MAJOR EVENTS
& FESTIVALS
Mark your calendar
Toledo, with its rejuvenated downtown and surrounding suburbs, is always alive with something fun to do. Below is a grouping of our major events that are sure to make your time in Toledo exciting. They include national touring concerts, performing arts, craft fairs, festivals, kid-friendly fun, sporting events and more!
For more specific information on these events or on hundreds more events, visit our Event Calendar.
September
Downtown Toledo
Artomatic 419 is a three-day festival, centered on the revitalizing waterfront along the Maumee River. Momentum celebrates the transformative vibrancy of the arts for our city and region by supporting local creatives and inviting international artists to perform and exhibit in Toledo.
Black Swamp Arts Festival
Downtown Bowling Green
Experience three days of free concerts and fine art shows in historic downtown Bowling Green, Ohio. The Black Swamp Arts Festival is an award-winning art festival and the largest free live music festival in Ohio. The Festival is a non-profit run entirely by volunteers. Admission is free, no tickets and it is a great time for all.
Greek American Festival
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Enjoy authentic Greek Food, Pastries & Dancing. Browse our Greek Boutique, Culture, Language & Religious Education Booths, and tour our beautiful Byzantine Cathedral. Plus attend our free Greek Language & Culture Presentations, and Greek Cooking Demonstrations.
October | November | December
Grand Rapids Apple Butter Festival
Grand Rapids, OH
Each October, the Apple butter Fest celebrates years of historical re-enactments, handmade crafts, live music, delicious food, and making apple butter! From a small gathering to thousands of fest-goers, the Applebutter Fest has become a Grand Rapids tradition—and one that is shared by villagers and visitors alike.
Lights Before Christmas
Toledo Zoo
Take in the wintry majesty of this USA Today award-winning light display at the Toledo Zoo, which features more than one million lights, more than 200 illuminated animal images, a beer garden and ice slide sure to brighten the holiday season.
Toledo Walleye Opening Day
Huntington Center Downtown
Each fall excitement builds as it is time to return to the Pond! Reserve your tickets today to guarantee seats to these can’t-miss opening games. Along with the game, there is pregame party event with live music, featured guest speakers, and more in The Aquarium and along Huron St.
Holidays at the Manor House
Wildwood Preserve Metropark
The mansion that will put you in the holiday spirit! The grand mansion is decorated top to bottom for the holiday season and ready for tours daily during December. You can also enjoy fun activities like s’more making and carriage rides.
February | March
Greater Toledo Auto Show
Glass City Center
The Glass City Auto Show is an annual event that celebrates the vibrant automotive culture in the greater Toledo region. Held in the spacious Glass City Center, the show brings together car enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the general public for a thrilling experience. From sleek sports cars to rugged trucks and stylish sedans, there is something to captivate every automotive enthusiast’s interest.
Various Local Locations
Dine out for a great cause and discover a new favorite! Restaurant Week Toledo is a great chance to enjoy delicious meals at special prices from over 35 of the Glass City’s best locally-owned restaurants while supporting Leadership Toledo’s tuition-free youth programs.
Glass City Wine Festival
Glass City Center
This event is like a wine trail under one roof. Sample and purchase some of Ohio’s best wines and locally grown foods while supporting local businesses at Toledo’s premier wine, food and shopping festival! Over 35 local wineries and vendors are present each year at the Glass City Wine festival offering exclusive tastings and products for purchase.
April
Toledo Mud Hens Opening Day
Fifth Third Field
The Toledo Mud Hens baseball team kicks off their season in April each year. The downtown area comes alive with music, celebrations at local bars & restaurants and special Mud Hens Game Day activities. Kick-off to summer at Fifth Third Field!
The Glass City Marathon
University of Toledo Campus
The Mercy Health Glass City Marathon happens each spring and is for children and adults of all ages. Whether it’s a walk or a run, all are welcomes to participate. All proceeds for the Kid’s Race will be donated to Mercy Children’s Hospital. You don’t want to miss this.
May | June
The Biggest Week In American Birding
Maumee Bay Lodge (Host Hotel)
Be in the Warbler Capital of the World, for “The Biggest Week” to celebrate peak of spring bird migration in May, on the Lake Erie Marsh Region of northwest Ohio. Hosted by Black Swamp Observatory, stops for bird watching include several natural areas around the region.
