Release Date: September 25,2025
Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival Returns to Downtown Akron with Live Music, Local Coffee, Meet & Greets, and More
September 25, 2025, Akron, Ohio — Downtown Akron Partnership is pleased to announce the return of the Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival to the neighborhood on Saturday, November 1, from noon to 7:30 pm, at Lock 3.
DAP Communications Director Dominic Caruso says, “The Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival continues to inspire new activities and ideas for celebrating in downtown Akron. This is the first year the festival will be held in the newly renovated Lock 3, so we have a great space with expanded amenities and possibilities to inhabit. And, the festival includes new guests, new music and exciting activities spread throughout downtown, like an art exhibition in the Forever Changes gallery, and more.”
The Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival is a beloved celebration loosely based on Amy Sherman-Palladino’s popular television show, Gilmore Girls. It showcases Akron-area coffee vendors, boutique shopping and art experiences with local makers, themed photo opportunities, live music and plenty of Stars Hollow–inspired activities.
Close to a dozen coffee vendors are expected to participate this year, including Sappho and Her Beans, Bereka Coffee, Farmhand Coffee, Moonstone Coffee Works, The Pearl Coffee Company and Happy Camper Lemonade and Hot Cocoa. Food vendors will include Birdies Food Truck, Thai It Up Food Truck, DonutNV Northeast Ohio, The Curious Crêpe and Saffron Patch, with many more expected to join.
Crowd-favorite themed engagements will return, including ornament making with Street Craftery, a Luke-Alike Contest, button making at the library’s TechZone, Gilmore Girls trivia at Barley House and more.
Special Guests & Unique Surprises
This year, we will welcome back two members of the show’s fictional band, Hep Alien—John Cabrera, who played Brian Fuller, and Todd Lowe, who played Zack Van Gerbig—for autographs, photos and even some special singalongs. We are also thrilled to announce that, in addition to live music throughout the day by local musicians Rachel Roberts, Jul Big Green and more TBD, Grant-Lee Phillips will headline the festival with a concert beginning at 6 pm.
Phillips, who many may know for his role as “the Town Troubadour,” has been crafting thoughtful, literate, deeply meaningful songs for decades, with the internationally acclaimed trio, Grant Lee Buffalo, in the 1990s, and as a solo act through the 2000s to today. He is now at the outset of a tour celebrating his 12th solo album, In the Hour of Dust. The concert will be completely free to attend.
Additionally, while she will not be able to attend Akron in person, Keiko Agena—who, aside from being an actress, is also a visual artist—will send several of her works to be displayed, along with John Cabrera’s art, on exhibit at Forever Changes, a downtown gallery and studio owned by Art x Love, located at 35 S. Main St. A timed-entry reception will take place immediately following the festival. Art will be available for purchase. Details on the art show will be available in the coming days.
Discounted Hotel Rates
New this year, we have a host hotel with a special room rate: The Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Akron is located at 41 Furnace St. in the Northside District, less than a mile away from the festival. Travelers can reserve their room here: https://bit.ly/SmellsLikeSnowHotel25.
Find more details about the Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival as the date draws nearer: https://www.downtownakron.com/event/2025-smells-like-snow-coffee-festival
The Smells Like Snow Coffee Festival is presented by Downtown Akron Partnership with support from the City of Akron, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Ohio Arts Council.