Put-in-Bay Events are a driving force in bringing visitors to the island each year. From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend and beyond- there is something going on. Put in Bay, a village located on South Bass Island, plays host to a wide range of events: from turning on the whiskey light at the Roundhouse Bar to major concerts like Bash on the Bay. So, whether you are coming with a bachelorette party on the early season April weekends or hopping a Put-in-Bay Ferry in June for the popular Pyrate Fest, the Calendar of Events can be your playbook to not miss any of the upcoming events.
Many don’t get to experience it, but St. Patrick’s Day on the island is a jolly good time. Several of the local bars decorate and offer Irish food and drink specials. April weekends are at times best called Bachelorette weekends, as the upcoming wedding season follows soon and the near to nuptials visitors are having one last hurrah. Also in April, the whiskey light is turned on near the round house bar entrance. The end of April also brings about the annual draft day for the NFL. Watch your team utilize their picks with the Lake Erie Islands Browns Backers at a local watering hole.
To kick off the summer season each year, the official Put-in-Bay Spring Fling customer appreciation party is the place to be to get the party started. Guests staying at the Island Club and the Put-in_Bay Condos enjoy live entertainment, cold beverages and good times. The Spring Fling party occurs at the Island Club, just off of Put-in-Bay Road. In the Fall, the Fall Ball, a similar party is held the first weekend of October. Generally, about a week following the Put-in-Bay Spring Fling, the annual Blessing of the Fleet is completed. The Put-in-Bay Police Department, The Put in Bay Volunteer Fire Department and Put-in-Bay EMS are present as the Miller Ferry and Jet Express boats are blessed by local clergymen. These great men and women keep the Lake Erie Islands safe from boaters to babies!
The month of June on Put-in-Bay brings a host of fun events. The Put-in-Bay Music Festival at Perry’s Monument and the Pyrate fest are among the most popular times in the month. Additionally, the annual event of the volleyball and soccer tournaments is conducted. These annual events draw many repeat participants every year.
July brings Independence Day with fireworks in front of Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. Throughout the month, friends from Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh and beyond flock to the island for a getaway. Each and every weekend is fun-filled with streets lined with smiling faces and golf carts.
As Labor Day Weekend approaches, events to follow include Boater’s New Years, Fall Ball, Oktoberfest and more. There is just so much to do and see on Put-in-Bay!
Be sure to keep a close eye to the upcoming Put-in-Bay Events to plan your next island getaway. Stay up to date with our Calendar of Events. Remember, many of the most popular times require advanced reservations. Don’t wait until it is too late! Reserve your Put-in-Bay Hotel, Home Rental or Condo today!
Put-in-Bay Events for Every Visitor
With musical and adventure-filled events during the day – not to mention the local beaches – and a hoppin’ nightlife after the sun goes down, Put-in-Bay is the perfect place for a group to bond and take in the summer. We offer the Island Club Taxi to safely get you around after dark, just $3/pp. Remember, we host almost a million visitors annually! That’s a lot of traffic for the Put in Bay ferry service!
Events for the whole Family!
There are even plenty of events families can enjoy together, like the Put-in-Bay Pooch Parade, Arts on Erie Week downtown and Perry’s Victory Triathlon, Duathalon & Family Races starting at the Perry’s Monument. The little ones will also enjoy Nature Camp and Junior Sailing Regattas, and don’t forget Pyrate Fest!
Put-In-Bay Events often highlight some the best entertainers on the island. Come and enjoy live entertainment while the Roundhouse Bar turns on the Whiskey Light. This famous light is situated right above the Roundhouse Bar Entrance. Each year the friends of the bay gather as a symbolic opening of the tourist season. Congratulate the brides to be during our April Weekends, which are known as bachelorette weekends.
Live up the New Orleans Spirt with a stop during our Mardi Gras Celebration. Catch the Labor Day Antique Car Parade and see over 100 classic cars. Grab a mug of beer and enjoy a bratwurst at the Annual Put in Bay Oktoberfest. Listen to island music at the Put-In-Bay Music Festival.
What are You Waiting For?
There is truly so much to do on the island. From the wildly popular Bash on the Bay Concerts to the fun had at the Put-In-Bay Spring Fling. We would like to add that Bash on the Bay 2021 will be a two-day event! No matter the event, odds are you and yours will have fun. The memories made will be held and cherished for years to come. Your Put-in-Bay experience awaits!
There is no better way to see Put-In-Bay then by golf cart rental. Imagine feeling the breeze, while zipping around our Lake Erie Island. The island overall has limited parking. However, there is much more available parking for golf carts at Put-in-Bay.
