Sat 11/28 @ 10AM-10PM
Winterfest returns to downtown Cleveland again to bring a twinkle to the eye of young and old. Children’s faces will light up with excitement when they witness the tree-lighting ceremony at PlayhouseSquare and stroll along Euclid Avenue to experience the sights and sounds of the holiday season in Cleveland. Fireworks will brighten the PlayhouseSquare skies too, this Sat 11/28.
It will be heartwarming and amusing, cool and amazing. Go to downtowncleveland.com/winterfest/ for a downloadable program guide. There’s so much going on you won’t know where to start. But make sure you journey from PlayhouseSquare to Public Square and enjoy the spirit of Cleveland on its former Millionaire’s Row, now coming back as a great place to live.
Years ago, the Festival of Trees, where local groups and businesses showed off their decorated trees, graced the space on the lower floor of the Terminal Tower. That event is now captured at the Allen Theatre, which will be open to display the trees starting Sat 11/28 and through the holidays starting at 5:30pm on weekdays and 11am on weekends.
You’ll also be able to shop from 10am-8pm at 5th Street Arcades, the former Colonial and Euclid Arcades, on the south side of Euclid. Indie retailers and local artisans will sell local art and other hand-crafted items. Give your friends and family some unique holiday gifts while supporting local creative arts businesses.
Not to be outdone, the Cleveland Public Library will sell bags of books for $6 during their Friends of the Library’s Used Book Sale. If you haven’t been to the library lately, you’ll be impressed by how beautiful both the old building and the new building are and how they encourage learning. Find the toy train depot, a handbell chorus, live reindeer, ice sculpture art, a tuba ensemble, cookies and cider, a family sing-along, space to craft gift cards, readings of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and a performance by the Cleveland School of Ballet.
Can you believe free horse and carriage rides? A tour of Cleveland commencing from the Old Arcade? Stop in the Visitors Center across the street for customized itineraries, sightseeing tour information, and tips to help your family and out-of-town guests plan additional trips to Cleveland during the holiday season.
At the Arcade, on the north side of Euclid across from E. 4th Street, find the Keep It Local Cleveland Winter Market with local restaurants, boutiques, vendors, live entertainment and family fun.
Don’t forget to go to Tower City Center, where all the usual festivities will be carried on. The Holiday Express Train Ride, Kringle’s Inventionasium and QuickSnap, Bruce the Talking Tree, the Toy Soldier, and Fairy Godmother will all fascinate. And Tower City’s a great place to shop.. And once again, Horseshoe Casino will become a winter wonderland.
History and nostalgia buffs and those with a love of the sacred will find the mementos at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument to be meaningful. And at the Renaissance Hotel, Cleveland’s historic downtown hotel, find A Christmas Story convention.
At Playhouse Square, the Winterfest Children’s Stage will come alive with Fusion Live, which will provide holiday entertainment and special performances of Peter and the Wolf by Talespinner Children Theater. Local artisans and food trucks transform shopping and eating into experiences. The official lighting of Downtown Cleveland, hosted by Mark Nolan and Nicole Marcellino, will feature Humble G the Fiddla, headliner Old Skool and a visit from Santa Claus.
Two fun party venues keep the action going after the lighting ceremony. At 925 Euclid, you can attend the Winter Wine and Ale Fest, and at the Hanna Theatre, the entire family can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies and get pictures taken with Santa.
Shopping, entertainment, food, drink, holiday decorations . . . the time away from cell phones and malls should be good for the soul. Plan to spend several hours in downtown Cleveland on Saturday. There’s something going on every minute from 10am-10pm. Exact times can be found on the website or in the guide. Go to downtowncleveland.com/winterfest/.
[Written by Claudia Taller]Cleveland, OH 44113
Cleveland, OH 44115
Cleveland, OH 44115
Cleveland, OH 44114
Cleveland, OH 44114