CLEVELAND (Nov. 23, 2020) – After a fa-la-la-la-long year, the 2020 holiday season is
officially here! While celebrations will look a little different due to current COVID-19 safety guidelines, there is no shortage of holiday cheer to help Clevelanders celebrate the season.
No matter if it’s a resident’s first or fortieth holiday in Cleveland, there are plenty of fun and new ways to safely celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Here’s a look at some of the holiday happenings coming up in The Land and ways to support local businesses this season.
(Note: All in-person outdoor experiences will follow State of Ohio and local requirements as well as CDC guidelines.)
Outdoor Tree-mendous Traditions
Winterfest 2020
Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s
Winterfest marks the start of the season on November 28. With stay-at-home advisories now in place for the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, locals are encouraged to watch the live, broadcast-only tree lighting ceremony on WKYC-TV, starting at 7 p.m. A month-long celebration of socially distant outdoor and virtual experiences will follow.
The Tree at Crocker Park
Residents will not want to miss an iconic west-side holiday tradition! Locals can grab the kids and some cocoa and take a peek at the dazzling lights of the 50-foot tree and other holiday festivities at the center of
Crocker Park. While there, residents can check out shops at the
CLE Market or grab food to go from one of the many local restaurants.
Pinecrest Holiday Tree
Nov. 29, 5 p.m.
For some socially distant but in-person holiday spirit, residents can head over to
Pinecrest and check out this year’s festive décor and holiday tree, which will be lit in a socially distanced ceremony on Nov. 29. The lighting and fireworks will also be live streamed on Facebook.
JOY at Legacy Village
Stop by
Legacy Village to view its new Christmas tree in the shopping center’s main area, as well as giant J-O-Y letters and the Cleveland Floral Wall. While there, check out Legacy Village’s DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) and local shops.
Saturday Night Lights
Dec. 5, 5 p.m.
On December 5, the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will light its Tree of Hope, filled with hopeful messages for the future from fans around the world. Visitors can enjoy this virtual event from home; it’s sure to be a rocking good time.
Give the Gift of Local
As area residents do their part to stop the spread of COVID-19, they should also consider how they can support their favorite locally owned shops, restaurants, breweries, distilleries and makers this holiday season. While shopping community-owned businesses is never out of style, it’s especially important to help preserve the Cleveland experience. American Express research shows that for every $100 spent by residents at locally owned businesses, $68 stays here, which is 37% more than when dollars are spent at national chains.
Connecting with Local Artisans
For those wanting to give locally produced artisan gifts, the new
Maker Town app is an all-in-one, easy-to-use tool. Residents can find one-of-a-kind gifts that are sure to bring smiles to their loved ones’ faces.
Foodie Fun
For Clevelanders who are looking to give the perfect gift to their favorite foodies or beer connoisseurs, residents should check with their preferred Downtown or neighborhood haunts for gift cards. The
Cleveland Independents’ discount gift card sale going on now includes options for more than 25 independently owned restaurants.
Homemade with Pride
The recently formed
Cleveland Shops collaborative is offering discount gift cards to perennial Cleveland retail favorites. For those who miss the discounted gift cards, Cleveland Shops gift cards are good at more than 30 area retailers.
The Gift of Music and Membership
The Cleveland Orchestra has a can’t-miss gift idea for all the music lovers in your life.
A New Century, the ensemble’s inaugural recording on its own label, was released to great acclaim last June and is now available in a deluxe CD box set and through your favorite online streaming service. For Cleveland experience lovers, museum and attraction memberships are a gift that gives all year long.
Light up the Night
Wild Winter Lights
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Now - December 30
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is transforming its grounds into
a winter wonderland, complete with more than one million individual lights, hundreds of lighting displays, unique twists on holiday traditions and an all-new dynamic light show featuring a massive 50-foot-tall tree. A drive-through experience is available along with a foot-fueled option.
GLOW
Cleveland Botanical Garden
November 21, 2020 - January 3, 2021
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday: 12 - 8:30 p.m.; Sunday: 12 - 6 p.m.
This year, the botanical garden is embracing the outdoor beauty of the winter holidays…twinkle lights in snow-covered trees and other outdoor elements expanding on traditional favorites of
GLOW. Visitors will be able to stroll amid the displays outside in a safe, yet magical way.
Winter Woodland
Eton Chagrin Boulevard
Now - February 15, 2021
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.; Sunday: 12 - 5 p.m.
Eton Chagrin Boulevard is celebrating the holiday season by transforming its award-winning outdoor gardens for the second annual
Winter Woodland display featuring artwork created by the students at Monarch Center. Each piece of art is available at the Winter Woodland Auction to help raise funds for the art therapy programs at the Center.
Magic of Lights
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds
November 25, 2020 - January 2, 2021
5:30 - 10 p.m.
Magic of Lights™ is a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience to celebrate the season. Residents can experience Magic of Lights from the safety and comfort of their own vehicle as they wind through the sparkling path. At every turn, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular light displays that bring favorite holiday themes and characters to life.
Holiday Light Shows – Public Square
November 28 - January 3, 2021
4 - 10 p.m.
Locals are invited to stop by Downtown Cleveland’s
Public Square, in a socially distant manner, to enjoy animated light and sound shows. The complimentary displays will activate three times per hour between 4 and 10 p.m. each day.
Nela Park
December 4, 2020 - January 4, 2021
For visitors still wanting a taste of tradition this holiday season, look no further than Nela Park, the world headquarters for GE Lighting. The 96
th annual display features more than a half a million LED lights. Guests can bring their families and walk around or stay in their cars to take in all of the seasonal sights.
Seasonal Santa Sightings
Visit Santa Virtually at Area Malls
Great Northern Mall, SouthPark Mall, and Beachwood Place
Now - December 24
While this holiday season might look a little different, that doesn’t mean one-on-ones with Santa can’t happen! To help jolly patrons enjoy Santa this holiday season, locals can enjoy visits with Santa through
Great Northern Mall,
SouthPark Mall or
Beachwood Place – all from the comfort of their living rooms. Virtual visits hopefully bring fewer tears and a bit less fear with the little ones.
Self-Guided “Santa Scavenger Hunt”
Historic Gateway & Warehouse Districts
November 26 - December 31
For decades, Cleveland's National City Bank displayed the
"Santas of the World" in its historic lobby on Euclid Ave. After being found during the buildout of the Marble Room, these treasured pieces have been recently restored and placed in windows throughout the Historic Gateway & Warehouse Districts in Downtown Cleveland. Residents and visitors can take a self-guided walking tour on a dedicated path to search for and get a closer look at 13 vintage Santas and other holiday-themed dolls from the 1940s.
Scuba Claus
Thursday & Friday: December 10, 11, 17 & 18, 4:30 - 7 p.m.
Saturday: December 12 & 19, 8:30 - 10 a.m.
Santa is taking the plunge at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium! Families can sign up to receive a virtual, personalized message from the big man himself and get their time with Santa well before he leaves for the North Pole.
For additional holiday celebrations or to learn more about Destination Cleveland or area attractions and activities, please visit thisiscleveland.com, follow us on
Twitter,
Facebook and
Instagram and subscribe to our channels on
YouTube and
Pinterest.
DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact our team through email at
cleconcierge@destinationcle.org, phone at
(216) 875-6680 or live chat at
thisiscleveland.com.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 19.6 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.