We have a whole blog post rounding up our very favorite things to do in Cleveland at Christmas. And while some of the things on that list are kid-friendly (like ice skating and going to a drive-through lights show), others really aren’t (ahem, Christmas bars).
But we know how much Clevelanders love Christmas, and we also know that Christmas is generally a family-focused holiday. So in this post we’re going to round up the best Christmas things to do in Cleveland that are also kid-friendly.
This list will overlap a little bit with our main Christmas guide, but also include some things that are really designed just for the kiddos to enjoy.
Best Kid-Friendly Christmas Experiences in Cleveland
Note: We try to keep this post updated with the latest info throughout the holiday season. This post was last updated on November 11, 2023, and info is accurate for this Christmas as of then!
1. Enjoy family-friendly holiday kick-off events
Good for: Kids of all ages
Get into the holiday spirit during several holiday kick-off events held in various neighborhoods in the Greater Cleveland area.
Some of our favorites include:
- WinterLand – Held every year the Saturday after Thanksgiving in and around Public Square, this kick-off event includes kid-friendly fun inside Tower City like train rides, hot cocoa, crafts, and a holiday market; crafts and entertainment at the Cleveland Public Library main branch (including a chance to meet live reindeer!); and of course the lighting of the city Christmas tree plus fireworks after dark.
- Holiday CircleFest – This annual celebration in University Circle includes a holiday market, ice skating, carriage rides, ice carving, and photo opportunities with Santa and Mr. Jingaling. There are also usually corresponding activities at the museums around the Circle, too.
- Light Up Lakewood – This event takes place December 2nd in Lakewood and includes a parade, ice carvings, a holiday train, tree lightings, fireworks, and more.Â
- Snow Day – This event in Gordon Square is scheduled for December 9th. It’s a daylong celebration of the arts with crafts, live music, trolley rides, and more.
2. Have breakfast with Santa in Cleveland
Good for: Younger kids
What could be more exciting than having breakfast with Santa and his elves? Sip hot cocoa and take photos of Old Saint Nick with the kids while also enjoying an unforgettable and delicious breakfast or brunch.
Luckily, there are plenty of places to have breakfast (and more) with Santa around the city. Here are some places to dine with Santa in Cleveland this year:
- Breakfast With Mr. Kringle: Have a delightful breakfast with Santa and friends at the Burnham Restaurant at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
- Breakfast With Santa At The Cleveland Botanical Garden: Enjoy breakfast with Santa at the Cleveland Botanical Garden including breakfast, a photo op with Santa, and crafts and activities. This takes place on December 16-17.
- Breakfast With Santa At Market: Take the kids to Market in Rocky River to have breakfast with Santa and characters this holiday season. (Currently the event is already on a waitlist for 2023.)
Find more info about more local Santa breakfasts here: 20+ Places to Have Breakfast With Santa in Cleveland
3. Meet Scuba Claus
Good for: Kids of all ages
When: Timed arrivals on Fridays, December 15 & 22 from 5–7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, December 16 & 23 from 8:30 – 10 a.m.; and Sunday, December 17 from 8:30 – 10 a.m.
Where: Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore Street, Cleveland
Santa travels the world to bring toys for the good girls and boys using his magic sleigh. But did you know that Santa dives, too? You can join Santa in training as he goes for a dive at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. (Don’t worry, you’ll be outside the tank!)
Participate with the family on a themed I-Spy activity before meeting Santa while he’s underwater. Tickets include full access to the aquarium, as well as a digital photo with SCUBA Claus.
How Much: $24.95 for ages 13+, $18.95 for children ages 2-12, and free for children under 2. Passholder adults and children are $5. Advanced timed tickets are required. More info here.
4. Invent Toys at Kringle’s Inventionasium
Good for: Younger kids
When: November 19-December 24, 2022.
Where: Terminal Tower, 50 Public Square, Cleveland
Move over, traditional mall Santas. Kringle’s Inventionasium is a completely unique Santa experience that encourages kids to be creative in Mr. Kringle’s top secret inventing laboratory to help invent toys.
This isn’t just the usual “stand in line and take photos with Santa” routine; the Inventionasium experience can last up to an hour, and gives families the chance to be silly (pajamas or festive outfits are encouraged) and creative together. Kids’ tickets include an Invent-A-Toy Kit, and every family gets some time (and photos) with Mr. Kringle at the end.
And parents, you might like to know that this is a STEM-accredited educational experience!
How Much: Starting at $34 per guest depending on the experience for Kringle’s Inventionasium. (Classic tickets run $34-$39, while Deluxe tickets are $49-$59.) You can book here.
5. Admire the Best Holiday Light Displays
Good for: Kids of all ages
We have a whole post all about the best Christmas lights, but here are some great places to take kids to see holiday lights around Cleveland:
- Public Square: Public Square always has incredible light displays during the holiday season. There is a giant tree, ice rink, and thousands upon thousands of lights dangling overhead after Thanksgiving. There are even light tunnels and a light show on Terminal Tower that occurs three times per hour from 4-10 pm every night through early January. You can also check out the decorations and big Christmas tree inside Tower City while you’re there.
