Photo of a firework over the Cuyahoga River

3 things to do in Cleveland in July

Cleveland is a dynamic place to spend the summer no matter what your interests are. Whether it’s breezy evenings along Cleveland’s lakefront or immersive cultural festivals, our city has so much to offer.

The action will continue in July with no shortage of things to do. We’ve got three options to get you started, but don’t forget to check the Destination Cleveland website to make the most of your summer.

Light Up the Lake watch parties

July 4

Soak up summer during the annual Light Up the Lake celebration on July 4. While fireworks will illuminate the sky throughout the surrounding suburbs, the City of Cleveland’s annual fireworks display is a local favorite.

Watch parties will be held in two downtown locations: Voinovich Park and the North Coast Yard. Both watch parties will be held from 5 to 10 p.m., with food vendors, giveaways and family activities. The fireworks display will begin at dusk.

In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks will be postponed until Saturday, July 5. Check Downtown Cleveland’s social media pages for updates.

Find out what to expect at the watch parties.

BorderLight Theatre Festival

July 16–19

Each year, the BorderLight Theatre Festival pushes the boundaries of art with innovative performances throughout Downtown Cleveland. More than 40 local, national and international artists will come together for this year’s fringe festival. Performances—ranging diverse genres—will be held on 16 unique stages.

From immersive experiences to comedy to experimental shows, the BorderLight Theatre Festival is all about the unexpected.

Learn more about the festival and get tickets.

Taste of Tremont

July 20

Spend a day in one of Cleveland’s most vibrant neighborhoods at Taste of Tremont. Tremont is known for its wide array of culinary options, and this event is an opportunity to try many of them in sample-sized bites.

This street festival also features shopping at locally owned establishments and is set to a backdrop of live musical performances.

Hosted along Professor Avenue, the festival will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 20.

Find out more about the festival.