wine Festival
Don’t know a Chardonnay from a Shiraz? No problem. This event, now in its 10th year, features over 100 vintages from local, national and international winemakers. You can also enjoy craft beer, local food and live entertainment. Tickets, $35-$40, include a glass and 10 sample tickets.
177 Market St., Westlake
Sept. 17-18
Lewis Black at Hilarities
Best known for his appearances on “The Daily Show,” Lewis Black is always annoyed at something, whether it’s current events, politics or everyday life. Perhaps that’s why he’s known as the “King of Rant.” Tickets, sold in tables of 2, 4 or 6 people, start at $80.
2035 E. 4th St., Cleveland
Sept. 16-19
Hofbrauhaus Cleveland is located at 1550 Chester Ave. in Cleveland.The Plain Dealer
Hofbrauhaus Cleveland Oktoberfest
Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi! This downtown festival will have everything from live music to masskrugstemmen, not to mention plenty of German beer and food. Guests are encouraged to wear lederhosen (knee-length shorts) and dirndls (dresses). Free admission.
1550 Chester Ave, Cleveland
Sept. 17-18
The annual Cleveland Armenian Festival at St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in Richmond Heights kicks off Friday, Sept. 17.
Cleveland Armenian Festival
Celebrate Armenian culture at St. Gregory of Narek Armenian Church with ethnic foods, live Armenian folk and jazz music, dance performances, kids activities and more. Free.
678 Richmond Rd., Richmond Heights
Sept. 17-18
Presented by Canalway Partners, Towpath Strolls feature live entertainment along the Towpath every Friday through the end of the month.
Towpath Stroll
Discover the newest sections of the Towpath Trail by taking an evening walk or bike ride from the Cleveland sign in Tremont to the Roundhouse Overlook. You can enjoy a variety of live entertainment acts along the way including music by Luca Mundaca + Shawn & Shelby, plus magicians, jugglers, stilt-walkers and more. Free.
1430 Abbey Ave., Cleveland
5-8 p.m., Sept. 17
With more than 1,000 lanterns and 70 large-scale illuminated displays, the Asian Lantern Festival at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is now open, running through September 26. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Asian Lantern Festival
This popular event lights up the night at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Walk through massive light installations on your way to see your favorite animals, plus catch a few acrobatic performances and feast on globally-inspired food. Tickets, $20.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
6:30-10:30 p.m., Fridays through Sundays through Sept. 26
Over the last 10 years, the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival has shared thousands of features, documentaries and short films that thoroughly express the diverse stories of people of color and why these films matter.
Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
Now in its 10th year, the festival, mostly virtually this year, features 60 shorts, documentaries and feature films celebrating Black film, life and culture. The closing night film, “A Choice of Weapons: Inspired by Gordon Parks,” will be screened at the Cleveland History Center on Friday night. Tickets for that are $30.
10825 East Blvd, Cleveland
6-10 p.m., Sept. 17
Vanity Crash will perform at the Everything Is Subject To Radical Change: Cleveland Performance Art Festival Revisited event on Friday night.
Everything Is Subject To Radical Change: Cleveland Performance Art Festival Revisited
Cleveland Performance Art Festival founder Thomas Mulready takes a look back at the event, which ran from 1988-2003, with rare photos and videos of the memorable performances over the years, plus video interviews with some of the artists. The evening concludes with a musical performance by Vanity Crash. Tickets, $20.
Bop Stop, 2920 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
8 p.m., Sept. 17
Primus at Jacobs Pavilion
The American funk metal band performs Rush’s classic 1977 album “A Farewell to Kings” in its entirety at a concert in the Flats. Tickets start at $26.
2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland
7 p.m., Sept. 17
Local restaurateurs are teaming up to hold a ‘Celebration of Life ‘ dinner to remember Nikki Delamotte, the cleveland.com reporter who was shot to death last year.
Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios
A monthly art walk that showcases new exhibits and artwork at the studios and galleries that reside inside “Northeast Ohio’s eclectic arts maze.” Friday’s event features live musical performances by Randy Sacks and Rick Iacoboni, plus food from Local West and BARneo. Tickets, $5.
1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland
5-9 p.m., Sept. 17
Pumpkin Village is back for the fall at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
Pumpkin Village at Mapleside Farms
The Brunswick orchard’s annual fall festival returns with Princess and Pirates Weekend. Your favorite princesses will perform their famous songs while pirates put on swashbuckling shows. Pumpkin Village features more the 20 attractions including a giant corn maze, jumping pillow, super slide, hayrides and the best fall foods. Tickets, $10-16.
