Special Events & Art Shows in Geauga County

Special Event Paddle Fest

Saturday, June 20 • at Headwaters Park

Start Times at 9 AM, 10 AM, 11:30 AM & 12:30 PM

Registration Required by Phone Beginning May 15 at 10 AM

Hit the water for Paddle Fest and put your paddling skills to the test! Activities will challenge your endurance, navigation and maneuverability. Bring your own canoe or kayak or reserve one of our kayaks.

This event is not for beginners, so this should not be your first time paddling. The fee to participate is $10 for Geauga residents or $15 for out-of-county residents. Fest-goers must check in 15 minutes before their time slot, then can spend up to two hours on the water. Ages 12+ may paddle with just one adult in the canoe. And sorry, no pets are allowed in boats; thanks for understanding!

Community Art Show On the Wing

March 28 – July 26, 2026
at The West Woods Nature Center

Artists, families and art lovers alike, please join us in celebrating local creativity and the wide variety of Nature’s flying things with a visit to this year’s community art show, On the Wing…Nature That Takes Flight!

Composed of 296 unique pieces of art created by 185 local artists of all ages, the show will be open daily between 10 AM and 4 PM for nearly four months with the exception of Memorial Day and Independence Day, and is free for all to attend.

As an in-person guest to the show, you will also have the chance to use your cell phone to vote for your favorite piece in each of the four categories: drawing or painting, photography, other media, and artists ages 12 and under. Voting for People’s Choice will take place through May 31 at 4:30 p.m., with winners announced the first week of June.

Some On the Wing artwork is for sale, with pickup after the show comes to a close. But guests hoping to walk away with a keepsake can also shop cash-and-carry art in a special section of our Tree Tops Nature Store, the On the Wing Boutique, featuring items submitted by exhibiting artists that will each cost $40 or less.

Special Events Nights Out in the Parks

Our popular Nights Out series returns this summer with more live music and movies under the stars — no registration required!

Bring your own blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments to the park to enjoy all these events to the max. Everything movies indoors in the case of inclement weather.

All 2026 Nights Out are also themed to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, featuring movies with Ohio connections and all-American music. Click here to view an official “sizzle” video courtesy of Ohio Goes to the Movies.

What’s Coming Up!

Ohio Goes to the Movies — Finding Nemo (Rated G)
Saturday, June 13, at Observatory Park, with pre-show activities at 6 PM and our movie at 7 PM
In honor of America 250, did you know…? Director Lee Unkrich is from Chagrin Falls; writer/animator/voice actor (Mr. Ray) Bob Peterson is an Ohio Northern University grad heralding from Wooster and Dover; and voice actor (Deb & Flo) Vicki Lewis is from Cincinnati! On this night, we’ll have a picture of all these Ohioans who helped create our feature film, as well as a fishing activity that will help you learn to identify some of our native fish.

Summer Concert — Guys Without Ties (American horn-drenched rock and soul music…rock on!)
Saturday, June 20, at Big Creek Park’s Frances S. Hall Amphitheater from 7-8:30 PM

Ohio Goes to the Movies — Superman (Rated PG-13)
Saturday, July 11, at Observatory Park, with pre-show activities at 6 PM and our movie at 7 PM
In honor of America 250, did you know…? Superman is deeply connected to Cleveland because it’s where creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster conceived the hero in the 1930s! Released in 2025, this movie was also filmed in Cleveland, which is the hometown of actress Isabella Merced, who played Hawkgirl in the film.

Summer Concert — Bent String Band (early American roots music, including early jazz, acoustic blues and jazz-age-swing originals)
Saturday, July 25, at Big Creek Park’s Frances S. Hall Amphitheater from 7-8:30 PM

Summer Concert — The Big North Band (a truly American art form: traditional country music!)
Saturday, August 8, at Big Creek Park’s Frances S. Hall Amphitheater from 7-8:30 PM

For more information or any important day-of updates, please click the button below to view individual listings.

2026 Nights Out

Plus, mark your calendars for these other upcoming special events!

Please note that all programs and events are subject to change. Remember to check back as the year continues to confirm these dates, times and locations.

The Great Geauga County Fair – Thursday through Monday, September 3 through 7, at the Geauga County Fairgrounds

THE SPACE RACE! – Saturday, October 3, at Observatory Park

Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides – Sundays, October 4, 11 & 18, at Swine Creek Reservation

Holly Days Artisan Boutique & Mistletoe Market – Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7, at The West Woods
Applications available in late July

Greens for Giving – Saturday, December 5, at The West Woods

Winter Solstice Celebration – Monday, December 21, at The West Woods