Fairs and festivals are simpatico with summer, especially in north central Ohio.
The warm rays complement outdoor activities. Summer around here triggers memories of county fairs, live music, car shows and food trucks.
Ashland County has plenty in store for festivalgoers, from longtime favorites to newer community events.
For those open to a short drive, this guide also includes more than 40 fairs and festivals across the region, with highlights from neighboring Richland and Knox counties.
Ashland County Fairs and Festivals
Note: This guide does not include 4th of July festivals and events. Look for a specific 4th of July guide later in June. Find our 2025 local guides here.
ACCESS 2nd annual Kicking Summer Off Event
📅 June 7 | 📍 Foundation Plaza | ⌚ 4 p.m.
Celebrate the start of summer with ACCESS at this fun community event downtown featuring horse drawn carriage rides, a cornhole tournament and more. Learn more.
Ashland Ale Fest
📅 June 14 | 📍 Ashland | ⌚ 4 p.m.
Perfect for beer lovers, this festival offers refreshing brews to enjoy on a warm summer day. Learn more.
Ashland Balloon Festival
📅 June 26 to 29 | 📍 Ashland | ⌚ All Day
A North Central Ohio staple featuring balloon flyers from across the country and skies filled with vibrant hot air balloons. Learn more.
12th annual Vintage Truck Reunion
📅 June 27 | 📍 2042 Claremont Ave, Ashland | ⌚ Noon to 5 p.m.
Car enthusiast come down to see the classics to modern mobiles. Learn more.
18th annual Bobolink Festival
📅 June 28 | 📍 Byers Woods | ⌚ 8 a.m. to noon
Byers Woods will host a bird walk from 8 to 9 a.m. and educational stations from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn more.
Push ‘Em Pull ‘Em Parade
📅 July 4, 2025 | 📍 Downtown Ashland | ⌚ 10 a.m.
Celebrate Independence Day with a parade featuring children on bikes, scooters, strollers and wagons. Learn more.
25th annual Downtown Loudonville Car Show
📅 July 5 | 📍 Downtown Loudonville | ⌚ 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Over 500 cars will be showcased at the 25th annual car show. There will be music, food and downtown shopping opportunities for everyone to choose from. Learn more.
Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise and Car Show
📅 July 12 | 📍 Downtown Ashland | ⌚ Noon to 3 p.m.
The 15th annual event features hundreds of classic cars, a food court, live DJ and a Dream Cruise through Ashland neighborhoods. All proceeds benefit the “Shop With a Cop” program, helping children in Ashland have a Christmas. Learn more.
Ashland Chautauqua: Breaking Barriers
📅 July 15 to 19 | 📍 209 Parkside Drive, Ashland | ⌚ Various times
Watch a reenactment of several key figures in American history at Ashland Chautauqua’s annual performance. Learn more.
Tiki Weekend at Charles Mill Marina
📅 July 19 | 📍 Charles Mill Marina, Mifflin | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Join a tropical-themed weekend with live music, food trucks, and fun on the water. Learn more.
Christmas in July Shop Hop
📅 July 25 and 26 | 📍 Downtown Ashland | ⌚ All day
It’s never too early for Christmas shopping, according to Ashland Main Street. Learn more.
Pass the Swine 2025
📅 July 25 and 26 | 📍 549 Township Rd. 761, Ashland | ⌚ Various times
Over 15 local bands and musicians will be rocking out at this wild hog festival. Learn more.
Ashland County Fair
📅 Sept. 14 to 20 | 📍 Ashland County Fairgrounds | ⌚ Various Times
Showcasing Ashland County’s 4-H youth with live auctions, amusement rides and exciting nightly grandstand events. Learn more.
A Downtown A-Fair
📅 Sept. 14 to 20 | 📍 Downtown Ashland
You can grab a coupon and see what downtown Ashland has to offer for local merchant discounts. Learn more.
Flannel Fest
📅 Oct. 11 | 📍 Downtown Ashland
Grab your flannel and head down to Downtown Ashland for a flurry of sales, activities and more. Learn more.
Regional fairs & festivals
From long-standing regional staples to newer celebrations and unique small-town traditions, there’s plenty to explore across the area this summer.
Knox County & nearby
Utica Ice Cream Festival
📅 May 24 to 26 | 📍 Ye Olde Mill, Utica | ⌚ Sat-Sun 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cool off with a Velvet Ice Cream eating contest at this sweet celebration just south of Knox County. Learn more.
Jazz at the Park
📅 May 26 | 📍 Schnormeier Event Center | ⌚ 4:30 p.m.
Enjoy a free concert by the Knox Community Jazz Orchestra, featuring swing, Latin and modern jazz tunes. Learn more.
