CLEVELAND, Ohio – The holidays make December one of the busiest months with so many performances, markets and events. When shopping, cooking and entertaining get overwhelming, it’s time to go out and play. We’ve put together a list of festive opportunities to enjoy the season. Get out your calendar and start adding to your fun.
RELATED: Festive Fun Guide: 55 things to do in Cleveland this holiday season
98th NELA Park Holiday Lighting Event
GE Lighting kicks off the season with its annual lighting display at Nela Park in East Cleveland at 5:30 p.m., Dec. 1. Themed “Holiday Delighter,” the display includes 11 colorfully lit vignettes. It uses more than half a million LED lights and stretches along Noble Road for several blocks. LED lights last 10 times longer than traditional holiday lights and save up to 80 percent in energy costs. A snowflakes-and-stars selfie station is available for photos. NOTE: The company plans to continue the tradition in future years.
Through January 2
1975 Noble Road, East Cleveland
Related: Will sale of Nela Park affect its 2022 holiday light show?
MIX: Holiday FUNKtion at Cleveland Museum of Art
The Cleveland Museum of Art is hosting MIX: Holiday FUNKtion on Friday. Visitors will enjoy an upbeat night of art, music and dance. It features Cleveland’s own Shoreline Funk All Stars, who recently won Best New Band at this year’s Cleveland Music Awards. Tickets required. Admission $12, free to members.
11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland
6 to 10 p.m., Dec. 2
“A Ceremony of Carols” at Trinity Cathedral’s Brown Bag Lunch
The Cathedral Choir and harpist Jody Guinn perform Benjamin Britten’s “A Ceremony of Carols” for a lunch crowd.
Noon, December 7
2230 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Friday Night Lights at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Writer and artist Julia Christensen will be at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Friday Night Lights this week. Christensen will discuss her work with the Space Song Foundation’s Tree of Life project, which combines art and science to take steps toward launching an interstellar space mission. Beer and wine will be available at a cash bar.
1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland
5 to 8 p.m., December 2
Great Lakes Science Center’s special exhibits
The science center introduces a new pair of hands-on exhibits the whole family will enjoy. “Curious George: Let’s Get Curious” invites younger members of the family to explore George’s world for a fun adventure featuring interactive math, science and engineering. “Run! Jump Fly! Adventures in Action” encourages families to rediscover the fun of physical activities in a non-competitive environment. Try out kung fu, surfing, climbing and more activities. Both exhibits are included with regular admission.
GLSC, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland
Now through Jan. 8
Great Lakes Theater’s “A Christmas Carol”
Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas after being visited by a series of ghosts in this Cleveland holiday tradition, now in its 34th year. Performances of this Dickens classic take place at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre. Tickets, $30-$80
1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Through Dec. 23
REVIEW: Now in its 34th year, Great Lakes Theater’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is as magical as ever
“SCROOGE: The Musical” at Akron Civic Theatre
Everyone should see Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” annually. “Scrooge: The Musical” reinterprets the story as a musical. During the show, Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption when four ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve. Tickets, $25.
7:30 p.m., Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9,-10, Dec. 16-17
182 South Main Street, Akron
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical” at Playhouse Square
This uplifting musical brings the classic stop-motion animated television special to life on stage, telling the origin story of an outcast reindeer who, with the help of an elf, prospector and misunderstood snow monster, saves Christmas. Tickets, $25-$75.
1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
Dec. 2-4
“Elf” at Beck Center for the Arts
Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, this funny and heartwarming musical follows a grown man adopted as a child by Santa’s elves on a journey to New York City in search of his true identity. Tickets, $12-$38.
17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood
Dec. 2-30
“Black Nativity” at Allen Theater
A holiday tradition at the oldest producing African American theater in the nation, Langston Hughes’ uplifting musical tells the classic story of the birth of Jesus from a Black perspective through a combination of song, dance, poetry, scripture and narration. Tickets, $35-$45.
Dec. 9-18
Allen Theater, 1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
Apollo’s Fire presents Handel’s “Messiah”
Apollo’s Fire performs Handel’s beloved holiday classic, “Messiah,” in a dramatic interpretation that harkens back to the original concept of this masterpiece – as theatrical entertainment. The ensemble takes listeners on a spiritual and emotional journey as soloists engage directly with the audience. Tickets, $28.
7 p.m. Dec. 6, Federated Church, Chagrin Falls
7 p.m., Dec. 7, Lakewood United Methodist
“How the Circus Stole Christmas: A Circus Holiday Extravaganza!” at Cleveland Public Theatre
Created with the Crooked River Circus, this fun, festive and high-flying show features characters inspired by your favorite holiday stories. Watch them try to sabotage Christmas on a night full of trapeze, acrobatics, aerial dancing and other circus hijinks. Tickets required. “Choose what you pay.”
6415 Detroit Ave., Cleveland
Dec. 1-10
CLE MOSH at Beachland
The days starts early and continues with a long list of bands ... I Set My Friends On Fire, Pray For Sleep, Dying Desolation, Denihilist, The Worst of Us, Dead Cassette, Between Home and Serenity, Low Like You, Titans In Time, Morning In May, Dreamwalker, The Modern Prey, Midwinter, For Absent Friends
15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland
3:30 p.m. Dec. 3
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic
Cheer on the Cavs as they face the Orlando Magic.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
7:30 p.m., Dec. 2
Cleveland Monsters vs. Rochester Americans
Dress for the weather outside and inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and cheer on the Monsters as they host the Rochester Americans.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
7 p.m., Dec. 1 and 7 p.m., Dec. 3
Star Wars Burlesque: Attack of the Tease
Cleveland Burlesque presents a Star Wars-themed burlesque show at the Beachland Ballroom. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25, day of show and higher for reserved seating. Reserved seating includes a goodie bag.
