August is the last full month of summer, but there are still plenty of summertime activities happening around Cleveland this month.
This month is perfect for getting outside and soaking up the summer sunshine, and there is no shortage of ways to do that. From sporting events to festivals to fairs, here are the best things to do in Cleveland this August.
Weather in Cleveland in August
Like July, August is a very hot month in Cleveland. The average daily high temperature is 80° F while the average daily low is 67° F, but you can usually count on some humidity to make it feel hotter. You can expect rain on average 7 days this month.
With mostly sunny skies in August, don’t forget your sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and a bottle of water if you’ll be outdoors.
Top 10 Things to Do in Cleveland in August
1. AIA Cleveland Sand Fest
When: August 1, 2026
Where: Edgewater Beach, 6500 Cleveland Memorial Shoreway, Cleveland
It’s still summer, and what represents the season better than a beach day filled with volleyball and sand castles? The AIA Cleveland Sand Fest is an annual event that focuses around a sand castle building/sculpting competition on the beach, and also features some beach volleyball competitions.
This year’s Sand Fest theme is “Cleveland in the Year 3000,” and should be lots of fun!
The event is a fundraiser for the ACE Mentor Program’s scholarship fund, but is free for spectators to attend.
2. Lakewood Arts Festival
When: August 1, 2026
Where: Downtown Lakewood
The Lakewood Arts Festival is an annual festival held in downtown Lakewood, right next to Cleveland. This free festival is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
You can enjoy browsing the booths of local artisans and shop for unique handmade gifts. There will also be live music in several locations around Lakewood, as well as local food vendors.
3. Vintage Ohio Wine Festival
When: August 7-8, 2026
Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd, Kirtland
Another event coming to northeast Ohio in August is the Vintage Ohio Wine Festival. This outdoor festival offers attendees the chance to sample wines from local Ohio wineries, as well as enjoy food, live music entertainment, artisans, and shopping.
Tickets are $39 if purchased in advance and $45 at the door. Admission includes wine samples from all wineries present at the festival. (And there’s also a designated driver ticket for $15.)
4. Cuyahoga River Rally
When: August 8, 2026
Where: Hart Crane Memorial Park, 1824 Merwin Ave, Cleveland
Celebrate the renewal of the Cuyahoga River with a day full of river-focused fun at Hart Crane Park, next to Merwin’s Wharf in Irishtown Bend in the Flats.
This river celebration will include a Festival Village to explore, live music, a beer garden, and river activities including free boat rides, kayak tours, birding tours, dragon boat demonstrations, and more!
Learn more at the River Rally website.
5. Cleveland Kite Festival
When: August 9, 2026
Where: Edgewater Park, Cleveland
Put on each year by the Ohio Society for the Elevation of Kites, the Cleveland Kite Festival draws kite fliers and enthusiasts from northeast Ohio and beyond for a day of kite-flying fun on the shore of Lake Erie.
There are various competitions and games, along with demonstrations like the Mystery Ballet, where kites are flown synchronized to music. This is a fun day out for the whole family!
6. Cuyahoga County Fair
When: August 11-16, 2026
Where: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights
If you’re looking for a fun summer activity near Cleveland, don’t miss the Cuyahoga County Fair. Located less than half an hour from Downtown Cleveland, this annual fair is a week-long event featuring rides, games, food, entertainment (including a demolition derby this year), and fun for the whole family.
Tickets range from $9-$12, and active duty military members get in free. Children 3 and under also receive free admission.
7. Visit a sunflower field
When: All month long
Where: Various location
Nothing says summer quite like sunflowers in bloom. Late summer is the best time to see sunflowers, with most in the Cleveland area blooming between early August and mid-September (although some may bloom as early as mid-July, or as late as early October).
There are several great sunflower fields near Cleveland where you can admire the sunny yellow blooms and take photos. Some sunflower fields also allow you to pick your own sunflowers to take home with you.
Ones that usually bloom in August include:
- Greenfield Berry Farm
- Rogish Farm
- Medina Sunflower Farm
8. Ohio Burlesque Festival
When: August 13-15, 2026
Where: Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland
Head to the East Side for this super fun event: the Ohio Burlesque Festival! This award-winning festival brings 50+ entertainers from around the world to the Beachland Ballroom, performing everything from burlesque to drag to vaudeville and more.
Tickets start at $30 when you buy in advance, and there are 3-day GA passes available for $70. More ticket info here!
9. Feast of the Assumption
When: August 13-16, 2026
Where: Holy Rosary Church, 12021 Mayfield Rd, Cleveland
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Cleveland this month, don’t miss the Feast of the Assumption. This Catholic holiday commemorates Mary being taken into Heaven, and it’s celebrated for four days in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood.
The holiday kicks off with a Mass at Holy Rosary Church, but the following festivities are what really draw the crowds. Everyone is welcome to participate in the celebration, which includes Italian foods, desserts, live music, and rides for kids.
This is a very popular event every year in Little Italy – these streets get absolutely packed with thousands of people! You can find a full event schedule here.
10. Cleveland Garlic Festival
When: August 29-30, 2026
Where: 13111 Shaker Square, Cleveland
One of the most unique things happening in Cleveland this month is the Cleveland Garlic Festival. It’s the annual fundraiser for the North Union Farmers Market, and it’s a lot of fun.
You can expect delicious garlic-themed food and events including the Garlic Grill Off and Miss Garlic 2024 competitions, along with live music, entertainment, and kids’ activities.
What are you most excited for in Cleveland in August?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’s sharing her love of the Cleveland area, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.
What a wonderful article! You have done a great job of showcasing the fun and exciting things that Cleveland has to offer in August. I was especially interested in the BorderLight Fringe Festival and the Lakewood Arts Festival. They sound like a lot of fun and a great way to experience the culture and art of Cleveland. I can’t wait to check them out!