Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: July 9-12
Attend a theatre festival, go to a cocktail party, shop at the Beachland Flea and find other fun this weekend in Northeast Ohio.
by Jeff Niesel | Jul. 8, 2026 | 5:00 AM
BorderLight Festival takes over Playhouse Square this weekend. | Photo courtesy Elaine Manusakis
Thursday, July 9
BorderLight Theatre Festival at Playhouse Square
Founded in 2015, BorderLight Festival is a nonprofit whose mission is to present innovative theater that "inspires, builds cross-cultural understanding, and celebrates the diversity of the human experience," as it's put in a press release. More than 40 productions will take part at Playhouse Square as part of this year's event that features performance art and theater. It runs through Saturday. Single ticket prices range from $11.50 to $38, and the festival also features 14 free shows and additional special events. 1260 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 866-496-0535, borderlightcle.org
Collective Soul at Northfield Park Racino
The '90s rock act most famous for its 1993 hit "Shine" comes to Northfield Park Racino. Just this year, the group released its 13th studio effort, Touch and Go. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com
An Evening with Itzhak Perlman at Blossom
Violinist Itzhak Perlman joins the Cleveland Orchestra for this special concert that features performances of several Beethoven pieces, including Romance No. 1 and Romance No. 2. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Blossom. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
The Lion King at the State Theatre
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the play presents a story "filled with hope and adventure set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals." The play also features the work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and tunes written by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Aug. 16. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org
The Marvelous Miss Gender Starring Bosco at the Agora
A celebrity drag queen who competed on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 14, Bosco performs at the Agora on Thursday. The show begins at 8 p.m. 5000 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-881-2221, agoracleveland.com
Mark Normand at Hilarities
Most of comedian Mark Normand's material comes from observations of everyday life. A mild-mannered and soft-spoken guy who dresses like he's in a Gap ad, Normand likes to make fun of himself and other people who are self-conscious about being nerdy and white. He performs on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Hilarities, where he has shows scheduled through Saturday. According to the club's website, the shows are sold out. 2035 E. Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com
Lucinda Williams at Beachland Ballroom
The revered alt-country singer-songwriter comes to the Beachland Ballroom with a backing band in tow. The tour supports her fiery new album, World's Gone Wrong, her response to the troubled times in which we live. The show begins at 8 p.m. According to the Beachland website, it's sold out. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Friday, July 10
Cain Park Arts Festival at Cain Park
This weekend's Cain Park Arts Festival includes artists who work in a variety of media including painting, watercolors, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, wood, leather, glass and other materials. This year's edition takes place from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com
Funny Marco at the Funny Bone
The comedian who boasts that he could be "the next Ghetto Oprah" is known for his ridiculous man-on-the-street interviews. He performs at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and at 6:30 and 9 p.m. on Sunday night at the Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com
Great White with White Lion at Northfield Park Racino
The two hard rock acts from the 1980s team up for this double bill that comes to Northfield Park Racino. The show starts at 8 p.m. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com
Grocer at Little Rose Tavern
The Philly-based experimental band comes to the Little Rose Tavern in advance of the release of a new album produced by Speedy Ortiz's Sadie Dupuis. The group recruited locals Slugg and Kid Primitive along with Chicago's Pet Peeves to share the bill. The gig starts at 8 p.m. 14206 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-331-1441, facebook.com/LittleRoseTavern
The James Hunter Six at Kent Stage
UK-based soul singer James Hunter comes to the Kent Stage as he tours in support of his new album, Off the Fence, which arrived on Easy Eye Sound, the label run by Akron native Dan Auerbach of Black Keys fame. The album embraces a '60s soul sound and songs such as "Two Birds One Stone" recall acts such as Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. 175 E. Main St., Kent, 330-677-5005, kentstage.org
Mean Girls at Beck Center for the Arts
The musical adapted from the film by the same name comes to Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood. It centers on a teenager who must navigate "frenemies" at her suburban high school. Friday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m., and the play runs through Aug. 9. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org
Summer Cocktail Party at Belle Oaks Marketplace
Belle Oaks Marketplace hosts this event to celebrate its pre-leasing event. It takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. and will feature cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. 775 Richmond Road, Richmond Heights, belleoaksmarketplace.com
Women in Metal: You Will Know My Name Exhibit Opening at the Rock Hall
Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of Halestorm will play an acoustic set to kick off the opening of this new exhibit at the Rock Hall. The exhibit focuses on how women such as Lita Ford, Alissa White-Gluz, Taylor Momsen and Courtney LaPlante have impacted rock 'n' roll. The kickoff concert begins at 7 p.m. 1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., Cleveland, 216-515-8444, rockhall.com
Y-Live 2026 at Stambaugh Stadium