First Fridays – Experience Mount Vernon
📅 First Fridays (June–September) | 📍 Public Square, Downtown Mount Vernon | ⌚ Evenings
Monthly downtown gatherings featuring food, music, vendors, and family fun. Learn more.
Danville Chicken Days
📅 June 14 | 📍 802 S. Market St. | ⌚ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A fun-filled family event celebrating the farming community and all things chicken, featuring auctions, antique tractors, Amish-hosted chicken dinner, games, crafts, contests and local vendors. Learn more.
Heart of Ohio USA Days Festival
📅 June 26 to 28 | 📍 Centerburg | ⌚ All Day
Celebrate the 20th anniversary with fireworks and plenty of summer fun for the entire family. Learn more.
Blues, Brews & BBQ
📅 June 28 | 📍 Downtown Mount Vernon | ⌚ 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Knox Foodies, LLC will host the second annual Blues, Brews and BBQ event in downtown Mount Vernon, featuring award-winning blues musicians and top Ohio BBQ chefs. Learn more.
Knox County Fair
📅 July 19 to 26 | 📍 Knox County Fairgrounds | ⌚ Various Times
Celebrates Knox County’s 4-H youth with live auctions, amusement rides, and nightly grandstand events. Learn more.
Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival
📅 Aug. 7 to 10 | 📍 Downtown Mount Vernon | ⌚ All Day
A beloved summer tradition featuring live music and the arts in the heart of Knox County. Learn more.
Magic Flower Music & Arts Festival
📅 Aug. 14 to 17 | 📍 9778 Overton Road, Burbank | ⌚ Various times
If you love flowers, music and local art, this festival just 20-25 minutes east of Ashland is for you. Learn more.
Fredericktown Tomato Show
📅 First Wed through Sat after Labor Day | 📍 Main Street, Fredericktown | ⌚ All Day
Family-friendly fun featuring live music, the Miss Little Tomato pageant, and the famous plate auction. Learn more.
OldTime Farming Festival
📅 Sept. 20–21 | 📍 Centerburg Memorial Park | ⌚ Gates open at 8 a.m.
Celebrate the 33rd annual OldTime Farming Festival with antique tractors, live demonstrations, craft vendors, kids’ games, a euchre tournament and classic fair food. Learn more.
Richland County & nearby
Culpepper & Merriweather Circus
📅 May 28 | 📍 Lexington, OH | ⌚ Showtimes at 5 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Experience a classic big-top circus with acrobats, clowns, and animal acts suitable for all ages. Learn more.
Skate Ohio Art Fair
📅 June 6 | 📍 Fourth Street between Mulberry and Walnut Street, Mansfield | ⌚ 4 to 10 p.m.
Get ready to grind rails and enjoy food trucks, live music and outdoor activities for the whole family. Learn more.
Strawberry Jamboree at The Pickwick Place
📅 June 6–7 & 13–14 | 📍 1875 N Sandusky Ave, Bucyrus | ⌚ 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrate strawberry season with U-pick berries, wagon rides, mason jar lemonades, outdoor games, baby goats, and photo opportunities around the farm. Learn more.
Ontario Kid Festival
📅 June 7 | 📍 The Ontario Center (formerly Richland Mall) | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This free event (excluding food trucks) features rides, bounce houses, games, a petting zoo and entertainment for all ages. Learn more.
Party at the Pen Vintage Motorcycle Show
📅 June 7–8 | 📍 Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Explore vintage motorcycles, enjoy live entertainment, and tour the historic prison grounds. Learn more.
Tiro Tavern Testicle Festival
📅 June 13 and 14 | 📍 Tiro Tavern | ⌚ June 13 6 p.m. to June 14 11:30 p.m.
The festival is a lively gathering at the Tavern featuring live music, motorcycles, souvenir tables, deep-fried critter testicles and food and beer. Learn more.
4th Annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival
📅 June 14 | 📍 Downtown Mansfield | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Celebrate freedom and community with a parade, live music, food vendors, and cultural activities. Learn more.
Ohio Vintage Market 4 Mansfield
📅 June 14 | 📍 Richland County Fairgrounds, Mansfield | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shop a curated selection of vintage vendors offering clothing, home décor, and collectibles at this one-day market event. Learn more.
Bootleggers Bash
📅 June 20 and 21 | 📍 770 Fleming Falls Rd, Mansfield | ⌚ 5 to 11 p.m.
If you want a blast from the past, the Bootleggers Bash car show is the event for you. Enjoy bands, vendors, camping, a swap meet and more. Learn more.
WLKR Firelands Music Fest
📅 June 21 | 📍 Norwalk Reservoir | ⌚ 3 to 9 p.m.
