September has arrived, bringing with it the final weeks of summer and the beginning of fall. While Labor Day on September 7 marks the (symbolic) last big weekend of summer, you can still enjoy warm weather for several more weeks at least.
Things may start cooling down at the end of the month, with the first day of fall occurring on September 22 this year. This makes it the perfect time to soak up the last of patio weather, and embrace some fun outdoor activities.
There are plenty of things to do in September in Cleveland, including lots of great seasonal events and festivals.
Weather in Cleveland in September
September may usher in the official start of fall towards the end of the month, but the first couple weeks of September usually still feel like summer. This month, the average high is 74° F while the average low is 61° F.
The pleasant weather means that September is a great month to spend time outdoors in Cleveland, and there are only 7 days of precipitation on average this month.
Top 10 Things to Do in Cleveland in September
1. Cleveland Oktoberfest
When: September 4-7 and 11-12, 2026
Where: Cuyahoga County Fair Grounds, 19201 East Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights
You don’t have to travel all the way to Germany to celebrate Oktoberfest this fall. Cleveland has its very own Oktoberfest across two weekends in September!
In addition to drinking beer and eating classic Oktoberfest foods like soft pretzels and schnitzels, you can also enjoy live music and entertainment at the festival — including wiener dog races!
Tickets can be purchased online and cost $20 for a one-day ticket and $35 for a two-day ticket.
2. Cleveland National Air Show
When: September 5-7, 2026
Where: Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N Marginal Rd, Cleveland
One of the top events in Cleveland to check out on Labor Day Weekend is the Cleveland National Air Show. This annual event takes place at the Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport and showcases the wonders of aviation.
At the air show, you can watch impressive aerial shows and demonstrations, see military aircraft up close on the ground, and much more.
Tickets to the air show must be purchased online (there are NO gate sales), and they are $50 for adults and $20 for children aged 6 to 11.
3. See migrating monarchs
When: Starting Labor Day Weekend
Where: Lakefront outdoor areas like Wendy Park
A unique thing you can witness in September if the weather conditions are right are migrating monarch butterflies roosting in trees along Lake Erie.
These colorful orange-and-black butterflies migrate from Canada all the way to Mexico, and fly over Lake Erie along the way. They often stop to rest in Cleveland after crossing the lake, and tend to gather in trees, bushes, and prairie grasses close to the lakeshore.
You can see individual butterflies throughout September and into October, but when cool or wet weather conditions line up with their crossing, hundreds or thousands of them can often be seen roosting together in trees in places like Wendy Park, the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve, and Huntington Reservation.
Read more about seeing monarchs in Cleveland.
4. Cleveland Gaming Classic
When: September 11-13, 2026
Where: Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland
The Cleveland Gaming Classic is the ultimate event for gaming aficionados. This weekend-long festival is now held at the Huntington Convention Center downtown, and is a must for anyone who loves gaming, whether it’s video games or tabletop games.
Throughout the weekend, you can enjoy open-play gaming, tournaments, cosplay, panels, a vendor expo, collectibles, kids’ activities, photo ops, and more.
Tickets for all three days start at $67.75 and kids aged 10 and under are free. Single-day admission is also available.
5. Go apple picking
When: All September
Where: Various locations
There’s nothing that says fall like apple picking! September is the prime month for apple picking, although different varieties of apples ripen at different times from September through October.
Popular places to pick your own apples near Cleveland include Patterson Fruit Farm in Chesterland, Hillcrest Orchards in Amherst, and Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights.
Find more info about all the best spots here: The Best Apple Orchards Near Cleveland for Apple Picking
6. Waterloo Arts Fest
When: September 12, 2026
Where: Waterloo Arts District, Collinwood
The annual Waterloo Arts Fest is back this month in Collinwood on Cleveland’s east side. This 1-day local arts festival features 90+ local vendors, 8 festival stages showcasing local bands, open doors at the neighborhood’s fine art galleries, food trucks, craft areas, and more!
This year the festival is asking visitors to reserve tickets; they recommend a $10 donation.
7. Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
When: September 17-25, 2026
Where: Shaker Square
Now in its 15th year, the Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival is back with a slate of screenings that spotlight the voices of filmmakers, screenwriters, and creatives from the African Diaspora. Most screenings are taking place in venues in Shaker Square.
Tickets start at $35 for a 1-day pass, or $100 for an all-access pass.
8. Ingenuity Fest
When: September 25-27, 2026
Where: IngenuityLabs at Hamilton Collaborative, 5401 Hamilton Avenue, Cleveland
Ingenuity Fest is an annual creative festival that celebrates the intersection of art and technology. The multi-day festival now has a permanent home at the Hamilton Collaborative, which will be divided up into “Festival Villages” for the event.
This year, you can expect immersive art installations, maker exhibits, and performances by dancers, poets, musicians, and more. The theme of this year’s festival is “America Dreams.”
Tickets are $20 for a single-day pass, or $30 for a whole weekend pass.
9. Cleveland Browns home opener
When: September 27, 2026
Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium, 100 Alfred Lerner Way, Cleveland
September means that football season is officially here, and in Cleveland, the Browns will play their first home game against the Carolina Panthers on September 27. Even if you can’t score tickets to the game, you can catch it at a local sports bar or pub.
Better yet, head to Muni Lot (the Lakefront Municipal Parking Lot) for tailgating. This parking lot located a few blocks away from the Cleveland Browns Stadium is a major hub for fans tailgating before the game.
More: Things to Know Before Attending a Cleveland Browns Football Game
10. Attend the Cleveland Comedy Festival
When: September 30-October 3, 2026
Where: Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Comedy Festival is a fun event happening in October to celebrate local comedy. This multi-day festival features live comedy shows around Cleveland.
Most of the shows take place at local breweries, bars, and other venues around the city. Tickets are on sale now. All-Access Passes are available for $100, which get you into every show.
NOTE: No Chalk Festival
When: Not happening in 2026
Where: Cleveland Museum of Arts Fine Arts Garden, 11150 East Blvd, Cleveland
This event usually takes place in the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Fine Arts Garden. However, they’re currently doing some renovation work in the garden, so the event has been canceled for 2026.
A unique annual event to check out this month is the Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art. For two days each year, the walkways around the Fine Arts Garden are transformed into giant canvases for chalk art.
Professional artists and community members alike can participate – if you want to decorate your own square of pavement, you can sign up at the at the registration tent for $15-$20 (while space/supplies last).
The event happens rain or shine, and also features live music and food trucks.
What are you most excited for in Cleveland in September?
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.