List of the Best Summer Events Near Youngstown, Ohio

Summer is almost here – it’s time to get out and have some fun! The variety of summer events in Youngstown is sure to satisfy anyone’s appetite for a good time, so, let’s take a look at the list of activities, concerts, festivals and fairs to put on your calendar ASAP!

Fairs and Festivals

Summer just isn’t summer without a great fair or festival, and Youngstown is loaded with them!

Riverfest 2023: June 11

Riverfest 2023 is all about the area’s original highway: the Mahoning River!

Enjoy food vendors, entertainment, kids crafts, and of course, kayaking with Friends of the Mahoning River and Trumbull Canoe Trails. Riverfest 2023 takes place at Spring Commons Park (at the B&O Station – 530 Mahoning Ave.) on June 11 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Remember, this is a no-waste event, so be sure to bring your own water bottle!

Simply Slavic Heritage Festival: June 16 & 17

The Simply Slavic Heritage Festival showcases the rich slavic heritage of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. Come enjoy Eastern European food, music, and culture in Downtown Youngstown! It’s just a $5 admission, and children 12 and under can enter for free!

The Simply Slavic Festival takes place on Friday, June 16 from 5:00pm to 11:00pm and Saturday, June 17 from 12:00pm to midnight.

Celebrate Poland: June 23 & 24

This two-day, fun-filled event includes bands, food vendors, a parade, kids activities, a craft show and fireworks! Celebrate Poland was created to bring the Poland community and surrounding areas together and you won’t want to miss this exciting summertime event!

The Celebrate Poland event takes place on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24.

Summer Festival of the Arts: July 8 & 9

Support the arts in Youngstown!

The Cultural Alliance is showcasing the artistic talent of 70+ local, regional and national vendors with the Summer Festival of the Arts event. This is your chance to view (and purchase) paintings, glasswork, sculpture, textiles, plus enjoy live music, theater, and dance performances!

The Summer Festival of the Arts takes place in Wean Park, 201 S. Phelps St. (adjacent to the Covelli Centre), July 8 from 10:00am to 5:00pm and July 9 from 11:00am to 4:00pm.

Lowellville Mount Carmel Society Festival: July 19-22

This one’s been a tradition since 1895! Head over to Lowellville for Italian food, bocce, raffles, entertainment and the celebration’s famous baby doll dance! It’s a spectacle that has to be seen to be believed. For more information, check out the Lowellville Mount Carmel Society’s Facebook page.

Mahoning Valley Irish Festival: July 21 & 22

2023 is the second year for the Mahoning Valley Irish Festival! Slated for July 21-22, at Penguin City Brewing (460 E. Federal St.), this festival will be loaded with fair food, artisan breweries, music, performances, children’s activities and vendors. The Irish Festival is open from 5:00pm to 11:00pm on July 21 and 11:00am to 11:00pm on July 22.

Youngstown Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival: July 27-30

Not to be confused with the Lowellville event, the Youngstown Our Lady of Mount Carmel Italian Festival is also a celebration of Italian heritage, food, and culture. But this great event also serves as a fundraiser to assist with the maintenance of the historic Mt. Carmel parish.

Find all of your favorite Italian goodies, participate in the auction, play some games (like bocce) and shop the many retail vendors. The festival takes place July 27 through 30 at 343 Via Mount Carmel Avenue in Youngstown.

Greater Youngstown Italian Fest: August 4-6

Get a taste of the Valley’s Italian-American history with the 37th annual Greater Youngstown Italian Fest: Friday, August 4 (11:00am-11:00pm); Saturday, August 5 (1:00pm-11:00pm); and Sunday, August 6 (11:00am-11:00pm).

The Italian Fest boasts 4 blocks of entertainment, 2 stages, 30+ Italian restaurants and vendors, dozens of retail vendors, contests and raffles. This family-oriented event is a Valley staple and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Shaker Woods Festival: August 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27

The 42nd annual Shaker Woods Festival takes place in Columbiana, just a short drive south of Youngstown. With more than 200 of the best juried craftspeople in the country (demonstrating their arts and selling their wares while dressed in Shaker period clothing) this event is known far and wide.

This is the place to find hand-thrown pottery, blown glass, jewelry, knives, and furniture, as well as fresh produce, herbs and spices, and much more!

The festival runs for three consecutive weekends (August 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27) from 10:00am to 5:00pm. every day. Admission is $10 per day per adult, and children 12 and under get in free! Parking is also free of charge.

