Note: This post includes dates and details for the 2023 Christmas season, as far as I know them. I’ll update this with more details as the holiday season gets closer!
Christmas tends to be a favorite holiday for most people. And for people in Cleveland, the holiday means lots of extra themed things to see and do!
If you’re looking for something festive to do in Cleveland this Christmas, here are a dozen holiday-related things to consider.
Looking for Cleveland gift ideas instead? Check out our guide to the best local Cleveland gifts, too!
Things to do at Christmas in Cleveland (in 2023)
1. Kick off the holiday season at WinterLand
When: Saturday, November 25, 2023
Where: Public Square and downtown Cleveland
The annual kickoff to Christmas event happens each year in downtown Cleveland the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Previously known as Winterfest (which was a one-day event in Public Square and the surrounding downtown area), WinterLand is now an ongoing winter festival throughout the holiday season.
The kick-off event on Nov. 25 will include live music, ice skating, food trucks, fire pits, and more. The event culminates in the lighting of the Public Square Christmas tree and a fireworks show after dark.
Read my full WinterLand kickoff guide here: Cleveland WinterLand 2023: How to Enjoy the City’s Holiday Kickoff Event
How much: Free
Other neighborhood holiday kick-off events to look forward to include:
- Crocker Park Tree Lighting, November 18 in Westlake. This event includes a block party and sing-along with Santa. More info here.
- Light Up Lakewood, December 2 in Lakewood. This holiday kick-off includes a parade, tree lightings, fireworks, and more. More info here.
- Holiday Circlefest, in University Circle. Date TBD, but usually includes a holiday market and ice rink.
- Snow Day, in Gordon Square. Scheduled for December 9, 2023. More info here.
2. See Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
When: The event is running Tuesday-Sunday, November 14-December 30, 2023. Hours are 5:30-10:30 p.m.
Where: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will once again be putting on a family-friendly winter lights display in 2023, which is always a holiday favorite!
Wild Winter Lights will feature hundreds of lighting displays across holiday-themed areas including Enchanted Forest and Santa’s Workshop. There will be several walk-through displays great for photos, along with carousel rides, ice carvers, live music, a show on Waterfowl Lake, and more.
The main event is a walk-through one, but the Zoo is also offering a drive-through experience on select nights for those who would rather enjoy the lights from the safety of their own cars. (Elliot and I did this in 2020, and while it’s not the same as walking through all the displays, it’s still festive and a great way to see the lights.)
Check out this video for a preview:
How much: Tickets are $19 for Zoo members and $22 for non-members if purchased in advance. Drive-through tickets are $45 per car for Zoo members and $55 per car for non-members. It’s highly recommended that you book your timed tickets in advance. You can buy them here.
Looking for kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland this Christmas? We’ve got you covered here.
3. Go to a drive-thru lights show
Speaking of drive-through holiday lights shows, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo isn’t the only option. There are several excellent drive-through lights shows in the Greater Cleveland area.
Other places to see Christmas light displays in the Cleveland area from the comfort of your own car include:
- Magic of Lights – A drive-through light display featuring the latest LED technology and digital animations at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. It runs daily from 5:30-10 p.m. from November 22, 2023 though December 31, 2023. Entry prices are per vehicle, and start at $17 per vehicle if you purchase tickets online in advance.
- Country Lights – This drive-through at Lake Metroparks Farmpark is another great option. It takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. through December (starting on Nov. 30, 2023). Advanced tickets are required, and tickets are $27.50 per car.
- Holiday Lights Cruise-Thru: The Lorain County Metroparks’ Carlisle Reservation is hosting its annual twinkling lights and holiday displays from November 25-December 30, 2023 on Wednesday-Saturday nights. This is free, but they are requesting at least one non-perishable food item to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Lights on the Lake – This light display in Ashtabula County claims to be the largest holiday light display on Lake Erie. It has 70 displays across the 54 acres of Lakeshore Park. It runs on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 6-9 p.m. from November 24 through December 31, 2023. Admission is $5 per car.
- Holiday Lights – Located at the Medina County Fairgrounds, this drive-through holiday light display runs Fridays-Sundays from November 24-December 10, and also from December 15-31 in 2023. It costs $10 per car (cash or check only), and is open 6-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 6-9 p.m. on Sundays and weeknights.
