Ready. Set. Get outside! Akron and its surrounding areas are flush with a plethora of outdoor activities scheduled for the summer of 2026, from concerts at Lock 3, Blossom Music Center and PorchROKR to walking along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, hiking a trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park and events and eateries in dozens of neighborhoods.
As always, this is not a complete list of summer 2026 events. For more things to do, visit Downtown Akron Partnership, Summit Metro Parks, SummitLive365 and our new Things to do events calendar. Also, email us here to add events to this list.
Ongoing summer events in the Akron area
Akron Marathon Race Series
June 26, Aug. 8 and Sept. 26 | Varying start times, starting lines
Break out your running shoes. The Akron Marathon Race Series returns, encouraging fitness with races of varying lengths. Choose from three dates this season with runs ranging from one mile to a marathon (26.2 miles). Find out more at akronmarathon.org.
Akron RubberDucks 2026 season
Multiple dates through Sept. 13 | Times vary
7 17 Credit Union Park (300 S. Main St.)
Approximately 274,000 fans attended Akron RubberDucks games last season. This season is already underway, with plenty of home games remaining through September. The family-friendly entertainment is more than baseball. Promotions this season include free T-shirts on Tuesday nights, kids running bases after games and LeBron James x I Promise School Bobblehead Giveaway. Tickets for this Double A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians start at $7. milb.com/akron
Popcorn & Movie Fridays
Multiple dates through December | 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Kenmore Senior Community Center (880 Kenmore Blvd.)
Watch a film in Kenmore starting Friday, April 24. Don’t forget to order popcorn — it’s 50 cents. This event is free and open to the public. betterkenmore.org
April events
Ohio Rubber Duck Dash Festival Weekend
Aug. 23, 24 and 25 | Times vary
Downtown Cuyahoga Falls (Front Street)
Make a splash! This festival teaches students leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Attendees can adopt duck(s) to be dropped in the race for a chance to win cash, gift cards, Cleveland Guardians tickets and more. Also enjoy an art walk, wing-eating contest and vendor and food trucks. Duck adoption starts at $5 and supports the Six District Compact’s EntrepreNEW Pathways. ohiorubberduckdash.com
Original Sewing & Quilt Expo
April 23, 24 and 25 | Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
John S. Knight Center (77 E. Mill St.)
During the expo, attendees can shop boutiques, learn techniques and experience live galleries and class sessions. Admission ranges from $10 to $15. Classes are purchased separately and start at $29 each. To purchase expo tickets and view class descriptions and schedule, go here.
City of Akron Tree Commission and Miller South Arbor Day
April 24 | 3 to 5 p.m.
Lane Field Park (630 Vernon Odom Blvd.)
Arbor Day in Akron will be more than just tree planting. Youth-focused activities include a kids’ corner with food, tree planting and a tree giveaway. akronohio.gov
Monster Truck Wars
April 25 and 26 | Saturday, April 25: noon to 6 p.m.; Sunday, April 26: 2 p.m.
Stark County Fairgrounds (305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton)
Monster trucks, dirt bikes and four wheelers perform tricks, flips and slide through mud. Tickets can be purchased to experiences (some kid-friendly) such as a power wheels race and ride in a monster truck. For ticket information and event descriptions, go here.
May events
Free concert series at Music Bath
May 3 and 16 | Sunday: 3 p.m., Saturday: 5 p.m.
The Bath Church (3980 W. Bath Road)
Join Music Bath for its final two performances of the free concert series. On May 3, CLE Mixtape Live, a jazz octet and vocalist group, will perform in the sanctuary. On May 16, U4U Band will perform Ukrainian folk and rock music in the fellowship hall. This event is free and open to the public. musicbath.org
Small Business Resource Fair
May 6 | 3 to 6 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library (60 S. High St.)
Interested in owning a business? The Small Business Resource Fair brings together local, regional and state partners such as the Akron Urban League, Elevate Greater Akron and TechZone@Main to connect with future entrepreneurs. The resource fair will consist of information on accessing capital, expanding networks, securing contacts and more. This event is free and open to the public. akronlibrary.org
Mess Makers: Spring Fling
May 13 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Akron Art Museum (1 S. High St.)
Kids up to age 5 are invited to participate in this hands-on, interactive morning — full of playing, exploring and smelling spring flowers. Tickets are free for member households and $15 for non-member households (one ticket is needed for the whole family). akronartmuseum.org
Downtown Kickoff to Summer Party
May 21 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lock 3 (200 S. Main St.)
Kick summer off at Lock 3. This event will have rootbeer floats, giveaways, entertainment and more. This event is free to attend. downtownakron.com
Renaissance Faire
May 23, 24 and 25 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Akron Zoo (500 Edgewood Dr.)
Experience the Renaissance (plus a few animals) at Akron Zoo. Travel back in time in a medieval costume while browsing food vendors, playing fair games and watching live entertainment. Tickets are free for members and start at $15 for non-members. akronzoo.org
Highland Square Food Truck Fest
May 23 and 24 | Saturday: noon to 8 p.m., Sunday: noon to 6 p.m.
Will Christy Park (1175 W. Exchange St.)
