Akron Pride Celebration
The Rubber City will transform into the Rainbow City this Saturday as it hosts the first-ever Akron Pride Celebration. The LGBTQ community and its allies will celebrate with legendary singer Martha Wash, RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Derrick Barry and a number of other DJs, bands and performers. The Hardesty Park party will also feature local vendors, a bustling Kids’ Zone and exhibitors from organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and Equality Ohio. Free, Aug. 26, 12-8 p.m., 1615 W. Market St., Akron, akronpride.orgBeachland Summerfest
Whether you’re inside dancing along to catchy tunes or hanging outside at the beer garden, this daylong music fest is the perfect end to your summer. Six acts, ranging in style from garage rock to Americana, pave the way for folk rock headliner The Lighthouse and the Whaler to take the stage. But the fun doesn’t end when their set is done — hang around for a DJ after party. Beer, burgers, bands and Beachland Ballroom — sounds like the perfect recipe for a final summer Saturday. $10-14, Aug. 26, 3 p.m. (Doors open at 2 p.m.), 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, beachlandballroom.com
Cleveland Garlic Festival
Chopping garlic might bring tears to your eyes, but the Cleveland Garlic Festival will make sure they’re tears of joy. This weekend at Shaker Square, watch top chefs compete to concoct the tastiest garlic dishes (free for guests to sample), wave to Miss Garlic 2017 and her fairies as they parade the streets, or stop by the Mighty Locavores Area for kids’ tractor rides and cooking classes. After you’ve exhausted the garlic gourmet alley (Mitchell’s garlic ice cream anyone?), wash it all done with Ohio’s craft beers, wines, cocktails and cheeses. Proceeds go to North Union Farmers’ Market’s efforts to ensure communities have access to fresh produce each week. Free-$9, Aug. 26 & 27, Saturday: noon-9 p.m., Sunday: noon-6 p.m., 13111 Shaker Square, Cleveland, clevelandgarlicfestival.org
ContempOpera: PopOpera
An unlikely duo — opera and pop — takes the stage this Friday to kick off the final weekend of Tremont’s Arts in August series. Make your way to Lincoln Park to watch the local group bend genre, bring out surprise guests and showcase local, modern voices such as Cleveland Opera Theater founder Andrea Anelli and Kent voice professor Timothy Culver. Free, Aug. 25, 7 p.m., 2486 W. 14th St., Cleveland, contempoperacleveland.org
Night Market Cleveland
You don’t need a plane ticket to get an authentic Asian experience this weekend — just an RTA pass or a carpool. Red tents, bright carts and twinkling lights transform Cleveland’s AsiaTown into the kind of open-air market under the stars that’s more commonly seen halfway across the world. Indulge in pho, curry, bubble tea and more while vendors show off cultural arts, jewelry and clothing. Though the market has a traditional focus, it’s also uniquely Cleveland with offerings from local favorites such as Betty’s Bomb Ass Burgers, Mason’s Creamery and more. Free, Aug. 25, 5-11 p.m., East 21st Street and Rockwell Avenue, Cleveland, nightmarketcle.com