From campfires and s’mores in the national park to movies and fitness classes downtown to concerts at Blossom and the Summit County Fair, there’s plenty happening in and around Akron this summer and beyond.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, we’ve rounded up a variety of events happening through September.
A couple things to note: Ticket prices do not include additional fees. Blossom Music Festival shows are listed individually, but subscription packages and lawn ticket books are available for purchase here. And finally: Things can change, so be sure to check the individual websites for the most up-to-date event information.
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Ongoing
Wellness on the Plaza
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays through Sept. 5 | Cascade Plaza
Downtown Akron Partnership is offering fitness classes all summer, including yoga, kickboxing, line dancing, aerobics and more. Parking is available in the Cascade Parking Garage accessible from Quaker or Mill streets. Free, but registration required, downtownakron.com
Skate Nights on the Plaza
Saturdays through Aug. 31 | Cascade Plaza
Cascade Plaza will turn into an outdoor rink complete with a DJ and food and drinks. Each skate night will have a different theme. Guests can bring their own skates or rent a pair for $2. Skating runs from 5 to 8 pm. Parking is available in the Cascade Parking Garage accessible from Quaker or Mill streets. Free, downtownakron.com
Rock the Lock
Fridays through Aug. 30 | Lock 3 Backyard
Enjoy classic tribute bands and local musicians. Gates open at 6 p.m. and concerts begin at 7 p.m. Open seating; please bring chairs and blankets. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All concerts will take place at the Lock 3 Backyard stage on West Bowery Street next to Akron Civic Theatre. Parking is located at the State Street parking deck and Cascade parking deck. Free, lock3live.com
Rhythm on the River
Sundays June 9, July 14 and Aug. 11 | Howe Meadow (4040 Riverview Road, Peninsula)
This outdoor concert series at Cuyahoga Valley National Park will feature performances from Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band, Shaw High School Marching Band, Mike Phillips, Hubb’s Groove, FORECAST and Erin Nicole’s Centric Soul. Gates open at 2 p.m. with concerts from 4 to 6 p.m. Free, but registration required, conservancyforcvnp.org
Summer Concert Series
Mondays to Fridays, June 10 to Aug. 9 | Various locations
Akron Recreation & Parks will host concerts throughout the week at parks and community centers throughout the city. All shows are from 7 to 9 p.m. View the full schedule here. Free, akronohio.gov
Happy Hour on the Plaza
Wednesdays from June 12 through Aug. 28 | Cascade Plaza
Stop by after work for live music, drink specials and games. The event runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Parking is available in the Cascade Parking Garage accessible from Quaker or Mill streets. Free, downtownakron.com
Movie Nights at the Lock
Thursdays, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, Aug. 8 & 22 | Lock 3 Backyard
Enjoy a movie outside, sponsored by The Nightlight. Films include “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Wayne’s World,” “Moonstruck,” “Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Jurassic Park” and “Purple Rain.” All movies begin at 8:45 p.m. Open seating; please bring chairs and blankets. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All events will take place at the Lock 3 Backyard stage on West Bowery Street next to the Civic. Parking is located at the State Street parking deck and Cascade parking deck. Free, lock3live.com
Saturday Nights at the Lock
June 22 & 29, Aug. 3 & 31 | Lock 3 Backyard
Featuring The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Al Hudson & One Way, Jul Big Green and more. Concerts start at 7 p.m. Open seating; please bring chairs and blankets. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All concerts will take place at the Lock 3 Backyard stage on West Bowery Street next to the Civic. Parking is located at the State Street parking deck and Cascade parking deck. Free, lock3live.com
Gospel Sundays
July 14 & 21, Aug. 11 & 25 | Cascade Plaza & Lock 3 Backyard
Guests will enjoy an evening of inspiring music. Concerts run from 4 to 6 p.m. All concerts will take place at Cascade Plaza except for the Aug. 25 show. It will take place at the Lock 3 Backyard stage on West Bowery Street next to the Civic. Guests should bring chairs. Free, lock3live.com
Family Fun Days
Saturdays, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24 | Kendall Lake Shelter (1000 Truxell Rd., Peninsula)
These kid-centric afternoons at Cuyahoga Valley National Park include music, art activities, fishing, hiking and field games and go from 1 to 4 p.m. Free, conservancyforcvnp.org
Campfires
Wednesdays, June 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 | Ledges Shelter (405 Truxell Road, Peninsula)
It wouldn’t be summer without s’mores. Pack a picnic dinner and spend an evening (6 to 8 p.m.) at Cuyahoga Valley National Park playing field games, hiking and more. Free, conservancyforcvnp.org
Summer Concert Series
Sundays, July 28, Aug. 4, 11 | Various locations
Akron Symphony Orchestra will play three free concerts this summer at Forest Lodge Park, Firestone Park and Goodyear Metro Park. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Free, akronsymphony.org
August
“Othello”
Aug. 1-18 | Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Passion, betrayal and jealousy take center stage in this production of Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. Guests may bring a picnic meal or purchase concessions. Performances are rain or shine. The gates open at 6 p.m., and the play begins at 8 p.m. $15-$35, ohioshakespearefestival.com
Summer Safari
Aug. 2 | Akron Zoo
Have a fun night out for a good cause. From 7 to 10 p.m. guests can sample heavy hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants and caterers, get up close with some of the zoo’s animals, enjoy live entertainment and bid on items such as theater and sporting events tickets in an online raffle. Proceeds from the event benefit Akron Zoo’s Animal Fund. $100-$250, akronzoo.org
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
Aug. 2-4 | Blossom Music Center (1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls)
Experience the epic conclusion to the “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy as the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus and the Blossom Festival Chorus perform the film’s score. All shows start at 7 p.m. $29 to $121, clevelandorchestra.com
Ohio & Erie Canal Cleanup
Aug. 3 | Summit Lake Trailhead
Help keep the Towpath Trail clean so everyone can enjoy it. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. volunteers will pick up litter along the Summit Lake section of the trail. Snacks, water, trash bags and grabbers are provided. Please dress for the weather. Free but registration required, eventbrite.com
Akron Bazaar: Buona Festa
Aug. 3 | 159 S. Main St.
