Are you looking for the best things to do in Cleveland, Ohio during the month of November?
November marks the end of the fall season and the kickoff of the holiday season in Cleveland. There’s a lot going on in the city this month, including events for Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas season.
Here are some of the best activities around Cleveland to check out in November!
Weather in Cleveland in November
November in Cleveland is chilly, but not unbearably cold. The average monthly high is 52° F and the average monthly low is 39° F, with temperatures tending to drop later in the month.
While the weather in northeast Ohio is certainly cooling down in November, you can still enjoy crisp fall days without having to bundle up too much.
It’s not out of the ordinary for us to get our first snow in November, though snow usually doesn’t stick around for very long during this month.
Top 10 Things to Do in Cleveland in November
Here are some of the best November activities in Cleveland! You can also check my Cleveland Events Calendar for even more suggestions on things to do year-round.
1. Día de Muertos
When: November 7, 2026
Where: Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland
You can celebrate Día de Muertos in Cleveland this year for a unique cultural experience. Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated primarily in Mexico. This holiday combines Catholicism with indigenous traditions and is all about remembering and honoring those we have lost.
It’s celebrated on November 1 and 2, but the Día de Muertos parade and festivities in Cleveland will occur on November 7, 2026. This is a free, family-friendly event with live entertainment, Latin food, face painting, altar installations, and a parade at 3:30 p.m.
The majority of events will be happening at Cleveland Public Theatre in Gordon Square.
2. Cleveland Pizza Week
When: November 9-15, 2026
Where: Various area pizza shops
Cleveland Pizza Week is an annual foodie event happening in November that pizza lovers will not want to miss.
From November 9-15, 2026, participating restaurants and pizza joints will be offering $12 pizzas. With 25+ options to choose from around Cleveland, this is a great way to discover new favorite restaurants and sample delicious pizzas.
3. Wild Winter Lights at the Zoo
When: Most evenings from November 18-December 30, 2026
Where: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
One of the best places to see holiday lights in Cleveland is at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Starting on November 18, 2026, their Wild Winter Lights event will once again illuminate the Zoo with more than 1.5 million twinkling lights.
Lighting displays cover a trail of themed areas including Twinkly Trail, Glittering Galaxy, Winter Fairytale, Gingerbread Lane, and Santa’s North Pole Lodge, where visitors can meet and take photos with Santa. There’s also a musical light show, free carousel rides, and more.
Tickets are $27-$30 per person for walk-through visits, and $59 per car for drive-through visits (which will take place this year mostly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from Nov. 18-Dec. 16). Zoo members receive discounted tickets.
4. Christmas Connection
When: November 20-22, 2026
Where: 1 I-X Center Dr, Cleveland
Now in its 40th year, kick off the holiday season at Cleveland’s Christmas Connection at the I-X Center. This annual event features hundreds of vendors selling all sorts of holiday decor and gifts, alongside live entertainment, a chance to meet Santa, and more.
There will also be celebrity guest appearances, including by Tyler Hynes of Hallmark Christmas movie fame.
5. Tropical Holiday at Cleveland Botanical Garden
When: November 21, 2026-January 3, 2027
Where: Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd, Cleveland
The Cleveland Botanical Garden kicks off its annual holiday show on November 21, 2026 — but “Frost” is out this year, and a brand new theme has arrived: Tropical Holiday! The an annual holiday event will still incorporate dazzling light displays, immersive elements, and decorated gingerbread houses (my favorite part!), but this year the show will also feature tropical plants and island-inspired displays.
Tickets are $24-28 for adults and $15-17 for children, with garden members receiving big discounts on tickets. You can go to this event both during the day and at night, but I personally prefer the nighttime experience!
6. Book dinner in an igloo
When: Anytime!
Where: Various local restaurants (find the full list here)
As the weather gets chillier, you may not be as keen on outdoor dining. November evenings in Cleveland can get pretty cold!
But one of the best things to do in Cleveland during the colder months is having dinner in your own private igloo. A number of Cleveland restaurants transform their outdoor patios into magical winter wonderlands with heated igloos to dine in.
Most of these start taking bookings whenever the weather starts to turn cold (usually by mid-November).
7. Turkey Trot
When: November 26, 2026
Where: Downtown Cleveland
If you’re looking for a fun Thanksgiving Day event in Cleveland, the annual Turkey Trot is always popular. This race occurring in the morning on November 26, 2026 takes participants on a 1-mile, 5-kilometer, or 5-mile route through downtown Cleveland.
Registration is $35 per person before Nov. 22 and includes a medal, long-sleeve race t-shirt, and post-race refreshments.
8. WinterLand Kickoff and Tree Lighting
When: November 28, 2026
Where: Public Square
Now in its 40th year, WinterLand (formerly known as WinterFest) is one of the most popular holiday traditions in Cleveland.
Public Square in downtown Cleveland is transformed into a winter wonderland every year, and the kickoff event this year occurs on November 28, 2026. Events start in the afternoon, and this year they’re doing something different with the tree lighting: in 2026, the tree will be lit every half hour from 5:30-11pm to go along with a new a holiday light show from Illuminate CLE that encompasses many of the buildings around Public Square.
Activities will include musical performances, visits with Santa, ice skating, food trucks, and more. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. (NOTE: There will be NO fireworks this year.)
Find my full guide to the event here!
9. Check out a holiday market
When: Various dates (mostly weekends)
Where: Various locations
As the holidays approach, Greater Cleveland abounds with pop-up holiday shops and holiday markets where you can shop from local businesses and makers. There are multiple markets most weekend, starting this year at the very beginning of November!
I have a full list of holiday pop-up shops and markets you can check out.
10. Get a jump on Christmas
When: All month
Where: Various locations
December is always Christmas-heavy around Cleveland, so if there are year-round Christmas spots you want to visit around the holidays, it’s not a bad idea to try to squeeze in those visits this month.
For example, an annual visit to the House from a Christmas Story, or a stroll through Castle Noel in Medina? Both get SUPER busy in December, but you can usually still find tickets to both in November! November is my favorite time to visit both of these spots.
What are you most excited to do in Cleveland in November?
Amanda was born and raised in northeast Ohio, and has always been a fangirl of her home state. Now, she’s sharing her love of the Cleveland area, highlighting all the best things to do, see, and eat in the CLE. She’s been running Cleveland Traveler since January 2019.