Live music in Akron, OH

Free Lunch Friday offers a free lunch paired with live local music. Friends, family, and coworkers are welcome. Dogs, veggie burgers, chips, and water are part of the experience. Each Friday spotlights a different local artist, with an extra special treat planned for the Juneteenth and Independence Day holidays. June features Elijah Blower of Hand + Noise, Ray Flanagan, Jennifer James, and Jen Maurer. July showcases The Patrick Munford Project, Bethany Joy, Wendy Darling, Ben Gage, and Jim Ballard alongside Summit Fresh Mobile Grocery. August performers will be announced. This series takes place every Friday throughout June, July, and August.

Glenn Sonoda appears with special guests in The Rialto Living Room, featuring live music and drinks in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Kenmore First Fridays transform Kenmore Blvd's Music Row into a free community celebration with live music, food trucks, family friendly activities, and local vendors in a street festival setting. The August lineup features performances by Ben Gage Trio and Hunter Skeens and The Forerunners.

Recoyle brings a bold, high-energy performance to Old 97, delivering a dynamic sound that will have the room moving.

Presented by House Three Thirty’s live events and entertainment, this smooth jazz showcase spotlights saxophonist Lou Harris as he reimagines the music of Usher and Justin Timberlake inside the Cabaret at House Three Thirty. Expect soulful instrumental takes that span intimate slow jams and high-energy dance hits, with favorites like Yeah!, U Got It Bad, and Cry Me A River brought to life on saxophone. An upgrade to the VIP 23 Section offers premium reserved seating along with bottomless cocktails and dedicated beverage service from a private bar and attendant, a housemade charcuterie board for two, and a meal from House Three Thirty’s Secret Pizza with a choice of a signature slice, sandwich, or salad, plus a side and dessert. This package requires the purchase of two seats for a table of two. Food and drinks are also available for purchase at Buckets inside House Three Thirty, serving buckets of chicken and classic comfort favorites. Free on-site parking is available. House Three Thirty operates as a cashless venue.

A two-stage electronic music showcase at The Vortex features Bonefish alongside DJ Denvr, Trezell Lorenzo, Exovoyd, Elephant In The Room, Ruiqi Liu, Spyn, Kalien, Kandi Kid, and Nausti. On the main stage, DJ Denvr spins 2010s selections, Trezell Lorenzo dives into complextro and breakbeat, Exovoyd brings big room house, Bonefish delivers dubstep, future bass, and original tracks, and Elephant In The Room focuses on drum and bass. In the lounge, Ruiqi Liu presents melodic and progressive house, Spyn highlights 2000s tunes, Kalien explores midtempo and glitch hop, Kandi Kid blends multiple styles, and Nausti drives drum and bass. Two distinct rooms showcase a wide range of sounds for different tastes.

Each Friday night turns into a karaoke celebration led by DJ Eric, who keeps the vibe upbeat by spinning favorite tracks throughout the evening.

Hayley and the Crushers bring their Akron debut to Jilly’s Music Room with a glitter-kissed blend of surf shimmer, punk bite, and catchy power pop. Formed in San Luis Obispo and now based in Detroit, the band is known for high-energy performances that fuse grit with glitz. The lineup also includes rock from Kill the Fall and a raw caveman punk and roll charge from Dollar Drafts.

Celebrate decades of music with karaoke featuring songs from the 60s through the early 2000s. Choose your favorites from across these eras and take the mic to sing classic tracks.

Big In Japan is playing at Akron Marathon Charitable Corporation in the early morning. Tickets are available through Bandsintown.

Superfly returns to the East Campus Deck with an even bigger showcase of automotive culture and entertainment. Expect hundreds of cars to explore, live performances that keep the atmosphere buzzing, and a full lineup of activities from start to finish. Look for a Paul Walker themed R34 with a manga style twist and the chance to grab raffle tickets, plus a high energy set from DJ Shagoki. Classic gaming stations bring nostalgic favorites like GoldenEye and Mario Kart, creating a fun break between checking out rides. Throughout the program there is an early access window, awards are presented, and the music carries the crowd through the finale. Food and drinks are available from Komfort Zone, Sips and Licks, Southern Thangz, and more.

A family-friendly festival in central Tallmadge features live music, activities for all ages, a variety of local food vendors, and showcases from community organizations. The Circle Fest Parade returns and is followed by a fireworks display that brings the evening to a close. This longstanding summer tradition highlights local pride with lively entertainment and plenty to enjoy.

Enjoy a creative paint session inspired by the 90s. Make themed artwork while singing your favorite song for a fun, nostalgic experience.

Enjoy a live musical performance.

Harmony House announces the annual Summer Soul Fusion 2026 soirée and auction at The East End in Akron, Ohio. This gathering brings together music, community, and a shared purpose.

Justin Other Band takes the stage at Tallmadge Circle Fest for an evening of live music, pausing mid-set to make way for the fireworks show. This annual community celebration features local food vendors, a variety of entertainment, a beer and wine garden, and a light parade, all culminating in a fireworks finale.

A vibrant salute to the legends who reshaped popular music unfolds with a lively tribute to iconic voices. Lush orchestral arrangements revive signature songs by Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley, and others. From tender ballads to crowd favorite anthems, the program honors artists whose influence spans generations and still resonates today.

