Downtown Akron Partnership

10/14/2026

🎃 Would you like to help out? We'd love to have you!

Volunteer to help at the 2026 Downtown Akron Fall Fest, coming to Main St. and Lock 3 Akron, Ohio on Saturday, October 17, from 4 - 7 pm.

We need help with set up, tear down, pumpkin painting craft, s'mores, info tables, and line management for the Spooky Express Train.

Get more information, sign up, and share: https://bit.ly/FallFest2026-Volunteers

Find out more about Downtown Akron Fall Fest by clicking the Facebook link: 2026 Downtown Akron Fall Fest 🎃

10/14/2026

Rubber City Comics has 🧟‍♀️ a scary (awesome) selection of scary comics for this season of spookiness! ⤵️

Come check out our horror comics section for spooky season!!

10/14/2026

Lunch: what is it? Who has it? How do you get it? Let us be your guide with answers to all these questions and more: http://bit.ly/DAP_LunchOptions

Pictured (for your inspiration, clockwise from top-left):

⭐ The #15 (cheddar cheese, slow roasted pulled pork, pickles, and sweet baby rays BBQ sauce on country butter-top bread) from The Lockview—they're in their Final Week of operations, open for lunch through Friday

⭐ New Detroit deep dish pizzas from Missing Falls Brewery

⭐ Fall coffees and teas (to accompany your lunch order) from Chameleon Cafe Akron

⭐ The 1 Burger (short rib & brisket burger, seared pork belly, bourbon tomato aioli, cheddar, brioche bun, truffle fries) from The 1 Food & Spirits

⭐ Tuna, chicken, and egg salad sandwiches from Ilić Café

⭐ The garden veggie pizza (cheese, sauce, green peppers, black olives, mushrooms, banana peppers, red onions) from Pizza77Main

That's lunch, people!

10/13/2026

This week’s Do Downtown is filled with spooky delights, treats, and fun for all. Downtown Akron never disappoints when it comes to celebrating everything that October has to offer. Here are just a few options, but there are so many more on the Downtown Akron Partnership Event Calendar. Make sure to check it out!
Let’s start with mid-week treats…

🍂🍂🍂 Join us on Wednesday, from 11:15 am - 12:30 pm for the Downtown Akron Partnership-led Discover Downtown Akron Lunchtime Walking Tour. Learn about public art projects, small businesses and downtown developments. Tour will begin and end on the sidewalk in front of the large 3 sculpture at Lock 3 on Main St.

🍷🍷🍷 If you join tomorrow's walking tour, you'll most likely pass one of downtown's best eateries, Crave, where on Thursday from 6 - 8 pm they're hosting the Bonfadini Franciacorta Sparkling W**e Tasting. Meet Francesca Bonfadini, owner and winemaker of Bonfadini, a family-owned estate in Iseo, Italy. Find out more, get tickets, and make an elegant evening of it by making a dinner reservation before or after the tasting: https://bit.ly/BonfadiniCrave

This weekend is filled with so many options to satisfy the traditionalists and those looking for new adventures.

🎻🎻🎹 On Friday, check out the University of Akron Symphony Orchestra performing at Guzetta Recital Hall (157 University Ave.) from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. This is one of the pinnacle ensembles of music education and performance that the university has to offer. Celebrate this group of talented musicians that add so much to the University of Akron’s campus culture.

🎸🎸🎸 Or, visit Jilly's Music Room (111 N. Main St.) on Friday evening for the electrifying music of the Colin John Band at 7 pm. Colin John has shared stages with blues and rock royalty, including B.B.King, John Mayall, Jimmy Vivino, Popa Chubby, Marshall Crenshaw, and Deanna Bogart, among many others.

On Saturday bring the littles down to Lock 3 all day long!

🎃🎃🎃 First stop is at the Akron Children's Museum (216 S. Main St.) for their Free Fall Funday from 10 am - 5 pm. You will enjoy free admission and have a fun filled day filled with fall crafts and activities as you explore this interactive museum filled with so much to do for the kids.

👻🎃🍬 The 5th Annual Downtown Akron Fall Fest serves as the free family friendly grand finale on Saturday down at Lock 3 (200 S. Main St.) from 4 - 7 pm. There will be trick or treating up and down Main St., a s'mores station, a spooky train ride, a costume contest, and so much more. Find out more https://bit.ly/FallFestAkron2026

⭐️ Saturday Age 18 and Up!
💋💋💋 Looking for something a bit edgier to satisfy your Halloween vibes? How about Ohio Shakespeare Festival's Frank-n-Furter’s Ball which starts at 6 pm at in Greystone Hall (103 S. High St.). Wear your most outrageous Rocky Horror Garb and enjoy a live performance of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Grab your tickets to this popular event https://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/frankball

⭐️ On Sunday Goodies and Gore Await

Let’s start with the family friendly “to do’s” at both the Akron Zoo and the Hower House Museum.

🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛ 👻👻👻 Boo at the Zoo at Akron Zoo (500 Edgewood Ave) will take place from 11 am-7 pm. Enjoy a fun filled family day with a spooktacular twist, including trick or treat stations and wearing costumes. You will even see Halloween fan favorite characters and witness the magic of monsters performing a spooky dance.

🍬🍬🍬Goodies and Guisings at the Hower House Museum - The University of Akron (60 Fir Hill) celebrates the season with their FREE children's Halloween event from 2 - 4 pm where kiddos can explore the museum room by room, collect stickers, and receive a bag of goodies at the end!

😱😱😱 For the horror lovers in the bunch, check out Evil Dead The Musical Presented by Millennial Theatre Project starting at 2:30 pm at the Knight Stage (182 S. Main St). Based on cult horror films, Evil Dead: The Musical blends over-the-top gore, outrageous comedy, unforgettable music, and nonstop chaos into one wildly entertaining theatrical experience. Audience members should prepare accordingly… because blood will absolutely be spilled. Find out more and get tickets: https://bit.ly/EvilDeadTheMusical-Akron

♥️♦️♣️ Don’t dread Monday. Make it a Funday. Plan on coming to Monday Night Social Club at Bar Phoenix & The Phoenix Room. Starting at 5 pm. There will be a host of games including a pool match, euchre, poker and more. There will be music, specialty cocktails and an amazing menu as well. Make a night of it and then make it a weekly tradition.

🎷 🎸🎸Sad it isn’t hump day yet? Don’t fret! Check out “BLUesday Tuesday” Blues Jam at BLU Jazz+ (47 E. Market St) starting at 7 pm. These musicians carry a combined 60+ years of experience in and around the Greater Akron Blues scene. Get ready to get groovy and to feel soulful. Doors open at 6 pm. Under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

In every issue of Do Downtown, we feature 20+ events, as well as downtown retail and restaurant specials, can’t-miss museum and gallery exhibitions, and much more.

Sign up to stay in the loop: https://bit.ly/DAP_SignMeUp and visit the DAP event calendar for additional details on these events and many others.

10/13/2026

Season 73 of the Akron Symphony Orchestra kicks off this Saturday with Howl's Moving Castle (w/ Symphonie Fantastique) at E.J. Thomas Hall at the University of Akron! ⤵️ ⤵️ ⤵️ ⤵️

10/13/2026

Take the Lock 3 Akron, Ohio survey about summer offerings. Your answers will help them plan next year's season of music, festivals & other experiences. ⤵️ ⤵️ ⤵️ ⤵️ ⤵️ ⤵️

We want to hear from YOU! As we look ahead to next summer at Lock 3, your feedback can help shape the concerts, events, festivals and experiences you want to see. Whether you joined us this summer or didn’t make it downtown, we want to know what you’d like to see more of and what could make your next visit even better. Take a few minutes to complete our Lock 3 Summer Survey and help us plan an even better season ahead! CLICK THE LINK for SURVEY:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/pj83NxR

10/12/2026

Coming up on Thursday, meet Francesca Bonfadini, owner and winemaker of Bonfadini, a family-owned estate in Iseo, Italy, at Crave for a special evening, from 6 - 8 pm, celebrating the sparkling wines of Franciacorta, Italy!

Find out more, get tickets to the tasting event, and make a night of it by booking a dinner reservation before or after the tasting https://www.eatdrinkcrave.com/crave-events/sparklingwinetastingevent

10/09/2026

Happy Friday, October 9, 2026, Everybody! It's pumpkin spice and trick or treat season, so here are some treats from our bag of tricks to enhance your weekend enjoyment:

1️⃣ Tonight, Friday, Oct. 9 is the Pints and Pies: Craft B**r and Pizza Festival presented by Wayside Furniture at Akron Civic Theatre! Enjoy an incredible selection of b**rs from local and regional breweries, perfectly paired with unlimited samples of savory pizzas and sweet dessert pies. To make exploring your favorites even easier, b**r stations are organized by style rather than brewery.

Admission includes 25 drink tickets and unlimited pizza and pie samples, giving you the opportunity to discover a wide variety of craft beverages and delicious pairings throughout the evening. Get all the details and tickets: https://bit.ly/PintsAndPies2026

2️⃣ Saturday, Oct. 10 is the 2nd Annual Akron Oatmeal Festival from noon - 5 pm at Cascade Locks Park (57 W. North St.)!!! Presented by the Cascade Locks Park Association, this uniquely Akron celebration features live music, great food, oatmeal cookies, a Ferdinand Schumaker Look-Alike Contest and much more! 100% FUN

PLUS: Bring 3 Donated Food Items for Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank's Super-6 Food Drive & you'll get 1 Free, Exclusive, Commemorative, Collectible, Coveted Shumaker Button—sweet!

