Parade the Circle and Circle Village

The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with Circle Village on Wade Oval, presented by University Circle Inc. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in interactive activities offered by esteemed institutions from the area, such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and the Music Settlement.

The Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) Parade the Circle, the beloved tradition celebrating art, culture, and community, returns on Saturday, June 13, 2026. The 34th annual parade takes place in University Circle and features vibrant and imaginative costumes, towering puppets, floats, and intricately crafted masks. This year’s event coincides with the CMA’s 110th anniversary as an institution and the United States Semiquincentennial.

This year’s theme, “Momentum,” is inspired by the special exhibition American Printed Silks, 1927–1947, the lived experience of acclaimed lead artist Héctor Castellanos Lara, and the legacy and evolution of our creative community. Those interested in participating are highly encouraged to view the exhibition.

“I grew up between sewing machines. Surrounded by women, transforming fabric to be worn. Hands, colors, and patterns chasing one another. My own strike of marbles clacking from the patio, at play.

The exhibition American Printed Silks took me back to that room in Guatemala, our own little industrial garment revolution, my childhood home. Much like the textile designers of the early to mid-1900s, I draw inspiration from the museum and use lived experiences to define my visual language. Our stories—some of sacrifice and resilience—are momentous and unyielding.

Breathless and energized, our own momentum pushes us to innovate. Let’s harness the power of this creative energy together, express ourselves, and keep celebrating. Creativity in motion stays in motion. What story will you bring to the parade?”

Parade the Circle, which was founded by the CMA in 1990 with a small number of artists, has since grown to become a treasured large-scale event, drawing crowds in the tens of thousands every June. Families, friends, neighbors, community groups, churches, artists, performers—everyone is welcome to express their creativity, show their talent, and celebrate the arts at Parade the Circle. Every year, unique and magnificent parade designs delight participants and attendees alike. Watching the parade is free for all.

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 Museum 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.