Summer Arts Festival

The 2025 Summer Arts Festival in Springfield, Ohio, marks its 59th season with a vibrant lineup of admission-free entertainment from June 12 to July 12 at the Veterans Park Amphitheater, located at 250 Cliff Park Road. Organized by the Springfield Arts Council, this cherished tradition offers a diverse array of performances, including live music, theater productions, dance, and family-friendly events.

🎭 Festival Highlights

• Opening Night (June 12): Springfield native singer-songwriter Griffin House kicks off the festival.
• Broadway in the Park (June 18–20): A community production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, featuring performers aged 3 to 70.
• Celebrate Springfield! (June 28): An evening starting at 5 p.m. with five local bands, headlined by Allison Road, accompanied by food trucks and community festivities.
• KidsFest (June 22, Noon–4 p.m.): Family activities and a performance of Legally Blonde Jr. by the Youth Arts Ambassadors.
• Dance Performance (July 2): “Dancing Around the World” by the Gary Geis School of Dance and Ohio Performing Arts Institute.
• Tribute Acts:
  • Fleetwood Gold – June 13
  • Resurrection: A Journey Tribute – June 14
  • ABBAMania – June 27
  • Are You Ready for It? (Taylor Swift tribute) – July 10
  • The PettyBreakers (Tom Petty tribute) – July 11
• Springfield Symphony Orchestra (July 6): A longstanding festival favorite.
• Wild World of Animals (June 29): An educational wildlife show featuring exotic animals.

🪑 Attendance & Seating

• Admission: All events are free and open to the public.
• Seating: Attendees should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Seating is first-come, first-served, with setup permitted starting at 6:00 a.m. on the day of the event.
• VIP Pit Seating: A limited number of front-stage seats are available for a $15 donation, first-come, first-served, starting at 6:30 p.m. on show days.

🚗 Parking & Accessibility

• Parking: Limited public parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the lighted Veterans Park lawn west of the Amphitheater, as well as at nearby locations including the Springfield Museum of Art, the Kissell Center, Wittenberg University, Covenant Presbyterian Church, and the “Park at 99” garage on Fountain and Columbia.
• Accessibility: The amphitheater is wheelchair accessible, with hard surface pathways connecting all areas. A limited number of hard surface wheelchair seating areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. ASL interpretation is provided at selected events.

🌦️ Weather & Guidelines

• Weather Policy: Performances proceed rain or shine but may be delayed or canceled in severe weather. There are no indoor alternatives or rescheduling.
• COVID-19 Guidelines: The festival observes current health guidelines as outlined by the State of Ohio.

🎟️ Support the Festival

While the festival is free to attend, it relies on community support. Donations are encouraged during performances when the “hat is passed.”

For the full schedule, FAQs, and more information, visit the official Summer Arts Festival page.