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.
A Christmas Carol at the Mimi Ohio Theatre
For those of a certain age, and for anyone who took 6th grade English, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is something of a holiday staple. Onstage, the annual rite of passage arrives in Playhouse Square each December. Take the kids. Take your grandparents. Revel in the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. The show runs through Dec. 23rd.
Photo via Playhouse Square, FacebookIce Skating At Wade Oval
Relive the glory days of your ice skating youth, take the family or hold the hand of your date, strap on the skates and do your best Olympics audition: The rink at Wade Oval is all purpose and the perfect outdoor activity that takes just a modicum of actual athleticism and coordination. Two bucks to skate, $3 for skate rentals, and the rink is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 17 with additional days between Christmas and New Year’s.
Photo via Scene ArchivesTrans-Siberian Orchestra
The lasers, the pyrotechnics, the prog-rock classics and more — TSO’s annual tour is somehow bigger and badder this year than ever before and they stop by Cleveland and Quicken Loans Arena on Sunday, Dec. 30th for two shows at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Photo via Jason McEachernGrog Shop’s New Year’s Kick-Off
In a beloved annual tradition, the fine folks at the Grog Shop open their doors for a weekend of shows to kick off each new year. This time around, the show is on January 1st at 7 p.m. and include the bands Strobe Light Casualties, The Brake’s, Undersubstance, The Daze and Hypoxia. Remember to tip your bartenders well.
Photo via Grog ShopBrite Winter 2022
A cornerstone of Cleveland’s culture and entertainment in these wintry months, Brite Winter dishes up some of our city’s coolest bands and artists for a day of revelry. The free fest returns to its roots on the west bank of the Flats this year on Feb. 26th — around McCarthy’s and the Harbor Inn, mostly. This year, they’re celebrating 14 years of mayhem. Best to go help out in the celebration.
Photo by Emanuel WallaceMagic Of Lights
Magic of Lights is a 1.3 mile drive-thru holiday light display featuring a 100+ foot light tunnel, and over 30 full light static & animated displays and other holiday activities. It goes from now until January 2nd. The cost to visit is $21 per car if you buy tickets in advance.
Photo via Magic Of Lights – Northeast Ohio/Facebook‘Deck the Hall’ at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
Each year, the Stan Hywet estate is “illuminated inside and out with one million lights, and the historic Manor House is decorated and inspired by the theme of ‘Postcards from the Past.'” The event is open from 5 to 8 p.m. December 2nd-5th, 9th-23rd and 26th-30th. This year’s theme is ‘Lights, Camera, Christmas’.
Photo via Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, FacebookNela Park
If you’re in the mood to see a really extraordinary holiday lighting display at no cost, General Electric’s Nela Park has got you covered. For the 97th year, you can visit the most well-known light display in Cleveland, which begins on December 3rd and goes until January 3rd.
Photo via @Christina.B323/InstagramNorth Pole Adventure
The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is something you should have ridden by now, but if you’ve been putting it off, the holiday season is the right time to buy a ticket. From now through December 19th the train is decked out in Christmas splendor with plenty of Santa action and charms for the little ones.
Photo via Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, FacebookCastle Noel
The Christmas Movie Museum down in Medina is a little known gem in Northeast Ohio, and it spreads Christmas cheer year ’round. But the holidays are a natural time to head down south to bask in the treasures from your favorite holiday classics that have made their way to Medina County including gems from Elf and Fred Claus and more. It’s not just a museum, by the way. There are also exhibits and decorations and everything to put you in the holiday spirit.
Photo via Castle Noel, FacebookCleveland 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, FacebookChristmas 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, FacebookTours 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, FacebookWinterfest 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 WallaceHoliday 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/Instagram8th 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 ArchivesWinter 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
