Parade the Circle and Circle Village

The 33rd Annual Parade the Circle and Circle Village is BACK to kick off summer in the Circle!

The Parade, which begins at Noon at the north entrance of the museum, fills Wade Oval with colorful costumes, puppets, masks, and more created by local individuals and groups. Returning this year is the addition of Lead Artist Héctor Castellanos Lara.

This year’s theme, “Magical Allure: A Vibrant Celebration of the Snowy Owl,” addresses the wisdom and exploration we undertake while undergoing the process of change. The CMA invites everyone to celebrate this mystical messenger, a creature that enchants us with its ethereal presence and silent flight and reflects the fact that big changes in our lives are imminent and that, as we search for answers, we undergo a process of deep exploration, seeking awareness and spiritual guidance.

The day’s festivities begin at 10 a.m. with Circle Village, presented by University Circle Inc. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in interactive activities offered by esteemed institutions such as The Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and The Music Settlement. Attendees can also enjoy culinary delights from local vendors and listen to Councilman Conwell & The Footprints live on the Kulas Stage. Curious about an artist’s process or want to connect with artists following the event? New this year, a selection of Parade artists will remain on the Oval following the event to engage with event attendees. Come prepared with questions for artists and see costumes and floats up close! The fun continues until 4:00 p.m. at Wade Oval in University Circle.

Parade the Circle, Presented by The Cleveland Museum of Art

For questions or more information regarding Parade the Circle 2025, email commartsinfo@clevelandart.org or visit CMA's website here.

Join parade artists in creating art for the Cleveland Museum of Art’s annual Parade the Circle! Participants can create vibrant costumes, masks, and giant puppets made with the assistance of staff artists at up to 11 public workshops in the parade tent. All materials for this workshop are provided. To participate in parade tent public workshops, a one-time fee is required. This fee entitles you to attend all workshops and includes parade registration for all pass holders.  

• Saturdays and Sundays, May 10–June 8, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 10, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Circle Village on Wade Oval, Presented by University Circle Inc.

Entertainment

Councilman Conwell & The Footprints

• 10:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
• After the parade ends to 4:00 p.m.

Activity Partners

• The Music Settlement
• The Cleveland Orchstra
• Holden Forests & Gardebs
• Greater Cleveland Aquarium
• Cleveland Museum of Natural History
• Piano Cleveland
• Cleveland Institute of Art
• Cleveland Public Library Book Box
• Poetry Free Cleveland
• Hawken School
• Cleveland Institute of Music
• Cuyahoga County Health & Human Services
• The Intergenerational Schools
• The Centers
• P.A.L.S. for Healing
• University Circle Inc. in Partnership with the Center for Arts-Inspired Learning

Food Vendors

• Kernels by Chrissie
• Deal's Fresh Lemonade
• Bailey's Boardwalk Fries
• Odd Dog Coffee
• Delish Mobile Kitchen
• Pop Culture
• Blasian Fusion
• Glacier Concessions
• Rascal House Pizza
• Barrio Tacos

Transportation Information

Temporary street closures for the event will be in place surrounding Wade Oval from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit the "Getting Here" section for more information.

Photography Notice

Photography and/or videos are taken during events for promotional use. Please click here to read our disclaimer.

Visit riderta.com or ugointhecircle.com for information on busing, rapid transit, and parking. Though there will be parking in and around University Circle garages and along streets, we highly encourage alternate methods of transportation.

NOTE: Expect possible delays if driving through or near downtown Cleveland on the way to University Circle.

Temporary street closures for the event will be in place surrounding Wade Oval from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This includes part of or all of:

• East Blvd.
• Jeptha Dr.
• Wade Oval Dr.
• E. 108th St.
• Hazel Drive

Accessible Information

• Accessible seating will be available on a first-come first-served basis at the corner of Hazel Drive and East Blvd.
• Handicapped parking is available for those with a clearly identified handicapped placard along Hazel Drive. Vehicles must enter Hazel off of Magnolia Drive and show the police officer stationed there the handicapped placard.

By Bike

Free bike valet on-site provided by Ohio City Bicycle Co-op! Located near the corner of East Boulevard and Bellflower Road.

Cleveland is a Bicycle Friendly Community and getting to and around University Circle by bicycle is getting easier every year. Don't have your own bike? Use a shared e-scooter or e-bike provided by one of the participating companies in the City of Cleveland’s shared mobility program. Before you ride, consult this helpful guide from Bike Cleveland and view recommended bike routes to University Circle on uGO’s biking page or below:

• Downtown Cleveland to Parade bike parking (via Lakefront Bikeway)
• Downtown Cleveland to Parade bike parking (via Euclid Avenue)
• Heights to Parade bike parking (via Lakes-to-Lakes Trail)
• Heights to Parade bike parking (via Edgehill Road)
• Northeast Neighborhoods to Parade bike parking (via Lakeview Road)
• Garfield Heights/Slavic Village to Parade bike parking (via E. 71st/79th Street)

By Car

University Circle is easily accessible by car from all directions. Before you leave, check our Map for available parking locations and our Transportation Alerts Page.

Important parking updates:

• The Cleveland Botanical Garden parking garage is will be open, but you will not be able to enter or leave the garage between approximately 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
• The Cleveland Musuem of Natural History parking garage will be open, but you will not be able to enter or leave the Wade Oval Dr. entrance between approximately 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The East Blvd. entrance will not be affected.
• The Cleveland Museum of Art parking garage will be open but only accessible via Martin Luther King Jr. Drive between approximately 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

By Public Transit

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates six (6) bus routes, plus the Euclid Avenue Health Line (bus rapid transit) and the Red Line (heavy rail) routes to and through the district. Use the Transit app for real-time bus and train info on the go and to purchase your ticket.

The BlueLink connects Wade Oval, Uptown, Little Italy, Coventry and provides access to the Little Italy - University Circle Rapid Station. BlueLink shuttles arrive every 30 minutes 6:30am - 6:00pm (Mon-Fri) and 12:00pm - 6:00pm weekends.

The GreenLink connects the Cedar-University Circle Rapid Station to the University Hospitals and CWRU campuses. GreenLink service runs on a continuous loop between CWRU North and South campuses, with arrivals approximately every 30 minutes during operating hours and 20-minute peak service (Mon-Fri) between 6:30am - 10:00am and 4:00pm - 6:30pm.

Click here to view CircleLink schedule and route information.