Release Date: January 9,2026
Inaugural Downtown Akron Frost Fest to Bring Wintry Fun to the Neighborhood January 24
January 9, 2026, Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) is thrilled to announce that the inaugural Downtown Akron Frost Fest will make its debut on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from noon to 5 pm, with things to see and do in more than two dozen businesses and spaces across the district.
DAP Communications Director Dominic Caruso says, “Frost Fest is a new, family-friendly celebration in downtown Akron that we think will add an extra bit of color and fun to the rich, Northeast Ohio winter season and all its frosty charms.”
Visitors are encouraged to visit businesses across the neighborhood to try free crafts and activities, hear live music by local musicians and enjoy a hot cocoa and cookie crawl. Activity will be clustered in various locations along Main Street, in the Northside District, at Lock 3 and more.
At Lock 3, there will be a very special live ice-carving demonstration, where sculptors will be creating ice sculptures, which are available for area businesses, organizations, individuals and families to sponsor. Ice sculptures can incorporate sponsor logos if desired, and live carvings will be done every hour on the hour (12, 1, 2, 3 & 4 pm). Anyone with interest in sponsoring an ice sculpture should contact DAP Programming Director Ashley Zampelli at azampelli@downtownakron.com by January 16.
Other activities include character meet and greets, crafts, a balloon artist and more in businesses like Ilić Café, Clayton Bailey’s World of Wonders Museum, Chill, Street Craftery, Northside Marketplace, and Zeber-Martell Clay Studio & Gallery to name just a few.
Additional details about the inaugural Downtown Akron Frost Fest will be shared on the DAP website.
Downtown Akron Frost Fest is presented by Downtown Akron Partnership. Additional support is provided by the City of Akron, Lock 3, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, GAR Foundation and Akron Community Foundation.