A 90s throwback comes to Kenmore as friends of The Rialto Theatre bring together area musicians for a night of singalong favorites. Admission is free, and the focus is on big choruses and nostalgic hits from the decade. Performers include Adam Brown of the Brown Brothers, Auggie Ruggiero of Hobo Phantasm and Van Sailin', Landon Kearns of Rye Valley, Joe Troyan and Angela Berlingeri of the Fretters, plus Andrew Lee, Mikey LoPiccolo, Lee McCord, Jim Vickers, Jenny Baird, Asa Pilbeam, Wendy Darling and more. Dinner and drinks are available in The Rialto Living Room. There is a $5 surcharge for attendees under 21, collected at the door.

Catch The Association along with other classic hits acts including The Troggs, Gary Puckett, and more at Northfield Park Racino’s Center Stage. The show starts in the evening.

An uplifting celebration honoring Ozzy Osbourne, spotlighting a much-loved and legendary lead vocalist with an extraordinarily productive career.

Jilly's hosts an evening dedicated to the music of the Grateful Dead.

This event offers a relaxing afternoon with food, plenty of fun, and music featuring all-time favorites.

Local vendors set up between the front patios of Ray's and Zub's, followed by live music. Updates are shared on @thewestside_bazaar.

Celebrate the joy of Sister Act, an uplifting musical comedy inspired by the beloved film. Packed with high-energy gospel tunes, showstopping dance numbers, and lots of laughter, it offers a joyful burst of entertainment. After witnessing a crime, nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier is hidden in a convent, where she revives a struggling choir and turns it into a sensational ensemble. Along the way she discovers confidence, connection, and the true power of sisterhood.

Akron Civic Theatre in Akron hosts a family-friendly Princess Concert filled with music from favorites such as Frozen, Wicked, Moana, KPOP Demon Hunters, Taylor Swift, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Anastasia, Pocahontas, and more. The show features powerful vocals from West End performers, aerial artistry, and energetic dance, celebrating uplifting themes and a touch of magic. Presented during summer recess, this event is suitable for all ages.

Back at the Keyser Barn, the City of Cuyahoga Falls Summer Concert Series offers a free outdoor show with a mix of musical styles. The Skoolies perform as the opening act, followed by the Gray beard Band as the main act. Food will be available from Dreamsicle Ice Cream Truck, D&M Grille, and Sodahh. This series features three free outdoor concerts that bring live music to the community.

The ASO returns with music on the lawn, filling the park with classical favorites and popular selections. The program features works by Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, and Charles Ives. Akron vocalist Stephanie Childers-White appears with Gospel Meets Symphony choirmaster Jonathon Turner for a set of soulful pop selections backed by the orchestra. The Soap Box Derby Rag by Eric Benjamin also makes a welcome return. These concerts are free for everyone, so pack a blanket, bring a picnic, and make it a family outing.

Enjoy a free evening of classical music outdoors with the Akron Symphony Orchestra. The lineup includes well-known composers such as Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Scott Joplin, and Charles Ives, with special performances from Stephanie Childers-White and Jonathon Turner. The concert also features Eric Benjamin’s Soap Box Derby Rag. Bring a relaxed evening vibe to the park for music under the stars.

Catch Cody Jinks live at Blossom Music Center, with Five Finger Death Punch and Eva Under Fire also on the bill. Doors open and the show starts in the early evening, with the listed start time at 6:45 PM local to the venue.

Settle in by the lake at Silver Creek Metro Park for a free concert featuring the Metro Parks Ensemble. Bring chairs, blankets, and an optional picnic for a comfortable experience. The music will be presented near the Sherman Shelter in the Lake House Area. If rain is in the forecast, the concert will be canceled; for weather-related updates, call 330-865-8060. Presented by Wayside Furniture, this event marks the Ensemble’s 25th anniversary of sharing music throughout the Metro Parks.

A long-running, bi-weekly blues jam brings musicians and fans together at BLU, with Northeast Ohio all-stars John Markovic, Ryan Neuman, and Erik Diaz guiding the house band. Players can bring a guitar or horn and step into the mix as the series showcases electric blues rooted in tradition and shaped by diverse influences. Drawing on more than six decades of combined experience in the Greater Akron blues scene, the band listens closely, plays off one another, and delivers soulful, deeply grooving sets. Admission is free. Attendees under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Get ready for a punk night featuring Personality Crisis (aka CLE Punk Night) at The Foundry Concert Club. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and the show runs from 9:00 PM to midnight. Attendees must be 21+.

Little Steve-O performs on the Bacchus Bar Patio at Russo’s as part of the 2026 Wednesday Summer Music Series. The Northeast Ohio singer-songwriter, blues vocalist, and harmonica player delivers soulful vocals and blues classics on the covered patio. Live music pairs with dinner, cocktails, and cold drinks for a laid back summer vibe.

The Stray Cats are bringing their classic rockabilly and rock and roll sound to Northfield Park Racino. The show takes place in the Center Stage area at the venue.

BLU Jazz+ hosts a summer residency led by musical director Dennis Reynolds, with JHO coming together in a read-through band format to present a stream of new material throughout the season. Fresh faces will appear on the bandstand as talented young musicians perform alongside the group and refine their large ensemble skills. Free admission.