The City of Akron released its list of downtown summer concerts, movies and activities, all with free admission.

The city is also changing its popular Rock the Lock concert series by pairing tribute bands with local bands as the opener for each concert — the series’ new name will be “Rock the Lock and Explore the Block.”

Concerts will return to the Lock 3 Backyard on West Bowery Street next to the Akron Civic Theatre as construction continues on Lock 3. Guests can enter from West Bowery Street.

Parking is available at the State Street parking deck behind the O’Neil’s Building, along with the Cascade parking deck off West Mill Street. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and patrons are asked to bring a chair or blanket.

“We’re excited to kick off another summer of fun at Lock 3 in the heart of downtown Akron,” said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. “Making our programming and summertime activities as welcoming and accessible as possible is important for our residents to have fun, safe options for their summer.”

Lock 3 Park.
An artist’s rendering of Lock 3 Park, under construction in downtown Akron, will be completed in fall of 2024. The venue is the site for most of the summer events sponsored by the City of Akron. (Drawing courtesy of the Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition)

The city will offer a “round up for summer programming” option at the cash register to help fund the free programming. When guests purchase food or beverages, they will have the option to “round up” to make a donation.  

For all the details, visit Lock3live.com.

Event highlights:

Rock the Lock and Explore the Block
Features tribute bands along with local musicians. First concert with WANTED: The Bon Jovi Tribute Band featuring Vudu Childe is Friday, May 24. Gates open at 6 p.m. and concerts begin at 7 p.m. Open seating. Click here for the full list of bands and dates. 

Old School Soul presents Al Hudson & One Way featuring Jul Big Green on Saturday, June 29.  Gates open at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m. Open seating.

Gospel Sundays 
Features evenings of uplifting, joyful music. Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m. July 14, July 21 and Aug. 25 at Cascade Plaza. Aug. 11 will be at Lock 3 Backyard Stage on West Bowery Street. Free admission – please bring a chair.

Movie series 
Free outdoor movies at Lock 3’s Backyard on Thursday Nights at 8:45 p.m. Sponsored by The Nightlight cinema. Dates are June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, Aug. 8 and Aug. 22. 

Festivals 
Admission is free to all festivals with the exception of the last evening of the African American Cultural Festival on Sunday, July 28, after 4 p.m.

The Rib White and Blue Festival: July 3 to July 6 downtown

The city will host neighborhood fireworks to celebrate Independence Day on July 4.

Neighborhood fireworks shows will be shot off from Patterson Park Sports Complex, Akron Fulton Airport and the Downtown Lock 3 area beginning at 9:45 p.m.

The Italian-American Festival: July 11 to July 13

The African American Cultural Festival: July 26 to July 28

We Are The Weirdos Ohio Punk Rock Flea Market: Aug. 10

PickleFest: Aug. 12

Akron Pride Festival: Aug. 24

Akron City Festival: Sept. 3

Summer on the Plaza: Sponsored by Downtown Akron Partnership and located at Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron.

Skate Nights on The Plaza: Various dates from May 25 to Aug. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Wellness on The Plaza: Various dates from May 21 to Sept. 5. Series of free classes and workshops to promote wellness.

Happy Hour on The Plaza: Wednesdays from June 12 to Aug. 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a variety of local music, drink specials from The Shed, games on the lawn and a corn hole league.

Concerts in The Park
The City of Akron’s Recreation and Parks Bureau will host its Concerts in the Park series for the summer.

Concerts are free and take place Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair. Check the Recreation and Parks social media pages for cancellations due to weather.

  • Mondays: Hardesty Park (1615 W. Market St.), June 10 to Aug. 5
  • Tuesdays: Firestone Park Community Center (1480 Girard St.), June 11 to Aug. 6
  • Wednesdays: Shadyside Park (1240 Kenmore Blvd.), June 12 to Aug. 7
  • Thursdays: Joy Park Community Center (825 James Ingram Way), June 13 to June 27
  • Thursdays: Hon. James R. Williams Lawton Street Community Center (1225 Lawton St.), July 11 to Aug. 8
  • Fridays: Public Square Triangle Park (1435 Goodyear Blvd.), June 14 to July 5
  • Fridays: Ellet Community Center (2449 Wedgewood Dr.), July 12 to Aug. 9

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.