ARTS

BORDERLIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL returns to the Playhouse Square District in downtown Cleveland for four full days of live theatre and entertainment, from Wednesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 11. Some performances and activities are free and open to the public. Visit borderlightcle.org/2026-festival for a full list of dates and times.

CITY STAGES is a free outdoor concert series hosted by the Cleveland Museum of Art outside its Transformer Station (1490 W 29th St.) in the Hingetown area of Ohio City. Featuring the best in global music, the concerts will take place this year on two Wednesdays in July, starting at 7:30 pm: on July 22 (featuring Beninese singer-guitarist Kaleta and the Super Yamba Band), and on July 29 (featuring the South Korean group Insun Park and Generals). Seating is limited. Bring camp chairs and delight in an evening of music and dancing in the street. Free parking is available in the Lutheran Hospital lot located at West 28th St. and Franklin Blvd.

DOWNTOWN SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: Downtown Cleveland Inc. will bring free live music to public locations around the downtown area throughout the summer. To see a full list of dates, locations, and performers, visit downtowncleveland.com/summer-music.

FREE DRUMMING WORKSHOPS: Join Unidos Por el Arte Mondays from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center (2800 Archwood Ave.) for a FREE workshop on Afro-Caribbean drumming, presented by the Cleveland Tango School. No registration required.

METROPARKS SUMMER CONCERTS: Cleveland Metroparks has announced its free Summer Concert Series taking place at six of its waterfront parks, including these dates at Edgewater Beach: July 16 (featuring disco group Disco Inferno), July 23 (featuring Neil Diamond cover group The Diamond Project), July 30 (featuring reggae artist Carlos Jones), August 6 (featuring Prince cover group The Prince Project), and August 27 (featuring blues group The Jimmy’s Band). Please note that all concerts at Edgewater are on Thursdays, from 5 pm to 8 pm. For a full list of dates and locations, visit clevelandmetroparks.com/concerts.

SECRET SONGWRITING SOCIETY: Anyone can write a song. Wanna start? Join us on the third Tuesday of every month at Forest City Brewery (2135 Columbus Rd.) for a celebration of spontaneous creativity. This month, we will meet on Tuesday, July 21. Doors open at 7 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm. For more information, visit thebakersbasement.com/secret-songwriting-society.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival will hold free performances of Richard III  this summer at various public parks in the Cleveland area, including several on the west side, on select days from July 17 to August 2. For a full list of dates and locations, visit clevelandshakespeare.org.

STREET STUDIO: This month’s Street Studio will be Saturday, July 25^th at 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Community Church, 4427 Franklin Boulevard. All are welcome to share music, poetry, spoken word, or listen in support. Piano, drums, guitar and microphones provided as well as coffee and snacks. For more information contact Ian Heisey at heisey2140@sbcglobal.net.

ASSISTANCE

HEAP SUMMER CRISIS PROGRAM: The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Crisis Program is a one-time benefit that can help pay electric utility bills (up to $500), purchase air conditioners or fans, or repair central air conditioning units during the summer months. This year’s program begins July 1. For more information and to see if you qualify, visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.

LEAD SAFE RESOURCE CENTER: Together, we can prevent lead poisoning. Contact the Lead Resource Center today to get access to our free classes, get screened and tested for lead, and receive technical assistance with removing lead from your home or rental property. Call 833-601-LEAD or visit LeadSafeCLE.org.

SEWER DISTRICT SATURDAY OFFICE HOURS: The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District office, at 3900 Euclid Ave., is now open the first Saturday of each month from 8 am to 11 am. Customers can take advantage of the new hours to make a payment, get help with their account, and apply for cost-saving options. For more information, visit neorsd.org or call 216-881-8247.

WOMEN, INFANTS & CHILDREN (WIC) NUTRITION PROGRAM provides nutrition education, nutritious foods and breastfeeding support. To be eligible you must be pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum (having a baby less than 6 months old) or be an infant or child less than five years old. You must also have a nutritional need and have household income that fits within the WIC guidelines. For more information, call 216-957-9421 or visit signupwic.com.

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY POLICE COMMISSION seeks new members:  Interested Cleveland residents can download forms and apply on the City’s website or bring applications to City Hall’s security desk up until 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 17. Applications can also be mailed to the Office of the Mayor, Room 202 Cleveland City Hall at 601 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114.