- Wild Winter Lights at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: With hundreds of light displays and holiday-themed spots like Candyland, Santa’s Workshop, Enchanted Forest, and Conservation Trail, the whole family will be mesmerized. There are two options for visiting the Wild Winter Lights: walk-through or drive-through. Walk-through tickets are $19 for Zoo members and $22 for non-members if purchased in advance. Drive-through tickets are $44 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.
- 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.
RELATED: Where to See the Best Christmas Light Displays Near Cleveland
6. Go Ice Skating
Good for: Older kids/teens
Dance around the ice together among enchanting light displays around the city. Here are some great places to go ice skating during the holiday season:Â
- 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.
7. Try a Christmas-Themed Escape Room
Good for: Older kids/teens
For families with slightly older kids, why not test out your skills with a holiday-themed escape room? There are plenty of awesome escape rooms in Cleveland, but these have special Christmas-themed rooms:
- Perplexity Games: The Naughty List Christmas Escape Room is a fight against time as you break into Santa’s house to take your name off the Naughty List and add it to the Nice List. Price is $35 per person. This room can be solved by up to 10 people, and is suitable for kids 8 and up. Book here.
- Trapped! Escape Rooms (Strongsville): Operation: Candy Cane is a room where you’re helping Santa on the night before Christmas find the forgotten child who is meant to receive his present – all before the sleigh departs! This room is for 2-10 people, prices are $28 per person, and kids as young as 6 can participate. Book here.
8. FROST at Cleveland Botanical Gardens
Good for: Kids of all ages
When: November 18-December 31, 2023; hours vary.
Where: Cleveland Botanical Gardens, 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland
Take the family to FROST at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens where they can enjoy the decorated trees, gingerbread house displays, a kid’s play area, and more!Â
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.
9. Take a Train Ride to the North Pole
Good for: Younger kids and older kids who love trains
When: November 8-December 21, 2023. Departs Akron Station at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.Â
Where: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Scenic Akron Station (at 27 Ridge St)
The North Pole Adventure train is back, and you and your child can travel to the North Pole in style! They will get cookies and cocoa, write letters to Santa, dance and sing, and visit with Santa as they ride all the way to the North Pole to see Santa’s workshop up close.Â
The 26-mile roundtrip journey lasts 90 minutes, and kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas or festive attire. (You do not get off the train at any point.)
How Much: Tickets range from $45 – $92. More info here.
*Due to erosion issues along the Cuyahoga Valley National Park tracks, the train will not be departing from Rockside Road Station this year.
10. Check out holiday trains at Puritas Nursery
Good for: Any kid who loves trains
When: Through the holiday season; they’re open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trains are on display November 24-December 31, 2023.
Where: Puritas Nursery & Garden Center, 19201 Puritas Ave, Cleveland
Speaking of trains…
This West Park garden center is a local staple, selling all the usual gardening necessities plus Christmas trees, mistletoe, fresh wreaths, and more through the holiday season. But what makes this spot extra fun around Christmas are the holiday trains!
A volunteer group of local model railroad hobbyists set up trains throughout the greenhouse each Christmas season. It’s a tradition that’s been happening for more than 20 years!
How much: Free!
11. Visit Castle Noel
Good for: Older kids/teens
When: Hours vary by time of year, but they are always closed on Mondays. They typically are open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. during November and December.
Where: 260 S Court St, Medina
Castle Noel is America’s largest indoor year-round Christmas entertainment attraction all thanks to founder Mark Klaus (yes that is his real name)!
Enjoy some of the best things to see at Castle Noel, including Christmas movie memorabilia, New York holiday storefront displays, vintage toys, and more. There are some interactive elements, too, like the Blizzard Vortex, Santa’s Chimney Squeeze, and getting a photo with Santa before going down the Santa Slide!
This has been a family favorite Christmas activity in Cleveland for years, and the kiddos will enjoy all the displays as well as meeting Santa himself. (Though note that you visit here on a 2-hour guided tour, and I think it’s best for older kids.)
How Much: Admission for adults is $27.95-$29.95 and children 12 and under is $22.95. Also, you’ll need to book your tour tickets in advance. This can be done online here. Tours last between 1.5 and 2 hours, and are fully guided.
RELATED: Your Complete Guide to Visiting Castle Noel
12. Candy Land at Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Good for: Kids of all ages
When: November 18, 2023-January 1, 2024 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 8668 Kirtland Chardon Rd, Willoughby
Back again this year is the real-life game of Candy Land you can play inside the Penitentiary Glen Nature Center. The game this year takes players on a birding adventure to learn about birds and their habitats. Along with the life-sized game board, there are also crafts, scavenger hunts, and more.
On Saturdays, you can also look forward to an outdoor campfire with s’mores, and on Sundays you can meet live animals.
Candy Land isn’t necessarily holiday-themed, but it is an activity that’s only available during the holidays!
How much: Free!
And this of course is not an exhaustive list; there are other one-day events, the Christmas Story House to visit, and plenty of holiday decorations and shopping to enjoy.
No matter what your kid(s) enjoy, there’s sure to be a Christmas event for your family!
Which activity are you most looking forward to with the kids?
Kat is a Cleveland transplant and has lived here for over 5 years. She loves to eat, drink, and explore all across the city, and has made it her personal mission to find the best breweries and pizza in Northeast Ohio. She also runs a couples travel blog and podcast called World Wide Honeymoon.