November: Winterfest

Held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, Downtown Cleveland's annual Winterfest is everything you want out of a holiday-season kickoff - twinkling lights, festive holiday trees, horse-drawn carriage rides, hot cocoa and caroling. But, since this is Cleveland, we also threw in some live music, a beer festival and a massive fireworks display. Because that's how we do.

What To Do There:

• Winterfest 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. Recently moved from Playhouse Square to the more central (and renovated) Public Square, it's a scene out of a traditional European Christmas market: ice skating, a Christmas village, activities for kids and live music. And after dark, once the tree is lit, stay for the fireworks show and a visit from Santa Claus himself.
• What's a market without food and drinks, right? Food trucks are always on hand to give visitors a taste of the best that Cleveland has to offer.

What Else To Do:

• Downtown Cleveland Alliance, which puts on Winterfest, also partners with other entities who roll out the holiday carpet, as well. Tower City Center will usually open a pop-up holiday retail shop, in addition to hosting holiday-themed performances, typically aimed at children. Meanwhile, Playhouse Square gets in on the act, as well, opening the Allen Theatre for the annual Festival of Trees, and indie-craft favorite, the Cleveland Bazaar opens another holiday-themed pop-up shop in the lobby of the Ohio Theater.
• Don't forget the after-party! Whether it's enjoying cookies and hot chocolate after the tree is lit, or heading to the nearby Warehouse District for some adult beverages, Cleveland makes sure there's a whole slew of chances to unwind after the cold and eventful day.