Culture, Community and a Lakeside Beat: Why Cleveland’s One to Watch in 2025

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From blockbuster exhibitions to porch-front concerts, this revitalised Great Lakes city is offering Irish travellers a fresh perspective on the American city break.

Long overshadowed by bigger U.S. names, Cleveland has quietly evolved into one of America’s most exciting cultural destinations. Tucked along Lake Erie and shaped by generations of immigrants, musicians, and makers, “The Land” is full of creative energy — and in 2025, it’s ready to share it.

Thanks to Aer Lingus’ direct service from Dublin to Cleveland, launched in 2023, the city is easier than ever to reach. And with a calendar packed with world-class exhibitions, outdoor festivals, and a dynamic food scene, there’s never been a better time to go.

Art, music, and moments that matter

Kicking off 25 May at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow offers a vibrant, immersive experience. The Japanese artist’s work, rich with manga and anime influences, will be presented alongside a full-scale re-creation of the Yumedono (Dream Hall) from Japan’s Horyuji Temple — a standout moment in the city’s cultural calendar.

Meanwhile, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame launches SNL: Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years of Music on 23 May. Celebrating the legendary American TV show Saturday Night Live, the exhibit brings together archival footage, performance costumes, and a first-ever virtual experience.

For live music lovers, the Blossom Music Festival returns throughout the summer with open-air performances by the Cleveland Orchestra, including Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and The Lion King. A highlight will be a concert with Grammy and Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, known for her role in Wicked.

Lakeside living and local pride

Cleveland’s waterfront is getting a fresh look too. A €5 million makeover of North Coast Harbor introduces new public spaces and The North Coast Yard — a seasonal park with basketball courts, roller skating, and events running May through September.

Community spirit shines in events like Pride in the CLE® (7 June), marking its 50th anniversary with a city-centre march, music, and local food. On 28 June, the Larchmere PorchFest invites visitors to wander a residential district where front porches become live music stages.

And just beyond the city, Cuyahoga Valley National Park continues celebrating its 50th year, with outdoor concerts and a summer-long speaker series.

A taste of the city

Cleveland’s food scene is also on the rise. New highlights include:

  • CentroVilla25, a Latin market with 20 independent food vendors
  • Two Friends Brewing and Black Frog Brewery, both Black-owned and community-focused
  • The W Sports Bar, Cleveland’s first all-women’s sports bar
  • A Yemeni coffee house and Tokyo-inspired sushi courtyard opening this spring

Stay your own way

Cleveland’s boutique hotel scene is growing, with the new Fidelity Hotel offering Gilded Age charm and modern style in the heart of Downtown. More options are on the way, including an AC Hotel in 2026 and a luxury W Hotel set to open in 2027.

Start Planning Now

Cleveland’s appeal lies in its contrasts — world-class culture without the crowds, lake breezes with big-city energy, and neighbourhoods where you’re more likely to be invited to a barbecue than a tourist trap.

For Irish travellers seeking a city with depth, creativity, and a warm welcome, Cleveland feels both familiar and entirely new.

Learn more at www.thisiscleveland.com