Please check event websites for any updates to events.
Through January 3
Deck the Hall, 5-8 p.m. Bring the whole family to enjoy one of Ohio’s largest and most spectacular holiday celebrations. Deck the Hall features a fantastic light show animated to music and (new this year) is Gingerbread Land in Playgarden. Stan Hywet Halls & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, 330-836-5533, stanhywet.org
Through December 25
Ashtabula County’s Lights on the Lake, 6-9 p.m. Experience the 2014 festival of lights, sights and memorable beauty at Lake Shore Park. In its ninth year, the event has become a family tradition for many. $5 per car. 1700 E. 1st St., Ashtabula, 440-993-1051, aclotl.com
Through December 25
Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Visit the area’s largest drive-thru light display! Marvel at over 100 handmade wooden and metal displays designed by local crafters. Watch computerized automation display. Open weeknights thru December 25th: 6pm to 9pm Admission: $7 per car; $15 per 15 passenger bus; $50 per bus Cash Only please. Enter at Smith Road entrance Medina County Fairgrounds Office – 710 W Smith Road – Medina, Ohio 44256 www.medina-fair.com
Through December 29
International Trees & Model Trains Display, open Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Saturdays, 4-9 p.m. and Sundays, 3-7 p.m. International and themed Christmas trees on display. Large model train display includes nine trains on a multi-track system and four smaller train displays. Free to the public, donations appreciated. Black River Transportation Center, Black River Lane, Lorain, 440-244-6503, loraingrowth.com
Through December 30
Glow – Cleveland Botanical Garden, times vary daily. This winter spectacular is one of Cleveland’s most celebrated holiday traditions. Tickets are $16/non-member adult and $12/non-member child. Free for Garden members. 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland, 216-721-1600, cbgarden.org, Thursdays & Saturdays · 10am – 6pmWednesdays & Fridays · 10am – 9pm Sundays · Noon – 6pm Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve · 10 am – 3 pm Closed Mondays, Christmas & New Year’s Day.
Through December 31
Lights on the Lake, 6 p.m. Drive through Lakeview Park to view the twinkling holiday lights and displays. Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, 440-458-5121, visitloraincounty.com
Holiday Lights, 6-9 p.m. Visit the 1-mile looped trail decorated by local companies and organizations with holiday lights and decorations. Enjoy snacks, hot chocolate, games and crafts. Admission is one canned good. Carlisle Reservation, 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, 440-458-5121, metroparks.cc
Holiday Market, Fridays, 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays, 12-6 p.m. Find unique handmade gifts, including local, independent products and ones from Germany, including hand-blown glass. Lock 3, 200 S. Main St., Akron, 330-374-7676, downtownakron.com
Through March 8
Chalet Toboggan Chutes. Take advantage of extended hours during the holidays, December 21 through January 4, which give families and friends more time down the chutes. And, new for this year, riders will be able to track their speed as they plunge down the chutes. Look for the digital time display at the bottom of the hill showing your speed. For more information, hours and admission, visit clevelandmetroparks.com for more details
December 25
Annual Chinese Food & A Movie Day, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Movie-goers will help the museum choose two films that celebrate diversity, identity and the beauty of the human spirit. They will be screened as part of a day of film, family fun and Chinese food. $25 general (ages 12 and up); $12 youth (ages 5-11); and children under 5, free. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, 2929 Richmond Road, Beachwood, 216-593-0575, maltzmuseum.org December 26
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The album’s (and stage production’s) narrative begins on Christmas Eve, when a young girl’s curiosity leads her to a night of mischief and magic. Tickets start at $32.50. Quicken Loans Arena, 1 Center Court Cleveland, theqarena.com
December 26-30
December Days at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Whether you prefer the warmth of the tropics or an invigorating chill, you’re sure to enjoy Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s December Days. Enjoy special seasonal activities including holiday crafts, live music, cookie decorating and more. Free with zoo admission. 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, 216-661-6500, clevelandmetroparks.com
December 26, 27, 28, 30, 31
Santa’s Toy Workshop at Farmpark Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. *Open December 31 until 2:30 pm Children (ages 2 through 11) build a wooden toy with one of Santa’s elves. The workshop is complete with drills, power screwdrivers hammers and nails and dancing elves. The children then move from station to station to the paint and glitter their new toy. 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd Kirtland, OH 44094 440-256-2122 • 800-366-3276, lakemetroparks.com
December 26 through January 1
36th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration, 7-8 p.m. It is a tradition of the nonprofit organization FCII of Ohio to invite people to learn and to celebrate Kwanzaa. A major element of the ceremonies includes upholding the seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Kanisa House, 142 Cleveland St., Elyria, 440-366-3244, fciiohio.org