Country superstars Jason Aldean and Eric Church headline this annual concert that takes place out at Stambaugh Stadium in Youngstown. Aldean headlines on Friday with support from singer-songwriter Travis Tritt, and Church headlines tomorrow night with support from singer-songwriter Ernest. Gates open at 6:30 both nights. 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, ylive2021.com
Saturday, July 11
78th Street Studios' 25th Anniversary Party
This event honors Dan Bush, the owner and developer who founded and grew 78th Street Studios into what is reportedly the largest arts complex in Northeast Ohio. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and tickets cost $25. 1300 W. 78th St., Cleveland, 78thstreetstudios.com
The Big Bounce America Tour at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
The Big Bounce America Tour that comes to Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea on Saturday and Sunday purports to be the biggest touring inflatable event in the world and includes seven massive inflatable attractions, including the newly expanded 24,000 square foot bounce house and a brand-new deep sea foam party inflatable. 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights, 440- 243-0090, thebigbounceamerica.com
Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs at Northfield Park Racino
The guitarist who famously played alongside the late Tom Petty for many years brings his solo project to Northfield Park Racino. The late Brian Wilson inspired the title track to Mission of Mercy, Campbell's latest solo effort. The show starts at 8 p.m. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-467-4101, northfieldparkracino.com
DC Young Fly at the Goodyear Theater
The comedian, actor, producer and musician performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the Akron Civic Theatre. His podcast, 85 South, is hugely popular, and he's appeared in major films such House Party and Candy Cane Lane. 1201 E. Market St., Akron, 330-659-7118, goodyeartheater.com
Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets in Concert at Blossom
On Saturday and Sunday night at 7 p.m. at Blossom, the Cleveland Orchestra plays the John Williams score to Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, which screens in high definition. 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com
Icons Fest at Cleveland Public Library and the Maltz Museum
This two-day festival celebrating the Maltz Museum exhibit Icons in Ink: The Jewish Comics Experience commences with two special events at the Cleveland Public Library that celebrate Cleveland's enduring connection to comics and popular culture. The festival continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday with a full day of programming at the Maltz Museum campus in Beachwood. 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland; 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood; 216-623-2800, cpl.org
Idobi Radio Summer School Tour at House of Blues
This North American traveling festival was founded by Warped Tour’s own Kevin Lyman, along with Eric Tobin (Hopeless Records) and Michael Kaminsky (a veteran artist manager). It’s a tour that carries the torch of a bygone era — this tour's lineup features Honey Revenge, South Arcade, Winona Fighter, Games We Play and Chase Petra. 308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-523-2583, houseofblues.com
Mindfulness for All at SPACES
Local musician LaToya Kent created this program a few years back and taught it throughout the Cleveland School District. Now, she brings it to SPACES. Combining art and music therapy with activities revolving around sharing and spatial awareness, it develops social emotional learning for people age 5 and older. It takes place on Saturday at 1 p.m. 2900 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-621-2314, spacesgallery.org
Music in the Valley Folk & Wine Festival at Hale Farm & Village
This annual event at Hale Farm & Village in Akron provides programs about the history of folk music. There all be talks about local food history and historic demonstrations. It begins at 10 a.m. 2686 Oak Hill Road, Akron, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org
The Scarlet Letter at Cleveland Public Library
The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium presents this screening of the 1926 drama The Scarlet Letter with an original compilation score played live by the all-local Cleveland Photoplayers. The score will include music by the late John Stepan Zamecnik, a Cleveland native who became a major composer for silent “photoplays.” The event begins at 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Public Library’s Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium. 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-623-2800, cpl.org
Sunday, July 12
Beachland Flea at Beachland Ballroom
Local vendors will be on hand with vintage clothes, vinyl and other rock memorabilia at this event that takes place at 10 a.m. at the Beachland Ballroom. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com
Concerts at Lakeview Cemetery
The annual summer concert series at Lake View Cemetery offers locals yet another great opportunity to savor some free outdoor performances. The concert series takes place on the Garfield Monument lawn, making it one of the most unique settings in the city. Lake View Cemetery has partnered with Jim Wadsworth Productions to set the lineup. Concerts take place from 4 to 6 p.m. Feel free to bring a lawn chair, blanket or picnic basket. The contemporary local jazz group Horns & Things will perform on Sunday. Admission is free. 12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-421-2665, lakeviewcemetery.com
Natya Katha: Stories That Dance at the Community Arts Center
Coinciding with the Cleveland Museum of Art exhibition Epic of the Northwest Himalayas: Pahari Paintings from the “‘Shangri’ Ramayana," this dance performance features Indian classical dancers from Shri Kalaa Mandir. It takes place at noon at the Community Arts Center. 2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-707-2483, clevelandart.org
Reggae Sundays at Music Box Supper Club
This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series continues every Sunday through the end of the summer. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Music Box will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.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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