What's Happening in Medina This Week, August 24-30

The last full week of August is here, and while the school buses start rolling this week for Akron Public Schools, there is still plenty of summer left to enjoy. This week's calendar has a great mix of rock concerts at Blossom, community arts and makers markets, outdoor fitness, pizza by the ton, and one more Sunday of the Mill Street Makers' Market before we ease into fall. As always, the farmers markets are bursting with peak-season produce. Let's dive into the week.

Monday, August 24

Mötley Crüe at Blossom Music Center

Monday night belongs to rock icons Mötley Crüe as they bring their tour to Blossom Music Center. The legendary Los Angeles band, known for chart-topping hits like "Girls, Girls, Girls," "Kickstart My Heart," and "Dr. Feelgood," delivers a high-energy arena rock show that has been thrilling audiences for four decades. The show starts at 7:00 PM at the Blossom amphitheater, about a 30-minute drive from Medina through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley. Expect a full night of pyrotechnics, guitars, and classic 80s rock anthems. If you missed them on their stadium tour a few years back, this is a chance to catch them in the iconic outdoor setting.

Pub Quiz Trivia at Missing Falls Brewery

Monday night in Akron means trivia at Missing Falls Brewery in the Merriman Valley. Trivia kicks off at 7:00 and 8:00 PM with rounds covering pop culture, history, sports, and general knowledge. Missing Falls serves excellent craft brews and has a great food menu. It is a low-key, fun way to start the week with friends.

Tuesday, August 25

Vinyasa Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday evening brings free outdoor yoga to Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron from 5:30 to 6:30 PM. This Vinyasa Yoga session is open to all fitness levels and is led by a local instructor. Bring your own mat or towel and enjoy an hour of movement in the open air as the late afternoon sun filters through downtown Akron's buildings. It is a wonderful way to decompress after work. The class is free and requires no registration.

Wednesday, August 26

Lock 3 Blues & Jazz: Esther Fitz

The free summer concert series at Lock 3 Park continues Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM with Esther Fitz. An accomplished vocalist and performer on the Northeast Ohio jazz and blues scene, Esther Fitz brings soulful vocals and a tight band for an evening of standards, originals, and deep grooves. Lock 3 is Akron's premier outdoor entertainment venue, with the Ohio & Erie Canal running alongside the park. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab dinner from a nearby downtown restaurant, and enjoy live music under the late summer sky. Free and all ages.

Thursday, August 27

7th Annual Akron Pizza Fest at Lock 3

Thursday is all about pizza. The 7th Annual Akron Pizza Fest takes over Lock 3 Park with two sessions: a lunch service from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and the main event from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Local pizzerias compete for the title of Akron's best pizza, offering samples and full pies to hungry festivalgoers. Expect a wide range of styles from classic Northeast Ohio薄 crust to Detroit-style square pies, Neapolitan wood-fired, and creative gourmet toppings. There will be live music, cold drinks, and a great community atmosphere in the heart of downtown Akron. This event sells out, so arrive early.

Koe Wetzel at Wolstein Center

Texas country-rock artist Koe Wetzel brings his high-energy show to the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University on Thursday at 7:00 PM. Wetzel is known for blending country, rock, and grunge influences into a rowdy, genre-defying sound that has earned him a devoted following. His raw, authentic lyrics and high-octane live performances have made him one of the most exciting acts in modern country music. About a 35-minute drive from Medina to downtown Cleveland.

Movies@Main: Pee Wee's Big Adventure

The Akron-Summit County Public Library hosts a free screening of Pee Wee's Big Adventure on Thursday from 6:15 to 8:00 PM at the Main Library downtown. This beloved 1985 comedy classic directed by Tim Burton and starring Paul Reubens is a whimsical, hilarious road-trip movie that holds up wonderfully for all ages. The library's Movies@Main series is free and open to the public. A perfect low-cost family activity for the last week of summer break.

Friday, August 28

Party on the Plaza: Jeri Lee Sapronetti

Friday evening brings free live music to Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron as Party on the Plaza presents Jeri Lee Sapronetti from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. This weekly outdoor concert series features local and regional musicians performing in a casual, family-friendly plaza setting. Sapronetti is known for her dynamic vocal performances that span pop, rock, and soul. Grab dinner at a downtown restaurant and enjoy the show on the plaza.

