Holidays in Cle: Indie Style

So, holiday light displays and Santa suits aren't your thing.
Bah-humbug, right? WRONG.

Cleveland is a hotbed for indie artists, local music with national cred and a craft beer scene that has hipster mustaches quivering for more.

So, when it comes to celebrating that holly jolly time of year, Cleveland knows a thing or two about how to do the holidays in an uncommercialized, locally sourced, under-the-radar, handcrafted way.

Cleveland Flea: Holiday Markets

Here you've got an organization that brings hundreds of local artists, crafters and other vendors together to sell their handcrafted goods, vintage finds and homemade goodies.

So, when you shop their Holiday Maker Market on East 36th St. on December 11-13, your dollars are going back into the local economy, while also activating a neighborhood. Plus, you'll get in the holiday spirit with mulled wine, music, shopping and even brunch on Sunday. Cool, huh? Get your tickets while you can.

Larchmere Holiday Stroll

With its cool antiques stores, independently owned restaurants, art galleries and niche boutiques, the neighborhood of Larchmere showcases its ever-present indie funkiness during the Larchmere Holiday Stroll Nov. 25-27. Walk Larchmere Blvd., peruse small businesses, ride a horse drawn carriage, listen to live music and purchase all sorts of locally made art.

Cleveland Bazaar Holiday

If you're looking for tissue box covers, cheesy knickknacks and other grandma-inspired craft projects, we'd like to suggest not checking out this event.

The Cleveland Bazaar, Northeast Ohio's longest running indie craft show, is chock full of cool handmade wares, locally made gifts and other unique hand-crafted items that you'll (thankfully) never find at a big box retailer.

Its signature holiday event happens at the 78th Street Studios Dec. 10-11.

Tremont BrewHaHa

What are the holidays without a few cold ones and some good old-fashioned brewhaha? We don't know--nor do we care to find out. All we know is that Tremont puts on one heck of a party Dec. 9-11.

This artful neighborhood gets its glitz on starting Friday, Dec. 9, with a special version of the Tremont ArtWalk where the local stores, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants offer later hours and all sorts of holiday specials including live bands, a pop-up shop, free Lolly The Trolley transportation around the neighborhood and a beer hop to several restaurants and bars.

The fun continues on Saturday, Dec. 10, with the Santa Shuffle, a run through the neighborhood where everyone's decked out in his or her Santa gear. And, of course, there's a bunch of beer specials throughout the neighborhood, too.

On Sunday, Dec. 1, the event concludes with an all-day happy hour, free hot dogs during the Browns game, and holiday Karaoke at the Flying Monkey Pub.

The Last Minute Market

Browse artwork from more than 100 jury-selected artists and craftspeople from Cleveland and surrounding areas at Last Minute Market at the Galleria at Erieview Downtown. The facility opens its doors to the Last Minute Market and an open studio shopping experience featuring more than 100 artists and craftspeople on Dec. 17.

Ohio City Singers

This is what happens when a dozen buddies (who also happen to be in several successful local bands) get together at a holiday party, down a couple glasses of eggnog and get to thinking. The Ohio City Singers are an indie rock tradition here in Cleveland.

But, they're not crooning classics. This local band--which only performs around the holidays--sings their own original holiday sets while simultaneously hosting a series of rather epic holiday parties throughout December.

Shows happen all month and offer reason #2,333,249 to enjoy a couple of Christmas ales (responsibly, of course). Check out their website for upcoming shows.

For more on celebrating the holidays in Cleveland like festive events, winter restaurants and outdoor adventures click here.