Events

Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: Feb. 26-March 1

Visit the Cleveland Auto Show, see a Cleveland Monsters game or party at Playhouse Square's Jump Back Ball this weekend in Northeast Ohio.

by Jeff Niesel | Feb. 25, 2026 | 5:00 AM

Ella & the Bossa Beat performs at Irishtown Bend Taproom on Friday. | Courtesy Kristina Powers Borges

Ella & the Bossa Beat performs at Irishtown Bend Taproom on Friday. | Courtesy Kristina Powers Borges

Thursday, Feb. 26

Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center
Each February, major automobile manufacturers bring their latest and greatest new models to the I-X Center for the annual Cleveland Auto Show. Classic models are usually on display as well at the event, which runs through Sunday. 1 I-X Center Dr., Cleveland, 216-676-6000, ixcenter.com

Epiphany at the Helen
Cleveland Play House presents this play based on James Joyce's The Dead. Thursday's performance takes place at 7 p.m. at the Helen, where performances continue through March 7. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Primary Trust at the Outcalt Theatre
The Cleveland Play House presents this play about a guy who loses his job and "discovers new beginnings" as a result. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Outcalt Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday, March 1. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Spring Awakening at Beck Center for the Arts
Produced in collaboration with Oberlin College and Conservatory Music Theater Program, this rock musical comes to Beck Center in Lakewood for a run that continues through Sunday. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Strauss's Don Juan at Mandel Concert Hall
Cleveland native Alisa Weilerstein joins the Cleveland Orchestra to play the Richard Strauss tone poem that made him famous. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where performances continue on Friday and Saturday. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

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Three Days Grace's Alienation Tour at Rocket Arena
The hard rock group known for its "pummeling rock anthems," as a press release puts it, brings its latest tour to Rocket Arena. Last year, Three Days Grace released Alienation, a new studio album that marked the return of singer Adam Gontier. Songs such as "Dominate" and "Kill Me Fast" predictably feature gruff vocals and arena-ready guitars, lending themselves favorably to SportsCenter highlights. The concert begins at 7 p.m. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Friday, Feb. 27

Ella & the Bossa Beat at Irishtown Bend Taproom
This father-daughter duo features Magrus Borges, a percussionist from Brazil who's toured with Astrud Gilberto, Bebel Gilberto, Shakira and Grace Jones to name a few. His daughter, Ella Borges, sings and plays keyboards. She writes her own tunes and capably covers classic bossa nova tunes. The group plays Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Irishtown Bend Taproom at Market Garden Brewery. Cleveland's Kip Reed will be on bass. 1849 W. 24th St., Cleveland, 216-373-0700, marketgardenbrewery.com

Tiffany Haddish at the Funny Bone
Thanks to her performance in the hit comedy Girls Trip, actress Tiffany Haddish has quickly established herself as a star. She’s had a number of significant acting roles since her breakout, including in movies like Haunted Mansion, Night School and Bad Boys: Ride or Die. On Friday at 7 and 9:30 p.m., she brings her standup show to the Funny Bone, where shows are scheduled through Sunday. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

Monsters vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Rocket Arena
The Monsters and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins square off in two games at Rocket Arena this weekend. Friday's game begins at 7 p.m., and Saturday's game begins at 4 p.m. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

Johnny Rawls at Music Box Supper Club
The blues-soul singer-songwriter's career dates back 50 years, and he began his professional career at age 15. He performs at 7:30 p.m. at Music Box Supper Club. Local blues hero Austin Walkin' Cane opens the show. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com

Two Trains Running at Beck Center for the Arts
Set in Pittsburgh in the 1960s, August Wilson's play centers on the characters who frequent a coffee shop in the city's Hill District. Local Jimmy Woody directs the play, and Friday's performance takes place at 7:30 at Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, where performances continue through March 29. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org

Velvet Violin at Reinberger Chamber Hall
This event that takes place in Reinberger Chamber Hall is designed to introduce kids to the instruments of the orchestra. It takes place at 10 a.m. on Friday and at 11 a.m. on Saturday. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

Vuela Alto, Mamá at the Pivot Centre
This play centers on two sisters who haven't spoken to each other in years reunite at their mother's wake. It's presented in Spanish with subtitles in English projected on a screen). Friday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the LatinUs Blackbox Theater located in the Pivot Center for Art, Dance and Expression. Performances continue through March 15. 2937 W 25th St., pivotcenter.com

Saturday, Feb. 28

Jump Back Ball 2026: Bloom at Playhouse Square
The money raised from this annual event that takes place on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Playhouse Square benefits the organization's education programs, including sensory-friendly programming, Disney Musicals in Schools, the Dazzle Awards and Classroom Connections Workshops. 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Les Délices Presents: La Diosa at Heights Theatre
The local music group Les Délices and the Grammy-winning soprano Estelí Gomez will perform Latin American Baroque music and present the world premiere of "Soy la Diosa," a new work celebrating Nicaraguan folklore. The concert begins at 4 p.m. at Heights Theatre in Cleveland Heights. 2781 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, heightstheater.org

Joe Nichols at House of Blues
On tour in support of his 11th studio album, Honky Tonks and Country Songs, the country singer-songwriter performs at 7 p.m. at House of Blues. Produced by Mickey Jack Cones (Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett) and Derek George (Randy Houser), the album puts Nichols' baritone up front in the mix. He leans into his natural-sounding drawl on the title track and does his best Hank Williams Jr. on a cover of the classic anthem "Country Boy Can Survive." 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

Ramona Flowers at House of Blues Cambridge Room
The indie rock act famously teamed up with Rock Hall Inductee Niles Rodgers on the hit single “Up All Night,” a moody number with funky drums and sputtering vocals. The group performs at 7:30 p.m. at House of Blues Cambridge Room. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com

The Ike Reilly Assassination at the Treelawn
The veteran singer-songwriter performs on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Treelawn. Reilly is the subject of a new documentary film, Don't Turn Your Back on Friday Night, that chronicles his remarkable career. The wordsmith worked for years as a doorman before embarking on his musical career. 15335 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com

Trippie Redd at the Agora
An Ohio native, rapper Trippie Redd left Canton for Atlanta and then moved to Los Angeles where he watched what worked for artists and influencers and what did not. He's been actively releasing mixtapes and studio albums for more than a decade now and even collaborated with Clevelander Machine Gun Kelly on a 2024 EP. Last year, he issued two new singles from a forthcoming new album. He performs at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Agora. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com

The Wood Brothers at Kent Stage
The veteran roots rock act returns to the Kent Stage. Singer-songwriter Elizabeth Moen opens the show. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org

Sunday, March 1

Cleveland Institute of Music Organ Studio at Cleveland Museum of Art
Conservatory musicians from the Cleveland Institute of Music will play works for solo organ on the Cleveland Museum of Art's McMyler Memorial Organ. The concert begins at 2 p.m. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org

I See Stars at Globe Iron
This indie rock act out of Warren, Michigan, embraces the industrial rock side of its sound on its new album, last year's The Wheel. Signer Devin Oliver sounds a bit like Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell on the noisy "Eliminator" and effectively talks his way through the riveting "D4mage Done." The group performs at 6 p.m. at Globe Iron. 2320 Center St., Cleveland, globeironcle.com

Bo Johnson at Hilarities
The comedian out of Seattle just released a new comedy special, Two Sailboats. In it, he jokes about things from his everyday life like sharing his workout info with friends via an Apple watch. He performs at 7:30 p.m. at Hilarities. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

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Jeff Niesel

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.

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