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.
February | March
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 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.
Toledo Region
Embark on a caffeinated adventure with Coffee Quest 419, celebrating the vibrant local coffee culture across the Toledo region. Win exciting prizes, access exclusive offers, support local businesses, and uncover your new favorite coffee spots along the way!
April
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!
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.
Culture Clash Records
Culture Clash Records, in Downtown Toledo goes big for this special event celebrating the culture of independently owned record stores around the world. The day brings visitors lined up down the street to enjoy the sales, vendors, live music and more.
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.
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.
July
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.
Centennial Terrace
Grab a slice of summer fun at Pizza Palooza! This two-day festival brings together the area’s best pizzerias, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Sample a variety of pizzas and cast your vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award. It’s the perfect summer outing for pizza lovers of all ages.
Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest
Crossroads Pkwy., Rossford
Experience the magic at the 2025 Rossford Balloon & Fireworks Fest with the whole family! Enjoy vibrant hot air balloon glows, dazzling pyro-musical fireworks, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities. You can also take a tethered balloon ride for a bird’s-eye view of the festivities or enjoy a helicopter ride for an unforgettable aerial experience.
Party in the Park 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 August featuring a variety of musicians, and genres including alternative, country, pop, rock, R&B, soul, bluegrass and hip hop.
Highland Meadows Golf Club
Building upon the LPGA Tour’s legacy in the Toledo community, Toledo Classic has collaborated with the LPGA to bring both the Epson Tour and the Legends of the LPGA together for a dual 54-hole stroke play event. The inaugural tournament will take place at Highland Meadows Golf Club, the site of over 35 Toledo LPGA tournaments.
Lucas County Fairgrounds
Grab the family each summer and head 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.
Glass City Metropark
On the annual anniversary of the passage of the ADA, visitors can explore the Metroparks’ inclusive outdoor activities in an all-day event with food trucks, an all-abilities 3 vs. 3 wheelchair basketball tournament, and more.
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 Metropark
Attendees of the family-friendly, open-air festival will enjoy a full day of live acts that will explore various genres of jazz which include native Toledoans that have excelled to both national and international acclaim, reminding visitors of the rich heritage of jazz in Toledo!
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.
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.
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.
September
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.
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.
Downtown Toledo
Garmin Marathon Toledo returns for its second year in Toledo featuring a fast, mostly flat course for a marathon, half-marathon, 10K and 5K. Starting and finishing in downtown Toledo, the route highlights the city’s landmarks and natural beauty.
UToledo Homecoming Game & Parade
The University of Toledo
Join in on the celebrations at The University of Toledo for Homecoming. The Toledo Rockets football team will play in the Glass Bowl, following the annual Homecoming Parade through the Old Orchard Neighborhood.
Downtown Toledo
Artomatic 419 is a three-day, non-juried art festival that turns the former Erie Street Market building into a vibrant showcase of local and regional creativity. From visual art to performances, films to interactive art, Toledo area artists with any amount of experience have the opportunity to showcase their work. Artomatic 419 has always been a free event for attendees to come experience art in a unique setting.
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.
Downtown Toledo
Don’t miss out on the annual Blade Holiday Parade in downtown Toledo. Bring the family down and enjoy Santa’s debut for the season as well as the Distinguished Clown Corps, Giant Balloons, local marching bands, horses, floats and more.
Centennial Terrace
The Sylvania Fall Festival was created in 1985 and serves as the single largest community event each year. It is about bringing a community together and providing Sylvania with a fun, family-friendly event that showcases their schools, organizations, and businesses. Eventgoers can enjoy local craft booths, live music and more.
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.
Levis Square Park
In combination with the annual promenade park tree lighting, this two-day event celebrates the diversity of Toledo and the spirit of the season, featuring authentic foods, handcrafted goods, and live performances representing cultures from around the world.
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.
Downtown Toledo
The annual Dave’s Turkey Chase 5K, presented by First Solar, is the ideal Thanksgiving day family fun run/walk. With media sponsor WTOL 11 in Downtown Toledo, the event also includes a one mile walk, a kids run and a virtual option — all to benefit Cherry Street Mission Ministries.
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.