Hensville Live! Concert Series
Hensville Park
Hensville Live! includes live music from the best local and regional acts performing on the Owens Corning stage. The popular postgame concerts, starting in June, will take place across the street from Fifth Third Field every Friday and select Saturdays through August after Mud Hens home games. All shows are FREE and open to the public.
The Historic Old West End Festival
Historic Old West End Neighborhood
The Old West End neighborhood is one of the largest collections of Victorian, Edwardian, and Arts and Crafts homes in the United States, and serves as a showcase of architectural styles popular with Americans around the turn of the century.
Crosby Festival of the Arts
Toledo Botanical Garden
Soak up all the art at this event at the Toledo Botanical Garden. Northwest Ohio’s premier fine arts festival takes place the last full weekend of June every year. Ohio’s oldest outdoor juried art festival offers guests the chance stroll the gardens and buy beautiful works such as glass, jewelry, paintings and more.
July
Promenade Pavilion Summer Concert Series
Promenade Park
Bringing music to the riverfront, the Promenade Pavilion Concert Series by HB Concerts, Inc. kicks off each summer. There will be weekly concerts through September featuring a variety of musicians, and genres including alternative, country, pop, rock, R&B, soul, bluegrass and hip hop.
Fireworks in the 419
Downtown Toledo
The City of Toledo’s largest firework display during the July 4th (American Independence Day) Weekend. Find a viewing spot in downtown Toledo and be delighted by the display. Promenade Park, International Park and Glass City Metropark host crowds of visitors and locals. We encourage groups to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show along the riverfront and enjoy Fireworks in the 419.
Dana Open
Highland Meadows Golf Club
The Dana Open is one of the longest running events on the LPGA Tour. Over the years, the tournament has raised $13 million for local children’s charities. Don’t miss a week of world-class golf, fun events, Friday on the 14th hole, and a family fun zone complete with gold lessons and events.
African American Festival
Various Locations
An annual celebration that embraces the rich heritage, culture, and achievements of the African American community in the region. Attendees can expect a dynamic lineup of live performances, including music, dance, spoken word, and theatrical presentations that showcase the talent and creativity of African American artists. The festival also features a variety of food vendors a parade, art exhibits highlighting African American artists’ work.
Northwest Ohio Rib Off
Lucas County Fairgrounds
Grab the family and jump in the car each summer to the Lucas County Fairgrounds for national touring rock and country acts as well as family fun and delicious mouth-watering barbecue from a mix of national and local spots serving up ribs, brisket and pulled pork. Get your grub on at the Northwest Ohio Rib Off!
August
Downtown Toledo
Buckle up for adventure and take part in free activities such as an all-Jeep parade and car show through downtown. Experience one-of-a-kind historical Jeep vehicles, special jeep camping and competitions, vendor display areas, a Kid’s Zone, multiple bands, food, entertainment, beer gardens and much more.
Glass City Jazz Fest
Glass City Metropark
An eagerly anticipated, and now annual event that celebrates the soulful sounds and rich legacy of jazz music in the Glass City. This festival draws jazz enthusiasts from near and far to experience a week filled with captivating performances by acclaimed local, national, and international jazz artists.
National Tractor Pulling Championships
Wood County Fairgrounds
The National Tractor Pulling Championships is the largest outdoor Truck and Tractor pulling competition of the year! Don’t miss 3 days of good food, fun, and 5 sessions of ground shaking, heart pounding excitement every year on the third weekend in August.
Downtown Toledo
The Toledo Pride Festival is Northwest Ohio’s largest and most recognized event for the (LGBTQIA+) community. It is a large-scale, outdoor event showcasing the best local entertainment. The festival also boasts a parade, food, merchandise vendors, and networking with numerous community organizations.
Oak Shade Grove
Dust off your lederhosen and beer stein to celebrate German heritage at Toledo’s largest ethnic festival! Enjoy Authentic German food, beer, and live entertainment. Bring out the whole family for carnival rides or challenge yourself to some Bavarian-style feats of strength every August.
