Don't miss your opportunity to join in the holiday cheer surrounding Cleveland Plus.
Walk into a winter wonderland of holiday light displays, family-friendly festivities, outdoor adventures, top-notch theater and concerts and a chance to spend the holidays with some of the "family" from the cult classic movie, "A Christmas Story."
FEATURED EVENTS
November 29 - January 31 Winterfest 2008 www.cleveland.com/winterfest Celebrate the holiday season with the annual tree lighting on Public Square followed by music, carriage parades and a spectacular fireworks show.
December 4 - 28 Radio City Christmas Spectacular @ PlayhouseSquare www.playhousesquare.com The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the world famous Radio City Rockettes is an unparalleled show featuring the Rockettes' signature eye-high kicks and precision choreography in multiple show-stopping numbers.
HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES + FESTIVITIES
November 23, 2008 - January 4, 2009 Annual Winter Show @ the Cleveland Botanical Garden www.cbgarden.org The theme of this year's show, "City Sidewalks," conjures up the nostalgic feeling of peering into downtown store windows while out with the family for a holiday stroll.
Nov. 25 - Jan. 9, 2009 Festival of Trees @ the Cleveland Play House www.clevelandplayhouse.com The festival features more than 60 professionally decorated holiday trees and vignettes that line the rotunda, promenade and lobbies. Highlighted by a 24-foot holiday tree in the Play House rotunda, the exhibit is decorated by world-renowned floral and event designer Don Vanderbrook.
Dec. 18 - 23, 26 - 28 Holiday Light Rides by Lolly the Trolley www.lollytrolley.com/holiday.htm Focused around the movie "A Christmas Story," the tour includes information about Public Square, the neighborhoods of Ohio City and Tremont and admission to both A Christmas Story House and Museum and gift shop.
December 1 - 31 Fourth Annual Snowland @ Great Wolf Lodge http://greatwolflodge.com Thousands of glittering lights and icicles transform the log cabin ambiance of Great Wolf Lodge waterpark into a winter wonderland.
December 12 - 13 Holiday Lantern Tours @ Hale Farm and Village www.wrhs.org Travel back in time to the 19th century with Lantern Tours of the historic site, all decked in traditional fashion for the holidays.
December 5- 14 Winter Lights Lantern Festival @ the Cleveland Museum of Art www.clemusart.com Enjoy lantern displays inside the museum and the Environment of Lights installation on Wade Oval.
December 5 - 23 Country Lights @ Lakes Metroparks Farmpark http://lakemetroparks.com A fun-filled celebration of the season featuring horse-drawn wagon rides through a winter wonderland trimmed with thousands of holiday lights and farm-themed displays.
December 5 - 28 Black Nativity @ Karamu House www.karamu.com This theatrical presentation is performed with electrifying gospel music, colorful costuming and with stunning dance numbers. One of the most produced Christmas classic of all time and a Karamu holiday staple, Black Nativity was written by Karamu alumnus, Langston Hughes.
December 12 - 30 Deck the Hall @ Stan Hywet Hall + Gardens www.stanhywet.org This historic Tudor Revival mansion's grounds and gardens offer a winter wonderland of lights and festivities for the whole family. Also enjoy artistic depictions of Nativity scenes with more than 40 exhibits on display.
December 14 - 21 The Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts @ Severance Hall www.clevelandorchestra.com The world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra performs concerts for children of all ages to celebrate the holidays.
December 19 The Nutcracker @ Stocker Arts Center www.ohiodancetheatre.org Usher in the holidays with this hallmark tradition.
CHRISTMAS STORIES
November 28 - December 21 A Christmas Story @ the Cleveland Play House www.clevelandplayhouse.com Join young Ralphie Parker in his quest for the "Holy Grail of Christmas presents" -- a genuine Red Ryder 200 Shot Carbine Action Air Rifle in this annual seasonal performance at the Cleveland Play House.
November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009 Blossom Holiday Lighting Festival www.blossomholidaylighting.com View more than 300 individual lighting displays during the largest lighting celebration in Northeast Ohio. This outdoor music amphitheater transforms into a spectacular two-mile drive displaying more than two million lights.
November 28 - December 23 A Christmas Carol @ the Great Lakes Theater Festival www.greatlakestheater.org One of Northeast Ohio's favorite holiday traditions, "A Christmas Carol" is a perfect gift of theater for children and adults of all ages.
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
December 7 - February 16 (hours vary) University Circle Ice Rink www.universitycircle.org For the first time ever, Wade Oval transforms itself into a frozen outdoor ice rink offering free skating admission. Bring your own skates or rent them at the rink and don't forget to venture to all the museums after you're done skating.
Boston Mills Brandywine Ski Resort www.bmbw.com Enjoy downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing for all skill levels.
November 28, 2008 - March, 2009 Chalet Toboggan Chutes @ the Cleveland Metroparks www.clemetparks.com/recreation/tobogganing The two 1,000-foot refrigerated ice chutes operate with or without snow the day after Thanksgiving through the first weekend in March, weather permitting. In addition to tobogganing, guests can enjoy the facility with a snack bar, two fireplaces and a cozy gathering area to watch TV and relax.
WINTER TREATS
November + December Christmas Ale @ Great Lakes Brewing Company www.greatlakesbrewing.com Better hurry up and try some because Great Lakes Brewing Company (GLBC) only brews enough of this festive beer to last through December. Christmas Ale is the perfect holiday ale combined with honey and spiced with fresh ginger and cinnamon. Be careful though, because they can sneak up on 'ya!
b.a. Sweetie Candy Company www.sweetiescandy.com Be sure to stock up at this candy warehouse filled with retro and novelty sweets to stuff those holiday stockings.
Olympia Candy www.olympiacandy.com Nothing says "happy holidays" better than a huge tin of decadent golden caramel corn.
November 29 - January 31
December 4 - 28