- Bethlehem Hills Christmas Light Park: With 40 different light displays to witness along a 1.5-mile path, you’ll be enchanted by the 2 million LED lights on display at the Geauga County Fairgrounds. This drive-through is open nightly from November 24, 2023-January 3, 2023. Tickets are $25 per (regular) car load.
RELATED: Where to See the Best Christmas Light Displays Near Cleveland
4. Go to FROST at Cleveland Botanical Gardens
When: November 18-December 31, 2023; hours vary.
Where: Cleveland Botanical Gardens, 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland
The Cleveland Botanical Gardens are a gem in Cleveland as it is, but during the holidays the gardens burst with holiday cheer. FROST is this year’s holiday event, held inside and out at the gardens that includes themed rooms, gingerbread house displays, photo opportunities, and more.
As part of FROST, the garden will also be hosting a Krampusnacht with music, drinks, and crafts on December 2, as well as Breakfast with Santa on December 16 and 17.
How much: You’re encouraged to purchase timed tickets for FROST in advance. Admission to the gardens starts at $23 per adult and $16 per child for non-members. Purchase tickets here.
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5. Visit the A Christmas Story House
When: Every day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The house is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and is only open until 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Tours of the house run every hour beginning at 10:15 am.
Where: 3159 W 11th St, Cleveland
This isn’t strictly a Christmas activity since the A Christmas Story House & Museum is open for tours year-round, but the holiday season is definitely the preferred time of year for a visit.
The yellow house in Tremont was used for exterior shots in the 1983 holiday classic “A Christmas Story.” In the early 2000s, a fan and developer purchased the Cleveland house and turned it into an exact replica of Ralphie Parker’s home as it was in the film.
Today, you can tour the house (which is always decorated for Christmas!), and visit the museum across the street to see costumes and behind-the-scenes photos from the movie. (Just note that this tour is kind of like a history tour, and isn’t always the most interesting for young kids!)
Tours run every 30 minutes from 10:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
How much: Tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for kids
READ MORE: Your Guide to Visiting the Christmas Story House in Cleveland
6. See a Christmas theater production
When: Various dates in November and December
Where: Various locations
Cleveland’s Playhouse Square is the second-largest performing arts center in the US after Lincoln Center in New York City. So you’d better believe there are some Christmas shows to enjoy!
There are always a mix of annual holiday favorites and other Christmas classics at Playhouse Square. In 2023, check out:
- A Christmas Carol at Mimi Ohio Theater
- The Nutcracker at Connor Palace
- The Hip Hop Nutcracker at KeyBank State Theatre
Also of note is the Black Nativity, presented by Karamu House. The Karamu Performing Arts Theatre on Cleveland’s East Side is the oldest African-American theater in the United States, and has a unique connection to the Black Nativity. The Black Nativity is a “gospel-drama” by Langston Hughes (it heavily features gospel music) that debuted on Broadway in 1961. Hughes lived and worked in Cleveland, and taught at Karamu House as a young man.
The Black Nativity is running December 1-16, 2023, and this year will be performed at the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square.
And there’s also a production of Elf The Musical again this year at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre.
7. Check out the Festival of Trees
When: December 1 – 17, 2023
Where: Allen Theatre Lobby, 1407 Euclid Avenue
The Festival of Trees is an annual tradition at the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square. Every holiday season, the lobby of the theater is filled with more than 25 Christmas trees sponsored by various local organizations and individuals. Each tree is uniquely (and often elaborately) decorated by local artists and designers.
The highlight is the theater’s Rotunda, which features several trees, including one massive tree at its center.
How much: Free
8. Listen to holiday music
When: December 13-23, 2023
Where: Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Ave, Cleveland
Cleveland is home to one of the top orchestras in the nation, and the Cleveland Orchestra always delivers at Christmastime with a series of holiday concerts.
This year, the Cleveland Orchestra will be performing its Holiday Concert a dozen times in December. The concert will include the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, and cover all the Christmas classics.
How much: Holiday concert tickets run $49-$128 depending on dates and seats.
Separately, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra is performing its Holiday Cheer concert at 2 pm on Sunday, November 26 at the Connor Palace Theater at Playhouse Square, and Mannheim Steamroller will be in town for a concert on December 16.