Shop handmade goods from local and regional makers at this downtown market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. facebook.com
An Evening with John Legend
Aug. 8 | Blossom Music Center (1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls)
The Grammy-winner (and, more importantly, Ohio native) will join the Cleveland Orchestra for an evening of music from his extensive songbook, including hits “All of Me,” “Ordinary People” and “Tonight.” The concert begins at 7 p.m. $49 to $225, clevelandorchestra.com
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Aug. 8 to Sept. 1 | Weathervane Playhouse
Journey to a world of pure imagination as Roald Dahl’s famously trippy confectionary tale hits the stage. $16-$36, weathervaneplayhouse.com
Punk Rock Flea Market
Aug. 10 | Lock 3 Backyard
Shop from more than 150 alternative artists and makers at this downtown festival. Guests can also enjoy live music, food trucks and raffles. The market is 12 to 6 p.m. Free, akronprfm.com
Akron Pickle Fest
Aug. 11 | Lock 3 Backyard
No matter your preference – Dill! Bread and butter! Kosher! – celebrate the mighty cucumber at this quirky pickle palooza featuring food, vendors and something called the Picklelympics. (Bobbing for pickles, anyone?) The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free, oddmall.info/akron-pickle-fest
Cleveland Clinic Akron General Towpath 50
Aug. 11 | Richard Howe House
Cyclists will start a 50-mile round-trip ride in downtown Akron and head to Crystal Springs Trailhead in Canal Fulton before turning around and heading back for a picnic lunch. (A 25-mile route is also available.) $55, ohioeriecanal.org
Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony
Aug. 17 | Blossom Music Center (1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls)
Music Director Franz Welser-Möst will lead the Cleveland Orchestra in performances of R. Schumann’s Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. The concert begins at 7 p.m. $25 to $105, clevelandorchestra.com
Akron Bazaar: Pride
Aug. 24 | 159 S. Main St.
Shop handmade goods from local and regional makers at this downtown market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. facebook.com
Akron Pride Festival
Aug. 24 | Lock 3 Backyard
The festival kicks off with The Akron Equity March, which steps off downtown from Spaghetti Warehouse at 10 a.m. The all-day festival also includes two stages of live performances, a children’s area, concessions and vendors. Free, akronpridefestival.org
Sinatra and Beyond
Aug. 25 | Blossom Music Center (1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls)
Enjoy Frank Sinatra classics (“Come Fly with Me,” “New York, New York,” “My Way,”) performed by jazz singer Tony DeSare, accompanied by the Blossom Festival Band. The concert begins at 7 p.m. $25 to $105, clevelandorchestra.com
Cirque Goes Broadway
Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 | Blossom Music Center (1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls)
Acrobatic feats set to music will be on display at this performance, which brings together the cast of Cirque de la Symphonie, Akron Symphony Orchestra and vocalists Morgan James and Hugh Panaro for a night of high-flying fun. Both shows start at 7 p.m. $25 to $105, clevelandorchestra.com
September
ArtWalk
Sept. 6 | Throughout downtown
This quarterly celebration invites the community to get to know some of the city’s culture and arts organizations, including the event host, Summit Artspace, as well as the Akron Art Museum, Akro Soul Train and more. ArtWalk is from 5 to 9 p.m. Check the Summit Artspace website for more info closer to the date. Free, summitartspace.org
Akron Bazaar: ArtWalk x City Fest
Sept. 6-7 | 159 S. Main St.
Shop handmade goods from local and regional makers at this two-day downtown market. facebook.com
Ohio & Erie Canal Cleanup
Sept. 7 | Summit Lake Trailhead
Help keep the Towpath Trail clean so everyone can enjoy it. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. volunteers will pick up litter along the Summit Lake section of the trail. Snacks, water, trash bags and grabbers are provided. Please dress for the weather. Free, but registration required, eventbrite.com