As far as we’re concerned, there’s no better way to celebrate cultural diversity than with a raucous festival. Summer in Cleveland is the prime time for many great festivals in the Forest City, and these eight shine a spectacular light on international cultures through music, food and fun.
- Cleveland Asian Festival
Facebook/Cleveland Asian Festival Celebrate all things Asian at this incredible festival that combines food, costumes and live entertainment. You can dine on some of the best Asian cuisine the Forest City has to offer while watching the jaw-dropping tradition of sumo wrestling. Cleveland Asian Festival takes place over the weekend of May 20-21.
- Tremont Greek Festival
Facebook/Tremont Greek Fest All facets of Mediterranean culture, from the opulence of ancient Greece to delicious Greek cuisine, is celebrated at this can’t-miss festival. Sample everything from decadent home-cooked dishes to catered fare from some of Cleveland’s best Greek eateries when Tremont Greek Festival comes to Cleveland from May 26-29.
- Little Italy Summer Art Festivale
Facebook/Little Italy CLE This open-air arts and entertainment festival takes you on an unforgettable tour of historic Little Italy while highlighting traditional Italian crafts from local artisans. Take a stroll to the mother country at Little Italy Summer Art Festivale from June 2-4.
- Simply Slavic Heritage Festival
Facebook/Simply Slavic This Youngstown festival celebrates the unique culture and people of Eastern Europe. From a dazzling parade complete with traditional performances to delicious ethnic food, you can experience all things Slavic at this one-day celebration on June 17.
- Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival
Facebook/Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival You have to travel a little outside Cleveland to nearby Wellington for this epic festival, but one look at the Ohio Scottish Games, where kilted strongmen hurl massive logs through the air while an authentic pipe-and-drum band plays on, will make it worth the drive. Experience the Games in all their Celtic glory on June 24.
- Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
Facebook/Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival You might not see any feats of strength at this other Celtic celebration, but the relaxed, jovial atmosphere that takes over Berea every year at the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival is amazing in its own way. From a feast of Irish cooking to handmade Celtic gifts, this festival brings the beauty of the Emerald Isle to you from July 21-23.
- Cleveland Russian Festival
Facebook/Cleveland Russian Festival The exotic culture of old-world Russia is brought to vivid life at this unforgettable festival, sponsored by the historic St. Sergius Cathedral. Dancers, music, outlandish outfits, every wonderful thing about Russian culture comes to Parma from July 28-30.
- Cleveland Labor Day Oktoberfest
Facebook/Cleveland Oktoberfest There’s no better way to cap off the thrills of festival season and summer itself than with an ice-cold pilsner at Cleveland’s largest celebration of German culture and tradition. Oktoberfest promises live music, games, and, of course, plenty of beer to go around on Labor Day weekend, September 1-4.
Are there any other epic ethnic festivals around Cleveland this summer? Let us know about them in the comments.
Facebook/Cleveland Asian Festival
Celebrate all things Asian at this incredible festival that combines food, costumes and live entertainment. You can dine on some of the best Asian cuisine the Forest City has to offer while watching the jaw-dropping tradition of sumo wrestling. Cleveland Asian Festival takes place over the weekend of May 20-21.
Facebook/Tremont Greek Fest
All facets of Mediterranean culture, from the opulence of ancient Greece to delicious Greek cuisine, is celebrated at this can’t-miss festival. Sample everything from decadent home-cooked dishes to catered fare from some of Cleveland’s best Greek eateries when Tremont Greek Festival comes to Cleveland from May 26-29.
Facebook/Little Italy CLE
This open-air arts and entertainment festival takes you on an unforgettable tour of historic Little Italy while highlighting traditional Italian crafts from local artisans. Take a stroll to the mother country at Little Italy Summer Art Festivale from June 2-4.
Facebook/Simply Slavic
This Youngstown festival celebrates the unique culture and people of Eastern Europe. From a dazzling parade complete with traditional performances to delicious ethnic food, you can experience all things Slavic at this one-day celebration on June 17.
Facebook/Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival
You have to travel a little outside Cleveland to nearby Wellington for this epic festival, but one look at the Ohio Scottish Games, where kilted strongmen hurl massive logs through the air while an authentic pipe-and-drum band plays on, will make it worth the drive. Experience the Games in all their Celtic glory on June 24.
Facebook/Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
You might not see any feats of strength at this other Celtic celebration, but the relaxed, jovial atmosphere that takes over Berea every year at the Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival is amazing in its own way. From a feast of Irish cooking to handmade Celtic gifts, this festival brings the beauty of the Emerald Isle to you from July 21-23.
Facebook/Cleveland Russian Festival
The exotic culture of old-world Russia is brought to vivid life at this unforgettable festival, sponsored by the historic St. Sergius Cathedral. Dancers, music, outlandish outfits, every wonderful thing about Russian culture comes to Parma from July 28-30.
Facebook/Cleveland Oktoberfest
There’s no better way to cap off the thrills of festival season and summer itself than with an ice-cold pilsner at Cleveland’s largest celebration of German culture and tradition. Oktoberfest promises live music, games, and, of course, plenty of beer to go around on Labor Day weekend, September 1-4.
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