FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides. Enjoy a ride through Gervasi’s beautiful grounds with Ms. Linda and Bingo. Dec. 8-23. 6-9 p.m. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, 330-497-1000, gervasivineyard.com
FRIDAYS THROUGH SUNDAYS
Scuba Claus & The Seas’n of Play. See Scuba Claus dive in 230,000 gallons of water and ask him questions while he visits a porcupine pufferfish, green moray eel, goliath grouper and other aquatic friends. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, 216-862-8803, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
SATURDAYS
Elf Labs. A team of exuberant elves will escort your children through seven unique stations where they will experience the magic of Christmas. Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Castle Noel, 260 S. Court St., Medina, castlenoel.com
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS
Santa Express Train Ride. Ride the train to Santa’s Place. After a group story, each child will have the opportunity for one-on-one time with Santa. Noon-5 p.m. Ohio Station Outlets, 9911 Avon Lake Road, Burbank, ohiostationoutlets.com
THROUGH DECEMBER 3
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., 330-253-2488, akroncivic.com
THROUGH DECEMBER 17
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. The magical tale of love, faith and giving — perfect for the holiday season. Magical Theatre Co., 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, 330-848-3708, magicaltheatre.org
Santa at the Zoo. Take a picture with ‘Ole Saint Nick and find out if you’ve been naughty or nice. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, 216-635-3391, clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
THROUGH DECEMBER 23
A Christmas Carol: The Musical. Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly encounters come to life in this musical adaptation. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, 330-836-2626, weathervaneplayhouse.com
Country Lights. Live lighted trees deck the halls that lead to Santa’s Workshop and the Little Elf Corner. Take a wagon to see operating model trains, farm animals and holiday horses. 4:45-9 p.m. Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, 440-256-2122, lakemetroparks.com
A Christmas Story. The record-breaking show returns to the Cleveland Playhouse in all its pink-bunny-suit, glowing-leg-lamp, triple-dog-daring glory. Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave., clevelandplayhouse.com
Holiday Lantern Tours. Take a charming lantern-lit tour of the village and visit historic houses delightfully decorated for the season. Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, 330-666-3711, wrhs.org
Festival of Trees. Get into the spirit of the season with this beloved annual holiday tradition. Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org
THROUGH DECEMBER 30
Deck the Hall. Come see the estate illuminated inside and out with over one million lights with the Manor House interiors decorated to reflect the theme of Postcards from the Past. 12/1-3, 7-23 & 26-30. 5-8 p.m. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 330-836-5533, stanhywet.org
Wild Lights. Enjoy more than 25 miles of lights and dozens of lighted displays throughout the zoo. Nearly the entire zoo is decorated and several animals will be out. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, 330-375-2550, akronzoo.org
Holiday Lights. The decorated trail stations along the half-mile paved loop trail will be themed to represent various classic holiday movies and songs. 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Carlisle Reservation, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, metroparks.cc
THROUGH DECEMBER 31
Glow Winter Spectacular. Glow transports you to a world full of seasonal cheer, where all-new wonders and returning traditions await. Cleveland Botanical Garden, 11030 East Blvd., 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org
THROUGH MARCH 4
The Rink at Wade Oval. Lace up your skates and enjoy the fresh ice on picturesque Wade Oval. 10820 East Blvd., Cleveland, universitycircle.org
DECEMBER 2
Light Up Lakewood. Free, family-friendly event featuring a holiday parade, lighting ceremony, winter fireworks, live music, ice carvings and more. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 14701 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, lakewoodalive.com
Downtown River’s Holiday Walk. This family day of holiday activities, shop promotions, food and fun has become a tradition for Downtown River’s visitors from near and far. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Old Detroit Road, Rocky River, rrcity.com
Festival of Lights. Kent’s winter wonderland will include a visit from Santa, the Dickens Carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, extended business hours and more. 5:30-8 p.m. Hometown Bank Plaza, Gazebo and Main Street Bridge, Kent, kentbiz.com
Christmas on the Canal. Stroll through the streets of historic downtown Canal Fulton, visit Santa, parade and more. 2-7 p.m. 125 Tuscarawas St., Canal Fulton, 330-854-6835, cityofcanalfulton-oh.gov
DECEMBER 3
Holiday CircleFest. A free annual Circle-wide celebration with activities, entertainment and a procession led by community lantern artists, illuminated dancers and giant puppets. 1-5:30 p.m. The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 East Blvd., 216-707-2483, clevelandart.org
Introducing Young Children to Jewish Holidays and Values. Children Pre-K and younger are invited to join with their parents or grandparents to exchange talk and ideas. 9 a.m. Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, 23737 Fairmount Blvd., Beachwood, 216-464-1330, fairmounttemple.org
Christmas on Hoover Farm. Visit with Santa, hear live music, watch ladies in vintage attire baking cookies, and Christmas carol through Hoover Park on a horse-drawn wagon. 1-4 p.m. Hoover Historical Center, 2020 E. Maple St., North Canton, 330-244-4667, walsh.edu
Wildwood Holiday Display & Craft Show. Live entertainment and a huge variety of fine arts and crafts. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wildwood Cultural Center & Park, 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor, 440-974-5735, cityofmentor.com
Live Nativity on The Green. A live nativity with animals and characters. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Clocktower Green, 27 E. Main St., Hudson, 330-653-8230, hudson.oh.us
DECEMBER 4
