The Full Guide to Cleveland’s Favorite June Tradition

Every June, Parade the Circle turns University Circle into something you have to see to believe. Giant puppets tower over the crowd. Dancers in wild costumes weave through the street. Kids bang drums while floats roll past one of the best art museums in the country.

Best of all, it’s completely free. No ticket, no reservation — show up.

What Is Parade the Circle?

The Cleveland Museum of Art started this back in 1990 with a small group of artists. Now it draws tens of thousands of people every June.

Now in its 34th year, the theme is “Momentum.” The parade kicks off at the north entrance of the Cleveland Museum of Art and winds through Wade Oval Park. Along the way, you’ll see costumes, stilt-walkers, dancers, musicians, and some of the most creative floats you’ve ever come across.

This year also marks the museum’s 110th anniversary, which makes the celebration even bigger than usual.

Want to March in It?

You can! Families, schools, and community groups are all welcome to join the parade. The museum hosts free workshops on weekends through June 8, where you can make your own costume, mask, or puppet. Everyone who marches has to wear a costume — including parents.

You don’t need any experience — just a willingness to have fun.

Make a Full Day of It

University Circle has a lot going on. Here’s what to do before and after the parade.

• Cleveland Museum of Art — Free. One of the best art museums in the country — and it’s always free to get in. You’ll find Monet, Van Gogh, and Goya. There’s also a famous bronze cast of Rodin’s The Thinker out front. Get there early to walk through before the parade starts.

• Cleveland Museum of Natural History— Right on Wade Oval and just a short walk from the parade route, the Natural History Museum is a great stop for families. There are dinosaurs, a planetarium, and an outdoor wildlife center with soaring walkways through Ohio habitats.

• Cleveland Botanical Garden— Inside their glasshouses, you can walk through tropical gardens that recreate Madagascar and Costa Rica. A quiet, beautiful spot. A CirclePass gets you 25% off here, at the Natural History Museum, and at the Cleveland History Center.

• Little Italy — Lunch or Dinner, just a few blocks from the parade, Little Italy is one of Cleveland’s most charming spots. The streets are narrow and lined with restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops. Whether you go before the parade for a slow breakfast or after for dinner, it’s worth the short walk.

• Uptown District— Right on Euclid Avenue, Uptown is the “main street” of University Circle. Casual restaurants, craft beer, and great people-watching. It sits between Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Institute of Art.

• Rockefeller Park— Drive or walk through Rockefeller Park, and you’ll pass 33 cultural gardens, each one created by a different nationality group in Cleveland. The park runs all the way north to Lake Erie. It’s free and stunning in June.

Getting Around Is Easy

There’s a free neighborhood bus called CircleLink that loops around University Circle and Little Italy all day. Park once and hop on. That way, you don’t have to move your car between stops.

Parade the Circle. June 13, 2026. Noon to 4 p.m. For More info: clevelandart.org/