By John Luteran, Image © WinterWonderCleveland
Have a seat here next to the fire and grab yourself a cup of cheer, because we need to talk about your tired holiday picture game. The “ugly,” store-bought Christmas sweaters? That staged pic of your dogs getting into the presents? Your suggestive poses on a bearskin rug? It’s all been done before. Ya basic.
Don’t worry, the answer to all your holiday insta-woes is coming to Cleveland for a season full of festively fire selfies.
WinterWonderCleveland
Image © WinterWonderCleveland
WinterWonderCleveland is The Land’s first Instagram museum, featuring ten rooms of interactive artwork that will make you the holiday star at the top of anyone’s feed. Housed in the Hamilton Collaborative building, home to another event steeped in whimsical creativity, this pop-up experience curated by Cleveland native Jason Percival is the first of its kind anywhere in the Midwest. “We love two things - experiences and nostalgia,” said Jason. “Instagram Museums are universal events which exclude no one and provide a hands-on fiction-as-reality experience for everyone to revisit nostalgic times.”
After producing concerts and professional sports events on the coasts for the past 17 years, Jason wanted to start his own business in his hometown. “Cleveland’s little secret is that this is the best environment to launch a business. I went through many concepts and eventually decided on a selfie museum as the best fit for our city and the greatest opportunity to provide a crazy fun experience to any and every person who wants to come in.”
What You’ll See There
Image © WinterWonderCleveland
- Wind your way through the shine and shimmer of the Mirrored Tree Maze, chill out inside a giant snow globe, become the hottest toy under the tree this year, figure out how to power on Sparky's beloved (and blinding) holiday light display and so much more. Every room has been designed to not only give you the best holiday pictures to share with your followers – and your family, likes are likes – but also create holiday memories with fun for the whole family that you won’t soon forget. Remember, these aren’t just static photography studio sets. These are magic portals to interactive experiences that encourage guests to solve puzzles, play and tell their own holiday stories.
- In order to assist you in getting the best possible Christmas content for your feed, WinterWonder’s staff has found the best angles for each scene and placed a professional-grade tripod on the spot. Set your phone on the tripod, ready the automatic timer (10 seconds is recommended) and prepare yourself for holiday content so fresh, it’ll even have that pine fresh scent. Looking for an even more professional touch, say for that perfect holiday greeting card? A professional photographer is available to book for a private session when the building is closed to the public, or you can bring your own photographer.
- It takes about an hour to walk through the entire experience, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Hang out in the main hall for another hour after that for refreshments, music and other entertainment. Test your hand-eye coordination with a little pinball or live out out your Olympic dreams by trying your hand at a little ice curling — the absolute chillest Olympic sport there has ever been (I will not apologize for that pun).
More Information
- While special “Pet Party” nights are going to be scheduled soon to allow for all your holiday pet-themed fantasies to come true, only service animals are allowed during normal business hours.
- While online pre-purchase of tickets is strongly recommended by visiting www.winterwondercleveland.com, the staff will make every attempt to accommodate those walking up for the experience, though walk-ups may encounter a bit of a wait.
- Parking is available across the street from the Hamilton Collaborative main entrance, at no additional cost to you.
“Cleveland at Christmas is about the hardest working folks setting aside their stresses to enjoy winter beauty and child-like silliness regardless of what is happening in their lives and around the world,” says Percival.
“Cleveland is a place that cherishes the holiday season and will go to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the younger generation feels complete elation. If you don't believe me about the extraordinary lengths, I would encourage you to see the crazy installations we have built at WinterWonderCleveland.”