Things to Do This Weekend In Cleveland: Oct. 9-12

Thursday, Oct. 9

2025 Best of Cleveland Party at Great Lakes Science Center
Cleveland Magazine and Scene host this 2025 Best of Cleveland Party at the Great Lakes Science Center featuring the very best in local food, drinks, shopping and live music all under one roof at the Great Lakes Science Center. More than 75 Best of Cleveland winners will be on hand to showcase what makes them a local favorite. There will be an array of local bites and brews. DJ E-V, Bad JuJu Cleveland and Hayden Grove will provide the music. It starts at 7 p.m. 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, 216-377-3667, cletix.com/events/best-of-cleveland-2025

Chagrin Documentary Film Festival in Chagrin Falls
The programming at this annual event that takes place at a variety of venues in Chagrin Falls includes 10 world premieres and 23 U.S, Midwest or Ohio debuts. More than 50 filmmakers from across the country and the globe will attend to participate in Q&A sessions and audience discussions. It continues through Sunday. Various locations in Chagrin Falls, chagrinfilmfest.org

Dido and Aeneas at the Helen
This Henry Purcell opera is considered a "gem of the baroque repertoire." A performance of it takes place at 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Helen, where performances continue through Saturday. 1407 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Sunday in the Park with George at the Hanna Theatre
The Sondheim musical that features songs such as songs like “Finishing the Hat,” “Sunday” and “Move On" comes to the Hanna Theatre as the Great Lakes Theater presents its production of the play. Thursday's performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. and performances continue through Sunday. 2067 East 14th St., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Trifonov Plays Brahms at Mandel Concert Hall
Pianist Daniil Trifonov joins the Cleveland Orchestra as it takes on Brahms' famous Second Piano Concerto. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Mandel Concert Hall, where it repeats on Friday and Saturday. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-231-1111, clevelandorchestra.com

ZZ Top at MGM Northfield Park
The classic rock act out of Texas first formed way back in 1969 when two rival acts — Billy Gibbons’ Moving Sidewalks and Frank Beard and Dusty Hill’s American Blues — joined forces to become a single entity. The group delivered a huge hit in 1973 with "La Grange," a gritty blues number that introduced its singular sound. The band returns to MGM Northfield Park's Center Stage for a show begins at 7:30 p.m. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com

Friday, Oct. 10

Michael Blackson at the Funny Bone
Known as the "African King of Comedy," Michael Blackson developed his comedic skills with original humor and the ability to be fearless on stage. He jokes about current affairs and takes aim at celebs such as Kim Kardashian and Michael Jordan. He performs at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday night at the Cleveland Funny Bone. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland, 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com

DEVOtional 2025 at Beachland Ballroom
The annual event that pays tribute to Akron's wonderful new wave group Devo returns to the Beachland Ballroom. Friday's celebration gets going at 6 p.m., and the festivities continue at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Bring your energy dome. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com

Hell's Kitchen at the State Theatre
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Alicia Keys inspired this musical about a 17-year-old girl who has a passion for music and strives to become a professional musician. Friday's performance takes at 7:30 p.m. at the State Theatre, where performances continue through Nov. 1. 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Pete Holmes at Hilarities
The comedian and actor brings his latest standup show, dubbed the Pete Here Now Tour, to Hilarities. Performances take place at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on Friday and at 6 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Saturday night. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

Matt Moody Album Release at Happy Dog
The local singer-songwriter plays a release party on Friday at 9 p.m. at the Happy Dog. The show celebrates his third full length album, The Misery County Line, a twangy affair that finds him vacillating between indie rock and alt-country. Songs for an Unknown God open. 5801 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-651-9474, happydogcleveland.com

Papadosio at Globe Iron
Ohio natives Papadosio have carved out a reputable niche in the jamtronica scene, and their arrival in Northeast Ohio is always welcome. The group performs at 7 p.m. on Friday at Globe Iron. Local heroes Vibe & Direct open. 2325 Elm St., Cleveland, globeironcle.com

Saturday, Oct. 11

Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
This veteran comedian has toured so extensively at this point in his career, that he can boast he's visited 40 different countries. He brings his latest tour, dubbed Laughs Funny, to the Mimi Ohio Theatre. The show begins at 7 p.m. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Eric Church: Free the Machine Tour at Rocket Arena
The country singer-guitarist known for his epic live shows comes to Rocket Arena. The current tour supports Church's ninth studio album, Evangeline vs. The Machine. In typical fashion, the album delivers moody numbers such as "Bleed on Paper" and calls-to-arms like "Hands of Time." The show begins at 7:30 p.m. One Center Court, Cleveland, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com

An Evening with Live at MGM Northfield Park
The '90s rock act performs at 8 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park's Center Stage. Led by emotionally charged singer-guitarist Ed Kowalczyk, the group delivered a huge hit in the mid-'90s with the anthem "Lightning Crashes." While it hasn't followed up with anything quite as massive, the band has remained active. 10705 Northfield Road, Northfield, 330-908-7793, mgmnorthfieldpark.mgmresorts.com

Kevin Gates at Jacobs Pavilion
The rapper out of Baton Rouge who made quite a splash with his 2016 debut studio album, Islah, comes to Jacobs Pavilion with opening acts Gelo and Rob Kazi. His latest album, I'm Him 2, serves as a sequel to 2019's I'm Him. The show begins at 7 p.m. 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com

Harvest Festival at Hale Farm & Village
This annual event that takes place Saturday and Sunday at Hale Farm & Village will feature cooking demonstrations, wagon rides provided by Trail Light Farms, early American crafts and trades, daily performances from Johnny Appleseed (portrayed by poet and educator Ray McNiece), seasonal games and activities, farm animals and Hale Farm’s MarketPlace. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 2686 Oak Hill Road, Newton Falls, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org

MOMIX: Alice at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
The celebrated dance group brings its production of Alice, a program that references characters from Alice in Wonderland, to the Mimi Ohio Theatre. Performances take place at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org

Speedbump Fest at Musica
The national act the Briefs, along with Ohio locals SlutBomb, HAMS and Hell Is Here will perform at Musica as part of the 10th iteration of this DIY festival. 51 East Market St., Akron, 330-374-1114, akronmusica.com

Spooky Pooch Parade at Madison Park
An annual affair, the Spooky Pooch Parade attracts hundreds of dogs to Lakewood’s Madison Park. Scheduled to take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the event includes a festival within Madison Park, a parade and an awards presentation. It’s reportedly the only event of its kind within the region. The parade commences at 2 p.m. 13029 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-529-6650, lakewoodalive.com

Sunday, Oct. 12

Beachland Flea at Beachland Ballroom
An assortment of vendors selling everything from rock 'n' roll memorabilia to vintage clothing will be on hand for this semi-regular event that takes place Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Beachland Ballroom. 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, 216-383-1124, beachlandballroom.com

Aaron Berg at Hilarities
The comedian and actor who's appeared in films such as The Boondock Saints 2, Detroit Rock City and the Independent Spirit Award-winning The Lookout, brings his latest standup show to Hilarities. The show begins at 7 p.m. 2035 East Fourth St., Cleveland, 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com

Cleveland Bollywood Show! at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
This benefit concert will feature a performance by the Blue13 Dance Company, which combines hip-hop and contemporary dance. It begins at 5 p.m. at the Mimi Ohio Theatre. 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org