Cleveland will once again take center stage this summer as hometown superstar mgk brings back MGK Day, the annual city-backed celebration honoring music, art, skate culture and community. Returning August 7-8, the two-day event will transform the city into a hub of live entertainment, local creativity and fan experiences, culminating with a headline performance from mgk and longtime collaborator Wiz Khalifa.
Now one of Cleveland’s signature summer traditions, MGK Day has evolved far beyond a hometown celebration. The annual event shines a spotlight on local artists, businesses and nonprofit organizations while giving fans an opportunity to experience the city through the lens of one of its biggest global ambassadors.
The weekend kicks off on Friday, Aug. 7, with the Red Bull Best Trick Contest at Crooked River Skatepark. Beginning at 5 p.m., the event will feature top skateboarders competing in a high-energy showcase of technical skill and creativity, alongside live music, food trucks, local vendors, exclusive merchandise and community activities.
Festivities continue on Saturday, Aug. 8, at North Coast Yard, where fans can arrive early for the official tailgate beginning at noon. Attendees will have the opportunity to decorate their vehicles, participate in games and challenges, and compete for prizes before the day’s main attractions begin.
Another fan favorite, the annual Harley-Davidson City Ride, will depart from South East Harley-Davidson before making its way through Cleveland and into the festival grounds.
Festival gates open at 3 p.m., with an afternoon filled with local food vendors, public art installations, community organizations, merchandise, interactive experiences and live performances. The celebration will conclude with a headline set from mgk and Wiz Khalifa, followed by a fireworks display over the city.
The performance reunites the longtime friends after spending the summer touring together on the Lost Americana Tour and releasing their collaborative mixtape, blog era boyz, a nine-track project blending hip-hop, rock influences and melodic storytelling.
Since its inception, MGK Day has become one of the city’s most anticipated cultural events. In 2022, mgk made history by becoming the first Ohio-born artist to sell out Huntington Bank Field, performing for more than 50,000 fans after Cleveland officially proclaimed Machine Gun Kelly Day.
