Cleveland Public Library Street Fest
Wish a happy 150th birthday to the Cleveland Public Library. To celebrate, they’re blocking off Superior Avenue and giving Cleveland a street festival to remember. Meet Eric Litwin, the author who wrote the original version of Pete the Cat or watch the Hiplet Ballerinas as they give you a show that blends classical ballet with hip hop. End the night in laughs with comedian Roy Woods Jr. who appears on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. The library will also be unveiling their art installation See Also in the Eastman Reading Garden. Free. July 27 1 p.m.-10 p.m., Cleveland Public Library, 325 Superior Ave., Cleveland, 216-623-2800, cpl.org
Asian Lantern Festival
Due to its overwhelming success — the event had to be extended last year and again this year — the Asian Lantern Festival is back at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with 40 new lantern displays. Hundreds of lanterns are placed throughout the zoo from the entrance to the African Savanna and all the way to the Asian Highlands. Spend some time walking through the 100-foot-long Shark Tunnel or watch the new live acrobatic performance based on traditional Chinese practices. $18.50-$20.50. July 26-28 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m., Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, 216-661-6500, clevelandmetroparks.com
Border Light Festival
A new theatre festival offering 40 productions from around the world in 11 indoor and outdoor venues allows you to choose your own adventure this weekend. Hop on a free downtown trolley and explore the fringe performance that is a tribute to 90s pop phenomenon TLC’s Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes or watch the play AntiCone. The play is inspired by Sophocles' Antigone and follows the story of an immigrant who is forced to build a wall against her country. $10-$30. July 26-27, call or visit website for times and locations, 216-356-6485, borderlightcle.org
Opera in the Italian Garden
A summer tradition since the 1940s, the Cleveland Opera and the Cleveland Ballet pair up for a concert in the Italian Garden at the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. The performance will feature new songs from the famous Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli this year. Only 250 chairs will be provided, so make sure to bring some seats from home as last year they had over 2,000 people attend and as of press time, over 6,500 people have said they are interested in the Facebook event. You can also bring your own picnic or snack on traditional Italian treats such as wood-fired pizza and gelato. Free. July 28 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Cleveland Cultural Gardens, 750 E 88th St., Cleveland, theclevelandopera.org
Hootie and the Blowfish
It's been over 10 years since their last album Looking for Lucky, so to celebrate the end of their hiatus and release of their new music Hootie and the Blowfish, lead by country singer Darius Rucker, is bringing their Group Therapy tour to Blossom Music Center. Listen to their new music, and then let the feeling of nostalgia creep up in you as you listen to their old classics such as "Hold My Hand" and "Only Wanna Be With You." $45-$575. 7:30 p.m., Blossom Music Center, 1145 W Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls, livenation.com
