Chocolate Fest Cleveland at Lago Custom Events
Chocolate is its own universal language. Few can resist its sweet, rich flavor, which may be why many are flocking to Cleveland this weekend for the treat’s own fourth annual festival. Learn how to pair wine and chocolate with a pairing class or make your own truffles in another. Explore a chocolate martini bar and local chocolate vendors, storing away goodies in a souvenir bag given at the entrance. $25-$50, Oct. 3, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., 1091 W. 10th St., Cleveland, 216-410-9168, tastecle.com
Cleveland Horror Fest at Atlas Cinemas in Shaker Square
Lake Erie has been swallowing the sun a little quicker and there’s a chill in the air — the seasons have turned, and the shadows of Halloween are stretching across Northeast Ohio once again. Kick off the month right with the Cleveland Horror Fest, a showing of independent horror films from around the globe, complete with film and screenwriting workshops led by local professionals and a screenplay competition. $25-$147, Oct. 1-3, 13116 Shaker Square, Cleveland, 216-264-6170, clevelandhorror.com
Cleveland Witches Walk at The New Moon
A horde of witches will be marching down Madison Avenue this Saturday — and for a good cause. This year’s third annual Cleveland Witches Walk, themed Nola Up North, will be benefiting Collaborative to End Human Trafficking, in addition to highlighting local businesses and the soul-tingling licks and lyrics of S.J. Tucker, Austin Walkin’ Cane, Noon, and more. $15-$75, Oct. 2, noon-10 p.m., 15729 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-577-5454, clewitchwalk.com
Converge at Various Locations
Appearing across five separate venues is a staggering collection of artwork by at least 70 Northeast Ohio artists, each illustrating their personal LGBTQ experience. Over 140 pieces were chosen, showcasing a diverse range of mediums, including paint, photography, glass and fashion. Lake Erie College, one of the five venues, will hold the closing reception Oct. 14. Free, Aug. 26- Oct. 16, various locations, 216-721-9020, artistarchives.org
Food Truck Challenge at Crocker Park
It’s not surprising most Clevelanders fancy themselves food fanatics. Crocker Park’s sixth annual Food Truck Challenge gives each of us a chance to flex our flavor palate’s aesthetic. Attendees will have their chance to vote in their favorites, from categories such as “Best On A Plate,” to “Best Through A Straw.” Free, Oct. 2, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 189 Crocker Park Blvd., 440-835-9343, crockerpark.com
Great Harvest Haunt Experience at Holden Arboretum
The only thing that’s scary about this experience is not being able to help Ty the turkey find the food he needs to stake out the winter. Guests are invited to follow Ty through the grounds as he fills his cornucopia, answer riddles and learn about the foliage as they go. $15, Oct. 2 -Oct. 17, 95500 Sperry Road, Kirtland, 440-946-4400, holdenfg.org
Melt Bar and Grilled 15th Anniversary Rock & Roll Circus at the Grog Shop
Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, the Grog Shop is the ringmaster at its rock and roll circus this Saturday, celebrating gourmet comfort food favorite Melt Bar and Grilled’s 15 years. The night is sure to be shattered by guitar and vocals alike, with Cleveland metal band Ringworm taking the stage. Columbus’ energetic Lo-Pan will also be performing, along with Akron-based, progressive-rock band, Relaxer. $15, Oct. 2, 9 p.m., 2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs
Sunset Sprint 5K and 10K at Cleveland Metroparks Edgewater Park
As the sun lowers itself into the lake, let your heart rate rise as you sprint across the upper and lower loops of Edgewater Park. Fido can follow at your side, as the park is dog-friendly, and used shoes are welcome too, for a shoe drive coordinated by Fleet Feet and Running2BeWell. Proceeds for the race go toward the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. $30-$35, Oct. 1, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m., 6500 Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland, 216-623-9933, clevelandsports.org
Under The Sycamores at Erie Street Cemetery
Let the sounds of downtown die when you put in a pair of earbuds and pass under the Gothic gate of the historic Erie Street Cemetery. “Under the Sycamores, A Secret Path Audio Experience in Cleveland’s Historic Erie Street Cemetery,” is a 30–90-minute dig into the city’s historic characters, including Native American chiefs, a famous beat poet and a civil rights leader. $6, Download thru. Oct. 31, On-Demand, 2254 E. Ninth St., Cleveland, 216-456-6485, borderlightcle.org
The Weight of Time at Kaiser Gallery
As society continues to crawl through the shambles the year 2020 left behind, its echo is slowly being dissected for comprehensive speech. The artworks of Chad Eby, Danny Greene, Andrew Ellis Johnson, Matt Milligan, Haumed Rahmani and Nowhere Mountain featured in The Weight of Time reflect on the ramifications of a reeling world with a kind of clarity that only results in retrospect. Aug. 14-Oct. 10, Wed.-Fri. 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 4 p.m.-11 p.m. & Sun. noon-6 p.m., 2418 Professor Ave., Cleveland, 216-282-3826, kaisergallery.com