If your family is in the mood for some festive fun, you’re in luck. Plenty of holiday happenings are taking place throughout December in the greater Cleveland/Akron area.
December 3-4
Adaptive North Pole Adventure. Reduced crowds, social narrative, separate line, activity kit and more. 5 p.m. 12/3 and 7:55 p.m. 12/4. 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence, Autismakron.org
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, 20-22
A Christmas Carol. A spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens’ most well-known story. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., akroncivic.com
December 6-22
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Riotous laughter and unexpected sweetness emerge in this hilarious holiday story. Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, magicaltheatre.org
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
Santa in the Cabin. Meet and Greet, including photo opportunities, with Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus begin at 9 a.m. in the Boy Scout Cabin. 27 E. Main St., Hudson, hudson.oh.us
Reindeer Day in Peninsula. Live reindeer will be behind the Bronson Church from Noon. 1-3 p.m. 1712 Main St., Peninsula, peninsulaohio.com
Autism Society of Greater Akron: Visit with Santa. Play games, create crafts with ASGA Elves, and visit with Santa in a welcoming, non-judgmental, Autism-friendly atmosphere. 1-4 p.m. Quirk Cultural Center, 1201 Grant Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, mcbdd.org
December 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
December 7-8 & 13-15
Celebrate the Season. A celebration of dance including ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary to well known and loved holiday music. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, beckcenter.org
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
Hands-On Holidays & Hotcakes: Akron Children’s Museum. Kids can design their own reindeer antlers, visit the snow sisters, and make a snowman. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org
Santa’s Wild Workshop. Make a toy in Santa’s workshop, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus, play games and visit with Old Saint Nick. 4-6 p.m. Wildwood Cultural Center, 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor, cityofmentor.com
Sensory Santa. Visit Santa with the music off and guest traffic limited. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Great Northern Mall, 4954 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, greatnorthernohio.com
December 9
Happy Hanukkah. Hear stories of Hanukkah and learn about this special holiday while making a fun craft. 6:30 p.m. Willoughby Public Library, 30 Public Square, we247.org
December 9-18
Black Nativity. Joyous retelling of the traditional new testament account of the nativity story, using gospel music, dramatic dance and more. Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, playhousesquare.org
Winter Holiday Extravaganza: Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Learn about the different traditions, and do a fun craft! 2-5 p.m. South Branch Library, 3096 Scranton Road, Cleveland, cpl.org
December 11-22
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 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
Deck the Hollow. A lighted walk along Quail Hollow Park grounds with decorated trees, lights, and festive music. 5-8:30 p.m. 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville, starkparks.com
December 14
Christmas Ice Show. Watch local figure skaters perform. 4:15-6:30 p.m. Mentor Civic Ice Arena, 8600 Munson Road, cityofmentor.com
December 16
Celebration of Kwanzaa. Explore the elements of Kwanzaa and make a craft. 6:30 p.m. Willoughby Public Library, 30 Public Square, we247.org
December 17
Pre-Kwanzaa Kickoff. Celebrate the rich cultural heritage, tradition, principles and values of Kwanzaa. 6:30 p.m. South Lorain Branch Library, 2121 Homewood Drive, lorainpubliclibrary.org
December 21
Super Science Saturday: Christmas Chocolate. Explore the chocolate making world and see the many varieties and creations! 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Akron Fossils & Science Center, 2080 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.com
Pinecrest Winter Fest. A day-long winter event with reindeer, Santa, hot chocolate and more. Park Avenue, Orange Village, discoverpinecrest.com
December 21-22
Ballet Legato presents Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.” Based on the story written by E.T.A. Hoffman, which was adapted into a magical ballet accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s most famous score. Stocker Arts Center, 1005 N. Abbe Road, Elyria, lorainccc.edu
December 25
Friends of the Maltz Museum Chanukah Lighting. Hear the story of Chanukah, sing Chanukah songs, and join in on the lighting of the menorah. 3-4 p.m.. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, maltzmuseum.org
ONGOING HOLIDAY EVENTS
Through December 21
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 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
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
Through December 24
Santa’s Sleigh. Take your picture in the fastest sleigh in the world. Crocker Park, 177 Market St., Westlake, crockerpark.com
Through 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
Through December 30
Wild Lights. Enjoy the wildest lighting display this holiday season. 5-9 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org
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
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
Through January 4
Magic of Lights. Family-friendly drive-through of holiday lights. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts., magicoflights.com
Through January 5
Frost: An Ice-capped Garden Experience. Winter botanical displays, holiday lights and immersive, themed rooms will transport you to an enchanting world. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., University Circle, cbgarden.org
Through January 8
Lights on the Lake. Experience a free lakefront drive-thru lighted holiday display at Lakeview Park. Dusk-9 p.m. 1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain, loraincountymetroparks.com
Through January 15
Holiday Lights. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the holidays with the beautiful glow of these festive lights. 4:30-10 p.m. Eton Chagrin Boulevard, 28699 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere, etonchagrinblvd.com
