20 Holiday Things Everyone Should Do at Least Once in Cleveland

By Scene Staff on Fri, Dec 3, 2021 at 8:00 am

Your Facebook page is probably inundated with event reminders and invitations, and your family has probably already booked you for a Christmas play or concert or something. That doesn't mean you couldn't use a few more events in your life, especially in late December and early January when you finally have some free time. We gathered a few of our seasonal favorites that you might have missed.

Your social media accounts are probably inundated with event reminders and invitations, and your family has probably already booked you for a Christmas play or concert or something. That doesn't mean you couldn't use a few more events in your life, especially in late December and early January when you finally have some free time. We gathered a few of our seasonal favorites that you might have missed.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Cleveland Play House Festival of Trees

The Cleveland Play House's holiday tradition involves more than 70 professionally and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, all put together and sponsored by some of the city's more respected institutions. The show is on now, and it lasts through December 22nd.

Photo via Cleveland Play House, Facebook

Christmas Classics Playing at Cleveland Cinemas

Sure, the cable channels will be beaming out holiday movies en mass this December and we love them all. But movies are an experience best enjoyed at the theater, and there's something about making a Christmas classic an event — to really focus, to watch with others. Cleveland Cinemas is bringing back many holiday favorites to the big screen like "A Christmas Story", “The Nutcracker, ‘The Magic Flute” and "The Polar Express." Check the website for screen times.

Photo via Capitol Theatre, Facebook

Tours of Hale Farm

Take a step back to the 19th Century, when things were just a wee bit different around Northeast Ohio. At Hale Farm, the annual holiday lantern tours showcase the lifestyles and decor of a long-lost age. Tours are on December 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th-19th and 21st-23rd, but check wrhs.org for all the details.

Photo via Hale Farm & Village, Facebook

Winterfest at Public Square

Winterfest officially returned to Public Square on Saturday, Nov. 27th Try out the skating rink or grab a hot chocolate at this beautiful display in the heart of the city.

Photo by Emanuel Wallace

Holiday CircleFest/ Winter Lights Lantern Festival

Join University Circle Inc. and the Cleveland Museum of Art for an array of activities and entertainment on Dec. 5th. These aren’t traditional Christmas lights, but the lighting of the lanterns is really cool.

Photo via @My.Purposed.Place/Instagram

8th Annual Home for the Holidays at Hilarities

If you're looking for some laughs this holiday season, Hilarities on December 23rd is the place to be. Some of Cleveland's best comics will be doing their stand-up acts and it'll definitely be hilarious.

Photo via Scene Archives

Light It Up! At the Cleveland Play House

At the Allen Theatre, from now until December 22nd, you can see “Light It Up!”, an awesome musical to get you into the holiday cheer. This musical features original holiday tunes plus new arrangements of old Christmas favorites. There are matinee and nightly shows so check out the showtimes.

Photo via Scene Archives

Winter Riverfest

From now until January 1st, from 4-8 p.m. on weekdays and extended hours on weekends, the Metroparks will be putting on Winter RiverFest in the Flats. Check out awesome light displays, a beer garden and firepits, an igloo village at Merwin’s Wharf, an ice skating rink, santa on the weekends and much more.

Photo via Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook

Wild Winter Lights at the Zoo

From now until December 23rd, the Zoo is transformed into an awesome holiday light display where you can walk or drive through and see over one million individual lights. There’s also a 50-foot tall tree, carousel rides, costume characters, model train displays, ice carvers, live music and much more.

Photo via Cleveland Metroparks/Facebook

See The Christmas Concert by the Cleveland Orchestra

From December 9th through the 19th, the Cleveland Orchestra will perform Christmas Classics. There’s nothing like heading to Severance Hall and getting in the holiday spirit.

Photo via Scene Archives