July is one of the best months to visit Ohio. With consistent summer weather and lots of festivals and events, there are always fun things to do in Ohio in July.
Summer is in full swing and it’s time to have some fun before the kids head back to school. In addition to tons of 4th of July events, don’t forget that now is the perfect time to visit one or more of the Lake Erie beaches, take the ferry over to Put-in-Bay or Kelleys Island, go camping, or take a road trip to see some of the larger than life roadside attractions in Ohio.
July 4 festivities kick off a month of picnics, fireworks, parades, and BBQs. Here’s just a sampling of the July 4th festivities happening across the state.
- Red, White & BOOM! Kicks off in Columbus on July 1. Billed as the “largest July 4th celebration in the Midwest” this celebration is not to be missed!
- Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky will be hosting “Light up the Point.” VIP Packages include all-you-can-eat American classics like hot dogs, mac n’ cheese, and fruit salad.
- Downtown Sandusky will host the 4th of July Stars and Stripes Celebration, with fun family activities throughout the day.
- King’s Island near Cincinnati will be celebrating its 50th anniversary all summer long, with a summer concert series and fireworks on the 4th.
Even after the 4th, the festivities continue throughout the month of July. Check out these festivals and activities happening throughout Ohio in the month of July.
- The Columbus Symphony kicks off Picnic with the Pops on July 1 with Patriotic Pops. Each Saturday in July brings a new performance, with on-site food trucks at Columbus Commons.
- Head to Cincinnati’s Coney Island Park for a hot air balloon glow on July 3. Later in the month, celebrate National Waterpark Day on July 28.
- The Sandusky Gazebo Concert Series features free concerts on most Thursdays in July and August at Washington Park.
- Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra offers a Neighborhood Concert Series called Brady Block Parties, a free series of concerts held throughout the region in the summer months.
- The Cleveland Orchestra also hosts the Blossom Music Festival in July and August, with live music and picnics on the grounds.
- July 7 is the next concert in the First Friday Concert Series in downtown Middletown. Head to Governor’s Square for live music starting at 6:00; local restaurants will also offer specials.
- There’s a First Friday in Dayton, too! This free art hop features exhibit openings, street performances, live music, roaming entertainers, plus dining and shopping specials.
- The WonderStruck Festival in Kirtland has a fantastic music lineup scheduled for July 8 and July 9. Head to the grounds of Lakeland Community College outside Cleveland to see dozens of performers, including Flo Rida, Walker Hayes, Khalid, and Nelly.
- The Cincinnati Celtic Festival kicks off July 14 through July 16 in downtown Cincinnati. This free, family-friendly event celebrates Celtic music and Celtic heritage. Celtic food and whiskey tasting will also be featured.
- July 15 is the 29th anniversary of Cincy Blues Fest. Enjoy eight hours of live music at Smale Riverfront Park. Food, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
- Jazz & Rib Fest hits Columbus from July 21-23, with live music and food trucks. Two concert venues flank the Scioto River, with vendors lined up along the Scioto Mile.
- Hocking Hills is home to Lilyfest on July 14 through July 16. Bishop Educational Gardens opens its doors to this festival which includes arts, crafts, live music, and food.
- Western Ohio is home to the Celina Lake Festival from July 28-30. The festival features live music, carnival rides, fireworks, and amphibious cars on the lake!
- Celebrate National Merry Go Round day on July 25th at the Merry Go Round Museum in Sandusky.
- The Ohio State Fair comes to Columbus from July 26 – Aug 6. With rides, entertainment, food, and agricultural demonstrations, this is the festival of the summer. Check your local county for county fairs kicking off this summer as well.
- The Champaign Berry Farm in Urbana has fresh berries you can pre-order or pick yourself. July is the peak season for blackberries!
- Historic Fort Steuben presents 7 South and Eldorado in concert on July 13.
- Celebrate the Summer Moon Festival at Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta in western Ohio. Special activities and exhibits will run from July 18 through July 23.
- Celebrating 50 years of outdoor performances, the Tecumseh Drama Company in Chillicothe has performances running from June 16 through September 3rd. Witness the story of Tecumseh, a Shawnee leader, at the Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre.
- Celebrate Christmas in July at the Toledo Zoo. Enjoy Christmas lights, late entry, and live music on July 21 and July 22.
- July 23 is the first day of Dayton Restaurant Week. Dozens of Dayton restaurants offer prix fixe menus and often debut new dishes during the week.
- Malabar Farms State Park hosts Farm Fridays every Friday in July. Learn about the animals of the barn from the on-site naturalist.
- The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield is hosting Inkcarceration 2023 from July 14 through July 16. The event includes prison tours, 30 bands on 3 stages, and several tattoo artists. The reformatory also hosts ghost walks on July 21 and July 28, as well as ghost hunts on July 22 and July 29.
- Dublin’s North Market will host their monthly summer series, North Market Bridge Park Night Market on Thursday, July 13. Over 30 food and craft vendors participate in this sip, stroll, and shop event.
- Saturday, July 29 is the first Grandview Hop of the summer. This Columbus Night Market series features food trucks and vendors lined up along Grandview Avenue, which is closed to traffic for the evening. Live music and a charity beer garden are also planned.
July is also a great month for baseball! From Major League baseball in Cleveland and Cincinnati to budget-friendly minor league games around the state.
30. The Cleveland Guardians are northern Ohio’s Major League Baseball team, based at Progressive Field.
31. Southern Ohio has the Cincinnati Reds, another Ohio MLB team, playing at the Great American Ballpark.
32. Minor League games are a great family outing, often with more affordable tickets and concessions. Minor League teams in Ohio include the Akron Rubber Ducks, the Dayton Dragons, Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Columbus Clippers, Toledo Mud Hens, and the Lake County Captains.
What fun events or activities are you looking forward to this July?
