CLEVELAND, Ohio - With summer now in full swing, it’s time to head outside for something fun to do. Country mega star Kenny Chesney will have fans on their feet at Blossom Music Center while the traditional Parade the Circle returns to Wade Oval for another year. “In the Heights” finishes up its Cleveland run, but there’s plenty of community theater options to check out. And if that’s not enough, playoff hockey takes the ice as the Monsters continue their series against Hershey.
Here’s our curated list of 24 things taking place downtown and across Northeast Ohio this weekend and beyond.
Kenny Chesney: Sun Goes Down Tour
The long-reigning stadium-filling country superstar, who was the only country artist listed among Billboard’s Top 10 touring acts of the century, is hitting the road behind his 20th studio album “Born,” released in March, and is purposely touring more “intimate” amphitheaters rather than his usual stadiums. Singer-songwriter Megan Moroney will open the show. Tickets start at $66.70.
Blossom Music Center, 1145 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls
7:30 p.m., June 6
Parade the Circle and Circle Village
Visitors can experience interactive activities offered by the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland History Center, and Cleveland Botanical Garden. Attendees can also enjoy culinary offerings from local vendors and groove to the beat of Latin City Soul Band live on stage. Participants and spectators are invited to explore the beauty of unity in diversity through imaginative costumes, towering puppets, floats, and intricately crafted masks. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. in Circle Village with fun continuing until 4 p.m. in Wade Oval. The parade kicks off at noon from the museum’s north entrance.
Cleveland Museum of Art and Wade Oval, Cleveland
June 8
clevelandart.org/events/parade-circle
“Bon Jovi Forever”
A new, full-floor exhibition chronicling the band’s four-decade history will open to the public on the sixth level of the Rock Hall on Saturday, June 8. The band will be present that day to partake in a Q&A session at the Foster Theater. It will simulcast to the Rock Hall’s Union Home Mortgage Plaza. Fans can gather “watch party”-style at 3:30 p.m. on the plaza to view the Q&A at no cost.
1100 Rock & Roll Blvd., Cleveland
June 8
rockhall.com/exhibitions/bon-jovi-forever/
Monsters vs. Hershey
Playoff hockey continues as Cleveland hosts the Hershey Bears in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Tickets $10 and up.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
Game 4: 7 p.m., June 6
Game 5 (if necessary): 7 p.m., June 8
Mix: All Out
The Cleveland Museum of Art’s popular party returns with a night of themed food, light displays, dancing, drag and more all in support of Pride Month. Event is 21+ only. See website for costume limitations and other details. Tickets $16, free for museum members.
11150 East Blvd., Cleveland
6 - 10 p.m., June 7
clevelandart.org/events/mix-all-out
Read more: Cleveland Museum of Art’s June MIX recognizes Pride Month
Orville Peck: The Stampede Tour
The South African country star with the fringed mask brings his not-so-secret identity and music from his upcoming third album, “Stampede Vol. 1″, to Cleveland. Durand Jones and Debbii Dawson will open. 6 p.m. Tickets start at $29.
Jacobs Pavilion, 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland
7 p.m., June 7
The Hooley at Kamms Corners
Celebrating 15 years with local food, musical acts and much more. Enjoy booths with both vendors and artists, a pair of stages featuring live music, a dedicated family fun area and much more.
Lorain Ave., Cleveland (between Rocky River Dr. and W. 168 St.)
Noon - 8 p.m., June 8
Art by the Falls
40th annual fine arts and crafts festival moves to a new location for 2024 and features more than 140 booths of artists and vendors. Festival also includes food trucks, live music, kids pavilion and much more. Admission is free.
Cleveland Metroparks Polo Fields, Chagrin Falls
10 a.m. - 7 p.m., June 8
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., June 9
valleyartcenter.org/artbythefalls.html
Foreigner & Styx with John Waite
Freshly minted 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Foreigner are on what’s been billed as their farewell tour along with fellow ‘70s and ‘80s classic rock stalwarts Styx and John “Missing You” Waite. Tickets start at $41.30.
Blossom Music Center, 1145 W Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls.
6:45 p.m., Wednesday, June 12.
Crocker Park Block Party
Westlake’s biggest block party returns for its 4th year featuring games, exhibits, demonstrations, touch-a-truck opportunities and much more. Free.
Crocker Park, 177 Market St., Westlake
11 a.m. - 3 p.m., June 9
Crushers vs. Aigles
The Lake Erie Crushers welcome the Trois-Rivières Aigles to town for a three-game weekend series. Friday is Star Wars Night and Saturday is Pride Night. Each game will be followed firework. Sunday afternoon’s game is Superhero Day. Kids can run the bases and get player autographs after the game.
