CLEVELAND (August 12, 2019)— While Labor Day might be the unofficial end to summer, plenty of fair weather remains for Clevelanders to enjoy everything that the region has to offer. The three-day, holiday weekend is jam-packed with special events ranging from family-friendly festivals and fairs to pitch-perfect performances and awesome aviation. Destination Cleveland recommends that residents continue being tourists in their hometown and take this time to explore Northeast Ohio over the long weekend.
Cleveland National Air Show
A Cleveland Labor Day Weekend favorite, the
Cleveland National Air Show gives locals a chance to experience the thrilling sights of the best in aviation and other high-flying fun. Burke Lakefront Airport welcomes spectators to witness the military’s finest aerial show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the Golden Knights and, for the first time in Cleveland, the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II. On the ground, locals can check out aircraft displays, participate in the Air Show Scavenger Hunt or explore the next frontier at the NASA Glenn Research Center exhibit. For other views of the Air Show, locals can climb aboard the historic
Steamship William G. Mather or watch at the
Air Show Family Picnic on the Great Lakes Science Center terrace overlooking North Coast Harbor.
- Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road, Cleveland
- Saturday, Aug. 31 - Monday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Air Show Deck Party on the Mather and Air Show Family Picnic, Great Lakes Science Center
- Saturday, Aug. 31 - Monday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cleveland Labor Day Oktoberfest
From wiener dog races to beer stein-holding competitions,
Cleveland's Labor Day Oktoberfest
is one crazy way to enjoy the long weekend. Locals can indulge in German fare like knackwurst, bratwurst, goulash and schnitzel as the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds turns itself into a giant German biergarten. Attendees should have their dancing shoes ready as groups like the Chardon Polka Band and German Dance Group will perform throughout the festivities. If all that food and entertainment gets Clevelanders thirsty, there’s plenty of beer available. Residents can also dash around during the
Oktoberfest 5K and receive free admission to Oktoberfest, a goody bag, one free Mini Stein and a T-shirt.
- Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights
- Thursday, Aug. 29, 5 - 11 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 30, 4 p.m. - midnight; Saturday, Aug. 31 - Sunday, Sept. 1, noon - midnight; Monday, Sept. 2, noon - 8 p.m.
- Oktoberfest 5K Run, Monday, Sept. 2, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Believe in CLE Yoga Celebration
As a way to refresh and relax during the last days of summer, locals can participate in a free, outdoor yoga event as Inner Bliss Yoga Studio presents the
Believe in CLE Yoga Celebration. Taking place on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame plaza, yoga participants of all levels can stretch those weekday stressors away and leave feeling inspired. After yoga, residents can stop by the food and beer garden or even adopt a dog or cat from the Cleveland’s Animal Protection League. Participants also receive discounted Rock Hall admission on select dates.
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, 1100 E. 9th St., Cleveland
- Friday, Aug. 30, 6:30 - 10 p.m.; registration required
Made in Ohio Art and Craft Festival
The
Made in Ohio Art and Craft Festival features more than 160 Ohio artisans, local food and entertainment at the Western Reserve Historical Society’s Hale Farm & Village. Residents can peruse items from jewelry artists, potters, woodworkers, glass artists and soap and lotion makers; or locals can channel their inner artist at workshops like floor cloth painting, paper marbling and wool felting. For an extra dose of history, guests can explore the grounds of Hale Farm & Village, complete with 32 historic structures, heritage gardens and early American craft and trade demonstrations.
- Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath
- Friday, Aug. 30, noon - 5 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 31 - Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The World’s Biggest Bounce House
The Guinness Book of World Record-winning
World’s Biggest Bounce House offers locals a chance to hop around an awesome inflatable theme park. The 10,000 square-foot, rainbow-colored bounce house castle has an inflatable obstacle course, a five-person slide race, a massive ball pit, basketball court and climbing towers. Games, confetti blasts, competitions and music from a live DJ amp up the fun.
- Victory Sports Park, 777 Victory Lane, North Ridgeville
- Friday, Aug. 30 - Monday, Sept. 2; time slots booked when purchasing tickets
Night Market Cleveland
As the sun sets on Rockwell Avenue in Cleveland’s AsiaTown, the crimson red tents and strings of lights set the scene for a bustling street market. At
Night Market Cleveland, residents can try cuisine from dozens of local vendors, shop for handmade and artisan goods and listen to live performances throughout the evening. An added bonus…the market is pet-friendly too!
- Rockwell Ave. and East 21st St., Cleveland
- Friday, Aug. 30, 5 - 11 p.m.
Cleveland Orchestra Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Coming to Blossom Music Center from a galaxy far, far way, the Cleveland Orchestra will perform the score of
“Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” live as the film plays
. Before the show starts, locals can picnic on the lawn or visit The Tasting Room, which features small bites and a selection of fine wines and spirits. And if the force is strong (a.k.a. if weather permits), fireworks will cap off the dynamic production.
- 1145 W. Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls
- Friday, Aug. 30 - Sunday, Sept. 1, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
The Great Geauga County Fair
Just under an hour from Downtown Cleveland, residents can spend the day at Ohio’s oldest annual county fair,
The Great Geauga County Fair. Guests have their pick from variety of fair activities, like the Apple Pie Contest, pig races, the Bubble Show, the hot air balloon ascension and the Demolition Derby. Live music, carnival rides and games for the kids and fantastic fair food round out the family fun.
- 14373 N. Cheshire St., Burton
- Thursday, Aug. 29 - Monday, Sept. 2, 9 a.m. - midnight
Fun, Family-Friendly Festivals
Throughout Labor Day weekend, Clevelanders can spend time at one of the many festivals taking place. From the
St. Rocco’s Festival to the
Hungarian Festival to the
St. Elias Middle Eastern Festival to the
St. John Cantius Polish Festival in Tremont, locals can enjoy ethnic eats, live entertainment and other special activities at these celebrations.
- St. Rocco’s Festival, 3205 Fulton Road, Cleveland
- Thursday, Aug. 29, 5 - 10 p.m.; Friday, Aug. 30, 5 - 11:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 31, 3 - 11:30 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 1, noon - 11:30 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 2, 1 - 11:30 p.m.
- St. Elias Middle Eastern Festival, 8023 Memphis Ave., Cleveland
- Friday, Aug. 30, 6 - 11 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 31, 3 - 11 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 1, noon - 11 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 2, noon - 6 p.m.
- St. John Cantius Polish Festival, 906 College Ave., Cleveland
- Saturday, Aug. 31 - Sunday, Sept. 1, 3 - 11 p.m.
- Hungarian Festival, 7863 York Road, Parma
- Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact the team through email at [email protected], live chat at thisiscleveland.com, or stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Mon. - Sat., 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. to plan your adventure. Please note, the Cleveland Visitors Center will be open on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 2) from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 18.5 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.