Teen Gingerbread House Challenge. Compete with other teens to see who can build the most creative gingerbread house. 6-7:30 p.m. Medina Library, 210 S. Broadway St., 330-725-0588, mcdl.info
DECEMBER 5
Holiday Cookie Decorating for Teens. Get in the holiday spirit. 3:30 p.m. Geauga West Branch Library, 13455 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, 440-729-4250, geaugalibrary.net
DECEMBER 6
Multicultural Holiday Celebration. Expo featuring international performances, culture, foods, fashion, music, community resource tables, and more. 6-10 p.m. Global Center for Health Innovation, 1 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, icc-win.org
BLAST Holiday Dinner & Dance. An evening of fun for people with developmental disabilities. 6-8:30 p.m. Temple Israel, 91 Springside Drive, Akron, summitdd.org
DECEMBER 8
Meet and Greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus to tell them what you want for Christmas. 6:30 p.m. Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, 440-543-5611, geaugalibrary.net
DECEMBER 9
Upcycled Book Snowman. Enjoy this fun craft program using a book to make an adorable snowman. 10 a.m.-noon. Independence Branch Library, 6361 Selig Drive, 216-447-0160, cuyahogalibrary.org
Santa’s Wild Workshop in the Woods For Kids with Sensory or Developmental Disabilities. Make a toy, ride the Wildwood Express, see outdoor displays, visit with Santa, and decorate cookies. 2-4 p.m. Wildwood Cultural Center & Park, 7645 Little Mountain Road, Mentor, 440-974-5735, cityofmentor.com
Home for the Holidays. Area merchants will have special sales or refreshments along with carolers, carriage rides, Christmas lights and Christmas Tree Alley. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Short Court Street, Chardon, chardonsquareassociation.org
Breakfast with Santa and Santa’s Workshop. Pack your sleigh with your family of elves and enjoy a pancake breakfast and face-time with the man in the red suit. Decorate cookies and take unlimited rides on the carousel. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Western Reserve Historical Society, 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland, wrhs.org
The Vintage Elf Scavenger Hunt. Hunt for vintage elves hidden in businesses throughout the village. Children can pick up the list of elf locations to start their hunt at Yellow Creek Trading Company before hunting for the elves. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. explorepeninsula.com
Holiday Family Tea. Enjoy a very special holiday tea at the library with crafts, games, treats and beverages, along with a visit from Santa. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Columbia Branch Library,
13824 W. River Road, North Columbia Station, 440-236-8751, lorainpubliclibrary.org
DECEMBER 10
Chanukah at Home Depot. Anshe Sfard, Beth El and Temple Israel all come together for a special Hanukkah Program at Home Depot. Free and open to the community. 9:30 a.m. 4066 Medina Road, Fairlawn, 330-864-2105, jewishakron.org
Paws and Claus Pet Parade. Walk the Holiday Lights trail with your favorite costumed, four-footed friend. 2:30-4 p.m. Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road, Lagrange, metroparks.cc
DECEMBER 12
Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Eton. The event will commence at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the Menorah, followed by entertainment and refreshments inside the mall. 28699 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere, etonchagrinblvd.com
Holiday Storytime. Enjoy holiday stories, songs and a flannelboard. 6:30-7 p.m. Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, 440-352-3383, morleylibrary.org
DECEMBER 13
Maltz Museum Hanukkah Candle Lighting. Children of all ages and backgrounds are invited to celebrate the Jewish festival of lights. 5-6 p.m. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org
DECEMBER 14
Kwanzaa Celebration. Set aside an evening for family to learn about the practices and history of Kwanzaa. 4:30-6 p.m. Odom Branch Library, 600 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron, akronlibrary.org
DECEMBER 16
Kids Gingerbread Houses. Construct a simple gingerbread house for the holidays. 10-11 a.m. Schoepfle Garden, 11106 Market St., Birmingham, metroparks.cc
DECEMBER 17
Holiday Family Skate. Welcome the holiday season and spend quality time with your family at this fun event. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Mentor Civic Ice Arena, 8600 Munson Road, Mentor, cityofmentor.com
DECEMBER 18
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Kids in grades 1-5 enjoy the traditional story of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss, then have fun with grinchy craft activities. 3:30-4:15 p.m. Olmsted Falls Branch Library, 8100 Mapleway Drive, 440-235-1150, cuyahogalibrary.org
DECEMBER 19
Polar Express. Kids can wear their pajamas and bring a favorite blanket or stuffed animal to hear the story “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg. Sing songs, action rhymes and make a craft. 7-8 p.m. 4480 Ridge Road, 216-398-4600, cuyahogalibrary.org
DECEMBER 20
Holiday Cookie Design. For glory and for fun, battle it out to see who can design the best cookies with frosting and toppings. For grades sixth through 12th. 6-7 p.m. Olmsted Falls Branch Library, 8100 Mapleway Drive, 440-235-1150, cuyahogalibrary.org
DECEMBER 21
Festival of Lights. Celebrate the winter solstice. Enjoy a delicious meal, take a magical stroll through candlelit woods, and sample holiday traditions of cultures near and far. 6-7:30 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Ctr., 3675 Oak Hill Road, Peninsula, conservancyforcvnp.org
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Building Program. Children ages 5-12, join Snapology of Kent for a Grinch-inspired LEGO program. 1 p.m. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, 330-688-3295, smfpl.org
DECEMBER 22
Randolph Polar Express Event. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while you watch “The Polar Express” dressed in your pajamas. Noon-2 p.m. Randolph Library, Community Center, 1639 OH-44, portagelibrary.org
DECEMBER 28
Kwanzaa Celebration. Bring the whole family to celebrate Kwanzaa with Phi Delta Kappa at the Warrensville Heights Library. 2-5 p.m. 4415 Northfield Road, cuyahogalibrary.org
Pennie Pickle Party. Cleveland children’s author Tony Marini reads his picture book “Pennie The Christmas Pickle.” Every child will receive a copy of Pennie’s music CD. 11 a.m.-noon. Brook Park Branch Library, 6155 Engle Road, 216-267-5250, cuyahogalibrary.org
