Without question, it happens every December, typically on a Sunday afternoon following a Saturday night holiday soiree. It's the return of classic holiday films.
Before you know it, you've spent an entire afternoon in sweatpants binge-watching holiday classics like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, It's A Wonderful Life and Home Alone (1 and 2).
And, while there's nothing wrong with enjoying a great holiday flick here and there, there's something far more inspiring about getting off your couch, heading to Cleveland and spending a day immersed in original holiday classics live on stage, as well as captivating musical experiences.
Get going to one of these upcoming holiday performances.
What would the holidays be like without Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future? We don't know, and we certainly don't want to find out. Enjoy the on-stage production of “A Christmas Carol” performed by Great Lakes Theater at the Mimi Ohio Theatre in Playhouse Square, Nov. 23 – Dec. 22.
Head to Karamu House for their annual staging of Langston Hughes' "Gospel Song Play" telling the tale of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem with an all-black cast. A Cleveland holiday experience you won't want to miss. Nov. 30 – Dec. 15 at the Hanna Theatre at Playhouse Square. Many dates are selling out fast, so grab your tickets today.
It's really not the holidays without Christmas music. This year, though, go beyond the radio stations blasting holiday tunes 24/7 and experience this seasonal music like never before. The Cleveland Orchestra, consistently rated within the top orchestras in the entire world, puts on a series of captivating concerts that will leave you simply speechless. The orchestra teams up with several choirs to create a holiday experience that will quickly become your newest yearly tradition. Performances run from Dec. 11 – 22.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra — or "TSO" as its loyal followers call it — comes to Rocket Arena for its annual concert Dec. 27. This Christmas extravaganza brings together classic Christmas tunes with a slightly hair-metal twist. Two showings at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. If you've never been, this is your big chance.