Extra holiday cheer is in order this year. Luckily, there’s no shortage of festive fun for Clevelanders. With the return of in-person seasonal celebrations, it’s the perfect opportunity for locals to crack open a Christmas ale, don their pink bunny suits, and experience all the excitement that makes holidays in the CLE the merriest of all.
HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT: Safety protocols vary by venue and, in some cases, by an event at venues. Residents are encouraged to review both venue and event-specific protocols before arriving at an event.
Santa Sightings
Once the Thanksgiving leftovers are packed up, St. Nick will make his first stops of the season. Clevelanders hoping to share their wish list with the big man to kick off their Christmas festivities can catch him at one of several appearances in the CLE.
Wild Winter Lights
Wild Winter Lights returns this holiday season transforming Cleveland Metro-parks Zoo into a winter wonderland. The all-new display features more than one million individual lights and a 50-foot-tall tree. Attendees can enjoy carousel rides, ice carvers, and live music. Photos with Santa are also available. A drive-through option on certain days allows residents to stay cozy in their cars as they take in the light displays.
Tuesdays – Sundays, Nov. 16 – Jan. 2 (closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas
Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day)
Drive-through dates: Nov. 16–17, 23, 30, Dec. 1, 7–8, 13–15, Jan. 2
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland Advance tickets required (Zoo admission does not include access)
Scuba Claus at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Before he hitches up his sleigh, Santa will be zipping up his wetsuit and taking the plunge at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The magical man in red will be immersed in 230,000 gallons of saltwater as he chats with residents about their favorite holiday traditions, answers their diving questions and, of course, lets them know who made the nice list this year. (No need to fear for the big guy’s safety: he’s scuba-certified and always dives with an elf buddy.)
Dec. 18-19, 8:30–10 a.m.; Dec. 20–22, 4:30–7 p.m.
Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland
Advance tickets required, available here.
Breakfast with Mr. Kringle
Clevelanders can break out the Christmas jammies and head to the Burnham Restaurant at Hilton Downtown Cleveland for breakfast with the big guy. The magical morning includes a breakfast buffet, cookie decorating, hot cocoa by the fire, and a meet and greets with Mr. Kringle himself. Festive attire, including holiday pajamas, is encouraged.
Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 19 at 8:30, 9:00, 10:30 and 11:00 a.m.
The Burnham Restaurant at Hilton Cleveland Downtown, 100 Lakeside Ave. E, Cleveland
Tickets are available online.
Light Up Lakewood
Attendees can keep their eyes peeled for Santa sightings as they stroll Lakewood’s downtown district during the 15th Annual Light Up Lakewood celebration on Dec. 4. The family-friendly event will feature a holiday parade along Detroit Avenue, a vendor village, ice carvings, children’s games, and a lighting ceremony.
Saturday, Dec. 4, 4–8 p.m.
Detroit Ave. in Downtown Lakewood
Cleveland Pops Orchestra
The Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Chorus will fill Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace with the sounds of the season during its “Holiday Spectacular” concert. Concertgoers can enjoy festive fun in the lobby before the show and during intermission, including a photo op with Santa and visits with adoptable pets from local animal shelters.
Sunday, Nov. 28, 2 p.m.
Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Tickets are available online.
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s North Pole Adventure
Locals looking for a one-day holiday get-away can climb aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a visit to the North Pole. Adventurers can enjoy cookies and cocoa as they write their letters to Santa, which they can then hand-deliver to the North Pole postmaster. The festivities continue on the journey home, when a jolly visitor in a red suit makes an appearance.
Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Rd., Independence or Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., Akron
Details, schedules, and tickets are available online.
HANUKKAH HAPPENINGS
From cars topped with candles to the chance for kids to make their own menorah, the Hanukkah spirit will be
Menorah Parade
One of the more unique ways to celebrate the holiday, the “Light After Dark” parade will feature cars topped with large, lit-up menorahs to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. The parade kicks off from Legacy Village and will wind through parts of Lyndhurst, Beachwood, and University Heights before wrapping up in Cleveland Heights. Paradegoers can enjoy music, traditional Hanukkah treats, and special giveaways while watching the procession of candle-topped cars weave through the community.
Sunday, Nov. 28 beginning at 3 p.m.
Full route map available online.
Downtown Menorah Lighting
The heart of Downtown Cleveland will shine on the fourth night of Hanukkah as the menorah at Public Square is lit on Dec. 1. Clevelanders of all faiths are invited to join the celebration with Downtown Chabad, which will include music, dancing, hot cocoa, and snacks.
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m.
Public Square in Downtown Cleveland
Chanukah Hoopla
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will put a new twist on age-old traditions during its virtual “Chanukah Hoopla” event on Dec.5. Along with the lighting of the menorah, the virtual event will include holiday songs and dance, a letter-writing activity, and an opportunity for the younger participants to show off their favorite holiday objects and traditions from home.
Sunday, Dec. 5, 1:30 p.m.
Online event; more information and registration available online.
Chanukah Woodworking Craft
For a hands-on way to celebrate Chanukah, families can join jHUB for a free woodworking craft at Lakewood’s Cove Park. With their parents’ help, kids will build their own menorah or a candle box holder. Families can enjoy snacks and warm drinks at the park or grab their kit to take home and build.
Saturday, Nov. 20, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Cove Park, 1294 Cove Ave., Lakewood
Free event, pre-register online.
SEASONAL SHOWS
Cleveland’s theaters and performance halls will be decked out and chock full of holiday cheer for audiences this winter.
Great Lakes Theater Company will bring the Charles Dicken classic, “A Christmas Carol,” to life at the Mimi Ohio Theatre from Nov. 26 through Dec. 23.
Cleveland Playhouse will host the world premiere of a family-friendly holiday musical set in Cleveland as “Light It Up!” takes the stage beginning Nov. 27.
The holiday favorite ballet, “The Nutcracker,” returns to Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace with five performances from Dec. 3-5.
Beck Center for the Arts will offer holiday fun for the whole family with “Elf, the Musical,” Dec. 3 through Jan. 2.
Langston Hughes’ famed retelling of the Nativity story comes back to Cleveland as Karamu House presents “The Black Nativity,” Dec. 2–24.
Mandel Concert Hall at Severance will transform into a winter wonderland as The Cleveland Orchestra hosts its holiday concerts, Dec. 9–19.
Music Box Supper Club will be in the holiday spirit as it hosts several Christmas-themed brunch events, including a Holiday Edition Beatles Brunch and Polka Brunch with Santa and Krampus.
PLEASE NOTE: The Cleveland Visitors Center will operate under special hours during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Week of Thanksgiving: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. –3 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26, closed; Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. –7 p.m.
Week of Christmas: Tuesday, Dec. 21–Thursday, Dec.23, 10 a.m. –6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 24–Monday, Jan. 3, Cleveland Visitors Center closed; visitor services available virtually via phone, live chat, and email.
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact the team via email (cleconcierge@destinationcle.org), live chat at thisiscleveland.com, or stop at the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Tues. –Sat., 10 a.m. –6 p.m. to plan your holiday happenings. Full calendar of winter events & activities available online. ●