Crushers Stadium, 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon
7:05 p.m., June 7 & 8
2:05 p.m., June 9
lakeeriecrushers.com/2024-game-schedule/
“In the Heights”
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical finishes up its Cleveland run as Cleveland Play House presents an electrifying story of hope, heritage and love set in the predominately Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights. Tickets $35-$102.
Allen Theatre, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Now through June 9
Review: ‘In The Heights,’ Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first musical, comes alive at Cleveland Play House
Today’s Bride Summer Wedding Show
Check out the latest wedding trends and enjoy live fashion shows as you find inspiration for your own special event. More than 80 vendors will be in attendance. Tickets are $12 online, $15 at the door.
I-X Center, Cleveland
11 a.m. - 4 p.m., June 9
Ben Brainard
Comedian known for his sketch comedy series, “The Table,” takes the stage for one night this weekend. Tickets $25 - $35.
Hanna Theatre, 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland
8 p.m., June 9
playhousesquare.org/events/detail/ben-brainard
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝗻𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗲
The Tony and Drama Desk award-winning “Putnam County Spelling Bee” is coming to Cain Park. It tells the story of an eclectic group of middle-school spelling champions. The show is performed without an intermission and is rated “PG-13″ Tickets $25 to $35.
14591 Superior Road, Cleveland Heights
7 p.m., June 6 - 8
2 p.m., June 9
Polymer Palooza
Free community event designed to educated families on the role polymers play in our everyday lives. Day features demonstrations, hands-on experiments, interactive exhibits and more.
Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St., Akron
10 a.m. - 1 p.m., June 8
downtownakron.com/event/polymer-palooza
Rockin’ on the River
Northern Ohio’s longest-running outdoor summer concert series returns to Black River Landing. This Friday features Forever Seger tribute band with special guest Invincible, Ohio’s premiere Pat Benatar tribute group. Tickets $10. Kids 12 and under are free.
421 Black River Lane, Lorain
6:15 p.m., June 7
Jacob Collier: Djesse Vol. 4 North America Tour
The wildly popular YouTuber and multi-talented musician returns to Jacobs Pavilion with songs from volume four of his Djesse project, featuring Brandi Carlile, Shawn Mendes, Kirk Franklin, John Legend, John Mayer, and others. Tickets start at $39.50.
7 p.m. Wednesday, June 12
Jacobs Pavilion, 2014 Sycamore St., Cleveland
Cleveland Museum of Art: Africa & Byzantium
CMA’s flagship spring exhibition features more than 160 works that trace the influence of Christianity through the rise and fall of the Byzantine Empire and the expansion of Islam starting in the fourth century. Tickets $12-$15. Free for members.
11150 East Blvd., Cleveland
Now through July 21
‘The Little Mermaid’
11th All-City Musical featuring a cast made up of Akron’s best high school talents performing all your favorite Disney tunes. Tickets $15-$30.
Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron
7 p.m., June 7
2 p.m. and 7 p.m., June 8
2 p.m., June 9
‘Footloose: The Musical’
Based on the screenplay of the iconic ‘80s film starring Kevin Bacon, get on your feet and dance to some of your favorite songs from the decade. This performance is rated PG-13. Tickets are $27 for adults, $25 for students and seniors and $15 for children 10 and under.
Corning Auditorium, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby
7:30 p.m., June 7-8
2:30 p.m., June 9
fineartsassociation.org/performance/
‘School of Rock: The Musical’
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s two-act show based on the movie features wannabe rock star Dewey Finn who tries to earn a little extra cash by posing as a teacher at a prestigious school. Tickets $22, $17 for students and seniors.
Cassidy Theatre, 6200 Pearl Rd., Parma Heights
7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays
Now through June 23
cassidytheatre.com/schoolofrock
‘A Doll’s House, Part 2′
‘A Doll’s House, Part 2″ is a contemporary “sequel” to Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 play “A Doll’s House.” It picks up 15 years after Nora Helmer left her stifling domestic life, and adds a contemporary take on many of the same issues. Tickets $38 (adults), $34 (for seniors 65 and older) and $17 for students with valid ID, and $12 for children 12 and under.
Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
7 p.m., June 7-8
2:30 p.m., June 9
‘Don’t Dress for Dinner’
The small, community theater will keep you entertained with this romantic farce. $21 regular, $17 senior, student, military
Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 40 River Street, Chagrin Falls
Through June 15