Brier Hill Italian Festival: August 17-20

Taking place in the neighborhood of the same name, the Brier Hill Italian Festival is a tribute to Italian food and culture in the area of Youngstown where Italian immigrants first settled in the late 19th century.

Enjoy all of the festivities and don’t forget to get a slice of Youngstown’s own Brier Hill pizza! The festival takes place on Calvin and Victoria Streets in the heart of the Brier Hill neighborhood. It runs from August 17 to August 20.

Canfield Fair: August 30-September 4

The Canfield Fair is the granddaddy of fairs in the Youngstown area! In fact, it’s the largest county fair in the State of Ohio (and the third largest in the United States!).

This traditional end-of-summer activity is in its 177th year, with all the great food and rides people have come to expect, and will feature live music from Koe Wetzel and Boyz II Men! The Canfield Fair runs from August 30 through September 4, at the Canfield Fairgrounds, and is open from 8:00am to 11:00pm every day.

Recurring Events

Not able to make it out to one of those great fairs or festivals? No worries – there are countless regularly scheduled events going on throughout Youngstown all summer long! Keep up on dates and times with Youngstown Live’s calendar of events and stay organized.

Summer Concerts in the Park

Did you know that there’s a whole summer of live music at both Austintown Park (6000 Kirk Road) and Boardman Park (375 Boardman-Poland Road)? Every week, you can take a break and listen to rock, country, bluegrass, and even polka! Plus, it’s all free! Find a list of every musical guest in Austintown Park on the Austintown Township website. The list of musical guests in Boardman Park is available on Youngstown Live.

Mill Creek MetroParks Farm

Looking for a family-friendly way to spend the afternoon? Take the kids out and enjoy the animals at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm! The barns are open from 8:30am to 3:30pm, with hours extended to 6:00pm during the summer. You can also experience the Rain Garden, with its contours and native flowers, the challenging disc golf courses, or just enjoy a walking tour around the farm.

The Youngstown Flea

Every month, the Youngstown Flea returns to Downtown Youngstown! And folks, this isn’t your typical flea market – it’s like a farmer’s market and a craft show all in one! At the Youngstown Flea, you’ll find vendors selling handmade items and all sorts of locally made food products to snack on. If you need a bigger bite, try one of the food trucks nearby. You never know what you’re going to find at the Youngstown Flea!

OH WOW! Children’s Center for Science & Technology

Want to take the kids somewhere where they can have fun and learn at the same time this summer? OH WOW! Children’s Center is filled with over 60 exhibits and 11 galleries that teach kids about all aspects of science (but most importantly, lets them have fun)!

OH WOW! Children’s Center is open 9:00am to 3:00pm. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $10, and free for children under 2 years of age. Admission for seniors (65+) and veterans is $9.

The Youngstown Summer Movie Series

Take in a movie in Downtown Youngstown on those warm summer nights! Features are shown in Wean Park next to the Covelli Centre. Each movie starts at 9:00pm on Mondays, and in the event of rain, will be rescheduled to Tuesday at 9:00pm. This summer’s movie list is jam-packed:

- June 26 – Jaws (1976)
- July 3 – Guardians of the Galaxy (vol. 2 – 2017)
- July 10 – Jumanji (1995)
- July 17 – Big Hero 6 (2014)
- July 24 – Elf (2003)
- August 7 – Field of Dreams (1988)
- August 14 – Wakanda Forever (2022

Summer Concerts and Events at the Amp

In addition to the nationally recognized acts that perform at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, summer evenings also include the 2023 edition of the Premier Bank Community Event Series. Popular performers and events (like Youngstown Wine and Jazz) offer a wide variety of opportunities to get out and enjoy Youngstown’s summer scene.

Looking for events that take place in the great outdoors? The area from Boardman Township all the way to the West Side of Youngstown is Mill Creek Park, a beloved local gem! A variety of events are slated throughout the summer months.

Last, but certainly not least, there’s The Butler Institute of American Art. Come and see works made by American masters from every era, from the early 18th century to present day. Exhibits are always changing, so if you haven’t been there in a while, it’s time to pay a visit!

Fun Events for a Cool Summer in Youngstown!

Start your summer planning now so that you can fill your calendar with unique and memorable events for the whole family! Keep your eyes on Youngstown Live to stay up-to-date – not just for events and concerts, but also for hotels, restaurants, and fun attractions in and around Youngstown! We hope to see you there!