AKRON, Ohio – Akron will host a full lineup of concerts, events and activities for people of all ages at its reimagined Lock 3 venue downtown this summer.
The recently renovated venue offers a three-sided performance pavilion for small, medium and large performances. A reserved seating area with 550 chairs is located in front of the pavilion Entertainment includes both free and ticketed options and spans a variety of genres based on feedback from residents.
“This new chapter builds on Akron’s rich tradition of bringing people together in shared spaces to enjoy the energy of community life,” Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in the release. “As Akron welcomes this fresh season of fun and festivity, Lock 3 invites everyone to come together, discover common ground, and find joy in all that makes this city unique. It’s more than a park—it’s a place where Akron’s heart beats loudest, and where everyone belongs.”
Music
Musical acts planned for Lock 3 include national acts such as Priscilla Block, Chris Janson, Kirk Whalum, Dave Hollister and The Legendary Wailers, along with local and regional bands. Programming for the upcoming season includes more than 60 bands and performers from genres such as classic rock, R&B, alternative, country, jazz, gospel and reggae. The full concert schedule will be available on the Lock 3 website in the coming weeks.
Festivals
The venue will host more than a dozen festivals this summer, including:
- Downtown Akron Juneteenth Celebration: June 1
- Polymer Palooza: June 7
- Heart of Akron Festival: July 3-5
- African American Cultural Festival: July 18-20
- Italian American Festival: July 10-12
- Pickle Fest: Aug. 10
- Akron Pride Festival: Aug. 23
- Akron Pizza Fest: Aug. 29-30
- Akron City Fest: Aug. 31
- Rubber City Jazz Festival: Sept. 5-7
- Gospel Sundays: July 13, July 27, Aug. 17 and Aug. 24
Programming for the new space has been made possible through the following Akron Civic Commons partners: Akron Civic Theatre, Downtown Akron Partnership and Ohio and Erie Canalway Coalition. The Akron Civic Commons’ mission is to revitalize and reimagine the Civic Gateway, Ohio & Erie Canal Park and Summit Lake and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, to bring economically diverse neighborhoods together, improve civic pride and boost environmental sustainability…