Our weekly picks of the best things to do in Cleveland this weekend. Also check out our full Cleveland event calendar.
WED 12/31
Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns
A former powerhouse in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns didn’t even make the playoffs last season as injuries and bad chemistry between players derailed their season. They’ve improved this season, and they come to Rocket Arena today at 3:30 p.m. for their one-and-only visit to Cleveland during the regular season.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
John Heffron
After winning Season 2 of Last Comic Standing, comedian John Heffron has performed on The Tonight Show, Chelsea Lately, The Late Late Show, HBO, FX, VH1, A&E and CMT. He’s also taped two separate Comedy Central specials and did an hour-long special for Netflix. He performs today at 5, 7:30 and 10:15 p.m. at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
New Year’s Eve with Dominic Farinacci & Friends
A former student in Tri-C’s Jazz Studies program who’s gone on to become a national act, trumpeter Dominic Farinacci returns home for this special show at Edwin’s Leadership & Restaurant Institute in Cleveland Heights. The concert begins at 9:30 p.m., and he’ll be back at the venue at noon tomorrow for a special New Year’s Day brunch.
12383 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Heights, 216-921-333, edwinsrestaurant.org.
NightWork
The regional group plays a mix of R&B, classic rock, country and blues. Should make for a good New Year’s Eve event when the band returns to Jilly’s Music Room in Akron. The club will offer a special NYE menu, and a hotel package is available.
111 N Main St., Akron, 330-576-3757, jillysmusicroom.com.
NYE 2026 at the Music Box
The Music Box Supper Club offers four (count em!) concerts to ring in the new year. The day starts with a Noon Year’s Eve celebration with Nitebridge, a local group that plays Motown favorites. Steely Dan also plays a separate Noon Year’s Eve party in the club’s supper club. Then, at 7:30 p.m., the Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young tribute performs in the Supper Club and local favorites the Sunrise Jones play at 9 p.m. in the Concert Hall.
1148 Main Ave., 216-242-1250, musicboxcle.com.
NYE with Brad Sativa & Dewayne White
The two comedians team up for this special New Year’s Eve show at the Funny Bone. White has shared the stage with like-minded comedians such as Josh Blue and Mark Normand, and Sativa has played comedy festivals such as 10,000 Laughs and Lookout. The show begins at 7 p.m.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
FRI 01/02
Cocoa Brown
If you’ve seen any of Progressive Insurance’s “Name Your Price” commercials, then you’ve seen comic Cocoa Brown. In the commercial, this vivacious comedian and actress plays the angered wife whose husband decides he wants to juggle chain saws. Tyler Perry has even taken her on as a vital character in his TV shows and films. She performs tonight at 7 and 9:30 and tomorrow night at 6:30 and 9 at the Funny Bone.
1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, cleveland.funnybone.com.
John Caparulo
John Caparulo, known as Cap, got his start on the Cleveland circuit in the late ’90s. He plays the role of the dumb hillbilly, but his narrative jokes are engaging, and his comic timing is impeccable. He performs at 6:30 and 9:15 tonight and tomorrow night at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
Cavaliers vs. Denver Nuggets
Tonight at 7:30 at Rocket Arena, the Cavaliers take on the Denver Nuggets, a powerhouse team from the NBA’s Western Conference. The Cavs then stay home to play the Detroit Pistons at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Rocket Arena.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
Cleveland Charge vs. Long Island Nets
It’s K-Pop Night as the Charge take on the Long Island Nets at Public Hall. It’s also Asian American and Pacific Islander Night, with special in-game moments to honor these communities in Cleveland. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
500 Lakeside Ave. E., cleveland.gleague.nba.com/schedule/promotions
Chill @ CMNH
This after-hours event at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History features flashlight tours of Perkins Wildlife Center and after-dark encounters with the museum’s animal ambassador. It takes place from 5 to 9 p.m.
1 Wade Oval Dr., 216-231-4600, cmnh.org.
Dharma Talk with Tibetan Monks
Six monks from a monastery in Dehradun, India come to Visible Voice Books to deliver a lecture about world peace and the “unity of all religions.” The event begins at 6 p.m.
4601 Lorain Ave., 216-961-0084, visiblevoicebooks.com.
Disney on Ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party
Disney on Ice makes its return to the Covelli Centre in Youngstown. According to press materials, the show promises to deliver “world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics and unexpected stunts.” Performances take place today at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and then continue through Sunday at the arena.
229 East Front St., Youngstown, 330-746-5600, covellicentre.com.
Flanagan’s Wake
Part improv, part scripted, this interactive Irish wake is back again at Kennedy’s Theatre at Playhouse Square. Performances are set for 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
1501 Euclid Ave., 216-241-6000, playhousesquare.org.
Frost
This annual winter celebration at the Cleveland Botanical Garden features lights, seasonal displays and family activities. There will be a gingerbread competition and local garden clubs will decorate Christmas trees that’ll be on display. Check the website for hours and more information on this event that continues through Sunday.
11030 East Blvd., 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org.
Grog Shop Free Weekend
Every year at about this time, the Grog Shop opens up its doors to music fans for a free weekend of shows. The annual event kicks off tonight with Whiffler, Dick Golden & the Rock and Roll Experience, Ananke and Inpatient. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the music gets going at 8 p.m. Local bands will perform at the club again tomorrow and Sunday.
2785 Euclid Heights Blvd., Cleveland Heights, 216-321-5588, grogshop.gs.
The SpongeBob Musical
The musical that features tunes by the likes of They Might Be Giants, David Bowie, Panic! At The Disco, John Legend, and Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith arrives at Beck Center for the Arts. Tonight’s show takes place at 7:30 p.m. Performances continue through Sunday.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, 216-521-2540, beckcenter.org.
Wild Lights
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has extended this event that features a musical light show with a 50-feet three and thousands of lights. The drive-thru extension runs today through Sunday. Check the website for more details.
3900 Wildlife Way, 216-661-6500, clevelandmetroparkszoo.com.
SAT 01/03
Monsters vs. Charlotte Checkers
The Monsters kick off a two-game stand against the Charlotte Checkers with tonight’s game at Rocket Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m., and the first 5,000 fans receive a fan designed Cleveland Rocks T-shirt. The two teams face off again at 7 p.m. on Monday.
One Center Court, 216-420-2000, rocketarena.com.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 film that still draws an exuberant, costumed crowd that likes to throw rice and dry toast and sing along to the songs in the movie, still draws big crowds to local showings. Expect a throng to show up for tonight’s screening that takes place at 9:30 p.m. at the Cedar Lee Theatre. Tickets cost $12.
2163 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights, 440-528-0355, clevelandcinemas.com.
SUN 01/04
50 First Jokes
Hosts John Bruton and Jimmie Graham moderate this event that features local and national acts as they deliver their very first joke of the new year. The event begins at 7 p.m. at Hilarities.
2035 East Fourth St., 216-241-7425, pickwickandfrolic.com.
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