15+ Things to Do in Cleveland This Weekend (June 18-21)

Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.

THU 06/18

15th Annual International Horror Hotel Film Festival

Dan O’Shannon, an Emmy-winning and Academy, Award-nominated writer and producer whose credits include Modern Family, Frasier, Cheers and Newhart, is among the guests at this annual event that’ll feature screenings of some 175 films. New for 2026 is Filmmaker Bingo, a kickoff event in connection with Women in Film & Television Ohio (WIFTOH). Also debuting this year is the Spooky Sunday Costume Competition. The competition lineup also includes a timed filmmaking challenge. Festival programming will run from today through Sunday.

7230 Engle Rd., Middleburg Heights, horrorhotelfilmfest.com.

The Avett Brothers and Mike Patton Present AVTT/PTTN

The Avett Brothers team up with Faith No More singer Mike Patton for an experimental night of music presented under the AVTT/PTTN banner. The show begins at 7 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion.

2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

Cleveland Metroparks Summer Concert Series

Euclid State Beach plays host to this summer concert series put on by Cleveland Metroparks. The event featuring local music runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and features everything from funk to gospel and jazz. Food trucks will be on hand for the event, and there will be a beer garden as well.

16301 Lake Shore Blvd., 216-635-3200, clevelandmetroparks.com.

Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country with Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives

Singer-guitarist Daniel Donato puts a psychedelic twist on his particularly style of country music. It should pair well with old school country singer-songwriter Marty Stuart, who shares the bill. Tonight’s concert begins at 7 at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

The Great Gatsby

The Tony Award-winning musical based on the classic F. Scott Fitgerald book set in the Roaring Twenties comes to Connor Palace. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30, and the play runs through June 28.

1615 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Juneteenth Celebration

Hale Farm & Village in Peninsula celebrates Juneteenth with activities, demonstrations and discussions designed to transport you back to 1870. Today’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the event continues through Sunday.

2686 Oak Hill Rd., Akron, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.

Pints and Portraits

Local photographer Angelo Merendino’s work has been featured in The New York Times and Men’s Health Magazine. From 4 to 7 p.m. today at Forest City Brewery, he will snap black-and-white portraits at an event dubbed Pints & Portraits. Admission is free.

2135 Columbus Rd., 216-228-9116, forestcitybrewery.com.

The Secret Garden

The Hoke Theatre at the Stocker Arts Center in Elyria hosts this musical based on the children’s novel. The story centers on an 11-year-old orphan who finds a garden that transforms her life. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7 p.m., and performances continue through Sunday.

1005 North Abbe Rd., Elyria, 440-366-4040, lorainccc.edu.

Tommy Stinson

As a key member of the Replacements, the terrific ’80s post-punk act from Minneapolis, Tommy Stinson cemented his musical legacy. He continues to flex his creativity with various solo projects and brings his latest tour to the Treelawn tonight. The group English Teeth will back Stinson for a set and then Stinson will play an acoustic set. The band and Stinson will return for another hour of “loud, rockin’ material.”

15335 Waterloo Rd, 216-677-8733, thetreelawn.com.

FRI 06/19

Ajayi Dance: Half the Sky

This local dance company features a cast of 18 dancers who’ll present new and recent work by founder and director Melissa Ajayi. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at the Westfield Studio Theatre, where performances continue through Sunday.

1501 Euclid Ave., 216-664-6050, playhousesquare.org.

Ballet Under the Stars

This performance from Ohio Contemporary Ballet will commence with a free ballet class for kids. That will take place at 6 p.m., and then Ohio Contemporary Ballet will take the stage at 7 p.m. The event takes place at the OCBallet Center in Shaker Heights. Tickets are free, but reservations are requested. The event repeats tomorrow.

3558 Lee Rd., Shaker Heights, 216-916-9360, shakerartscouncil.org.

Bleachers Forever

The indie pop band performs at 6:30 p.m. at Jacobs Pavilion as it brings its tour in support of its new album, everyone for ten minutes, to town.Band leader Jack Antonoff has won multiple Grammys and possesses sharp pop sensibilities.

2014 Sycamore St., 216-861-4080, jacobspavilion.com.

Speech & Debate

Case Western Reserve University’s Don Carrier directs this play about high school students who aim to expose a corrupt drama teacher. Tonight’s performance takes place at 7:30 at Beck Center for the Arts, where performances continue through June 28.

17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.

The Strokes: Reality Awaits North America

In the late ’90s, the Strokes heralded a new age of garage rock that included acts such as the White Stripes and the Hives. When that scene simmered, so did the Strokes. Singer Julian Casablancas pursued a solo career, and the group would reconvene to play the occasional festival. Just this year, the band returned with a new studio album, and this tour supports that release. Tonight’s show begins at 7 at Blossom.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.

