Summer Fun in Ohio: 22 Ways to Enjoy June

June 3–Aug. 26: Every Tuesday, the Mentor Rocks Concert Series brings fresh, exciting performances to the Mentor Civic Amphitheater. See national headliners like Gavin DeGraw, Uncle Kracker and Eli Young Band, as well as appearances from a wide range of tribute bands covering pop, rock and country
favorites. mentorrocks.info

June 5–7: Held annually each June, the Logan Washboard Arts & Music Festival celebrates the town’s unique heritage. Learn more about this iconic piece of Americana by touring Logan’s washboard factory — the last operating facility of its kind in the nation. Plus, shop from local craft vendors, savor food truck treats and enjoy two stages of live music.
loganwashboardfestival.com

June 6–8: Kick off your summer at the Columbus Arts Festival, held along the scenic downtown riverfront. Enjoy a vibrant weekend filled with live performances, hands-on activities, art demonstrations, food trucks, craft brews and cocktails and over 250 juried artists. columbusartsfestival.org

June 7: Get ready to reel in some fun at Mosquito Lake State Park during the kids Fishing Derby. Children ages 15 and under can enjoy a day of fishing, with prizes for the best anglers. Attendees can also enjoy naturalist-organized activities and a lunch provided by Friends of Mosquito Lake State Park. ohiodnr.gov

June 7–8: Step back in time at Ohio Valley Frontier Days, held at Historic Fort Steuben — a re-created 18th-century fort overlooking the Ohio River. This family-friendly weekend features reenactors performing camp demonstrations, musket shooting and military drills. Plus, attendees can visit with the blacksmith, candle-maker and flintknapper as they showcase early American skills. oldfortsteuben.com/frontier-days 

June 9: Wade through streams in Summit County’s Furnace Run Metro Park looking for fossils. Fossils for Kids invites families to explore shallow waters with the help of a naturalist as they hunt for fossils and learn about prehistoric plants and animals that lived in the area thousands of years ago. summitmetroparks.org

June 10: The Barenaked Ladies are making a stop at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center during the Last Summer on Earth Tour. Known for its contagious energy and engaging stage presence, the multiplatinum rock group promises an unforgettable night as it performs some of its greatest hits like “One Week,” “Pinch Me” and “If I Had $1,000,000.” riverbend.org

 June 12–Aug. 7: Bring your snacks and a folding chair and settle in for an evening performance under the stars at New Albany’s Summer Concert Series at Hinson Amphitheater. On five select evenings throughout the summer, enjoy a mix of ’90s alt-rock, bluegrass, country and Latin jazz from some truly stellar groups. The series concludes with a performance by one of the best Fleetwood Mac tribute bands in the Midwest, Fleetwood Gold. newalbanyohio.org

June 13: Get ready for an unforgettable night of music with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Dave Matthews Band. A perennially touring summer favorite, the jam band is known for its incredible musicianship and deep catalog of songs that includes hits such as “Crash Into Me,” “Ants Marching” and many others. riverbend.org

June 13–15: Embrace Irish tradition and culture at the Riverfront Irish Festival in downtown Cuyahoga Falls. This free, family-friendly event features two stages of live music, an Irish Market Place, traditional Irish and American fare, an Irish Mass on Sunday, lively Irish dance and more throughout the weekend. riverfrontirishfest.org

June 13–15: Break out your best leg warmers and tease your hair for the theme of this year’s Vermilion Festival of the Fish, “Fishing in the 80s, Mullet Mania!” Take part in the fun with activities like the Crazy Craft Regatta, Lighted Boat Parade and a Best Mullet Contest. A fireworks show kicks off the fun on Friday, while a Father’s Day Parade concludes the festivities on Sunday. vermilionohio.com

June 14: Now in its fourth year, the Black Diamond Music & Arts Festival celebrates the Little Cities of Black Diamonds, a small group of historic coalmining communities in southeast Ohio. The event is free to attend and features multiple entertainment stages, arts and crafts vendors, camping and lodging in the Hocking Hills and more. Kid Kentucky and the American Badass Band are just some of the headliners. facebook.com/blackdiamondmusicfest

June 14: Celebrate Flag Day in Findlay (known as Flag City, USA) with its Flag City 5K. The 3.1-mile race kicks off at 9 a.m. and offers something for everyone, such as refreshments (including a post-race beer courtesy of Findlay Brewing Co. for those 21 and older), on-site physical therapy, kids activities sponsored by the Findlay YMCA and more. visitfindlay.com

June 14: Get ready for bikes, bands and barbecue at the National Road Bike Show and Ribfest in downtown Cambridge. This annual event sees Wheeling Avenue lined with dozens of classic and modern bikes. Visitors can bring their own wheels to show off or simply enjoy the atmosphere while shopping from food and merchandise vendors. downtowncambridge.com

June 14–15: Explore the artistry and craftsmanship of local makers at the Hueston Woods Arts & Crafts Fair. Shop from vendors selling their creative wares, such as paintings and prints, photography, floral arrangements, stained glass, jewelry, soaps and candles, pottery, furniture, baskets, rugs and more. Attendees can also visit the 1836 Doty Homestead and the 1840s Pioneer Barn during the event. oxfordmuseumassociation.com

June 15, 18, 21 & 25: Soccer fans are in for a treat this summer as Cincinnati’s TLQ Stadium prepares to host four FIFA Club World Cup Games. It is one of 12 stadiums scheduled to host matches as 32 of the top soccer clubs in the world play for the tile of FIFA Club World Champion. Competitors hail from across the globe, including teams from Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, Austria and South Africa. tqlstadium.com

June 21: Celebrate nature during GroveFest, held at Spiegel Grove, the estate where President Rutherford B. Hayes and first lady Lucy Hayes once lived. The nature-focused event honors the couple’s love for the outdoors and invites guests to participate in hands-on activities and crafts, and talk with regional nature organizations. rbhayes.org

June 22: One of summer’s most popular music tours, the Outlaw Music Festival makes a stop at Cincinnati’s Riverbend Music Center. Led by music legend Willie Nelson, this year’s southwest Ohio stop also has Bob Dylan, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Trampled by Turtles and Myron Elkins on the bill. riverbend.org

June 20–22: Get ready for a musical weekend in the heart of southeast Ohio. The 19th annual Nelsonville Music Festival returns to Snow Fork Event Center for a three-day event featuring over 40 local, regional and national artists across three stages. Headliners include Charley Crockett, Waxahatchee and Taj Mahal. nelsonvillefest.org

June 24: World-renowned singer-songwriter James Taylor brings his vast catalog of music to Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls. The six-time Grammy Award-winning musician’s blend of soft rock, folk, pop and blues is sure to delight as he performs hits such as “Fire and Rain,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)”
and more. livenation.com

June 25: Watch the three-time Major League Soccer Cup-winning Columbus Crew as they take on Atlanta United FC at Lower.com Field in Ohio’s capital city. The Crew has been around since 1994 and has only grown in popularity over the years as Ohio’s first professional soccer team. columbuscrew.com 

June 26–29: Look to the sky over Ashland to see dozens of colorful hot air balloons during the Ashland Balloon Festival. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment and music, food vendors, an art walk, kids zone and much more. Be sure to stick around until evening so you don’t miss the popular balloon glow. ashlandballoonfest.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.