Beachland Ballroom, 15711 Waterloo Road, Cleveland
8:30 p.m., Dec. 2
The Return of Emerson Lake & Palmer
More than 50 years after their debut, the late Keith Emerson and Greg Lake rejoin Carl Palmer and his ELP Legacy band live on stage through the magic of visual and audio technology, at the Goodyear Theater. Tickets are $48-$68.
Goodyear Theater, 1201 E Market St, Akron
7:30 p.m., Dec. 3
Related: Carl Palmer ‘reunites’ ELP through video technology
Straight No Chaser at Connor Palace
Straight No Chaser is a nine-person, male a cappella group that makes extraordinary music. Check them out at Connor Palace Theater. Tickets are $24- $64.50
1615 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland
7 p.m., Dec. 6
For King & Country, “A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour”
Grammy Award-winning duo FOR KING & COUNTRY present “A Drummer Boy Christmas Tour: The 2022 LIVE Experience.”
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland
7 p.m., Dec. 4
RELATED: For King & Country celebrates the season with Christmas tour at end of another award-winning year
Christmas at Castle Noel
This unique retail and museum-type experience bills itself as America’s largest indoor year-round Christmas attraction. You’ll find props and costumes from some of your favorite Christmas movies, animated window displays from major New York City department stores, visits with Santa, a 25-foot Christmas tree, a slide like the one from “A Christmas Story” and more. It even snows inside! Admission, $22.50-$27.50. Reservations required.
260 S. Court St, Medina
Open daily except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
Little Italy Holiday Arts + Small Business Fest
If you haven’t been to Little Italy lately, check out the Holiday Art Walk for holiday gift ideas and then choose one of many restaurants for dinner. Free.
Mayfield Road, Cleveland
5 to 9 p.m., Dec. 2
Noon to 9 p.m., Dec. 3
Noon to 5 p.m., Dec. 4.
Related: 33 Northeast Ohio holiday markets make it easy to shop local for gifts
Holiday Market on Hale Farm & Village
Enjoy a holiday market with a historical twist. See Hale Farm artisans, including live demos of textile and ceramic arts. You might even block-print your own holiday cards.
2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath
4-8 p.m., Dec. 2
Holiday CircleFest
University Circle’s 28th and final Holiday CircleFest celebration features ice skating, ice carvers, an outdoor holiday market, horse-drawn carriage rides, food trucks and appearances by Mr. Jingeling, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. The neighborhood’s cultural institutions will offer holiday-related exhibits, activities, performances and shopping, too. Free.
University Circle, Cleveland
12-7 p.m., Dec. 4
Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The zoo is transformed into a winter wonderland with hundreds of festive displays located throughout the park. Featuring over 1.5 million lights, the themed areas include Candyland, Enchanted Forest, Starry Skies and Future for Wildlife Trail. Guests can also take photos with the big fella at Santa’s Workshop. Walk and drive-thru options available. Tickets, $22 a person or $57-$66 per car.
3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
Now through Dec. 30
Wild Lights at the Akron Zoo
The Akron Zoo comes to life at night with the spirit of the season in the form of over one million twinkling lights. You’ll find dozens of dazzling photo-ops including some set to music, along with appearances by Santa Claus, s’mores at other goodies at Mrs. C’s Sweet shop, plus warm beverages, beer and more. Tickets, $11-$18.
500 Edgewood Ave., Akron
5-9 p.m., Nov. 25-Dec. 30
Twinkle in the 216 at Cleveland Botanical Garden
This event celebrates the historic character of Cleveland’s neighborhoods as they sparkle and shine. Expect festive plants, trees, decorations, events, a gingerbread house competition and much more. Members free. Non-members $19/adult, $13/child, 2 and under free..
11030 East Blvd, Cleveland
Through December 31
Track Mr. Jingeling
Mr. Jingeling has a busy schedule this year. You can find him this week at the Downtown Cleveland Lighting Ceremony at Public Square on Nov. 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. Additional appearances include:
Dec. 4: West Side Market, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 4: Holiday CircleFest, The Rink at University Circle, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: HofbrauHaus Cleveland, 7 p.m.
Related: Mr. Jingeling unlocks 2022 holiday season activities
Holiday Lantern Tours at Hale Farm & Village
Take a candle-lit tour through Hale Farm & Village’s historic grounds, and visit Village residents as they prepare for the holiday season, 1840s style. During the tour, you’ll learn the heritage of gingerbread as made for kings and canal workers, as sweetheart gifts and charity presents. The night ends before a roaring fire in the Gatehouse Visitors Center. Reservations are required. Tickets, $25.
2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath
5 to 9 p.m., Dec. 3, 9-10, 16-18, 20-23
Switchfoot at Goodyear Theater
This alternative rock band’s “This Is Our Christmas Stuff” tour combines their original California-surf style holiday music with fresh takes on the classics. Tickets start at $38.
1201 E. Market St., Akron
7:30 p.m., Dec 1
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