New Albany Summer Concert Series (photo courtesy of New Albany Concert Series)
Travel

102 Days & Nights of Summer Fun in Ohio

We have plenty of ideas for making the most of the sunny season in the Buckeye State, from the Friday heading into Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. 

From family-friendly events to beloved events to marquee concerts, our guide to summer fun in Ohio will hep you make the most of the season.

Whether you are looking for free community concerts or the opportunity to see music legends like Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan on the same bill, our state’s stages are brimming with talent all summer long.

It’s also festival season in this part of the country, and we have picks we think you’ll love, including favorites such as Breitenbach Winery’s annual Dandelion Festival (admit it, dandelion wine does make you curious) and the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival. We’ve also identified marquee summer museum exhibits for when those rainy days pop up or you just want to beat the heat for an afternoon. 

But that is just the start of the activity you’ll find across our state as the days get longer and the nights get warmer. Browse our guide to 102 Days & Nights of Summer below and be sure to sign up for our free email newsletters to stay in touch with us and get our weekly picks delivered to your inbox all season long and beyond.  

Dark Star Jubilee (photo by Itamar Gat)

Summer Fun in Ohio: 5 Ways to Enjoy the Last Week of MayFrom the Grateful Dead-themed Dark Star Jubilee to Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament in Dublin, the end of May offers a full week of finds. 

Kids at Brukner Nature Center in Troy (photo courtesy of Brukner Nature Center)

4 Nature Centers to Explore with the Kids This Summer: Make a visit to these nature centers where kids can interact with wildlife, learn from exhibits and connect with the outdoors.

Ashland Balloon Festival (photo courtesy of Ashland Balloon Festival)

Summer Fun in Ohio: 22 Ways to Enjoy JuneGrab a ticket to a summer concert from the Dave Matthews Band, explore southern Ohio heritage at Ohio Valley Frontier Days, check the Ashland Balloon Festival and more. 

Women in Columbus’ German Village neighborhood (photo courtesy of Experience Columbus)

Explore the History of 4 Ohio Cities on These Walking Tours: Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived there your entire life, these insightful treks are an entertaining way to learn more about these Ohio cities.

“Sharks: To Be Great Is To Be Misunderstood” (photo by Dennis Finnin)

Spend a Rainy Summer Day at These 4 Ohio Museum Exhibitions: When the clouds roll in and the drops start to fall, make plans to visit one of these kid-friendly museum exhibitions that are all here for a limited summer run.

Light Up the Point at Cedar Point (photo courtesy of Cedar Point)

Summer Fun in Ohio: 17 Ways to Enjoy July: Celebrate the Fourth of July at Cedar Point, see The Lumineers at Riverbend Music Center, take in the tradition of the Ohio State Fair and more. 

Valley City Frog Jump Festival (photo courtesy of Valley City Frog Jump Festival)

4 Ohio Summer Festivals that Celebrate Local Heritage: From frog jumps and fried walleye to tomato wars and chicken dinners, these events embrace the heritage of the communities they call home. 

Adventure Zone at Geneva-on-the-Lake (photo by Dawn Bubonic)

4 Summer Date Ideas in Ohio: Take your significant other out for an afternoon of adventure or a night of fun under the stars at these four destinations that are open all summer.

Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival in Marietta (photo courtesy of Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival)

Summer Fun in Ohio: 19 Ways to Enjoy August: Celebrate the Jeep in the city that produced them for World War II (and still makes them today), see double at Twins Day in Twinsburg and get paddling at the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival.

For more Ohio summer 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.

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