Free community celebration brings live music, dance, and making art to TMA campus
TOLEDO, Ohio (August 25, 2026) Now a beloved Toledo tradition, the Toledo Museum of Art will host its annual Block Party on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 3:00 to 8:30 p.m. Block Party transforms the museum’s lawns, courtyards and terraces into an evening of hands-on creativity and live performance. Guests can expect artmaking stations, roaming performers, food trucks, and a lineup of local and national talent culminating in an 8 p.m. drone show over Monroe Street.
The event is free and open to all.
“Block Party is one of the most joyful days on our calendar,” said Jennier McCary, Chief Culture and Brand Experience Officer at the Toledo Museum of Art. “It’s a chance for the whole community to experience the museum not just as a place to view art, but as a place to create, celebrate, and connect with their neighbors.”
Performance Highlights
The day’s schedule features:
● 3:30 p.m. — Sun Ra Arkestra, Moon Mirror
● 4:45 p.m. — El Corazón de México Ballet Folklórico, Monroe St. Terrace
● 5:20 p.m. — “Key to the Museum” Presentation, Monroe St. Terrace
● 5:45 p.m. — DJ Stevie Chanel, Monroe St. Terrace
● 7:00 p.m. — The Amelia Airhearts, Monroe St. Terrace
● 8:00 p.m. — Art in the Sky Drone Show, Monroe St. Terrace
Additional entertainment includes roaming performances by Bird’s Eye View Circus, a collaborative painting project led by artist Dean Davis, and appearances by Ellie the Baby Dragon.
Hands-On Art and Family Activities
From 3:00 to 7:30 p.m., TMA’s Bowe Family Center and Outreach teams will lead artmaking activities on the Glass Pavilion Lawn, with a Sensory Friendly Area available in Krebs Courtyard from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors can also explore the museum’s docent-led Touch Cart, browse the TMA Store and Sanda Findlay Collector’s Corner, and view current exhibitions including TMA Forever and Hannah Bowlus: Origin Point.
Community Partners
Block Party will feature tables from local organizations making an impact across the region, including Team Recovery, Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s Ready to Read program, Mercy Health, Toledo Fire & Rescue Department, Live Arts Toledo, BESN X Community, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, and Jeep.
Taste the Block
A curated lineup of local food trucks will line the campus throughout the event, including BD’s Lemonade King, Bean Crazy, a Beer Truck, City Soda, Deets BBQ, Falafel King, Fat Boyz, Frankly Plant Based Kitchen, Jamaican Spice, Los Pollo Loco, Stacks Chicken, and Snowy Station Shaved Ice.
• The Toledo Museum of Art’s 2026 Block Party was funded by a grant from the Arts & Culture Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation
• The 2026 Drone Light Show is presented by Mr. & Mrs. BatSoupYum.
ABOUT THE TOLEDO MUSEUM OF ART
Twice named the nation’s Best Art Museum in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the Toledo Museum of Art (TMA) is a beloved cultural institution in Toledo, Ohio, and a global leader in the museum field. Established in 1901, its renowned collection features over 25,000 works, ranging from antiquity to contemporary art, and includes one of the finest collections of glass in the world. Situated on a 40-acre campus, TMA integrates art into people’s lives through its world-class collection, engaging exhibitions, robust educational programs, and community outreach.
Admission and parking to TMA are always free, welcoming everyone to explore its galleries. The museum is open on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and select holidays. TMA is located at 2445 Monroe St., just one block off I-75, with exit signs posted for easy access. For more information, call 419-255-8000 or visit toledomuseum.org.