Get ready to grub. This year’s fest includes rotating food trucks over the weekend to mix up options. In addition to eating, browse local vendors at the Cleveland Bazaar. Admission is free. happycamper.events
June events
The BLVD Block Party
June 6 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Along Kenmore Boulevard
This community event hosted by Better Kenmore includes live music, family activities, food trucks, a parade and more. This full day of events starts out with the Kenmore Cowbell 7k race. Drop in and out throughout the day for a taste of a few things or stay to experience neighborhood fun. This event is free and open to the public. Find the full block party schedule here.
Brews Bourbon and BBQ Festival
June 6 | 5 to 10 p.m.
7 17 Credit Union Park (300 S. Main St.)
This festival includes more than 700 BBQ vendors, breweries and distilleries from across the state of Ohio. Admission can be split by brewery, distillery or all-access passports. In addition to sampling bourbons, breweries and BBQ, tickets to master classes like cocktails and bourbon pairings are also available starting at $45. brewsbourbonandbbq.com
The Country Fest
June 17, 18, 19 and 20 | Times vary
Clay’s Resort Jellystone Park (12951 Patterson St. NW, North Lawrence)
Headliners for this year’s four-day festival are Jordan Davis, Treaty Oak Revival, Zach Top and Kane Brown. Single-day tickets start at $124; camping tickets are available. thecountryfest.com
Akron’s community calendar
Looking for things to do in Akron? Signal Akron’s events calendar is your go-to guide for what’s happening across the city each week. From family-friendly festivals and outdoor concerts to art exhibits, food truck rallies, and neighborhood block parties, we’ve gathered events that showcase the energy and creativity of our community.
July events
America250 Akron Concert
July 9 | 7 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library Auditorium (60 S. High St.)
Enjoy a live music concert performed by the Akron Symphonic Winds, an ensemble with musicians who perform throughout Northeast Ohio. This free concert celebrates rich cultures and history through music. Bring a chair and/or blanket to enjoy this outdoor concert. akronsymphonicwinds.mystrikingly.com
All-American Soap Box Derby World Championships
July 11 through July 18 | Varying times
Soap Box Derby (789 Derby Downs Dr.)
About 300 youth will participate in the annual event, which puts soapbox derby cars to the test. Tickets start at $12.51. eventbrite.com
Summit County Italian-American Festival
July 10 and 11 | All day
Lock 3 (200 S. Main St.)
The festival is a celebration of Italian-American culture across Northeast Ohio. It will include a flag show, food trucks, live music and the opportunity to connect with Italian-American community members. The festival is free and open to the public.it-am.org
Summit County Fair
July 28 through Aug. 2 | Tuesday: noon to 10 p.m., Wednesday: noon to 11 p.m., Sunday: noon to 9 p.m.
Summit County Fairgrounds (1050 North Ave., Tallmadge)
This year’s county fair theme is “Let the good times GROW,” bringing in horse, farmer and outhouse racing. The fair will host a 4-H and sunshine class. Attendees will also participate in a demolition derby, motocross, tractor pulls and more. Fair admission starts at $11.64 for adults and is $6.49 for ages 2-8 and 65 and older. summitfair.com
August events
70s Soul Jam
Aug. 1 | 7 p.m.
Lock 3 (200 S. Main St.)
This event brings together Classic soul/R&B artists — The Manhattans and Enchantment with Jimmie “JJ” Walker (best known for playing J.J. Evans on the television show “Good Times.”) General admission tickets start at $37.55. livenation.com
Akron Pickle Fest
August 9 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lock 3 Park (200 S. Main St.)
It’s a big dill: The Akron Pickle Fest, hosted by Oddmall, is back for a fourth year. Pickle lovers can browse vendors and shop pickle accessories. There will also be pickle-themed games — bobbing for pickles, greased pickle toss, fishing for pickles and more. This event is free and open to the public. oddmall.info
Highland Square PorchROKR Festival
Aug. 15 | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Highland Square (West Market Street quadrant)
The Highland Square staple showcases local talent performing on porches, bars, stages and restaurants throughout the neighborhood. The festival includes more than a dozen food trucks and more than 60 vendors. This event is free and open to all ages. highlandsquareakron.org
Akron Pride Festival and 2026 Equity March
Aug. 22 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Downtown Akron (Main Street)
Starting at Spaghetti Warehouse, marchers will walk the parade route carrying banners, wearing costumes, playing music, dancing and more. Participants can also register to participate in the Akron Pride Festival 5k — registration for both events opens in May. View more information and register here.
Want to find more things to do around Akron? We’ve got you covered from big events to neighborhood happenings. Discover more things to do in Akron here.
September events
Summit Fest 2026
Sept. 5 | 2 to 11 p.m.
Summit County Fairgrounds Arena (229 E. Howe Road, Tallmadge)
The Summit Fest returns to Summit County with headline artists, food trucks and vendors. General admission early bird tickets start at $31.60, and general parking starts at $11.20.instagram.com and Summit Fest 2026
Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival
Sept. 12 | 7 p.m.
Lock 3 (200 S. Main St.)
Jazz artist Gerald Albright headlines this year’s festival. Click here for more information on performances and artists. Tickets start at $31.