Live music, food and artistic vendors will be at center stage, just north of Richland County at the Norwalk Reservoir on June 21. Learn more.
Tiro-Auburn Firefighters Festival
📅 June 28 | 📍 102 S. Main St., Tiro | ⌚ 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
If you’re hungry and want to support Tiro-Auburn firefighters, come down to Main Street for locally prepared food. Learn more.
Mansfield Pride Parade
📅 June 28 | 📍 Mansfield Central Park | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies will gather in downtown Mansfield to celebrate Pride month. Learn more.
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
📅 July 4–6 | 📍 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington | ⌚ Various times
Witness thrilling IndyCar racing action during this premier motorsports event. Learn more.
50th annual Greenwich Fireman’s Festival – Demo Derby
📅 July 6 | 📍 Greenwich Reservoir Park | ⌚ 6 p.m.
If cars crashing into one another in spectacular muddy fashion sounds like a good time, check out this demo derby just north of Richland County. Stay for a fireworks display following the derby. Learn more.
Shelby Bicycle Days
📅 July 11 and 12 | 📍 Downtown Shelby | ⌚ All Day
A two-day celebration of Shelby’s bicycle history with food trucks, games and live music for the whole family. Learn more.
Summer Fun Fest at Liberty Park
📅 July 12 | 📍 Liberty Park, Mansfield | ⌚ Noon to 5 p.m.
Show off your basketball skills in tournaments or enjoy food, vendors and music from a live DJ. Learn more.
Shiloh Firemen’s Ox Roast
📅 July 25 | 📍 5 E. Main St, Shiloh | ⌚ 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This local favorite features over 1,000 pounds of beef, fireworks, live music, a parade and more. Learn more.
Mid-Ohio Shriner Bike Show
📅 July 26 | 📍 Downtown Mansfield | ⌚ Noon
The Reasons to Ride Championship Bike Show Series invites motorcyclists to showcase their customized bikes and hard work in a competitive, pride-filled event. Learn more.
Summer Market Days at Alpaca Meadows
📅 July 26–27 | 📍 Alpaca Meadows, Mansfield | ⌚ 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Shop for unique handcrafted items and enjoy the company of alpacas in a serene farm setting. Learn more.
Third Street Family Health Service’s 5th annual Block Party
📅 Aug. 2 | 📍 205 W. Cook Road | ⌚ Noon to 3 p.m.
A fun-filled community event offering health checkups, food, games, music, and more. Learn more.
Richland County Fair
📅 Aug. 3 to 9 | 📍 Richland County Fairgrounds | ⌚ Various Times
Celebrate local 4-H youth with live auctions, amusement rides, and nightly grandstand events. Learn more.
Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival
📅 Aug. 14–16 | 📍 Downtown Bucyrus | ⌚ 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Enjoy bratwurst-themed festivities, live entertainment, parades, and more at this annual celebration in Bucyrus. Learn more.
Lexington Blueberry Festival
📅 Aug. 14 to 17 | 📍 Lexington Community Park | ⌚ Various Times
The annual blueberry festival has several family-friendly activities in the Lexington area. Learn more.
Bellville Street Fair
📅 Sept. 10 to 13 | 📍 Downtown Bellville | ⌚ Various times
The Bellville Street Fair is featuring four days of family-friendly activities including live music, livestock shows and more. Learn more.
Four & More Fest
📅 Sept. 21 | 📍 Downtown Mansfield | ⌚ 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
A full day of events including ManAfest, Touch a Truck, Oktoberfest, and the Secret City Tour. Learn more.
CrowFest at the Mansfield Art Center
📅 Sept. 20–Oct. 31 | 📍 Mansfield Art Center | ⌚ During gallery hours
An art exhibition celebrating crows through various artistic mediums and community events. Learn more.
Prairie Peddler Festival
📅 Sept. 27 and 28 & Oct. 4 and 5 | 📍 Butler | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Step back in time with crafts, food, and entertainment in a charming pioneer village setting. Learn more.
48th annual Ohio Heritage Days Festival
📅 Sept. 27 and 28 | 📍 Malabar Farm State Park | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy crafts, antiques, live music, historical reenactments, and horse-drawn wagon rides at this heritage-filled festival. Learn more.
9th Annual American Heritage Days at South Park
📅 Oct. 4–5 | 📍 South Park, Mansfield | ⌚ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Experience living history with reenactments, period demonstrations, and family-friendly activities celebrating early American heritage. Learn more.
Autumn Fiber Festival
📅 Oct. 18–19 | 📍 Richland County Fairgrounds, Mansfield | ⌚ Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Discover natural fiber products, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and handmade goods. Learn more.