Things to Do in Youngstown This Weekend: Nov. 6–8, 2026

Halloween's packed away and the clocks are back an hour, so this is the first weekend that really feels like the start of the holiday season around here. A big musical opens at the Youngstown Playhouse, the Phantoms are home two nights in a row, and Warren flips the switch on Courthouse Square Saturday night. There's also a lot to shop: the last Youngstown Flea of the regular season, a brand-new book bazaar in Boardman and a vintage holiday antique show in Canfield. Here's what's going on Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.

It gets dark before 5:30 p.m. now that daylight saving time is over, so the evening stuff starts in full dark. Bring a warmer coat than you think you need for Downtown Dazzle.

Friday, Nov. 6

• Come From Away opening night, 7:30 p.m., Youngstown Playhouse Main Stage, 600 Playhouse Lane. The Millennial Theatre Company puts on the musical about Gander, Newfoundland, the little town that took in thousands of stranded passengers when 38 planes were diverted there on Sept. 11, 2001. It's funny and it'll get you a little misty too. All seats are reserved, doors open 30 minutes before the show, and online sales close two hours before doors, so buy ahead if you can. The box office (330-788-8739) is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and tickets are also sold at the door an hour before curtain.
• Youngstown Phantoms vs. Madison Capitols, 7 p.m., Covelli Centre, 229 E. Front St. Tickets run $12 for kids and the Purple Section, $16 and $20 for other sections and $32 on the glass, plus fees. Doors open an hour before puck drop.
• Live music at Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave. Caution Bomb and One if by Land are on the venue's calendar for Friday. Check the Westside Bowl site for set times and cover.

Saturday, Nov. 7

Daytime: markets, books and the planetarium

• The Youngstown Flea, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., 365 E. Boardman St., downtown Youngstown. This is the November market and the last date on the Flea's 2026 regular-season schedule. Expect local makers, farmers and food trucks, and it's pet friendly. A good spot to knock out some early Christmas shopping.
• Mahoning Valley Book Bazaar, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Holiday Inn, Boardman. It's the first year for this one: more than 70 book vendors, authors and publishers across three rooms, six live talks (poetry, true crime, young adult, fantasy, horror and more) and a basket raffle that benefits Lit Youngstown. Admission is $10 online or at the door, and the first 100 people get a free swag bag.
• Squirrel Walk & Talk, noon–1:30 p.m., Bears Den Field, Mill Creek Park. A free walk of about 1.5 miles with Mill Creek MetroParks. You have to register, and the deadline is Thursday, Nov. 5. More on the park in our Mill Creek Park guide.
• Earth, Moon and Sun, 1 p.m., Ward Beecher Planetarium, 84 Lincoln Ave. on the YSU campus. A kid-friendly show where Coyote tries to figure out moon phases and eclipses. It's free, seating is first come, first served, and doors open about 30 minutes before. It repeats Nov. 14 and 21 if you can't make this one.

Saturday night

• Downtown Dazzle: Light Up Courthouse Square, 6–8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 161 High St. NW, Warren. The Warren Rotary lights up the square with light displays synced to music, a laser light show at 7 p.m. and free refreshments. It's the earliest of the big Valley lightings, so if you want to get in the holiday mood early, this is it. Everything else that's coming is in our holiday events guide.
• Youngstown Phantoms vs. Madison Capitols, 6 p.m., Covelli Centre. Same prices as Friday.
• Come From Away, 7:30 p.m., Youngstown Playhouse.
• So Good: The Neil Diamond Experience, Robins Theatre, 160 E. Market St., Warren. The Robins Club opens at 5:30 p.m. (one-drink minimum), doors are at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:30. Tickets go up to about $50. You could easily pair this with Downtown Dazzle a few blocks away, just know the timing's tight.
• Westside Bowl: the Dusty Housecat Bar Show from 5 to 7 p.m., then two 8 p.m. shows: Iron Bison with Take Point and 10,000 Bird Skeletons (all ages, doors at 7), and Fall and Fading.

Sunday, Nov. 8

• Midwest Holiday Antique Show, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Canfield Fairgrounds Event Center, 7265 Columbiana-Canfield Rd. Dozens of dealers selling vintage Christmas, Halloween, Easter and Valentine's decorations. If you collect old blow molds or glass ornaments, this is your morning. Admission is $10 at the door.
• Come From Away matinee, 2:30 p.m., Youngstown Playhouse. The show runs one more weekend after this, Nov. 13–15.
• W.D. Packard Concert Band, 3 p.m., Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren.
• LOOP Youngstown Variety Show, 5–8 p.m., Westside Bowl, followed by Hidden Sixes at 7 p.m. and karaoke.

Any time this weekend

• Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave. Always free, with free parking next door. The In Honor of America 250 Ohio exhibit is up through Dec. 26. Check the Butler's site for weekend hours before you go.
• OH WOW! Science Center, 15 Central Square, downtown. A solid rainy-day backup for the kids. Hours and admission are on the OH WOW! site.
• Mill Creek Park. Lanterman's Mill grounds, the trails and Fellows Riverside Gardens don't cost anything, and with most of the leaves down you get better views of the gorge and the falls. Start with our Mill Creek guide, and our list of free things to do in Youngstown has more ideas.
• Christmas tree farms. It's still early for cutting, but it's not too soon to pick a farm. Our Christmas tree farm guide has opening days, hours and prices so you can plan ahead.

Planning ahead

Next weekend, Nov. 13–15, the Phantoms are back at the Covelli Centre for three games, YSU football hosts Illinois State on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Ricky Skaggs plays the Robins Theatre on Friday, Nov. 13. The rest of the month is in our November events guide, and the parades and tree lightings are in the holiday events guide.

FAQ

When is Come From Away playing in Youngstown?

The Millennial Theatre Company's production runs Nov. 6–15, 2026, on the Youngstown Playhouse Main Stage. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m.

What time does Downtown Dazzle start in Warren?

Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Courthouse Square, with the laser light show at 7 p.m. It's free and there are free refreshments.

Are the Phantoms home this weekend?

Yes. They play the Madison Capitols at the Covelli Centre on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $12 plus fees.

Is YSU football playing at home this weekend?

No. The Penguins are at Murray State on Nov. 7. Their next home game is Saturday, Nov. 14, against Illinois State.

What's free to do in Youngstown this weekend?

Downtown Dazzle in Warren, the planetarium show at YSU, the Squirrel Walk & Talk in Mill Creek Park (if you registered), the Butler Institute and the Mill Creek trails are all free.