If your family is in the mood for some early festive fun, you’re in luck. Plenty of early holiday happenings are taking place throughout November and into early December in the greater Cleveland/Akron area.
November 8-9
Christkindl Market. A juried fine arts and crafts show with a holiday theme. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Canton Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N., cantonart.org/christkindl
November 8-12/21
The North Pole Adventure. 26-mile, 90-minute excursion to the enchanting North Pole. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., cvsr.com
November 9
Family Christmas Photos. Get a jumpstart on your holiday planning. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Middlefield Branch Library, 16167 E. High St., geaugalibrary.net
November 9, 23, & 29
Santa Visits Lehman’s. Bring the little ones to meet Santa. Lehman’s, 4779 Kidron Rd., Dalton, lehmans.com
November 9-10
Nature Art Fest. Find one-of-a-kind, nature-inspired pieces for everyone on your holiday gift list. Oenslager Nature Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Township, medinacountyparks.com
November 15
Santa Parade sponsored by Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine. Live entertainment, activities, games and more. 5:30-7 p.m. Great Northern Mall,
4954 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, greatnorthernohio.com
November 16
Holiday Toy Drive. Drop off new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for kids of all ages in foster care. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1330 N. Carpenter Road, Brunswick, fostermedina.com
November 16-24
Holiday Tree Festival. More than 200 decorated trees, 85,000 strings of lights and countless other creations. John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill Street, Akron, akronchildrens.org/treefestival
November 22-24
Medina Candlelight Walk. Shops and restaurants of the nine-block Medina historic district will be open later to welcome local residents and visiting guests. Medina Public Square, mainstreetmedina.com
November 22- January 4
Magic of Lights. Family-friendly drive-through of holiday lights. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts., magicoflights.com
November 23
Tree Lighting Ceremony. Crocker Park will welcome back the 50-foot Christmas tree with its annual tree-lighting ceremony. 7 p.m. 89 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com
November 23-24, 29
A Christmas Carol. Open your heart to Charles Dickens’ classic tale of one man’s ultimate redemption. Mimi Ohio Theater, Cleveland, playhousesquare.org
November 29-December 1
Back in Time Christmas. Breakfast, pictures with Santa, tours and a craft show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Century Village Museum, 14653 E. Park St., Burton, centuryvillagemuseum.org
November 29-December 22
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
November 29-December 30
Wild Lights. Enjoy the wildest lighting display this holiday season. 5-9 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org
Nature’s A-Glow. The beautiful botanical garden turns it into a winter wonderland. Friday-Sunday. 5-9 p.m. Beech Creek Botanical Garden, 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, beechcreekgardens.org
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
November 30
Christmas Lighting of the Square. Colorful lights, live music and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. 6:30-8 p.m. Chardon Square, chardonsquareassociation.org
Holiday Movie: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Bring the whole family to the beautiful and historic Canton Palace Theatre and get in the festive spirit. 605 Market Ave. North, Canton, cantonpalacetheatre.org
November 30, December 1, & 7-8
Ballet Theatre of Ohio presents “The Nutcracker.” This classic has become a treasured holiday tradition for families of all ages. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., akroncivic.com
November 30-December 22
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
November 30-December 29
Country Lights Drive-Thru. Enjoy the festivities from the warmth of your own vehicles. 6-8:30 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com
December 6-8 & 13-15
Winter Wonderettes. This seasonal celebration finds the girls, Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy entertaining at the 1968 holiday party for Harper’s Hardware. French Creek Theatre, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Lake, loraincountymetroparks.com
December 6-8, & 13-15
Winter Wonderettes. This seasonal celebration finds the girls, Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy entertaining at the 1968 holiday party for Harper’s Hardware. French Creek Theatre, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield Lake, loraincountymetroparks.com
December 7
Light Up Lakewood. The most joyous of Lakewood traditions is returning to Downtown Lakewood for the 16th annual celebration. 4-8 p.m. 14701 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, lakewoodalive.com
Santa Claus and Furry Paws. Crafts, activities, photos, stuffed animal hospital and watch animals open gifts from Santa. 5-8 p.m. Sippo Lake Park-North, 5712 12th St. NW, Canton, starkparks.com
December 8
Hudson Holiday Walk. Join the Merchants of Hudson as they welcome shoppers and diners with activities for the entire family. 12-4 p.m. firstandmainhudson.com
December 13-15,& 20-22
Scuba Claus Meet & Greet. Talk to the magical man in red while he’s underwater with sharks, stingrays, eels and angelfish on his “nice” list. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
