50 Cent at Blossom Music Center
The rap icon known for hits like “In Da Club” and “21 Questions” bumps into Cleveland this weekend as a part of his The Final Lap tour. Special guests include Busta Rhymes and Jeremih, making for a bucket list rap lineup like no other this year. Tickets starting at $39.50, Aug. 6, 7 p.m., 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls,livenation.com
AIA Sand Festival at Edgewater Beach
Walk through and outdoor gallery of colossal sculptures — perhaps a beige dog standing at waist height or a miniature rendition of the Guardians of Traffic. You’re sifting through the AIA Sand Festival where volleyball and sand castle competitions collide for the perfect day out on Edgewater Beach. Free-$500, Aug. 5, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Edgewater Beach, Cleveland,facebook.com/events
Bluey’s Big Play at Playhouse Square
Round up the kids for this delightful play, featuring the Heelers in their first live show. Gorgeous puppets bring the characters to life like never before as they employ games and perhaps a bit of mischief that’ll have kids glued to their seats. $39.50-$69.50, Aug. 5-6, various times, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland,playhousesquare.org
Borderlight Fringe Festival
A celebration of culture and diversity in theater, Borderlight Fringe Fest boasts more than 130 performances across six venues and 15 stages around Playhouse Square. Don’t miss acts including Code Red: A Drag Manifesto or A Secret in Plain Sight, among many others. $12-$200, Aug. 3-5, various times, various locations, borderlightcle.org
Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End at Playhouse Square
The play chronicles the life of trailblazer Erma Bombeck, one of the first women journalists to reach a national audience with her columns, eventually spanning 900 newspapers in North America. $25-$50, July 29-Aug. 20, various times, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland,playhousesquare.org
Fin Fest at Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Chock-full of shark-related trivia, videos and more, Fin Fest offers Clevelanders a chance to learn about the diversity and importance of our toothy, underwater friends. Make sure to don your sharkiest gear when you go for a chance to win a $125 gift certificate at the Gift Shop. Free-$19.95, through Aug. 6, various times, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland,greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Mudvayne and Gwar at Blossom Music Center
Come out to Blossom Music Center again this weekend for an evening filled with wild guitar riffs and alien guts. The most notorious band in the galaxy just premiered its NPR Tiny Desk Concert, but Clevelanders will get the full experience this summer in their own backyard. Tickets starting at $35, Aug. 4, 5:30 p.m., 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls,livenation.com
MIX: Bourbon Street Parade
Aptly taking place on famous jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong’s birthday, this MIX boasts a celebratory lineup, including Mike Wade’s Nasty Nati Brass Band and DJ Pillo. Don’t knock the Creole-inspired menu courtesy of Bon Apetit. Free-$25, Aug. 4, 6-10 p.m., 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland,clevelandart.org
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Fest
For two entire weeks, Canton, the birthplace of pro football, comes alive for its annual enshrinement fest. More than 700,000 people, including NFL superstars, Hall of Famers like Cleveland’s own Joe Thomas and throngs of die-hard fans congregate for the festivities, which come to a close this weekend. Prices vary by event, through Aug. 7, various locations, profootballhoffestival.com
Twilight at the Zoo
Stocked with good food, good drinks and more than a dozen bands, Twilight at the Zoo makes for a special night out with more than 7,000 Clevelanders expected to pack the zoo. Animals will be safely inside after 8 p.m. for their welfare, so get there early if you want some time to check out the wildlife. Tickets starting at $100, Aug. 4, 7 p.m.-midnight, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland,clevelandzoosociety.org
Twins Days Festival
Imagine seeing double as far as the eye can see! That’s what you can expect at the annual Twins Days Festival — the largest gathering of twins in the world. This year’s event includes a talent show, food, Twins Days 5k Run, games and a spectacular fireworks display. The festival will be pirate-themed, so make sure to put your best hook forward! $5, August 4-6, 10260 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, twinsdays.org