From concerts and festivals to bonfires, sand castles and boat shows, plan a summer to remember with our list of some of Lake Erie's most exciting events that offer fun for the entire family.
JULY EVENTS
July 4-5
Light Up the Point | Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
Celebrate Independence day in everyone's favorite amusement park with one of the largest fireworks shows on the Great Lakes.
July 5
Eagles Tribute | Lakeside, Ohio
Plan a day at Lakeside Chautauqua, where a day pass offers access to lakefront parks, the beach, swimming pool, fishing off the pier, shuffleboard, shopping, dining and more. End the evening with the Eagles tribute band, Hotel California, in the historic Hoover auditorium. Concert is free with Lakeside admission.
July 12-14
Huron River Fest | Huron, Ohio
Kick off a weekend of rides, a 5k run/walk, parade, fireworks and full lineup of entertainment. The Midway opens Friday at 5 p.m. Remember to nab a ticket to the fire department barbecue fundraiser.
July 13
Great Lakes Taste of Summer | Erie, Pa.
Rev up for a different way to experience Lake Erie Speedway, where monster trucks and crash-a-ramas are the usual fare. Wine and dine trackside, with more than a dozen vineyard vendors and food trucks, plus craft vendors, live music and a steak cookoff in the backdrop (the winners are, unfortunately, not for tasting). “We’re looking forward to having nontraditional motorsports fans come see our venue, and maybe they’ll get a taste for some of our other events and come back out,” says Lake Erie Speedway general manager A.J. Moore, noting that $20 presale tickets are available online.
July 13
Middle Bass Music Festival | Middle Bass Island, Ohio
Coast over to the Big Dipper-shaped Middle Bass Island — a nature refuge, home to historic Lonz Winery and a free annual music fest hosted by the Lake Erie Islands Conservancy. The day-and-night-long event will showcase the North Coast Goats, Tall Paul & Western Drawl, Colin Dussault’s Blues Project and Dry Reef.
July 14
20th Annual Lakeside Wooden Boat Show | Lakeside, Ohio
Lakeside’s waterfront will transform into an outdoor showroom of classic wooden boats. As one of Lake Erie’s largest wooden boat exhibits, more than 80 cruisers will line the dock and lawn of Hotel Lakeside for an up-close view. In addition to the boat displays on land and water, the Lyman Boat Works Historical Museum is onsite all weekend long to tell the story of boatbuilding on the Great Lakes with a walk-thru display, replicas and boats from each decade, hands-on activities for children and more.
July 15
Summer Solstice | Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown, New York
Enjoy an art + cocktail reception featuring live jazz, hors d'oeuvres, an open bar and a trio of plein air painters creating original work to be auctioned at the end of the evening. During the reception, curator Maria Ferguson will lead tours of the new exhibition - Art that Matters to the Planet: Interconnectivity. You'll also have the opportunity to bid on several signed and numbered prints by Roger Tory Peterson. After enjoying a gourmet dinner buffet, relax with coffee and dessert as the institute's CEO shares exciting updates about TRPI, following by a brief program by guest speaker Jennifer Lodi-Smith, who will be sharing a little bit about The Spark Bird Project. Reservations are required. Tickets are $95 each. Invite your friends and buy a table at a discounted rate of $700. Proceeds from the event will help RTPI to fulfill its mission of nurturing the next generation artists whose art – like the art of Roger Tory Peterson – truly matters to the planet.
July 18
3rd Thursday | Vermilion, Ohio
Explore downtown Vermilion as it is turned into a Norman Rockwell setting reminiscent of a New England town nestled into the coast of Lake Erie. Enjoy an exciting array of free musical entertainment, from country, jazz and rock to island, Russian folk, Irish, pop and much more while browsing the shops, boutiques and restaurants of this quaint historic area.
July 19-20
Summer Market | Black River Landing in Lorain, Ohio
Soak up some sunshine and fresh breezes at this spacious riverside park as you browse the work of more than 125 curated artists, makers, pickers, collectors, growers and foodies selling furniture, architectural salvages, vintage wares, art, jewelry, coastal décor, fresh produce and more. In between strolls around the beautiful grounds, dine on dishes from featured restaurants and food trucks, sip on a cocktail by the water or grab a blanket to set on the grass and rock along to the sounds of live music. The Summer Market is a fundraising effort for Girls Give Back, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those in need through random acts of kindness.
July 19-Aug. 18
Boardwalk Nights | Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
When the sun goes down, the Cedar Point Beach and The Boardwalk area of the park electrify with larger-than-life entertainment, over-the-top food and drink, games for the entire family, music and dancing, lights and sounds that inspire the best summertime dance moves and more.
July 19-21
Kelleys IslandFest | Kelleys Island, Ohio
Dance in the streets at the island’s biggest event, this year with a parrot head theme nod to Jimmy Buffett and all the food-and-drink vendors you expect. Cheeseburger in paradise, anyone? Cue up Saturday morning with a parade and armed Armed forces Forces band, “fest” the day away until fireworks at dusk.
July 20
Lakewood Summer Meltdown | Lakewood, Ohio
Don't miss one of the region's most highly anticipated street parties that draws nearly 15,000 attendees from across Northeast Ohio to the heart of Lakewood. The event includes a 5K, 1-mile family fun run and walk, as well as a street festival complete with outdoor activities, games, food vendors, a beer garden, live music and more.