9. Skate at a holiday ice rink
There are always a handful of seasonal outdoor ice rinks to enjoy around Cleveland. A few to check out include:
- Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink in Public Square – The Public Square rink opens this year on November 24, 2023, and will remain open through January 15, 2024 (various open dates; check here). Tickets are $12 per person, and include skate rental.
- The Rink at Wade Oval – This rink is a great place to stop off between museum visits in University Circle, or after going to FROST at the Botanical Gardens. It opens on December 1, 2023, and is set to remain open through February 25, 2024. More info here.
- Crocker Park ice Rink – The ice rink at Crocker Park will be open November 18, 2023-February 19, 2024.
10. Shop local at a holiday market or pop-up shop
There are usually several pop-up markets and shops in Cleveland that are only around during the holiday season. These are always an excellent option to get some holiday shopping done in a way that also supports local makers and businesses!
My favorite ongoing pop-up Christmas shop is Home for the Holidays, a pop-up shop in Lakewood filled with hand-made gifts and goodies from local makers. You can shop in-store from October 15 (at 15210 Madison Avenue in Lakewood), or shop online.
Find our full guide to Cleveland area Christmas markets and pop-up shops here. (There are lots of one-day holiday markets to visit this year!)
11. Drink up at a pop-up Christmas bar
Get ready to raise a cup of good cheer at one of the city’s pop-up Christmas bars this year! There are always a couple of these opening each holiday season. Some of our favorites include:
- Christmas Corner Bar – The Around the Corner Bar in Lakewood transforms for a few weeks each year into an over-the-top Christmas bar, with tons of decorations, a themed drink menu, and even Christmas karaoke. Follow on Facebook for info on hours.
- Miracle on 4th Street – Miracle is a national chain of pop-up Christmas bar, and this year it’s popping up for the season at Society Lounge on East 4th St. The cozy bar is decked out in holiday decorations, and is serving up a tasty menu of festive cocktails. It’s set to open on November 17 this year.
Be sure to check out our post on pop-up bars and Christmas bar crawls for more details on all of these!
READ MORE: Drink Up at These Christmas Pop Up Bars and Bar Crawls Around Cleveland
12. Enjoy Christmas decorations everywhere
Cleveland knows how to do holiday displays! Here are spots with holiday displays you can see for free:
- Lights, wreaths, and a Christmas tree at the Cleveland Arcade
- Decorations and interactive displays (like Bruce the Spruce) inside Tower City
- And of course the lights and tree in Public Square
You can book a holiday walking tour to see many of these downtown decorations this year with Tours of Cleveland; tours start on November 28, 2023 and last 1.5 hours.
I also always love the Christmas displays of holiday plants and decorations at Rockefeller Park Greenhouse, which are always at their best during the greenhouse’s annual poinsettia sale. (The greenhouse is free to visit, too!)
BONUS: Have dinner in an igloo
There are several spots around Cleveland where you can rent out a private igloo for drinks or a meal – and some will be very festive feeling!
If you want to rent an igloo on a patio that’s also decked out in holiday cheer, then you want to head to Georgetown & Vosh in Lakewood, which has multiple decorated igloos on its twinkling patio. Igloos can be rented for two hours at a time.
Many local restaurants are installing these igloos again this year, so you have several different options! Read more about heated patios and igloos in Cleveland in this post.
READ MORE: Heated Patios and Igloos in Cleveland to Enjoy this Winter
Christmas beyond Cleveland
I feel like one of those people on an infomercial now… but wait, there’s more!
If you’re willing to drive a little ways outside of Cleveland, there are lots of other holiday-themed things to enjoy in northeast Ohio, too.
Winter favorites like the toboggan chutes in Strongsville and snow sports at Boston Mills and Brandywine are always on the table, of course, but Christmas-specific things you can do not far from Cleveland include:
1. North Pole Adventure in CVNP
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is already a pretty cool place to visit in the winter, but the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s North Pole Adventure is THE place to be around the holidays if you have kids. The train transforms for a few weeks each year, with cookies and hot chocolate on board, and a chance for kids to deliver letters to Santa. More info here.
(And remember, I’ve got a whole separate guide for Cleveland at Christmas with kids!)
2. Deck the Halls at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in Akron celebrates the holidays with its annual Deck the Halls event, held on select nights November 24-December 30, 2023. The Manor House is always decked out in holiday decorations, and the gardens outside feature elaborate light displays.
