12 Ways to Make the Holidays Bright in The Land

CLEVELAND (Nov. 20, 2023) - Whether they’re downing a Christmas Ale or donning a pink bunny suit, Clevelanders know how to make the most of the most wonderful time of the year. With dazzling lights, holiday performances and festive fun on tap, Destination Cleveland encourages locals and their visiting friends and family to make merry memories all season long.

MERRY MOMENTS AND BRIGHT LIGHTS
Sparkling lights and community celebrations mark the start of the holiday season in Cleveland, offering ample opportunity to get in the merry spirit.

WinterLand
It’s not the holiday season in The Land until the switch has been flipped for the tree in Public Square to shine bright. Held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, WinterLand’s kick-off event features a day full of fun in Downtown Cleveland including live music, ice skating, carriage rides, pop-up shopping experiences and plenty of tasty food and drink. It all culminates with the lighting of the Public Square Christmas tree and festive fireworks. This year, the merriment continues throughout the winter season, with special events and activities planned around Downtown through February.

• Saturday, Nov. 25, noon-7 p.m.
• Cleveland Public Square
• Full calendar of winter events & activities available online

Frost at the Cleveland Botanical Garden
The Cleveland Botanical Garden is giving locals and their visiting friends and family a new winter experience as it premieres “Frost.” This ice-capped garden experience in both the indoor and outdoor gardens features towering ice arches, light installations, larger-than-life animal displays, more than 500 poinsettias, seasonal soundscapes and much more. A completely immersive new world can be found at the Botanical Garden for the holiday season. Families can also enjoy Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 16 and 17.

• Saturday, Nov. 18-Saturday, Dec. 31 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day & Mondays except Dec. 18); full hours available online
• Admission: $23 per adult, $16 per child, free for ages 2 and under
• 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland

Wild Winter Lights
More than 1 million lights bring hundreds of festive displays to life at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
as Wild Winter Lights once again transforms the zoo into a winter wonderland. Attendees can enjoy different holiday-themed areas, two dynamic light shows, a model train display, ice carvers and festive food and drink. A drive-through option on certain days allows residents to stay cozy in the car as they view the light displays.

• Walk-through dates: November 16-19, 22, 24-26, 30; December 1-3, 7-10, 14-23, 26-30
  Drive-through dates: November 14-15, 21, 28-29; December 5-6, 11-13
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
• Advance tickets required (Daytime zoo admission does not include access); purchase here

Light Up Lakewood
It will be a winter wonderland on the west side as Light Up Lakewood returns for the 17^th year. The outdoor community festival will bring plenty of holiday cheer to Downtown Lakewood thanks to a parade, tree lighting, a holiday market, live music and ice carving demonstrations and entertainment for all ages. It will also include plenty of local food and drink, along with a Beer Garden for the 21+ revelers.

• Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 - 8 p.m.
• Detroit Ave. in Downtown Lakewood

FA-LA-LA-AMAZING PERFORMANCES
Cleveland’s theaters, performance halls and concert venues will be decked out and brimming with holiday cheer this winter.

The Black Nativity
Langston Hughes’ soulful retelling of the Christmas story, “Black Nativity,” will be presented by Karamu House again this holiday season. Taking the stage at Playhouse Square’s Allen Theatre, in partnership with Cleveland Play House, the show tells the story of the birth of Jesus through poetry, scripture, dance and plenty of music. Legendary playwright and poet Langston Hughes spent many years in Cleveland and was a familiar face at Karamu House, which is the oldest producing African American theater in the United States. He was commissioned by Karamu to write the gospel drama in 1961.

• Dec. 1-16; full schedule of performances available online
• Playhouse Square’s Allen Theatre: 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
• Tickets ($50-$70) available online

Hip Hop Nutcracker
A holiday mash-up that puts a twist on Tchaikovsky’s timeless music, “Hip Hop Nutcracker” will take the stage at Playhouse Square for one night only this holiday season. The performance features a supercharged cast of a dozen dancers, a live DJ, hip hop performances and digital graffiti to tell the classic holiday story in a new and innovative way.

• Friday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.
• Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre: 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
• Tickets ($25-$65) available online

The Nutcracker
For those looking for a more traditional take on the holiday classic, the Cleveland Ballet will enchant and inspire with their performance of “The Nutcracker.” The family-friendly production is unique to Cleveland, featuring choreography from Cleveland Ballet’s artistic director.

• Thursday, Dec. 14-Sunday, Dec. 23; full schedule of performances available online
• Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace: 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
• Tickets (starting at $28) available online; Pay What You Can performance Thursday, Dec. 14 at 11 a.m.

Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts
Concertgoers will get into the holiday spirit at the Cleveland Orchestra’s annual Holiday Concerts, featuring sing-along music performed by the internationally recognized orchestra and guest choirs. The Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center will be decked out in full festive splendor, and attendees may even spot a jolly man in a red suit at the shows.

• Wednesday, Dec. 13-Saturday Dec. 23; full schedule of performances available online
• Mandel Concert Hall at Severance: 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
• Tickets (starting at $49) available online

FESTIVE FUN
There’s SNOW place like Cleveland in the winter, and, even as the temperatures drop and the lake effect snowflakes fly, Clevelanders can enjoy some festive fun in The Land.

Seasonal Stays
Clevelanders can plan a holiday staycation – or invite visitors for a memorable holiday experience, thanks to local hotels that are offering a festive twist on their usual stays. At the Hotel Indigo in Downtown Cleveland, a merry night awaits in the Mrs. Kringle Suite, while the jolly old elf himself has taken up residence in the Mr. Kringle Suite at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Over at the Inn of Chagrin, a magical visit can be booked in the Christmas Room – a cozy suite that comes decked out in holiday cheer, complete with a letter from Santa himself, a hot cocoa bar and holiday music and movies.

Christmas Walking Tour
Locals and their visiting friends and family can take a trip to Christmases past with Tours of Cleveland’s Downtown Cleveland Christmas Tours, offered from Nov. 28 through Dec. 23. The hour-and-a-half-long tour explores the history of some of Downtown Cleveland’s most famous department stores and their Christmas traditions, while giving attendees a chance to take in all the festive décor throughout Downtown.

A Christmas Story House
Just like it’s not Christmas without a marathon of the holiday favorite “A Christmas Story,” it’s not the holiday season in Cleveland without a stop at the house from the movie, located in the Tremont neighborhood. Locals and their visitors are triple-dog-dared to stop by and admire the glowing leg lamp in the window, snap a selfie next to the Christmas tree or even don a pink bunny suit of their own at A Christmas Story House. The museum features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film. And for superfans, both the house and the neighboring Bumpus House offer overnight stays.

Have yourself a merry little cocktail
Adults needing a little extra holiday spirit have no shortage of options this season. Themed cocktails, specialty shots and gourmet hot drinks are on the menu at XMAS Bar in the Flats East Bank. Over at JACK Casino, the casino’s third floor will transform into a winter wonderland for the return of the SLEIGH holiday bar, featuring a giant sleigh full of retro holiday toys and a life-size snowman made out of Rice Krispies Treats. Right down the street, Society Lounge will become Miracle on East 4^th Street for the holiday season, promising to get even the grouchiest Grinch in the holiday spirit thanks to their kitschy holiday décor and craft cocktails served in themed glassware and mugs. And, merriment awaits at Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Secret Cellar Christmas Bar, pouring fresh pints of Christmas Ale and offering a Secret Cellar Christmas Bar-exclusive cocktail list.