Release Date: June 25,2026
City of Akron’s Lock 3 Releases Full Schedule for All-American Burger & BBQ Festival
Fireworks downtown at 9:45pm on Saturday, July 4th
July 1 Update:
As we prepare for another exciting weekend of events in Downtown Akron and at Lock 3, we are introducing a few updated event guidelines for July 4, 2026 to help maintain a welcoming, and family-friendly environment for everyone.
Our goal is to ensure guests can focus on enjoying the music, food, entertainment, and time together while helping our staff and public safety partners provide a positive event experience.
The following guidelines will be in effect for Saturday, July 4:
• Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older.
• Bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters are not permitted within the event zone between Bowery Street and Exchange Street during event hours.
Additionally, with warm temperatures expected, guest comfort is a priority. Two cooling tents will be available throughout the event, along with indoor air-conditioned space where guests can take a break and cool down if needed.
***Please note that Donnie Iris will not be able to perform at Lock 3 in Akron this Friday as scheduled due to illness. He is disappointed that he won’t be there to deliver his trademark all-out, energetic show for his fans in Akron on July 3, and looks forward to playing in Akron again very soon. Tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase. See below for the adjusted line up.
Akron, Ohio, June 25, 2026 —The City of Akron Lock 3’s All-American Burger & BBQ Festival is scheduled for Thursday, July 2nd, Friday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 4th from 11am – 11pm daily. Admission is FREE. The official city fireworks are July 4 at 9:45 pm at Lock 3. All City of Akron municipal offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd in observance of Independence Day and there will be no delay in trash/recycling collections.
The festival includes burgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken, sweet treats and more. Vendors include: After Hours BBQ, PigFoot BBQ, Stray Dog, Big Blue BBQ, Da Dawg House, Metro 45, Come Get Fried, Lady T’s, The Press Room, The Ice Bucket, Eddie’s Famous Cheesesteaks, Buzzy Bee, and Homemade Delites. Beer and other drinks will be available for purchase or guests can grab a drink from a downtown establishment and get it to go utilizing the city’s DORA.
The Concert Schedule
The All-American Burger & BBQ Festival features concerts every day on The Maynard Performance Pavilion. Bring a chair or there is chair rental available for $3.
Thursday, July 2: America Remembers –USO Style Variety Show with seven decades of popular music, 17-piece Dave’s Big Band and a special tribute to our veterans.
Friday, July 3:
12 pm Easton Union
1:30 pm Charity Evonna
3 pm Post Saga
6 pm JT’s Electric Blackout
8 pm Michael Weber Show
Saturday, July 4:
MC’s DJ Xay and DJ Jaz all day
12 pm Mr. Jeff (Kid’s Show)
3 pm Great Day For Ducks
6 pm Dirty Lookz
8:30 pm DJ Xay and DJ Jaz Dance Party followed by Fireworks at 9:45 pm
Buckeye State Credit Union KID’S ZONEJuly 2, 3 and 4 from 5-9 pm
The Kids Zone will be located to the back left of the stage. Featuring: Cameron The Caterpillar Maze, Santa Run, Bouncy Slide and Little Roaming Railroad. Admission is FREE thanks to the generous sponsorship of BUCKEYE STATE CREDIT UNION. https://www.buckeyecu.org/
Parking: Parking in City-owned parking decks (including State Street and Cascade Decks) and at street parking meters is free after 6 pm weeknights and free all-day July 4th.
Firework Policy:
While the state of Ohio passed legislation allowing residents to set off fireworks on particular holidays, including the Fourth of July, Akron passed an ordinance maintaining the city’s ban on setting off commercial or consumer grade fireworks without a permit. Residents are reminded it is not legal in city limits to set off these types of fireworks.
Sponsors:
Lock 3 thanks our sponsors The Knight Foundation, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, Paul Davis Property Restoration Experts, Wayside Furniture, Buckeye State Credit Union, Tramonte Distributing, Miller Light, Coca-Cola, Downtown Akron Partnership, Akron Civic Theatre, Thirsty Dog Brewery, WAKR, WONE, WQMX.