3. Christmas at Hale Farm
The Western Reserve Historical Society celebrates the holidays with its popular holiday lantern tours of Hale Farm and Village in Bath, Ohio. Visitors can take a lantern-lit tour of the historical village and its cheery holiday scenes. Tours in 2023 run December 2-3, 8-10, 15-17, and 20-23. Reservations are required. More info here.
4. Castle Noel
Castle Noel in Medina bills itself as an “indoor year-round Christmas entertainment attraction,” but of course it’s always more fun to visit around the holidays. Inside, you’ll find animated Christmas windows, props and costumes from your favorite Christmas movies, plus interactive exhibits. Online reservations are required for tours in 2023.
READ NEXT: The Best Things to Do in Cleveland in Winter
What are your favorite things to do in Cleveland at Christmas?
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Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’ sharing her love of the Cleveland area with the world, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.
Visit Castle Noel
For Christmas…in Cleveland was missing a city event that doesn’t exist in most cities of the same size: Cleveland Ballet!!!!
DECEMBER 5-8, 12-15, 2019
The Nutcracker
December 05, 7:00 pm
December 06, 11:00 am, 7:00 pm
December 07, 1:00 pm, 7:00 pm
December 08, 1:00 pm
December 12, 7:00 pm
December 13, 11:00 am, 7:00 pm
December 14, 1:00 pm, 7:00 pm
December 15, 1:00 pm
Hanna Theatre, Playhouse Square
Buy Ticket
With a sold out run of a holiday favorite the ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ during 2018, Cleveland Ballet returns to the Hanna Theatre for only 12 shows this coming December 2019.
A production suitable to audiences of all ages, this production is Cleveland’s very own and is one to not be missed. The ballet in 2 acts is based on the original story of E.T.A. Hoffman with music composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The fascination of Tchaikovsky’s score and the suitability of the theme for Christmas entertainment, has inspired many choreographers including Cleveland Ballet’s own Artistic Director which has created a version with a twist!
It’s listed under #4, along with several other holiday performances!
I don’t think I saw Castle Noel mentioned. It’s a great Christmas time activity!
Good call! I’ve actually never been there, but I’ll add it to the list!
Itis a must see. Every year we go there are no things on display
Don’t forget about The Toy Soldier Show at Tower City
https://mrkringle.com/attractions/toy-soldier-show/
Ah yes! I’ll add a mention along with the other Mr. Kringle entry. So many cool things to do with kids for the holidays in Cleveland!
I believe the times for the toy soldier show may have changed a bit since this was published… contact tower city to be sure!!!
Thanks, Kelly. I got all the dates/times for this post from official websites, and the toy soldier site does say 2019 schedule. I would suggest everyone double check exact times for any events they might want to attend closer to the actual dates, though!
NelaPark lights ..free and Berkshire Golf Course Display of lights in Chesterland…fee charged per car.
Both excellent spots to see some holiday lights!
Ice Skating and Halloran Skating Rink- so much nicer and very inexpensive. ‘It’s the season 🥰⛸
That’s definitely a great place for a skate year-round!
IX Christmas Connection always a good time and Groupon has discounted tickets for breakfast with Santa! https://www.ixchristmasconnection.com/
Akron Christmas tree lighting
Over 1000 nativity sets in display in Kirtland.
Oh wow, I had no clue there were that many!
Having people from out of state during Christmas weekend. Any activities like the snow sports at Progressive Field they had years ago?
I haven’t heard about anything like that happening this year – if I do, I’ll update this post! But for now, these are really all the highlights that I know of for this year.
I went to the A Christmas Story house, the Cleveland Winterfest, and The Nutcracker. I was originally gonna go to this year’s Cleveland Winterfest, but my grandmother and my aunt are both having Thanksgiving dinners that day. But hopefully I’ll be going to the Wild Winter Lights for the first time. There’s also local winter events that I went to. One of them was Breakfast With Santa at the Irish American Club in Euclid Ohio when I was younger. I am hoping to go to the Christmas dinner at the same location on December 5th. I am looking forward to the amazing holiday events this year.
Music & events at the Cleveland Museum of Srt
https://www.clevelandart.org/events/music-and-performances/chamber-music-atrium-holiday-brass-gabrielis-horns