Whether you’re new to Cleveland or a lifelong resident, there’s plenty to explore throughout the city and its surrounding suburbs. One of the best ways to do that is to attend events alongside local residents. Throughout the month of August, there are countless opportunities to get out and explore.
Take a look below to see just a few of the ways you can engage with the local community this month.
Looking for more inspiration to check out the city? Visit the Cleveland Visitors Center website.
Welcome Back Wednesdays in Wade Oval
Wednesdays, Aug. 4–25
5:30–7:30 p.m.
After a year and a half of time spent away from each other, University Circle Inc. is offering opportunities to come together once again. Held on Wednesdays throughout the month, Welcome Back Wednesdays in Wade Oval are family-friendly events featuring music, food trucks, activities and more.
The varied music schedule features the following acts:
- Aug. 4: Forecast (jazz, funk, rock, reggae, pop)
- Aug. 11: Hubb’s Groove (smooth jazz, R&B, pop)
- Aug. 18: Blue Lunch (blues, New Orleans R&B, soul, jazz, classic rock & roll)
- Aug. 25: Cats on Holiday (swamp pop)
Planning to attend? Bring a chair or a blanket and head over to Wade Oval to spend time with friends and neighbors.
Asian Lantern Festival
Throughout August
6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Spend an evening at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo this month for what has become a fan-favorite event in the city. The Asian Lantern Festival, heading into its fourth year at the zoo, features large lighted displays throughout the zoo interspersed with more than 1,000 lanterns. In addition to the opportunity to see some of the zoo’s animals, including elephants, tigers and red pandas, guests can watch live performances, stop by an Asian craft market and grab a bite of culturally inspired food.
The festival is a separate ticketed event after the zoo typically closes. It is open on select Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For non-members of the zoo, tickets can be purchased online prior to the event for $20 per ticket or $60 for a four-pack of tickets. Members of the zoo pay $18 per ticket or $54 for a four-pack.
Tickets also can be purchased at the box office day-of for $22 per ticket or $66 per four-pack.
The event also has drive-through only days Aug. 11 and 18. Performances will not be held on these days. Drive-through tickets are $60 per car for non-members and $54 for members.
Get additional details about the festival and purchase tickets.
One World Day
Aug. 29
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Part of Rockefeller Park, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens celebrate “peace through mutual understanding.” Featuring more than 30 gardens for countries ranging from Albania to Vietnam, the Cleveland Cultural Gardens were established in 1916 and have continued to grow, reflecting waves of immigration to the Cleveland area. Additional gardens, including one honoring Native Americans, are in development.
While you can explore the gardens any time of year, One World Day is a free annual event now in its 75th year. The daylong event features a parade of flags, a naturalization ceremony, performances, authentic ethnic food, family activities and more.
The event, which in 2019 drew more than 30,000 guests, is hosted by the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and presented by Councilman Kevin Conwell.