MONROE STREET CEMETERY FOUNDATION, formed in 2008, is a group of dedicated volunteers who help to preserve, maintain and improve Monroe Cemetery (3207 Monroe Ave. in Ohio City). Our work includes: rebuilding the collapsed gatehouse, obtaining certification as the first ArbNet arboretum in the city, repairing fences, planting gardens/trees, repairing/resetting headstones, and providing cultural events for the neighborhood. Our meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at Forest City Brewery (2135 Columbus Rd.) from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. We welcome all to join, regardless of your level of commitment. We are a group of all ages with diverse backgrounds. For more information, call 216-202-4872 or email info@mscf1841.org.

OLD BROOKLYN CRIME WATCH: Join us the third Monday of every month at 7 pm at St. James Lutheran Church (4771 Broadview Rd). This is an opportunity to hear from the 2nd District Police, the fire department, and the county prosecutor’s office. There are also occasional opportunities to meet candidates for council, candidates for judge, and candidates for state government. This month’s meeting will be on Monday, July 20.

EMPLOYMENT

EL BARRIO WORKFORCE PROGRAM: The Centers’ free workforce programs are open to anyone 18+ and include short-term career training, specialized industry certifications, professional certificates, and job placement services. Our vast network of corporate partners teach in our classrooms, provide career assistance, and hire from our program. Some of our trainings are also available in Spanish. To get started, call us at 216-325-WORK (9675) or visit thecentersohio.org/workforce-development.

THE CENTER FOR NURSING CAREER EXPLORATION (CNCE) provides career exploration opportunities for school-aged students and adult learners who are interested in the nursing profession by offering real-world immersive learning experiences. In addition, we help nurses explore growth opportunities and academic advancement. Through our engaging activities, educational offerings, and professional programs, you will be better equipped to confidently choose a career in nursing. Visit clevelandclinic.org/CNCE to complete the CNCE interest form, and a team member will be in touch. For questions or additional information, please contact us at CNCE@ccf.org.

OHIO MEANS JOBS – NEW LOCATION: Ohio Means Jobs offers career coaching, help with applying for jobs, computer skills training, help with creating resumes and more. Please note that the last day of services at our old location, 1910 Carnegie Ave., was Friday, June 26. Services will be available at the new location starting on Wednesday, July 1. The address of our new building is: 1975 East 61st St., in the Midtown neighborhood. The center is open Monday thru Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm. Call 216-777-8200 or visit omjcc.us for more information.

ENVIRONMENT

COMMUNITY LANDSCAPER PARTNERSHIP: Western Reserve Land Conservancy is looking for local landscapers, tree experts, and other environmental contractors to partner with us and our community groups. We want to work with anyone who cares about Cleveland, from experts to those just starting out. Together, we want to turn vacant lots in Cleveland neighborhoods into clean, green spaces that residents can be proud of. Fill out this form: https://forms.office.com/r/en4GVZVtLZ or visit wrlandconservancy.org to learn more about our organization.

GARDEN WALK CLEVELAND offers free, self-guided tours of gardens, urban farms, vineyards, orchards, and more in various Cleveland neighborhoods. Tour at your own pace in each of the annually designated Cleveland neighborhoods. This year’s event will be on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, from 10 am to 5 pm each day. The Saturday neighborhoods will be: Collinwood, Fairfax, Glenville, Hough, West Park/Jefferson, West Park/Kamm’s, Tremont, and Ohio City. The Sunday neighborhoods will be: Clifton-Baltic/Edgewater, Detroit Shoreway, Little Italy, Old Brooklyn, and Broadway Slavic Village. Visit gardenwalkcleveland.org for more information.

EVENTS

FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS: The annual Independence Day fireworks event “Light Up the Lake” returns to Downtown Cleveland Saturday, July 4. This year, the event will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the country. Fireworks will be launched by a professional crew from the Port of Cleveland beginning at sundown (around 9 pm) and will last 20 minutes. Some viewing location ideas include Settlers Landing, Flats East Bank, Superior Viaduct, Voinovich Bicentennial Park, Kirtland Park, Gordon Park, Edgewater Park, and Whiskey Island.

