Held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, Downtown Cleveland's annual WinterLand (formerly Winterfest) is everything you want out of a holiday season kickoff: twinkling lights, festive holiday trees, hot cocoa and caroling. Since this is Cleveland, we also throw in some live music and a massive fireworks display.
The Lighting Ceremony
WinterLand marks the official beginning of the holiday season in Cleveland, so, as you might expect, the event culminates in the lighting of the city's own Christmas tree. But there's plenty to do before that happens, just after sundown. You'll see a scene out of a timeless holiday classic: ice skating, activities for kids, live music and shopping at the 5th Street Arcades with Cleveland Bazaar. After dark, once the tree is lit, stay for the fireworks show and a visit from Santa Claus himself. And what's a market without food and drinks, right? Full details are coming soon, so check the WinterLand website for all the latest.
Schedule:
- 3 pm: Pre-show activities start
- Food trucks, DJ, face painting, ice skating and holiday wreath toss
- 4 pm: SHOUT! Band
- 4:30 pm: Ice skating show followed by Skate with the Stars
- 5 pm: Pop Fusion Dance Party
- 5:30 pm: Cleveland All City Musical
- 6 pm: Tree lighting ceremony
- Fireworks Spectacular immediately following tree lighting
Settle Down for a Pre-Winter Nap
The minute you set foot in The Land, there’s so much to do it might be hard to figure out where to start. Whether you’re making a pilgrimage to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, enjoying a culinary revelation from one of our world-class dining establishments, catching a Browns Game at Huntington Field or starting the holiday season off right with lights and wintery shenanigans, it’s all accessible from Downtown Cleveland.
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