2025 BORDERLIGHT FESTIVAL

Visitor's Guide

Welcoming new audiences, showcasing innovative performances, and spotlighting artists from Cleveland, across the country, and around the globe.

2025 BORDERLIGHT FESTIVAL

Visitor's Guide

Welcoming new audiences, showcasing innovative performances, and spotlighting artists from Cleveland, across the country, and around the globe.

FESTIVAL Guide

Scroll through the festival guide below to find the most complete information about BorderLight 2025!!

Curated Paths to Guide Your Experience

Not sure where to start? Let us guide you!

To help you make the most of your BorderLight experience, our Festival team has crafted a variety of curated Festival Paths—your personal guide to each day of the Festival. Whether you're looking for an afternoon of Family-Friendly fun, want to explore our Free offerings, or you're feeling adventurous and ready to follow one of our Wildcard routes, there's a path for every kind of festival-goer.

Each path is designed to highlight the richness and range of BorderLight programming—across neighborhoods, genres, and experiences. You’ll discover performances you might not have found on your own, connect with the community, and enjoy a thoughtfully paced schedule tailored to your interests.

Thursday paths

FESTIVAL FAQs

FIND ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HERE.

What are the dates of the 2025 festival?

Don't see an answer to a question you have?

Parking Information

To enhance your experience and make your visit as seamless as possible, we've developed a comprehensive parking guide to assist you in finding convenient parking options near festival venues. Below you'll find detailed information including addresses, hours, and costs for nearby parking locations.

Accessibility Information

The 2025 Accessibility Page is now live! It includes everything you need to plan your visit with confidence.

You’ll find:

  • Our "Know Before You Go" guides
  • Information about ASL-interpreted performances provided by The Heard
  • Information about sensory/relaxed performances
  • Locations of wheelchair-accessible restrooms
  • How to contact our Accessibility Coordinator
  • A Parking Guide with accessible parking details

Nearby Restaurants

In addition to the exciting lineup of performances, we invite you to enjoy the incredible dining options in and around  the Playhouse Square District.

  • Hofbräuhaus
  • Bin 216
  • Cibreo Italian Kitchen
  • Brel's at Playhouse Square
  • Yours Truly
  • Sittoo's Pita & Salads
  • The Friars’ Table
  • Something Good- Social Kitchen
  • Republic Food & Drink
  • District
  • Sushi En
  • Corbo's Bakery
  • The Fruit Stand
  • Zaytoon Lebanese Kitchen
  • AJ Rocco's
  • Hofbräuhaus Cleveland is generously offering BorderLight attendees a discount during the festival!
    Enjoy 10% off your meal with proof of a same-day show ticket.

 

  • Something Good-Social Kitchen is is generously offering BorderLight attendees, artists, and staff a discount during the festival! Enjoy 20% off your meal with proof of a same-day show ticket or associated credentials.

 

Want a spot to enjoy your food or take a break between performances?

Stop by the BorderLight Social Hub on Playhouse Square Plaza! It’s a festive outdoor space with seating, free entertainment, street performers, and great people-watching—all just steps from the heart of the festival.

 

Looking for more options? Check out the dining guide provided by the Playhouse Square District to explore a variety of nearby restaurants before or after your show.

2025 VENUES

Explore our venues and their stages! From intimate basement cabarets to outdoor bandstands, you'll be watching our shows in style.

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Crowne Plaza Hotel

Restrooms

CSU Street Entrance

CSU Theatre & Arts Building

ADA Accessible
Festival Box Office & Information
Restrooms

Under the Sycamores

Erie St. Cemetery

ADA Accessible, Outdoors

venue_hermitclub2

Hermit Club

ADA Accessible
Bar/Alcohol
Festival Box Office & Information
Food/Concessions
Restrooms

venue_idea

Idea Center at Playhouse Square

ADA Accessible
Festival Box Office & Information
Restrooms

venue_parnells_1

Parnell’s Irish Pub

ADA Accessible (Snug ONLY)
Bar/Alcohol
Festival Social Hub
Restrooms

Chandelier_PSQ

Playhouse Square

Restrooms

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Playhouse Square Plaza

ADA Accessible
Outdoors

Nearby Hotels

IF YOU'RE TRAVELING TO BE WITH US, OR JUST WANT TO STAY CLOSE TO THE FOOTPRINT, THESE HOTELS HAVE YOU COVERED.

crowne plaza phs

Crowne Plaza Cleveland at Playhouse Square

629 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
216.443.1000

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Hilton Garden Inn

1100 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

(216) 658-6400

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Holiday Inn Express Cleveland Downtown

629 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
216.443.1000

metropolitan 9

Metropolitan at The 9

2017 East 9th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115
216.239.1200

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Comfort Inn

1800 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44115
216.861.0001

Screenshot 2025-05-13 131458

Fidelity Hotel

1940 E 6th St
(440) 568-3200
cle hostel

The Victor 

2090 West 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113