Third Friday

From 5 to 9 p.m., many of the 78th Street Studios resident artist studios and galleries will be open as part of this monthly event. There will be live music, and Local West, a Gordon Square sandwich shop, will serve food. BARneo will have a selection of adult beverages as well. Admission is free.

1300 West 78th St., 78thstreetstudios.com.

SAT 06/20

Artist in the Atrium

Every third Saturday of each month, stop by the Ames Family Atrium between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to get a firsthand look at the art-making process. Each session provides the opportunity to engage and interact with a different Northeast Ohio maker during pop-up demonstrations and activities.

11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.

C.S. Lewis on Stage

Max McLean brings his one-person show about the author of The Chronicles of Narnia to the Hanna Theatre. Performances take place at 4 p.m. today and at 3 p.m. tomorrow.

2067 East 14th St., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.

Dumpstaphunk

The New Orleans jazz group plays the music of Sly and the Family Stone at this special show that takes placeat 7 p.m. at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights.

14591 Superior Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-371-3000, cainpark.com.

FamJam

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s free family event features kids activities and live performances. The show will include a performance by local musician Mr. Jeff, balloon twisting with Flower Clown and bubbles with Bubble Wanda. The Center for Arts Inspired Learning and Hungry for Music will take donations to support local music education programs. It all goes down from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com/event/fam-jam/.

Father’s Day at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Today and tomorrow, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium celebrates Father’s Day with parenting‑themed activities, extended hours and half off adult admission for dads, stepdads, foster dads and grandfathers with the purchase of another adult or child ticket. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2000 Sycamore Street, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com.

Sammy Hagar

The Red Rocker returns to Blossom tonight at 7. Those who know their hard rock history know that Hagar first became famous as with the hard rock band Montrose before replacing David Lee Roth as the lead singer of Van Halen for ten years. He’s continued to have a successful solo career and released his latest effort, Crazy Times, with his backing band, the Circle, two years ago. The concert begins at 6:30 p.m.

1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls, 216-231-1111, livenation.com.

Mindfulness for All

Local musician LaToya Kent created this program a few years back and taught it throughout the Cleveland School District. Now, she brings it to SPACES. Combining art and music therapy with activities revolving around sharing and spatial awareness, it develops social emotional learning for people age 5 and older. It takes place today at 1 p.m.

2900 Detroit Ave., 216-621-2314, spacesgallery.org.

Music in the Garden

These free concerts featuring local bands take place on the first and third Saturdays throughout the summer at the Ben Franklin Community Garden. You can bring a lawn chair, and admission is free. Tonight, the Zerbo Brothers play world music. The show begins at 6 p.m.

1905 Spring Rd., 216-459-1000, benfranklincommunitygarden.org.

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen

The bluegrass group comes to G.A.R. Hall in Peninsula as part of a tour in support of its latest album, Hold On. The show begins at 8 p.m.

1785 Main St., Peninsula, 330-657-2528, peninsulahistory.org.

Solstice 2026

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s annual solstice celebration returns with a lineup of world music that will play both inside the museum and on the grounds outside. The event begins at 7 p.m. and runs until midnight.

11150 East Blvd., 216-421-7350, clevelandart.org.

SUN 06/21

Sean Chambers Band

This blues guitarist has been a staple on the blues scene for decades now. This show supports his ninth album, Live From Daryl’s House Club, featuring the Savoy Brown Rhythm Section (Pat De Salvo on bass, Garnet Grimm on drums). That rhythm section will be on hand for tonight’s show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Winchester in Lakewood.

12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-600-5338, facebook.com/TheWinchesterMusicTavern.

Father’s Day Car Show

In addition to a car show featuring automobiles from the past 100 years, this event will feature live music and food trucks. There will also be glass blowing, blacksmithing and craft demonstrations. The event begins at 10 a.m. at Hale Farm & Village in Peninsula.

2686 Oak Hill Rd., Akron, 330-666-3711, halefarm.org.

Reggae Sundays

This special Reggae Sunday Happy Hour Concert series continues every Sunday through the end of the summer. The indoor/outdoor concert series will take place rain or shine with live music from 4 to 7 p.m. Music Box will also offer food and drink specials exclusive to the series., free.

1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.

Rock Hall Live: Kim Gordon

The Sonic Youth singer-guitarist performs at 8 p.m. at the Rock Hall. Gordon launched her solo career with 2019’s No Home Record and followed it up earlier this year with the trip-hop inspired No Play.

1100 Rock and Roll Blvd., 216-515-8444, rockhall.com.

World Cup Watch Party

Today at 11 a.m., CentroVilla25 hosts a free World Cup Watch Party that’ll include live music, outside food vendors, three bars, and a free street soccer Play Activation Zone in the parking lot. This event is part of Cleveland Soccer Group’s Summer of Soccer activation taking place during the World Cup.

3140 W. 25th St, 216-281-4422, cv25.org/.

Jeff Niesel

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