To learn more about Golf Carts for the next time you visitputinbay, Bounce Over to the Put-In-Bay Golf Cart Depot.
Put-in-Bay Events Season
The Put-in-Bay events season officially kicks off in April with the lighting of the Whiskey sign at the Round House Bar. For those who just can’t wait, the island throws a mean St. Patrick’s Day celebration in March. The fun continues with pajama parties, spring flings, and Cinco de Mayo. Star-studded performances (like Kid Rock!) grace our stages and 5Ks and sporting events cover our park lands throughout the summer.
Book your stay today!
There is literally something for everyone on our calendar of events. For instance, you may be coming for a bachelor or bachelorette party, or maybe a family reunion. Whatever the cause, this calendar will help you find the perfect Put-in-Bay events to fill your stay with. Every weekend is filled with great events!
But that means lodging in Put-in-Bay fills up fast – especially for our most popular events. Everything from the Put in Bay resort to the hotels and event the cabins and cottages are hot commodities. So book early (and book often!). Put-in-Bay Ohio is your one-stop website for comparing, viewing 3D virtual tours and booking your Put-in-Bay hotel, house or group stay. We’ve narrowed down your search to only the most prime and perfectly priced lodging options on Put In Bay. There are so many amazing options for lodging!
The Best Way to See it All is to Stay On Island
So, you have found a great Put-In-Bay Event to attend. Now what? To truly experience all that Put-In-Bay, OH 43456 has to offer, staying overnight is key. There are many popular times to visit and many great lodging providers on the island. First, Island Club Home Rentals is the go-to agency for places to stay on Put-In-Bay. They manage most of the Island Club and Put-In-Bay Condos. The Island Club is a great place for groups, with comfortable rental homes. The PIB Condos offer waterfront lodging for groups up to 12 people.
The best Put-In-Bay Hotels include the Commodore Resort and the Victory Station Hotel. Both bay lodging resorts offer free wifi, swimming pool and near great restaurants like the Boardwalk. Guests will feel like they’ve transported to Key West with the wet and wild Mist pool bar.
Plan Your Next Getaway now and Attend a Great Put-In-Bay Event.
For Home Rentals, head over to the Island Club Rentals.
For Put-In-Bay Hotels, research options with the Commodore Resort.
The Most Popular Put-in-Bay Events
Bash on the Bay
Bash on the Bay is the Island’s most popular event. The country music festival is usually hosted in late August. In recent years, some of country music’s biggest stars have performed. Previous years saw the likes of Rascal Flatts, Kid Rock, and Toby Keith as headlining acts.
Island Club Home Rentals’ Annual Spring Fling Party
Hosted by the Island Club and Putinbay.com, the annual Spring Fling Customer Appreciation Party is a great private event to kick off the summer season. The event is typically hosted on the first weekend of May and is ALWAYS hosted at the Island Club (don’t be fooled by any other look-alike events downtown). It is open to guests staying at the Island Club properties, Commodore Resort properties, and the Bird’s Nest Resort. Event participants can enjoy free beer, free food, free live entertainment, raffles & giveaways, shopping discounts, and more.
Lighting of the Whiskey Light
The lighting of the Whiskey Light at the Round House Bar symbolizes the starts of a brand new season. This event is held by the island locals who are celebrating an end to a cold and lonely winter.
Island Club Home Rentals’ Annual Fall Ball Party
Similar in almost all respects to the Spring Fling except for the dates, the Fall Ball serves as a customer appreciation party to close out the summer season. The Fall Ball Party also includes free beer, food and live entertainment. Both the Spring and Fall Ball are two highly recommended events that we suggest attending!
Put-In-Bay Events Questions
Are Put-in-Bay events kid-friendly?
There are many kid-friendly events on the island each year. This is especially true for many of the great programs held at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. Pyrates Fest takes place at the end of June and has plenty of family-friendly fun activities for all. And don’t forget, kids always enjoy riding on a golf cart!
The island also hosts Arts on Erie week where local artists hold workshops for the youth in attendance. The Arts on Erie Week begins and ends Mid-June. In addition, kids love the weekly antique car parade on Sundays where dozens of old fashioned cars cruise through the island and hand out candy to those waving from the side of the road!
Do bands play on the island?
Put-In-Bay is well known to be a great destination for live music. In the peak season, guests can find a variety of local and regional acts. Many great musicians have played on South Bass Island. Bars and restaurants host entertainers and bands playing popular music. The new Put-in-Bay Music Fest features mostly folk and indie style music.