July 20
Willoughby ArtsFest | Willoughby, Ohio
Take to the streets of historic downtown Willoughby for its 33rd annual ArtsFest, where more than 100 juried artists showcase paintings, mixed media, ceramics and more. This artisan staple is a mashup of culture, music, food and shopping. What else? Pop into the myriad boutiques lining the streets, grab a bite and beverage at Ballantine gastropub, or sip on an espresso at Fiona’s.
July 22-28
Discover Presque Isle | Erie, Pa.
Escape to this beachy peninsula and notable nature preserve for a weeklong celebration of the seven7-mile stretch of sand and surf. There’s no cost to get in on the beaches, bonfires, music, self-guided or tour-led hikes, live music and arts and crafts.
July 26-28
Wine & Walleye Festival | Ashtabula, Ohio
Taste Ohio’s wine country and savor one of Lake Erie’s favorite catches at the Wine & Walleye Festival, showcasing bottles from local grape producers and a fish fry prepared by the local Fraternal Order of Police. A Friday Street Faire encourages exploring downtown purveyors. Make your way to the all-day beer tent and end with a dock party. Entertainment, a VIP wine garden, fireworks show, lighted boat parade and Lettie G. Howard sails and tours cap off a fest you can do your way.
July 27-28
Arts @ the Marina | Leamington, Ontario
The South Essex Arts Association/Leamington Arts Centre proudly present this annual arts and rafts show. The two-day event held Canada Day weekend at the scenic lakeside Leamington Municipal Marina and Rick Atkin Park, features dozens of artisans, live local music, children's activities, food and refreshments.
AUGUST EVENTS
Aug. 1-4
Lucille Ball Comedy Festival | Jamestown, N.Y.
Love Lucy and laugh out loud at the National Comedy Center’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, a tribute to the homegrown funny lady from Jamestown. Lucy lovers will revel in the celebration — but anyone with a thing for comedy should check out over 50 live events, including a standup comedy showcase with the who’s who, kid comedy, block parties and music.
Aug. 2-3
Vermilion Beach Market | Vermilion, Ohio
Shop by the beach from over 100 vendors for vintage, shabby and chic decor including furniture, architectural salvage, as well as handcrafted home decor, jewelry, clothing, and art. Take a pause from shopping at our beachside wine bar and food booths. Free admission and free on-site parking.
Aug. 7-18
Erie County Fair | Hamburg, N.Y.
Live entertainment, rides, animals and all the fair food you can eat are just a few of the things you'll find at this annual summertime tradition.
Aug. 10
Barefoot at the Beach | Toledo, Ohio
Aug. 10
Brewfest Waterfront District | Lorain, Ohio
Tip back local craft brews from regional hopmasters at Black River Landing, where music, games and food kick off at 1 p.m., or noon for VIP. Your ticket buys 16 swills from breweries, meaderies, wineries and cideries.
Aug. 15
3rd Thursday | Vermilion, Ohio
Explore downtown Vermilion as it is turned into a Norman Rockwell setting reminiscent of a New England town nestled into the coast of Lake Erie. Enjoy an exciting array of free musical entertainment, from country, jazz and rock to island, Russian folk, Irish, pop and much more while browsing the shops, boutiques and restaurants of this quaint historic area.
Aug. 15-17
D-Day Conneaut | Conneaut, Ohio
Storm the shores of Conneaut for the world’s largest D-Day beach battle reenactment, including a dramatic multi-aircraft landing that mimics the 1944 invasion, official WWII tanks in action, barrage bloom parachutes, living history displays and a home front. Event founder Betsy Bashore says, “It looks like Omaha Beach.”
Aug. 16-18
Port Dover Summer Fest | Port Dover, Ontario
Gather with makers, bibliophiles, antiquers, foodies and a smattering of exhibitions in Port Dover for its Art in the Park, a decades-long institution on Lake Erie’s north shore. Market Street is populated with sought-after book and magazine tables. After the art, hop around town for a taste of local dining and shopping.
Aug. 17
Whiskey Island Paddle Fest | Cleveland
Paddle at your own pace or challenge yourself to go some extra miles. Anyone 6 and older can participate. Just BYO kayak or SUP board and a spirit for navigating our great lake. For Fun: Join the Capture the Swag Fun Paddle to spots along the Lake Erie shoreline of Wendy Park and collect tickets to enter for door prizes.
Aug. 17-24
Tennis in the Land | Cleveland
Cheer on Women’s Tennis Association athletes in this U.S. Open Series tournament at Jacobs Pavilion in the Flats West Bank. Top WTA champions compete along the Cuyahoga River. Plus, you’ll find a lively riverfront showing of food, drink and fun for before or after a match.
Aug. 21-22
Bash on the Bay | Put-in-Bay, Ohio
Quickly becoming one of the Midwest's best music festival, this two-day festival held at the Put-in-Bay Airport features Jelly Roll on Friday and Hardy on Saturday.
Aug. 31 – Sept. 1
Buffalo Wing Festival | Buffalo
Hang out on an NFL field, sample wings — hot, not and creative — and add a beverage to round out your Labor Day Weekend celebrating America’s favorite appetizer, born in Bufalo’s notable Anchor Bar in 1964. Yes, there’s a wing-eating contest for amateurs, while pros have their own competition. Enjoy the music and know your ticket’s proceeds benefit local charities.
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
Sept. 5-8
Thunder on the Strip | Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio
Rev up an appetite for the daredevil Harley-Davidson Contraband Stunt Team, line up for the Founder’s Parade and work your way around dives and other destinations to earn a shirt. Food, bike games and unrelenting live music. This event is cruising into its 18th year.
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