Summer Fun in Ohio: 17 Ways to Enjoy July

July 4–5: Sandusky’s Cedar Point is a great place to visit for fun all summer long, but Friday and Saturday of Fourth of July weekend promise to be especially memorable. Watch colors burst and pop above the park from Cedar Point Beach during Light Up the Point, one of the largest fireworks displays in the Midwest. cedarpoint.com 

July 5: Prepare for the ultimate homage to summer at Cherry, White & Blue, hosted by Quarry Hill Orchards. Pick your own cherries, enjoy live music and indulge in delicious treats, including the event’s signature Red, White and Blue Sundae — made with cherry ice cream, blueberry compote, buttered brown sugar baked rolled oats, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and fresh cherries. quarryhillorchards.com

July 5–6: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in Concert brings the wizarding world to life through the talents of the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra. Relive the magic of John Williams’ sweeping score performed live with a screening of the first Harry Potter film at Blossom Music Center. clevelandorchestra.com 

July 8: Catch The Lumineers as they make a stop at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center during the “Automatic” world tour. Sing along to favorites like “Ophelia” and “Ho Hey” at this concert featuring the group’s unique blend of folk and rock. The band is joined by special guest Hippo Campus. riverbend.org

July 10–12: Get ready for a three-day country music extravaganza at Hickory Hill Lakes during the Country Concert in Fort Loramie. This unforgettable weekend features national headliners Blake Shelton, Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Parker McCollum and more. Plus, take part in karaoke on a side stage, camping and lots of fun with friends and family. countryconcert.com

July 11–19: Join the Athens community in celebrating Ohio’s craft brew scene at Ohio Brew Week. This nine-day festival offers the chance to sample the state’s best brews, ciders and meads from more than 20 local producers. In town, visitors can directly support brewers like Devil’s Kettle Brewing, Jackie O’s and Little Fish Brewing Co. ohiobrewweek.com

July 10 & 26, Aug. 13: Be sure to stick around after the baseball game concludes on select nights this summer to catch a Cincinnati Reds Postgame Concert. Enjoy performances from Old Dominion, premier Jimmy Buffett tribute act The Landsharks and Grammy Award-winning group Train. mlb.com/reds

July 11–12: Celebrate summer on the water during Huron River Fest. The two-day festival along the scenic Huron River includes a parade, midway rides and games, performances from several local artists and musicians, a princess meet-and-greet, a fireworks extravaganza and more. huronriverfest.com

July 12: Located in charming downtown Rocky River, the Sunflower Wine Festival offers live music, local food, and exceptional wine, all for a good cause. Attendees can relax in the wine and craft beer gardens, enjoy VIP experiences and more. All proceeds benefit the Prayers From Maria Foundation to help in the fight against childhood cancer. prayersfrommaria.org 

July 18–19: Watch over 30 hot air balloons take to the skies over Middletown during the Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival. Enjoy dozens of events and activities, such as tethered rides, drone and fireworks shows, plane rides, skydiving performances, an evening balloon glow and more. ohiochallenge.com

July 18–20: Founded in 1979, the Columbus Jazz & Rib Festival has since grown to be Columbus’ largest free outdoor music festival. Held in Bicentennial Park, this beloved summertime tradition offers incredible jazz performances and the chance to sample some of the best barbecue from across the country. hotribscooljazz.org

July 18–20: Get ready for Kelleys Island’s biggest event of the year. Island Fest returns with three days of craft vendors, delicious food, a beer tent, live music and a street dance on Friday and Saturday nights. The festival is free to attend and features a parade on Saturday morning and a stunning evening fireworks display. kelleysislandchamber.com

July 19: Head to Historic Downtown Willoughby to see the streets lined with local artists showcasing their work during Willoughby ArtsFest. Stroll through the city’s Erie and Center streets as well as Wes Point Park to shop works spanning jewelry, prints, painting, sculpture, apparel, home decor and more. willoughbyartsfest.com

July 23–Aug. 3: A tradition since 1850, the Ohio State Fair is a quintessential summertime experience in the Buckeye State. Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, there’s always something new to find. From live music, classic fair food and magic shows to petting zoos and interactive exhibits to agricultural competitions and horse shows, there’s plenty to enjoy. ohiostatefair.com

July 24-Aug. 2: The Lancaster Festival returns this summer for its 40th year celebrating art, music and community. Enjoy creative concerts, workshops, classes and exhibits while supporting the local community. This year’s festival welcomes a new maestro, John Devlin, who will be leading the Lancaster Festival Orchestra’s performances as music director. lancasterfestival.org

July 24–26: The Cincinnati Music Festival is a three-day celebration that brings the best in R&B, jazz, soul and hip-hop to the Andrew J. Brady Music Center and Paycor Stadium stages. Past performers have included Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Janet Jackson, while this year features a celebration of hip-hop on Thursday and a headlining performance by Earth, Wind & Fire on Friday. cincymusicfestival.com

July 26–27: Experience the history and charm of Historic Zoar Village as you browse and shop high-quality antiques and handcrafted art pieces from over 60 vendors during the Zoar Antiques Show. Plus, watch historic demonstrations and tour the property’s various museum buildings to see examples of early American architecture. historiczoarvillage.com 

For more Ohio travel inspiration, sign up for our Ohio Magazine newsletters. 

Ohio Magazine is available in a beautifully designed print issue that is published 7 times a year, along with Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter editions of LongWeekends magazine. Subscribe to Ohio Magazine and stay connected to beauty, adventure and fun across our state.