Cleveland Dyngus Day 2026
16th Anniversary Celebration
Location
Gordon Square Arts District, 5400 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102. Detroit Avenue closes from W. 54th through W. 58th Street — an expanded footprint for 2026. A secondary festival area is at Gordon Green, one block north of Detroit Ave on W. 54th Street.
Tickets available at clevelanddyngus.com/tickets
Opening Mass — St. Stanislaus Church
The day traditionally kicks off with a 10:00 AM mass at Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus, 3649 E. 65th St. (Slavic Village) — the "mother church" of Polish Cleveland. The service includes the Easter "sprinkling rite." Note: This is separate from the Gordon Square festival area — plan accordingly.
Stage Lineup
Gordon Green Stage
- 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM — Bob Earl and the Polish All Stars
- 1:30 – 4:30 PM — Don Wojtila
- 4:45 – 7:30 PM — Johnny Koenig
Happy Dog Street Stage
- 10:00 AM — Opening Ceremony with DJ Kishka
- 10:30 AM – 1:15 PM — Chardon Polka Band
- 1:15 – 1:30 PM — A Polish Wedding (Becki Locke & James Sheehe)
- 1:30 – 4:00 PM — Ed Rodick
- 4:15 – 5:00 PM — The Kishkas (DJ Kishka's band)
- 5:00 PM — Pierogi Eating Contest
- 5:15 PM — Miss Dyngus Day Crowning
- 5:45 – 8:00 PM — Da Land Brass Band (New Orleans-style brass & percussion ensemble)
DJ Kishka — The Man Behind the Beard
Real name: Justin Gorski, a Lakewood native. He created the DJ Kishka persona in January 2005 at The Happy Dog, armed with one turntable and a fake beard and fedora. The name comes from the polka classic "Who Stole the Kishka." Gorski co-founded the entire Cleveland Dyngus Day festival and serves as MC — hosting the opening ceremony, pierogi eating contest, and Miss Dyngus Day crowning. He also runs The Cleveland Vegan catering company and plays piano in bands like New Soft Shoe.
Special Events
A Polish Wedding
1:15 PM on the Street Stage. Becki Locke and James Sheehe tie the knot live at Dyngus Day — a festival first!
Pierogi Eating Contest
5:00 PM on the Street Stage. Must be 18+ to enter. Winner takes home $100. Hosted by DJ Kishka.
Miss Dyngus Day
5:15 PM on the Street Stage. Contestants pulled from the crowd by DJ Kishka (pre-registration available at clevelanddyngus.com). Challenges include Polish trivia, Polish haiku, and polka dancing.
The Kishkas
4:15 PM on the Street Stage. DJ Kishka's new band takes the stage — don't miss their debut set!
Participating Bars & Restaurants
In Gordon Square (Festival Footprint)
- Happy Dog — The Street Stage is right outside; spiritual home of DJ Kishka
- Flight Cleveland — "Ultimate oasis for Dyngus Day"; food and drink specials
- Ninja City — Food specials all day
- XYZ Tavern — Opens at 9 AM; collaborating with Rudy's Strudel for paczki; house-made Polish food; live music by Walt Mahovlich & Steven Greenman of HARMONIA (10 AM – 12:30 PM)
- Toast — Open 11 AM – 3 PM with specials
Around Town
- Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Ohio City) — 11 AM – 9 PM; tapping of Dyngus Day Honey Ale; Frank Moravcik Band 11 AM – 3 PM; pierogi eating contest at 1 PM benefiting Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Reservations via Resy recommended.
- Forest City Brewery (2135 Columbus Rd) — Frank Moravcik Band 4 – 7 PM; Polish food and beer specials all day
- Polish Veterans Alliance / PVA (2234 Professor Ave, Tremont) — 10 AM – 8 PM; food, drinks, polka music, dancing, and Dyngus Day merchandise
- Gunselman's Tavern — Full Dyngus Day menu including items from the Pierogi Lady
- Prosperity Social Club — Three seated shows at 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM, and 5:45 PM
Full venue list: clevelanddyngus.com/around-town
Getting There
Parking
Large lot between Happy Dog and Angel Printing. Street parking on surrounding side streets (arrive early). RTA Park-N-Ride lots offer ~8,800 free spaces at Rapid stations.
Public Transit (RTA)
Route 26 (Detroit) runs directly through Gordon Square. W. 65th – Lorain Rapid Station is the nearest Red Line stop (~15 min walk west on Detroit Ave).
Rideshare
Uber/Lyft readily available ($10–$20 within Cleveland). Drop-off along Detroit Ave near W. 54th – W. 58th is ideal.
First-Timer Survival Guide
What to Wear
- Red and white (Polish flag colors), babushkas, polka pants, or traditional Polish dress
- Waterproof layers — you WILL get wet. Rain jacket minimum.
- Comfortable shoes (you'll be on your feet all day)
- Leave valuables that can't get wet at home or in a waterproof bag
What to Eat
- Pierogi — the star of the show (cheese, potato, sauerkraut)
- Kielbasa — grilled Polish sausage
- Paczki — filled Polish donuts (get from Rudy's Strudel at XYZ Tavern)
- Golabki — stuffed cabbage rolls
Weather — Early April Cleveland
Looks good for the festival! Still bring a layer — Lake Erie wind and water fights make it feel colder.
Historical averages — live forecast available closer to the event
Pro Tips from Veterans
- Bring a squirt gun — water-squirting IS the tradition
- Learn to say "Na zdrowie!" (nah ZDRO-vyeh) — "To your health!"
- Hit XYZ Tavern early (opens 9 AM) for paczki before they sell out
- Great Lakes Brewing Co. is worth the trip to Ohio City for the Dyngus Day Honey Ale
- The PVA in Tremont is the most authentic Polish experience
- Squirt guns: yes. Fire hoses: please no.
New for 2026
Expanded Festival Footprint
Detroit Avenue now closes from W. 54th through W. 58th Street — more room for polka, pierogi, and water fights than ever before.
A Live Wedding on Stage
Becki Locke and James Sheehe get married on the Street Stage at 1:15 PM — a Dyngus Day first. Witness a real Polish wedding at the festival!
The Kishkas Debut
DJ Kishka's new band, The Kishkas, takes the Street Stage at 4:15 PM. A must-see set from Cleveland's king of polka.
Guardians Dyngus Day (April 7)
The day after! Cleveland Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals at 6:10 PM. Red & white Guardians scarf giveaway, Polish-themed menu, and DJ Kishka parading around the bases.
Official Food Partners
- Frank's Bratwurst — Official festival food vendor
- The Pierogi Lady — Pierogi throughout the festival grounds and at Gunselman's Tavern
- Rudy's Strudel — Paczki at XYZ Tavern (get there early — they sell out)
Follow @dyngusdaycleveland for updates. Official site: clevelanddyngus.com