Another too-short summer gyres down Lake Erie’s drain and we Clevelanders have two choices for how to handle it: accept our imminent gray fate with a sickly sweet pumpkin latte, or choose NOT to go gently into that good night and instead acknowledge that fall in Cleveland is gorgeous and jam packed with things to do, concerts to see, gourds to carve, beers to imbibe, restaurants to try, and mollusks to steam. So get out there and get down like you may not see the sun for the next four months (because you may not)!
Find plenty of Baldwins at The 90s Bar Crawl
September 21
Wild Eagles Saloon
‘Zack or Slater’ still an argument you’re having? Have some JNCOs that you’re hoping will make a comeback? Join like minded folk for everything '90s, with tons of '90s giveaway swag. Three dollar Sex and the City Cosmos. So very.
Cost: $29.95
Laugh uncomfortably with Norm Macdonald
September 21
Masonic Auditorium
King of the long, dry story with the punchline you never saw coming, razor-sharp raconteur Norm Macdonald will have you cringe laughing all night long.
Cost: $37 and up
Let your geek flag fly at Flaming River Con
September 21
Cleveland Public Library
We love queer culture, we love geek culture, we love double entendres. Celebrate all three at Flaming River Con with LGBTQIA+ panels, comics, zines, vendors and art.
Cost: Suggested $7 donation
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Flock inside with Andrew Bird
September 24
Masonic Auditorium
Like your tunes with heart and soul, as well brains? Indie virtuoso singer-songwriter Andrew Bird comes to The Town to move every last part of you.
Cost: $36.50 and up
Live at night with Night Market Cleveland 2019
September 27
Rockwell Avenue & East 21st Street
Quickly becoming one of Cleveland’s best fall traditions, Cleveland’s Asiatown hosts an evening of local food stalls and trucks, artisan crafts, and live music. A fusion of culture and entertainment not to be missed.
Cost: Free
Stroll around Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival
September 28
Tremont
A 20-year-old tradition, Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival will show off one of Cleveland’s most diverse, hip neighborhoods with fun for every member of the family. Educational art projects, local vendors, and artisans. Live music and dance. Need we say more?
Cost: Free
Check out Third Friday at 78th Street Studios
September 28
78th Street Studios
Does heaven sound like a giant old factory retrofitted to house a maze of over 60 galleries and studios, all with work on display and for sale, coupled with beer, wine, and food (and often a roaming magician)? It does to us, too.
Cost: Free
Brew at the Zoo
October 10
Cleveland Zoo
Lions and tigers and beers, oh my! The Cleveland Zoological Society hosts an evening of craft brews and small bites coupled with live music, live DJs, and live animals.
Cost: $50 and up
Yes there’s such a thing as the CFA International Cat Show
October 12
I-X Center
Ever wanted to watch people literally heard cats? Want to see if cats will actually put up with this kind of thing? Just flat out love cats? The International cat shows preens its way into Cleveland this fall. (And in bonus cat news, ‘celebrity cat’ Lil Bub will be at the West Shore UU Church on October 19.)
Cost: $14 and up
Clam up and eat at Clambake 2019
October 12
Tremont Taphouse
Clams, lobsters, chowder, if it’s fall in Cleveland then it’s Clambake season, and you won’t find any tastier offerings than those at Tremont Taphouse.
Cost: Complete Bake $40
Come see Oh Sees
October 13
Beachland Ballroom
Rock musician and impresario John Dwyer brings his band Oh Sees to town to show off their Garage/Experimental/Psychedelic rock stylings. I’m told the cool kids will all be there. We’ll be there, too.
Cost: $23
Werq it with RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq the World
October 14
Agora Theater
“We’re all born naked and the rest is drag.” RuPaul brings the intergalactic queens from his groundbreaking television extravaganza to Cleveland. A big, bold, brash entertainment bonanza to be sure.
Cost: $52 and up
Fear the 12 Hours of Terror
October 19
Capitol Theater
Not for the faint of heart (or bladder), Cleveland Cinemas 20th annual 12 Hours of Terror at the Capitol theater comes screaming back with two surprise films along with five other horror classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).
