Port Clinton & Lake Erie Islands Events by Month

Festivals, fireworks, races and markets in Port Clinton, Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island, Catawba, Marblehead and Sandusky. Dates below are the 2026 dates as published by organizers and Shores & Islands Ohio. Most events repeat on a similar weekend every year, but organizers set new dates each year, so check their sites when you plan.

From our guest guide, updated September 2026. Hours, prices and dates change, so check with the organizer or business before you go.

Port Clinton highlights

• Walleye Festival, Waterworks Park: always Memorial Day weekend (May 21–25, 2026). Free admission.
• RiverFront Live, Madison St.: free concerts Fridays 6–7:30 p.m., first Friday of June through first Friday of August.
• ARTS in the Park, Lakeview Park: Aug 1–2, 2026, right next to the house.
• Lighthouse & Maritime Festival, Waterworks Park: Aug 15, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Perch, Peach, Pierogi & Polka: Sep 4–5, 2026.
• Liberty Aviation Museum events: Corvettes at the Museum (Jun 6), Rally on the Runway (Sep 5) and a Military Show (Sep 12–13, 2026).
• Downtown Trick or Treat: Oct 24, 2026, noon–3, followed by the Halloween Pub Crawl.
• Walleye Drop, Madison St.: New Year’s Eve. A 600-lb walleye named Wylie drops at midnight, with a Minnow Drop for kids and fireworks.

January – March

• Winter at the Oast (Catawba): holiday light trail and igloos at Twin Oast; the 2025–26 run lasted through Jan 31.
• Burning Snowman Fest: Feb 27–28.
• Sandusky Restaurant Week: Mar 5–15.
• Miller Ferry season opens (Catawba): Mar 19.

May

• Biggest Week in American Birding (Magee Marsh / Oak Harbor area): May 8–17.
• Cedar Point opening day (Sandusky): May 9.
• Blessing of the Fleet (Put-in-Bay): May 12.
• Walleye Festival (Port Clinton): May 21–25.
• Ohio Bike Week (Sandusky): May 29 – Jun 6.

June

• Mills Trophy Race (Put-in-Bay): Jun 5–6.
• Founder’s Day (Put-in-Bay): Jun 13.
• Island Wine Festival (Put-in-Bay, Heineman’s Winery): Jun 20.
• Pyrate Fest (Put-in-Bay): Jun 26–28.
• Star-Spangled celebration (Cedar Point): Jun 29 – Jul 4.

July

• July 3 fireworks (Oak Harbor).
• Boom at the Bay (Put-in-Bay): Jul 4, fireworks at 10 p.m.
• National Matches (Camp Perry, Port Clinton area): Jul 9 – Aug 8.
• Jeep Invasion / World’s Largest Rubber Duck (Put-in-Bay): Jul 10–12.
• Kelleys Island Fest: Jul 17–19, with parade and fireworks.
• Boardwalk Nights (Cedar Point): Jul 17 – Aug 16.
• Power Regatta (Jul 22–26) and Sail Regatta (Jul 29 – Aug 2), Put-in-Bay.

August

• ARTS in the Park (Port Clinton, Lakeview Park): Aug 1–2.
• Kelleys Film Fest: Aug 1–2; Kelleys Homecoming: Aug 8–9.
• Erie County Fair (Sandusky area): Aug 10–15 (free).
• Lighthouse & Maritime Festival (Port Clinton): Aug 15.
• Halupki Festival (Marblehead): Aug 16.

September

• Perch, Peach, Pierogi & Polka (Port Clinton): Sep 4–5.
• Historic Weekend (Put-in-Bay): Sep 11–13.
• HalloWeekends (Cedar Point): Sep 17 – Nov 1.
• Coast to the Oast (Catawba) and Firelands Great Barrel Fest (Sandusky): Sep 19.
• Kelleys Restaurant Week: Sep 21–27.

October

• Oktoberfest (Put-in-Bay, DeRivera Park): Oct 10–11.
• Marblehead Lighthouse Festival: second Saturday of October (Oct 10, 2026), 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Downtown Trick or Treat (Port Clinton): Oct 24.
• Halloween at the Bay (Put-in-Bay): Oct 24.

November – December

• Christmas Market (Sandusky, Schade-Mylander Plaza): Nov 27 – Dec 19.
• Lakeside Christmas: Dec 4–5.
• Walleye Drop (Port Clinton): New Year’s Eve.

Plan around the boats: ferries cut trips after Labor Day. See the Put-in-Bay ferry guide and Lake Erie day trips. Festival weekends fill up early, so check our dates as soon as you know yours.