Wrap Up the Holiday Season in The CLE

CLEVELAND (Dec. 15, 2021) – Before Clevelanders say so long to 2021 and welcome a new year, there’s still some festive fun to enjoy. Whether it’s wrapping up that last-minute shopping, celebrating Kwanzaa with the Cleveland community or making new winter memories with the family, Destination Cleveland encourages residents to make the most of the fleeting holiday season.
 
HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT: Safety protocols vary by venue and, in some cases, by event at venues. Residents are encouraged to review both venue and event-specific protocols before arriving at an event.
 
SHOPPING LOCAL AT THE LAST MINUTE
Christmas is creeping up, but there’s still time for residents looking to give the gift of local this holiday season. Whether it’s a gift from a local maker or a uniquely Cleveland experience, now is the time to finish that last-minute shopping while supporting local businesses.
 
Holiday Market at the Screw Factory
Nearly 100 artists and makers will fill The Lake Erie Building, better known as the “Screw Factory,” in Lakewood for a Holiday Market the weekend before Christmas. Shoppers can peruse pottery, photography, leatherwork, sweet treats and much more as they check all those tough-to-buy-for people off their list.

• Friday, Dec. 17, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Screw Factory Artists’ Studios, 13000 Athens Ave., Lakewood

CLE Holiday Market
Twenty-five vendors will be on hand for the last weekend of the CLE Holiday Market pop-up at The West Side Irish American Club in Olmsted Township. The event also features food, a cash bar and a “Sugar Plum Shop” where children can pick out their own gifts for their friends and family.

• Friday, Dec. 17, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 18, 12-8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 19, 12-5 p.m.
• West Side Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Township

Home for the Holidays Pop-Up
Now in its sixth year, this shop pops up in a different brick and mortar space every holiday season and features a collection of goods from local artists, makers and small-batch food makers. From Cleveland sports-themed items and local artwork to hot cocoa bombs and cocktail mixers, it’s the perfect stop to check a few people off that holiday list. Clevelanders can also peruse online for in-store pick-up.

• Open through Dec. 23: Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Mondays.
• 17010 Madison Ave., Lakewood

La Cosecha Galeria Holiday Market
The holiday market at La Cosecha Galeria features new vendors every Friday through Christmas Eve. The art gallery in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood aims to bring together a diversity of people and art and will offer handmade crafts, sculptures, painting, books and other unique items, as well as food and drinks.

• Friday, Dec. 17 and Dec. 24, 4-8 p.m.
• 4490 Pearl Rd., Cleveland

Made Cleveland Pop-Up Shop
With more than 60 vendors selling home goods, specialty foods, clothing and more, Made Cleveland’s holiday pop-up in the Coventry Village district of Cleveland Heights is a great stop for last-minute shopping. Shoppers can also enjoy live glass blowing demonstrations from Larchmere Fire Works. An online shop is available for those looking to finish their holiday shopping from the comfort of their couch.

• Hours: 12-7 p.m. daily through Dec. 23
• 1807 Coventry Rd., Cleveland Heights

Show some CLE pride
Clevelanders wear their pride on their sleeve – literally, and Cleveland has the t-shirt shops to prove it. Whether shopping in-store or browsing online selections, places like CLE Clothing Co., GV Art and Design or We Bleed Ohio are the perfect choice for locals looking to share their love of #TheLand with friends and family this holiday season.
 
Gift a Cleveland experience
For a gift that shares the Cleveland love all year long, a membership to one of the city’s world-class attractions is the perfect fit. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Greater Cleveland Aquarium or Great Lakes Science Center are great choices for families, while tickets for the 2022 Blossom Music Festival or membership to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame are sure to be a hit with music lovers.
 
KWANZAA IN CLEVELAND
The day after Christmas marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a seven-day celebration of African American culture, with each day representing a different principle. While many families choose to celebrate at home, there are a few options for Clevelanders looking to share the holiday with the community.
 
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and Greater Cleveland Kwanzaa Alliance will host a program to celebrate the beginning of Kwanzaa and the first principle of umoja, or unity. The event will include a candle lighting, entertainment, storytelling and a craft activity for families. Attendees will also have a chance to tour the museum’s current exhibits.

• Sunday, Dec. 26, 1-4 p.m.
• Museum of Contemporary Art, 11400 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Karamu House
The fourth principle of Kwanzaa, ujamaa, or cooperative economics, will be the focus of an event at Karamu House on Dec. 29. “Prosperity: Celebrating + Activating Black Wealth” invites youth and young adults to discuss the building blocks for entrepreneurship and financial education. The event will also include a performance from Karamu Arts Academy and youth vendors.

• Wednesday, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m.
• Karamu House, 2355 E 89^th St., Cleveland

 
WINTER FAMILY FUN
Families looking to keep the fun flowing after the holidays wrap up have plenty of options for winter break.
 
The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
Families can feel like they’ve taken a tropical getaway without leaving The Land by paying a visit to The RainForest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. The RainForest stays a cozy 80 degrees year-round, making it the perfect place to escape when the cold sets in and the flakes start flying.

• Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
• 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
• Advance tickets available online

Great Lakes Science Center camps
For budding scientists looking to keep their skills sharp, Great Lakes Science Center will offer a variety of student camps over the holiday break. Themes include animal science, robots and even a spy camp that will use technology and science to crack mini mysteries. Campers can join for just one day or sign up for a full week of science fun.

• Dec. 20-23 and Dec. 27-31
• $59 per day ($50 for members); discounts for siblings
• Full camp descriptions and registration available online

Sports in the CLE
There’s no shortage of sporting events to keep Clevelanders busy over the holiday break. The Cavaliers will take the court at home on Dec. 26 and New Year’s Eve, while the G-League Cleveland Charge will be at Wolstein Center Dec. 17, 27 and 29. Hockey fans can catch the Cleveland Monsters at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Dec. 27. And, for those who don’t care about the score and just want to see some cool moves, The Harlem Globetrotters will be in town on Dec. 28.
 
Outdoor excitement
There’s an abundance of options for Clevelanders ready to bundle up for an outdoor excursion. Families can hit the toboggan chutes at The Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation or lace up their skates at the rinks at Public Square or Wade Oval and make the most of the winter weather in The Land.

PLEASE NOTE: The Cleveland Visitors Center will operate under special hours the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s.

• Week of Christmas: Dec. 21: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 22-23: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• The Cleveland Visitors Center will be closed from Dec. 24 - Jan. 3. Visitor services available via phone, live chat and email, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Dec. 27-30.

DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact the team via email (cleconcierge@destinationcle.org), live chat at thisiscleveland.com, or stop at the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Tues. - Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. when regular hours resume in January for planning assistance. 
 
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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. In 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic reduced visitation by 30 percent, with 13.8 million visits occurring. Prior to the pandemic, Cleveland hosted 19.6 million visits annually, with the County experiencing annual visitation increases that surpassed the domestic travel growth rate for nine consecutive years. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.