Cost: $30
Knives out at the 4th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest
October 20
Forest City Brewery
Nothing says party quite like quaffing beers while wielding sharp objects, and Forest City Brewery is here to condone the whole scary affair. Prizes, great local beer, music and food. Stencils and pumpkins provided.
Cost: $15
Drag your bones to the Official Halloween Bar Crawl 2019
October 26
Various locations East Bank of Flats and Warehouse District
We never need an excuse to dress up as ghouls and ooze our way around to various watering holes in an evening, but the Official Halloween Bar Crawl provides one anyway. Scary swag, pins-and-needles prizes, and a creepy costume contest.
Cost: $19.99 and up
Run till you drop at Hermes Dead Sprint 5K and Little Monsters Candy Dash
October 26
West Park Station
It’s not everyday you get to run around the streets in terrifying, blood-smeared makeup without being hauled in by the cops, so don’t miss this opportunity! A candy dash for the kids will accompany the 5k race.
Cost: $30
Halloween goes hip-hop with Michael Franti and Spearhead
October 31
Agora Theater
For our money there may be no better way to spend Halloween than by busting out our spooky dance moves to the sounds of some live music beats. Rapper, musician, and activist Michael Franti, along with his band Spearhead, comes to Cleveland on All Hollow’s Eve to treat you to his brand of progressive hip-hop with a message.
Cost: $29.95 and up
Get serious about Whiskey Business
November 8
Red Space
Be treated to samples of whiskey from around the world. Scotch, bourbon, single malt, small batch. Brand ambassadors will give you the low down on all your favorites, old and new. Price includes 10 drink tickets, small bites, and live music.
Cost: $60
Be down with Danny Brown
November 10
House of Blues
Danny Brown is a critical darling for a reason: hard-hitting rapper, master wordsmith, an artist with his own unique take on his craft. If you’re a hip-hop fan, he’s a must to check out live.
Cost: $25
Last chance to dance with Elton John’s Farewell Tour
November 11
Rocket Mortgage Field House
Sir Elton needs no introduction from the likes of us. The man, the legend, he’s hanging up his suquens and pumps after this, so what are you waiting for?
Cost: $59.50 and up
Funk it with The Motet
November 13
Beachland Ballroom
You want the funk and Colorado’s jazz, funk, soul outfit The Motet is here to bring it to you. Go ahead, dance like nobody's watching.
Cost: $20
Laugh it up with Mo’Nique
November 15
Cleveland Improv
Actress of film and television fame, author of fiction and cookbooks, Mo’nique can do it all. But we think we may love her best when she’s just standing in front of an audience and bringing the funny.
Cost: $40
Sip, sip, munch, munch at The Cheese and Wine Fest Cleveland
November 16
Lago East Bank of Flats
Feeling like getting your fancy on? Look up the word turophile, put on your cocktail attire, and throw the word “oaky” around all while getting away with unbridled gormandizing. Unlimited samples of 40 wines and 50 cheeses from around the world. Unlimited samples. UNLIMITED.
Cost: $45
Grow your beard out with Nick Offerman
November 23
KeyBank State Theater at Playhouse Square
Storyteller, man’s man, woodworker. Known for his iconic role as Ron Swanson on television’s Parks and Recreation, Nick Offerman comes to Cleveland to regale us with his humorous tales -- or maybe he’ll just sit in front of a fire for an hour and drink bourbon. Come find out!
Cost: $39.50
We’re dreaming of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas The Musical
November 26
KeyBank State Theater at Playhouse Square
The Christmas classic kicks off the holiday season. A merry entertainment tradition for the whole family.
Cost: $25 and up
Run your stuffing out at the 38th Annual Orangetheory Fitness Cleveland Turkey Trot
November 28
Public Hall
The Cleveland Turkey Trot is as much of an institution in Cleveland as Thanksgiving itself. Come trot off those third and fourth helpings -- we’ll be there right next to you, sweating gravy.
Cost: $30
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