A Guide to Cleveland’s Ethnic and Cultural Festivals
Jet around the world without leaving Cleveland at one of our many annual cultural festivals and celebrations.
by Julia Lombardo , Paris Mather | Jul. 18, 2024 | 6:00 PM
Courtesy Erik Drost, Emmanuel Bonilla, Courtesy Cleveland Kurentovanje
The Cleveland area boasts a wealth of cultural diversity worth celebrating. Much of that celebration has already booked its own day on the calendar, commencing in a yearly festival, and we’ve got the rundown on all the ones you need to know about.
Kurentovanje
Many Clevelanders already celebrate the end of our seemingly infinite winter, but did you know there’s an organized festival for the occasion? Cleveland’s Kurentovanje recognizes Slovenic Mardi Gras each year at the beginning of spring. Its unique events include telling Slovenian myths, a 5k dash and the “Kurent Jump,” where mythical creatures chase away winter by dancing around a fire, which seems more convincing than a groundhog’s verdict based on shadows. clevelandkurentovanje.com
Dyngus Day
Dyngus Day has become an increasingly large celebration in Cleveland every year during the Monday after Easter. As proof of its growing popularity, 2024’s Polish cultural festival included a new, larger venue that expanded festivities over the Gordon Arts District. Also known as Wet Monday, this festival’s distinctive activities include water fights, polka dancing and a feast of traditional Polish cuisine to celebrate the end of Lent. clevelanddyngus.com
RELATED: A guide to some of the most popular Polish foods
Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival
Cleveland proudly hosts the largest Indian classical musical festival outside of India. Each year around Easter, the festival provides two weeks’ worth of wondrous lineups with impressive Indian vocalists, orchestras and dances. Heavily awarded artists use their talents to celebrate Indian composer, Sri Thyagaraja, and avocational contestants perform in music and dance competitions. aradhana.org
Cleveland Asian Festival
Every May, Cleveland dedicates two days to immersing in a variety of Asian cultures. AsiaTown’s streets can be found bustling with energetic activities and cuisines. Whether attendees crave boba tea, pad thai, hibachi or pho, all leave satisfied. The festival also includes an Asian pop-dance cover competition, where groups show off their best moves, and a world marketplace with hand-sewn clothing, henna designs, facepaints and a traditional Chinese dragon prancing with pride. clevelandasianfestival.org
Tremont Greek Fest
The Tremont Greek Fest offers the perfect Memorial Day weekend schedule with entertainment and homemade Greek cuisine curating the perfect lineup. Announcing the arrival of summer, Tremont’s Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church entices Clevelanders with its myriad of traditional recipes including baklava, spanakopita and souvlaki. This truly is a festival you can’t attend too many times, so be sure to check it out for the first or fortieth time next year. experiencetremont.com
Irish Cultural Festival
Bagpipes will breathe life into the Cleveland air while the rumble of Irish dancers keeps the steady heartbeat each July at the Berea Fairgrounds’ Irish Cultural Festival. A combination of tradition, literature, art and music will make you feel at home or experience something new. The festival will host over 50 vendors with authentic foods and goods, as well as 24 performers on nine stages. clevelandirish.org
Puerto Rican Parade & Cultural Festival
Since the late 1960s, Puerto Rican culture in Cleveland has been celebrated annually in August with this festival’s lively music, local artisans and delicious food. Festivities culminate in a parade of floats, walkers and vehicles led by residents and small businesses, to showcase community and the history of Puerto Rican heritage. puertoricanparade.org
The Feast of the Assumption
Hosted by the Holy Rosary Church, the Catholic and Italian-American street festival's weekend-long celebration of the Aug. 15 church holiday boasts heritage, family traditions and Cleveland’s ethnic diversity. Local artists and restaurants fill the streets with vibrant flavors and melodies while guests can enjoy carnival and casino games. Religious practices include the procession of the statue of Mary, daily outdoor rosary prayers and a full mass schedule with opportunities for worship each day. littleitalyfeast.com
RELATED: Meet the Family Marching the Oldest Banner in Little Italy's Feast of the Assumption Procession
St. Mary Romanian Festival
Located at its namesake church, the event rings in summer's final weeks and features authentic Romanian music, dance, food and family-friendly activities. Enjoy live entertainment from an array of artists, and immerse yourself in history and heritage with a tour of St. Mary Romanian Orthodox Cathedral and the Romanian Ethnic Art Museum. Festivities culminate with a costumes parade and a host of dance groups to round out the night. smroc.org
One World Day
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation’s One World Day celebrates with dance performances, music, games and activities that allow attendees to immerse themselves in their own heritage and learn about others. Notable events include the naturalization ceremony, with a U.S. District Court Judge swearing in new citizens, and the Passport to Peace activity, where participants receive “stamps” for each cultural garden visited. clevelandoneworldday.org
Hungarian Festival
Packing a world of festivities into one day, Ohio's largest Hungarian festival brings food, family-friendly entertainment, book fairs, raffles and authentic folk costumes, dance lessons and crafts to Cleveland. With an array of souvenirs and merchandise for sale, you can take a piece of the day home with you. csbk.org
Cleveland Armenian Festival
Immerse yourself in every facet of Armenian culture, with boutiques, authentic cuisine and other entertainment and activities. Also partake in cultural exhibits, or take a tour of the host site, St. Gregory of Narek church, for a glimpse into Cleveland's rich Armenian history. stgregoryofnarek.org
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Julia Lombardo
Julia Lombardo is the editor of Cleveland Magazine’s home and style section and contributes to coverage of arts, culture and dining. She graduated from The Ohio State University in 2023 with an English degree. As both a journalist and poet, she is inspired by stories with creative flair. When she puts down the pen, she enjoys going to concerts, ranking coffee shops and walking aimlessly through wooded trails.