LA PLACITA@CV25  is a vibrant Hispanic-themed outdoor pop-up market celebrating culture, community, and incredible small businesses.  From delicious food to music, art, and family-friendly vibes—you won’t want to miss it! Weekends in June and July 2026 (excluding July 4th weekend), from 12 to 6 pm at CentroVilla25 (3140 W 25th St).

TASTE OF TREMONT, an annual street festival that showcases the best of Tremont’s food, art and entertainment, returns for its 22nd year to take over historic Professor Ave. on Sunday, July 19 from noon to 8 pm. As the neighborhood is home to some of the most talented chefs in the region, we invite you to join us and enjoy a day filled with exquisite cuisines, live music and shopping. The event is free and will take place, rain or shine.

FOOD

FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH: School-age children and teens (ages 18 and under) can receive free, healthy breakfast at select City-owned recreation centers, including Michael Zone (6301 Lorain Ave.), Estabrook (4125 Fulton Rd.), and Halloran Skating Rink (3550 W 117th St.),  from June 1 to August 14, 10 am to 10:30 am. Lunch will also be served daily at all 18 Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers starting June 1. Please check with your local recreation center for specific meal times. Select playgrounds will also serve lunch beginning June 1. Meal times may vary based on delivery schedules.

GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK: Food assistance is just a call away. Apply for SNAP (food stamps) and other public benefits over the phone by calling 216-738-2067. For information about SNAP applications, food pantries, free produce, and hot meals, text “FOOD” to 63566 or visit GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org.

KIDS EAT FREE AT THE LIBRARY: Cleveland Public Library (CPL) invites youth to have summer lunch on us, Monday-Friday, from 11:30 am to 12:30 am. In partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, free nutritious meals are available on a first-come-first-served basis to youth ages 18 and under at all CPL branches. Visit https://cpl.org/locations to find a branch near you.

HEALTH

FREE SUMMER GYM MEMBERSHIP FOR TEENS: Teens ages 14-19 can work out for free this summer by signing up for a High School Summer Pass at any Planet Fitness location, including the Ohio City location, (3333 Lorain Ave). Sign up in person or online at planetfitness.com/summerpass. Teens under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when signing up.

MOMSFIRST: Are you pregnant? Do you live in the city of Cleveland? The MomsFirst program can help you learn how to deal with the stress that comes with being a parent; connect you to resources for housing, education, and healthcare; teach you how to keep your baby safe; and find birth control options that work for you. To enroll, visit momsfirst.org or call 216-664-4194.

LIBRARY

0 TO 3: READ TO ME! Literacy begins at birth and every parent can learn and use simple, researched-based techniques to build language and literacy skills right from the start. Check out the Cleveland Public Library’s new collection of programs designed especially for children from birth to age 3 (36 months) and parents or other adult family members. Cpl.org/readtome. Questions? Call 216-623-7114.

CLEVELAND READS is a summer reading program from Cleveland Public Library that brings school-aged readers of all ages together to discover books, strengthen reading skills, and stay connected through the power of stories. In this year’s program, entitled “Main Character Energy,” kids can gain XP and win prizes by reading and participating in events at library branches throughout the city, now until July 31. To sign up, visit your local branch or go to cpl.org/cleveland-reads.

STREAM MOVIES FOR FREE: Using your Cleveland Public Library card, stream movies for free on the Kanopy streaming service. The service’s catalog includes many classic films, international films, and indie darlings. Just go to kanopy.com  to sign up. Select Cleveland Public Library as your library. Type in your library card number. Then type in the last four digits of the library card number when asked for a pin.

SENIORS

OHIO AGING COMPASS is a user-friendly suite of tools designed to help older Ohioans, caregivers, and others easily access aging-related data, services, events, and long-term care information. Developed by the Ohio Department of Aging (AGE), Ohio Aging Compass brings together three integrated tools: 1) The Long-Term Care Quality Navigator was launched in 2024 as part of Governor Mike DeWine’s Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force. It allows users to search for and compare nursing homes and assisted living facilities across Ohio. 2) The Healthy Aging Resource Hub, a one-stop shop for healthy aging information, events, and supportive programs and services. 3) The Aging Data Explorer is an interactive dashboard tracking the state’s progress on key aging priorities across more than 80 metrics. Visit compass.aging.ohio.gov to get started.