For four years running, the island has been hosting Bash on the Bay — the island’s largest music festival. In 2019, Kid Rock performed in front of a crowd around 15,000 strong at the Put-in-Bay airport. In the previous years, Put-in-Bay hosted Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts. This year’s Bash on the Bay will take place again at the end of August before Labor Day weekend and will be, for the first time, a two-day event.
What are the most popular events at Put-in-Bay?
The most popular events include Memorial Day Weekend, Pyrate Fest, Historical Weekend, and the Fourth of July Celebration. In reality, there is a great Put-In-Bay Event every weekend throughout the tourist season. In recent years, the most popular event has become the Bash on the Bay music festival. The Bash on the Bay takes place at the Put-in-Bay airport and the musical line-up is announced early in the year. Eating pizza is something almost everyone does at Put-in-Bay, so make sure to try the new Swipe Right Pizza!
What events does Put-in-Bay have midweek?
During the midweek, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center plays host to plenty of family-friendly activities. They often include information about the local flora and fauna of Put-In-Bay. The blessing of the fleet ceremony takes place around May 12 for all the sailors, boaters, fishermen, and local first responders who choose to navigate the waters around our Lake Erie Islands. See our events calendar for more mid-week Put-in-Bay events such as Wild Tuesdays.
What is there to do in Put-In-Bay?
Things to Do in Put-In-Bay include a variety of watersports including jet ski rentals and kayaks, two caves to explore, great shopping and a lovely selection of parks and outdoor spaces. Visitors love to tour the island on a golf cart rental and feel the island breeze as they ride around. The observation deck from the top of Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial is another popular island excursion. As you build up an appetite, head to The Boardwalk and try their famous, award winning lobster bisque.
How many days do you need for Put-in-Bay?
To explore everything on the South Bass Island you do not need more than a day or two. That being said with events constantly going on in Put-in-Bay Ohio and the lively nightlife, there is always things to do
on the island. Whether you are looking for a family friendly trip or a weekend getaway with the boys, you will not be bored in Put-in-Bay. We highly recommend renting a golf cart to explore the island. There are many golf cart rental businesses to rent from. Bringing your boat up the island? Check out the Lake Erie islands while you are there!
Where should I stay in Put-in-Bay?
With many options available on the island, it all depends on the kind of vacation rental you are looking for. Some of the best options in Put-in-Bay, Ohio are listed below. Looking for a lakefront view of Lake Erie? Look no further than the Put-in-Bay Condos. Looking for the best rental homes on South Bass Island? Then Island Club Rentals is the place for you. Looking for a place downtown Put-in-Bay close to the action? The Commodore Resort is walking distance from the best nightlife on the island!
Are there cars on Put-in-Bay?
Yes, cars are permitted in Put-in-Bay Ohio. Though they are not the preferred method of transportation. The preferred method transportation on South Bass Island are golf carts. With this Lake Erie island being small, they are preferred because it is much easier to maneuver than a large vehicle. For example downtown Put-in-Bay, especially around Derivera Park, with so many Put-in-Bay restaurants located there it gets very crowded. There multiple cart rental businesses located at both Miller Ferry and Jet Express docks and many more all around the island. From the state park to Perry’s Monument is only 1.7 miles!
Do you have to be 21 to enter bars in Put-in-Bay?
Most bars downtown will allow underage customers in before a certain time. Once it reaches that time most bars downtown Put-in-Bay become strictly 21 and over. During high points in season South Bass Island is a place for 21 and over visitors. Especially on the weekends. Though a very family friendly place during the day, the nightlife can be considered for adults. That being said Put-in-Bay Ohio offers many great options for families, including Put-in-Bay restaurants with great food. This includes the Boardwalk where you will find outdoor seating with a great view of Lake Erie.
Can you drink on the streets in Put-in-Bay?
No, open containers of alcohol on the streets are prohibited on the island. Same rules and laws apply on the island as do on the mainland. Put-in-Bay is not different from any other city in Ohio in terms of laws. This also applies to Put-in-Bay golf carts. All island golf carts are licensed motor vehicles. This means you must have a valid drivers license and seat belts must be worn. Also all traffic laws must be obeyed which means you must use your turn signals. You CAN get a DUI on a golf cart.
Fun Fact
Heineman’s Winery and Crystal Cave is home to the World’s Largest Geode. The largest specimen measures an astonishing 35 meters across and made from near pure Celestite. This geode is located on South Bass Island, Ohio, where the Village of Put-In-Bay is located.
