CLEVELAND (April 5, 2023) – Spring has arrived in #TheLand. It’s time for locals to brush off the kayak, lace up those walking shoes and start taking advantage of all that the season has to offer. Whether snapping pictures among nature’s blooms or dancing to some DJ-spun polka beats on Dyngus Day, spring brings plenty of only-in-Cleveland things to do.
Baseball, Daffodils & Butterflies: Signs of Spring in The Land
Rain or shine, locals can look forward to certain annual traditions that mark the start of spring in Cleveland, including:
Cleveland Guardians Opening Day
The Cleveland Guardians take on the Seattle Mariners at Progressive Field for their 2023 home opener an unofficial citywide holiday and harbinger of spring. While seated tickets for the game are sold out, fans can still head downtown for Opening Day festivities or snag a standing-room-only ticket. And, the new Ballpark Pass gives fans standing-room-only access to the fun all season long.
Other Guardians home game programming includes Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration Night (Friday, May 12) and Memorial Day weekend games at the ballpark (May 26-28). The first 12,500 fans to the May 26 and 27 games score free shirts and jerseys, and everyone will enjoy the end-of-game fireworks. Sunday, May 28 is Kids’ Day at the ballpark.
- Home opener game April 7 at 4:10 p.m.
- Full season schedule and individual game tickets online here
Daffodil Hill at Lake View Cemetery
A visit to Lake View Cemetery’s stunning carpet of more than 100,000 daffodils at “Daffodil Hill” is one of the most scenic springtime traditions in The Land. Before heading out the door with camera in tow, locals can check the Daffodil Hill webpage for updates on the bloom status. The cemetery also offers live classical music performances and ticketed special tours for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
- 12316 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
- Cemetery gates open 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Full schedule of events and tours online
Butterflies at Cleveland Botanical Garden
Rain or shine, flowers are always in bloom at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. At the beginning of April, more than 600 newly-emerged butterflies are released into the lush Costa Rica biome for Return of the Butterflies, delighting visitors of all ages as the winged insects land on shoulders and nectar bowls throughout the exhibit. Visitors can also grab tickets for the Botanical Garden’s earth-friendly Spring Egg Hunt (April 8), where children hunt for natural seed bomb eggs in the outdoor Hershey Children’s Garden.
- 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland
- General admission and special event tickets available online
Spring Celebrations from Around the World
In a land of more than 100 ethnicities, local celebrations of spring represent traditions from around the world. Regardless of their backgrounds, Clevelanders will enjoy the diverse music, food and culture on display at these upcoming spring festivals.
Dyngus Day: Polish Spring
This year marks the 13th annual celebration of Cleveland Dyngus Day, a celebration of Polish culture and traditions headquartered outdoors at Gordon Green. Authentic Polish foods (paczki and pierogi, anyone?), merchandise, beers and dancing to polka beats spun by renowned DJ Kishka will continue throughout the day, as well as the crowning of 2023’s “Ms. Dyngus Day.
- Monday, April 10, 10 a.m. - 8:30 pm.
- Gordon Green, 5400 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
- Tickets ($16 for adults, $5 for children) available online
Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival
Cleveland will once again be home to the Thyagaraja Festival, the largest Indian classical music festival outside of India. First celebrated in 1978, the event now spans 12 days of performances on Cleveland State University’s campus, attracting more than 10,000 attendees.
- April 5-16
- Cleveland State University
- Majority of concerts are free to the public; ticketed show details and schedule available online
Cleveland Asian Festival
Every May (Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month), the city’s diverse Asian immigrant communities come together for the Cleveland Asian Festival. Festival-goers can enjoy traditional musical and dance performances (including an Asia Pop Cover Dance Competition), shopping at a World Marketplace of local vendors and tasting their way through authentic Asian cuisines from area restaurants and culinary entrepreneurs.
- May 20-21, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- East 27th Street and Payne Avenue, Cleveland
- Festival admission and parking is free
Tremont Greek Fest
Locals have planned their annual Memorial Day weekend pilgrimage to the Tremont Greek Fest for more than 50 years. The event boasts some of the best Greek food and pastries in the city, along with live Greek music, dancing and cultural performances.
- May 26-29
- Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 2187 West 14th St., Cleveland
- Free parking available on church grounds and at Grace Hospital on W. 14th St.
Spring Into Nature: Hiking, Biking and Boating
After months of winter weather, it’s time to shed some layers and enjoy fresh air in The Land, whether strolling among the cherry blossoms around Wade Lagoon or getting back on the water in the best urban kayaking spot in the country
2023 Trailheads & Parks Passport
Destination Cleveland’s Trailheads & Parks passport makes it a breeze to check off that outdoor adventure bucket list in The Land. The 2023 edition of the passport includes 26 local trails for cyclists, hikers and walkers. Participants can accumulate points across all of Destination Cleveland’s experience passports to trade in for a variety of Cleveland-branded prizes, including water bottles, tote bags, koozies and more.
Take a Hike
With hundreds of miles of hiking trails in The Land, there’s no shortage of options for hikers of all activity levels. One of the newest trails is the Eastern Ledge Trail, a mile‐long path just opened in October 2022, featuring a suspension bridge and access to beautiful overlooks.
Cleveland’s spring rains have an upside: the dozens of waterfalls in the region are at their peak flow, making it an ideal time to chase that waterfall. Adventurers can admire the tallest waterfall in the county at Mill Creek Falls or head to Cuyahoga Valley National Park for the popular Brandywine Falls trail and lookout.
Towpath Half Marathon & 5 Mile Run
Runners ready to ditch the treadmill can head outside for The Towpath Half Marathon and Five Mile Race, the first in the 2023 Towpath Trilogy of races scheduled from April to October. Participation supports the programming of the Towpath Trail and the development of Canal Basin Park.
Cycling in The Land
Bicycling enthusiasts can enjoy the return of colorful leaves and flowers along Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail. While the trail offers more than 90 miles of urban and forested pathways, it also runs directly through the Tremont neighborhood, offering relaxed riders the chance to grab a coffee or cold beer as part of their cycling outing.
The newly opened Cleveland‐Cliffs Bike Park brings thrill-seeking cyclists an outdoor complex with a pump track for bicycle motocross, a bike playground for beginners and a competition course with rollers, berms and a tunnel. The park connects to the Towpath Trail, providing trail access to Downtown Cleveland.
- Tremont-area Towpath Trail Parking and access point at Sokolowski’s Overlook: 1203 University Rd., Cleveland
- Bicycle rentals available at various locations throughout the region, including Ohio City Bicycle Co-op in The Flats (rentals start at $40 for half-day) and Century Cycles in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (rentals start at $12/hr).
Getting Out on the Water
Spring weather means the beginning (at least for locals not in possession of a wetsuit) of getting back out on the water. Stand up paddleboarding, jet skiing and kayaking rentals along Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River reopen in mid-to-late May. Residents looking for a little less paddling might book a cruise on the Nautica Queen (cruising season restarts in April) or the Goodtime III (sightseeing and special events cruises begin in May).
- Kayak, paddleboard and jet ski rentals available at various locations throughout the region beginning in May, including 41° North (Rocky River Reservation), Rico’s Rentals (Edgewater Beach) and Great Lakes Watersports (Flats West Bank)
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s concierge team is available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact the team via email ([email protected]), live chat at thisiscleveland.com, or stop at the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. for planning assistance.
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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. In 2021, visitation to Cuyahoga County rebounded to 16.1 million visits, a 17% increase after the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent in 2020. Destination Cleveland continues its work to rebuild the travel and tourism industry, with the goal of exceeding pre-pandemic success as quickly as possible. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.