The Super-6 are:
Canned Vegetables
Canned Soup/Stew
Canned Tuna
Peanut Butter
Mac & Cheese
Boxed Cereal

Find out more about the Akron Oatmeal Festival : https://bit.ly/AkronOatmealFestival2026

🧛‍♀️ ALSO on Saturday, Killer Video Presents: The 2026 Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival at the Akron Civic Theatre! Explore a killer lineup of horror + film vendors and snag spine-tingling merch. Enjoy a curated selection of food trucks onsite for tasty bites. Find out more: https://bit.ly/KillerVideoHorrorFilmFest2026

🏈 This is also Homecoming and Family Weekend at The University of Akron! There are a number of great activities all weekend, including the Zips vs Eastern Michigan football game on Saturday at 3:30. View the full menu of Homecoming fun: https://www.uakron.edu/Homecoming/

P.S. Cummings Center for the History of Psychology is offering free admission to the museum to all visitors wearing their Family Weekend wristband. Drop by on Friday or Saturday from 11 am - 4 pm and enjoy the National Museum of Psychology – the only museum of its kind in North America!
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3️⃣ There's lots of good music to enjoy this weekend, including

Daniel Rylander Band with Jenny Baird and Katy Robinson at Jilly's Music Room (Fri. 8 pm), Swizzle Stick Band (Sat. 7 pm), and Carole KingFest (Sun. 5 pm), with 15 live acts performing the music of Carole King. All proceeds from ticket and door sales for Carole KingFest and a percentage of bar and food sales benefit The Homeless Charity and Village. No Brunch service this weekend. As always, everything during Happy Hour (5 - 7 pm) is 20% off.

BLU Jazz+ hosts Created to Create, presented by a 7-piece ensemble of established, renowned professional musicians from the Greater Cleveland area, this evening tells a story of faith, creation, and community through exceptional music, scripture, and personal testimony (Fri. 8 pm), and ReCoyle ft. John Orsini playing BLU Jazz+ for the 1st time on Sat. at 8 pm.

Baxter's Speakeasy hosts Crucial Vibes Reggae with DJ Maxafari with Jamaican food from Jamaican Jerk Akron (Fri. 8 - 11 pm).

Musica has post-punk rockers PONS (NYC) on their "Racecar" North American Tour with support from Fast & Backwards, Wage Cage, and angelhair (Fri. 8 pm), Speedbump Fest XI: Punk vs Metal (Sat. 8 pm), featuring Kill the Hippies, Fuzzfiend, Dirty Lines, and Throbber. On Sunday, Musica hosts Dracula vs Bloody Mary vs The Pope, a Life’s a Drag Halloween showdown of biblical proportions.

AND: Live music at Saturday's Oatmeal Fest includes Joey Hughes of False Teeth (12 pm), Da Land Brass Band (1:30 pm), and Benny Lava & The Guavas (3 pm).
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4️⃣ There's a full weekend of great experiences on the stage and the screen:

The Nightlight has the 20th Anniversary Guillermo Del Toro's classic Pan's Labyrinth, the documentary You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution, award-winning documentary Naza, and horror infused Never After Dark (all of the screenings of The Room with special guest Greg Sestero are sold out!). For tickets and showtimes https://nightlightcinema.com/

Millennial Theatre Project opens the over-the-top outrageous comedy Evil Dead: The Musical with shows on Fri., Sat., and Sun. For tickets & showtimes: https://bit.ly/EvilDeadTheMusicalMTP

Ohio Shakespeare Festival opens the Rocky Horror Show with performances on Fri., Sat., and Sun. at Greystone Hall. “Goodie bags” for audience participation sold at the door. Sorry—no DIY goodie bags allowed. For tickets and showtimes, visit https://www.ohioshakespearefestival.com/rocky

Don't forget to enjoy a delicious meal from one of your downtown
Akron faves this weekend. Check out the DAP dining guide for options for every taste: https://bit.ly/DAP_Dining

And as always, for much, MUCH more to do and enjoy downtown, check out the DAP event calendar: https://bit.ly/DAP_Calendar

10/08/2026

🎃 It's Creepy Things Going Bump in the Night Season, and there are lots of opportunities for everyone, young and old, to enjoy some chills & thrills this month—right through Halloween!

Check out our calendar list of Halloween and Jack-O-Lantern adjacent things to do in downtown Akron: https://bit.ly/HalloweenDowntownAkron10-9_10-31

Need a little scary inspiration? Here are just a handful of the offerings (Clockwise from top left):

🎃 Halloween at BLU Jazz+ with Chris Coles & his band, Gleam, featuring Floco Torres (Oct. 31)

🎃 The Akron Independent Horror Short Film Festival at Akron Civic Theatre, presented by Killer Video (Oct. 10)

🎃 The Rocky Horror Show presented by Ohio Shakespeare Festival (weekends through Nov. 1)

🎃 The The University of Akron's Trunk or Treat Storybook Adventure (Oct. 29)

🎃 need. Skateshop's Low-hio Skateout, featuring 80s skater costume contest (Oct. 30)

🎃 Baxter's Speakeasy Annual Halloween and Anniversary Party (Oct. 30)

🎃 🎃 🎃 PLUS, for kids and families: 2026 Downtown Akron Fall Fest (Oct. 17), Free Fall Funday at Akron Children's Museum (Oct. 17), Boo at the Zoo (weekends through Oct. 25), Goodies and Guisings at Hower House Museum, and lots more!