Summer is officially in full swing now that it’s July, and there’s a lot going on this month in and around Cleveland!
July means warm and sunny weather, celebrations like the 4th of July, and lots of great outdoor events and festivals. This is the best time of year to get out on the water in Cleveland or soak up the sun at a Cleveland-area beach.
Here are the best things to do in Cleveland this July!
Weather in Cleveland in July
July is the hottest month of the year in Cleveland, with an average daily high of 81° and an average low of 68° F. You can expect mostly sunny skies, but it does rain on average 7 days during the month of July.
Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lots of water if you’ll be spending time outside this month!
Top 10 Things to Do in Cleveland in July
1. 4th of July fireworks
When: Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Where: Various locations
One of the best things to do in Cleveland this month is catching the fireworks over Lake Erie on the 4th of July.
Light Up The Lake is the annual fireworks event in Downtown Cleveland that always draws a huge crowd. There’s a free event this year beginning at 5 p.m. in Voinovich Park that will feature a DJ, games, kids’ activities, and food trucks.
The fireworks show starts at 10 p.m. and features a spectacular show over the waterfront with Cleveland’s skyline in the background. The best places to watch include Voinovich Park, Edgewater Park (Upper Edgewater Park is where the above photo was taken), Wendy Park, and certain locations in The Flats.
There are other towns that do fireworks in the Cleveland area, too. Lakewood also puts on a great display, which is set to start at 9:45 p.m. on July 4th.
2. Asian Lantern Festival at the Zoo
When: Select nights from Friday, July 7 until Sunday, August 27, 2023
Where: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
The Asian Lantern Festival is one of my favorite things to do in Cleveland during July. This breathtaking and immersive display of lights and lanterns has become an annual summer event at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Life-sized (and larger-than-life!) colorful lanterns are spread out across the entire Zoo, and are illuminated after dark. This displays change each year, too, so if you’ve been before you can definitely still go again!
Tickets are available for walk-throughs or drive-throughs on select nights, with costs ranging from $19 to $25. In addition to access to the Asian Lantern Festival, your ticket provides same-day admission to the zoo as well.
You can find more information and purchase tickets on the Asian Lantern Festival’s website.
3. Attend the WonderStruck music festival
When: Saturday, July 8 through Sunday, July 9, 2023
Where: 7700 Clocktower Drive, Kirtland
WonderStruck is a great summer music festival to check out this month. This year’s lineup features artists like Khalid, Walker Hayes, Nelly, and Flo Rida.
It’s a weekend filled with live music and fun, with local vendors also present. Tickets cost $99 for one day and $175 for the weekend before taxes and fees.
4. Cleveland Burger Week
When: Monday, July 10 through Sunday, July 16, 2023
Where: Various locations
Burger lovers will be delighted to know that Cleveland Burger Week is returning this July. For one whole week, you can get $7 burgers at more than 50 restaurants around Cleveland.
This is a great way to try some new burger spots around the city and support local eateries.
For a full list of participating restaurants, see the Cleveland Burger Week website.
5. See a summer show at Blossom
When: Various dates in July
Where: Blossom Music Center, 1145 W Steels Corners Rd, Cuyahoga Falls
Blossom Music Center is an outdoor music venue in Cuyahoga Falls, about 40 minutes from Downtown Cleveland. And summer is the best time to enjoy a concert on the lawn at Blossom!
And while there are all sorts of concerts held at Blossom each summer, my favorite to attend is a performance by the Cleveland Orchestra, who call Blossom home during the summer.
There are great Orchestra concerts happening all month long, and you can even purchase a package to see multiple performances at a discounted rate. For the full summer concert season and to purchase tickets, check out the website here.
6. Enjoy the Uncorked wine festival
When: Saturday, July 15, 2023
Where: Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland
Wine aficionados will enjoy Uncorked: Cleveland, a wine festival taking place this month at the Great Lakes Science Center.
Throughout the evening, you’ll be able to sample wine from different wineries, and pick up a few bottles to take home with you. There’s also a wine museum and food available for purchase.
Early admission, which is $75, gives you access to 4 hours of wine tasting, while regular admission, which is $60, is for 3 hours.
7. Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
When: Friday, July 14 through Sunday, July 16, 2023
Where: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E Bagley Rd, Middleburg Heights
Cleveland does St. Patrick’s Day well, so you’d better believe the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival is a lot of fun, too!
This weekend festival, which takes place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, celebrates Irish heritage and culture. The festival will feature live Irish bands, Irish step dancers, children’s activities, plays, food and drinks, and exhibits about Irish culture. Tickets are $15.
You can find more information on the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival website.
8. Taste of Tremont
When: Sunday, July 16, 2023
Where: 2406 Professor Ave., Cleveland
Tremont is a vibrant neighborhood in Cleveland, and there’s no better way to enjoy all that the neighborhood has to offer than at Taste of Tremont.
This free event showcases the best of Tremont’s food, art, and entertainment. Featuring dozens of local food vendors and artisans and live music, this is a great event to check out in Cleveland during July.
9. Blazing Paddles Paddlefest
When: Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22, 2023
Where: Cuyahoga River
Share the River is a local organization that hosts the Blazing Paddles Paddlefest every summer. This is a great event that allows you to get out on the Cuyahoga River and kayak – either at your leisure, or taking part in one of several races!
Aside from the festival, July is a great month overall to get out on the water in Cleveland. From paddleboarding to Jet-Skiing to renting a boat to swimming, you should get out and enjoy the rivers and lakes of the Cleveland area this summer.
10. Grand Slam Beerfest
When: Saturday, July 29, 2023
Where: Progressive Field, 2401 Ontario St, Cleveland
Another fun thing to do in Cleveland this July is to attend Grand Slam Beerfest. If you enjoy craft beer, you won’t want to miss this event at Progressive Field.
Tickets (which range from $50 to $95) include 25 sampling tickets and a souvenir mug.
What are you most excited for in Cleveland in July?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’ sharing her love of the Cleveland area with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.