294 Pearl Rd, Brunswick
Sept. 17-19
Big enough to hold lots of apples, the Apple Barn at Patterson Fruit Farm, 11414 Caves Rd. Chesterland. (Photo: Beth Segal)
Patterson Fruit Farm’s Family Fun Fest
Fall is in the air in Chesterland with a corn maze, piles of straw to play in, pumpkin painting, horse-drawn wagon rides, ponies, a barn full o’ slides and more. You can even pick your own apples while you’re there. Tickets, $6-$10.
11414 Caves Rd, Chesterland
Sept. 18-Oct. 31
“Wu Lin The Society” VIP Premiere Screening
Fresh off the festival circuit where it won several awards, Cleveland filmmaker Johnny Wu’s latest sci-fi action thriller holds its local premiere plus a Q&A with the cast and crew to follow. In-person or virtual screening options are available. Tickets, $10-$15.
Atlas Cinemas Lakeshore 7, 22624 Lake Shore Blvd., Euclid
7 p.m., Sept. 18
A feast for the eyes, mind, appetite, and imagination, Pandemonium proceeds benefit Cleveland Public Theatre’s groundbreaking artistic work and life-changing education programs.
Pandemonium 2021: The Break of Dawn
Cleveland Public Theatre’s Gordon Square campus is transformed into a labyrinth of theatre, dance, visual art, and performance for the theatre’s annual fundraising gala. Tickets, $180, include food, drinks and valet parking. Guests must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
6415 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland
7 p.m., Sept. 18
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at MGM Northfield Park
“Hit Me with Your Best Shot” singer Pat Benatar and Clevelander Neil Giraldo rock the stage with your favorite hits from the ‘80s. The opening act features Youngstown-based the Vindys playing an unplugged set. Tickets start at $92.50.
8 p.m., Sept. 18
10777 Northfield Rd., Northfield
mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com
Veteran actor Austin Pendleton appears in the Beck Center for the Arts’ production of “Broadway Bound,” which runs Sept. 10 through Oct. 3 in the Senney Theater. (Photo courtesy of Beck Center for the Arts)
“Broadway Bound” at Beck Center for the Arts
Austin Pendleton (Broadway’s original production of “Fiddler on the Roof,” “The Muppet Movie”) stars in a production of Neil Simon’s classic play about two brothers who become successful writers amid the breakup of their parents. Tickets, $10-$34.
17801 Detroit Ave, Lakewood
Weekends through Oct. 3
The feel-good musical “The Choir of Man” has played to enthusiastic crowds at the Mimi Ohio Theatre since opening on Playhouse Square on June 11. (Photo by Cody York)
“The Choir of Man” at Mimi Ohio Theatre
Enjoy a night at the theater on Playhouse Square. This feel-good musical features a talented cast of singers, musicians and dancers performing an eclectic mix of pop, folk and Broadway music. Bonus: free beer. Tickets, $59-$79.
1511 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
Now through Sept. 18
• Related: ‘The Choir of Man’ gets spinoff show ‘The Afterparty’ at Playhouse Square
Western Reserve Historical Center has opened “A Century of the American Motorcycle,” an exhibit at its Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum featuring more than 100 years of motorcycles of different designs, eras, shapes and colors.
A Century of the American Motorcycle exhibit
The recently opened exhibit at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum examines the technical and aesthetic development of American motorcycles over the last 100+ years with about three dozen motorcycles on loan from the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Tickets, $20-$25.
Now through March 19
10825 East Blvd, Cleveland
Stock photo of flea market by Kai Pilger from Pexels
Westside Flea
Shop local at North Olmsted Community Park on Saturday when an eclectic mix of artisans, makers and entrepreneurs will be selling their wares. You’ll find handmade jewelry, antiques, furniture, local produce, art and more. The event also features food trucks and live entertainment.
28114 Lorain Road, North Olmsted
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sept. 18
Walking under the sharks at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium.
International Talk Like a Pirate Day at Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Avast ye! Don’t miss your opportunity to talk and dress like a real buccaneer as International Talk Like a Pirate Day comes but once a year. The festivities at the aquarium include a themed treasure hunt, activity pages, craft instructions and more. Did I mention the over 2,500 freshwater and saltwater animals on display, too? Admission, $13.95-$19.95
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sept. 19
2000 Sycamore Street, Cleveland
https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/09/festivals-concerts-and-more-20-things-to-do-in-cleveland-this-weekend-sept-17-19.html
