If your family is in the mood for some festive fun, you’re in luck. Plenty of early holiday happenings are taking place throughout December in the greater Cleveland/Akron area.
December 4-23 & 26-30
Deck the Hall. Come see the estate illuminated with over one million lights on select evenings. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org
December 19-23, 27-29
Nature’s A-Glow. The beautiful botanical garden turns into a winter wonderland. Friday-Sunday. 5-9 p.m. Beech Creek Botanical Garden, 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, beechcreekgardens.org
December 13-21
Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts. An unforgettable experience that will fill Mandel Concert Hall with the sounds of the holiday season. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, clevelandorchestra.com
December 19
The Nightmare Before Christmas. A cozy evening of exploration and entertainment, captivating films, and a flashlight tour. 5-9 p.m. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, 1 Wade Oval Drive, cmnh.org
Holiday Cardmaking for Ages 6-9. Join us for a cardmaking workshop! Kids will craft wintry cards just in time for the holiday season. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Valley Art Center, 155 Bell St., Chagrin Falls, valleyartcenter.org
December 20
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Bring the whole family to the beautiful and historic Canton Palace Theatre and get in the festive spirit. 6:30-7:30 p.m. 605 Market Ave. N., Canton, cantonpalacetheatre.org
Super Science Saturday: Winter Wonderland. Learn about all the wonders of this great season. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Akron Fossils & Science Center, 2080 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.com
December 30
Kwanzaa Celebration. Celebrate this uniquely African-American holiday by coming together as a community to reflect and honor our shared history. 4 p.m. Hough Branch Library, 6530 Lexington Ave., Cleveland, cpl.org
THROUGH December 20
Yuletide Village. Discover sparkling lights, enjoy festive shows, savor cozy treats, and find unique gifts in the Yuletide Market. Fridays 5-9 p.m., and Saturdays 3-9 p.m. 10542 East State Route 73 Waynesville, Harveysburg, yuletidevillage.com
THROUGH December 21
A Christmas Story. The record-breaking show returns in all its pink-bunny-suit, glowing-leg-lamp, triple-dog-daring glory. Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org
Holiday Lights. 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Carlisle Equestrian Center, 13630 Diagonal Road (drive-through), and Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road (in person) in LaGrange. loraincountymetroparks.com
THROUGH December 22
The North Pole Adventure. 26-mile, 90-minute excursion to the enchanting North Pole. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Rd., Independence, cvsr.com
THROUGH December 28
Country Lights Drive-Thru. Enjoy the festivities from the warmth of your own vehicle. 6-8:30 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com
THROUGH 12/30
Christmas Photo Shop. Let John’s Country Nursery provide the perfect background for your Christmas pictures.15808 Old State Road, Middlefield, johnscountry.net
Wild Lights. Enjoy the wildest lighting display this holiday season. 5-9 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org
Holiday Ice & Lights Festival. Bundle up and head outside to meet Santa, check out some ice carvings and pose in icy photos. 12-9 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com
Wild Winter Lights. Featuring over 1.5 million lights across holiday-themed areas including Enchanted Forest and Santa’s Workshop. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, futureforwildlife.org
THROUGH December 31
Tower City for the Holidays. It will transform into a winter wonderland with a variety of free family-friendly experiences. 230 W. Huron Rd. Cleveland Visit towercitycenter.com
THROUGH January 3
Magic of Lights. Immerse yourself in the Magic of Lights Wonderland Walk, a reimagined, dazzling walkthrough experience. Victory Park, 777 Victory Lane, N. Ridgeville, magicoflights.com
THROUGH January 7
Lights on the Lake. Experience a free lakefront drive-thru lighted holiday display at Lakeview Park. 5:30-9 p.m. 1800 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, loraincountymetroparks.com