Live Music Around Medina County

Friday night is always a great time for live music closer to home. Here are some local spots to check out for dinner and tunes:

• Medina Brewing Company — craft beer and live music on the patio
• Das Weinhaus — German fare and weekend entertainment
• McGinty's Pub — traditional Irish pub atmosphere with live music
• Thirsty Cowboy — country music and dancing in Medina's entertainment district

For the full weekly music lineup, visit Dine Medina County's music page.

Saturday, August 29

Medina Square Farmers Market

Saturday morning means the award-winning Medina Square Farmers Market on the historic Public Square, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Late August is absolute peak harvest season: sweet corn is at its most tender, heirloom tomatoes in every color are piled high, peaches and plums are at their sweetest, and the first early apples of the season are starting to appear. With 70-plus vendors, you will find artisan cheeses, pasture-raised meats, fresh-baked bread, local honey, cut flowers, and prepared foods. Live music often accompanies the market. It runs weekly through October.

Farmers Market of Medina County

A second Saturday morning market option: the Farmers Market of Medina County runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Cornerstone Chapel on Granger Road. This market offers a more intimate experience with about 25 vendors selling local produce, baked goods, honey, eggs, and handcrafted items. Open Saturdays through November.

The Black Exchange: A Black Wall Street Experience

Saturday afternoon in Akron, The Black Exchange: A Black Wall Street Experience takes place from 12:00 PM at 1495 S Hawkins Ave. This free community event celebrates Black entrepreneurship, art, and culture with a marketplace of local Black-owned businesses, live entertainment, food vendors, and networking opportunities. It is an inspiring showcase of the vibrant business community in Akron and Summit County. Free and open to all.

Party on the Plaza: Lee Marra and the River Boys

Saturday evening brings more free live music to Cascade Plaza. Party on the Plaza features Lee Marra and the River Boys from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. This local band serves up rootsy Americana and folk-rock, perfect for a late-summer evening in the heart of downtown Akron.

Sunday, August 30

Mill Street Makers' Market

Sunday brings one of Medina's favorite monthly events: the Mill Street Makers' Market, running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the South Town District along Mill Street. This vibrant street market features local artisans, crafters, and makers selling handmade goods: jewelry, pottery, artwork, woodwork, textiles, candles, and much more. Food trucks serve up lunch, and live music fills the street. It is a wonderfully community-oriented event that showcases the creative talent of Medina County. The South Town District's shops and restaurants are open as well, making it a perfect Sunday afternoon outing.

Medina Cars & Coffee

Sunday morning also brings Medina Cars & Coffee, a regular gathering of car enthusiasts that takes place at various locations around Medina. Classic cars, exotics, hot rods, and everything in between show up for coffee and conversation. Check Main Street Medina's calendar or the event's social media for the exact August 30 location. It is a free, family-friendly event that car lovers of all ages enjoy.

Around Town This Week

Back to school. Akron Public Schools start their 2026-27 school year on Monday, August 24. Medina City Schools begin the following week after Labor Day, so Medina families still have a bit more summer to enjoy. Watch for school buses on the roads, especially in the morning and afternoon hours.

Peak produce continues. Ohio's late-summer harvest is at its absolute peak. This Saturday's farmers markets will have the best sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons, peaches, and the first apples of the season. If you are a gardener, this is also prime time to find starter plants for fall crops like kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

Pizza Fest tips. The Akron Pizza Fest on Thursday draws big crowds. If you are going for lunch (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM), arrive early to beat the line. The evening session (5:00 - 9:00 PM) has more vendors and a bigger party atmosphere. Bring cash for the food vendors, though many now take cards. Parking is available in the city decks around Lock 3.

Mill Street Makers' Market parking. The Mill Street Makers' Market on Sunday will bring foot traffic to the South Town District. Park in the municipal lots around the Public Square or on side streets and walk to Mill Street. The market is pedestrian-friendly, and the South Town shops and restaurants are worth exploring as well.

Last call for summer. With school starting and Labor Day weekend just around the corner, this is truly the last full week of summer. September brings the Labor Day Parade on the Square, the start of Medina Community Band concerts, and the transition to fall programming across the county. Make the most of these final August days.