While Black Friday deals have become available earlier than ever, Friday marks the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season.
Here is a list of holiday shopping events going on at major Northeast Ohio retail centers and parks this weekend, so you can map out your plan.
Friday November, 29
Lock 3 Park, Akron. Kick off the evening with an Illuminated Holiday Parade at 6 p.m., then continue the festivities in the newly reopened Lock 3 for a ribbon cutting with music, ice sculpting, ice skating, costumed characters and more. And for the first time ever, at 7 p.m. the city will host a drone show! Ice skating opens at 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. www.akronohio.gov/departments/lock_3
SouthPark Mall, Strongsville. Shop Black Friday at SouthPark Mall from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Stop by Cinemark Court from 11 a.m-1 p.m. and visit the Real PopFusion for opportunities to play games and win prizes. Plus, stop by and visit Santa between 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. www.shoppingsouthparkmall.com
Beachwood Place, Beachwood
Santa’s in town to help Beachwood Place kick off Black Friday and the holiday shopping rush. Take your pic with St. Nick starting at 11 a.m. www.beachwoodplace.com
Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted
No holiday season is complete without some shopping on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Score all the deals and support local businesses on November 29 and 30. A complete directory of Great Northern stores and restaurants can be found here.
Saturday, November 30
WinterLand, Tower City Center, Cleveland. Start the holiday season off right during WinterLand with a variety of festive activities! Hang out with holiday characters and submit your Christmas Wish Lists at the Elves’ station or enjoy face painting, balloon twisters, prize wheels, and a craft station. Other fun activities including ginger bread bounce house, DJ, glow party and more! Noon- 7 p.m. Skylight Park at Tower City, Cleveland. www.towercitycenter.com
Van Aken District, Shaker Heights
Van Aken is touting its bevy of small businesses to shop on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30. Shoppers can enjoy a festive day celebrating our incredible local merchants and the spirit of the holiday season! Enjoy live music, photos with Santa, special offers and more! www.thevanakendistrict.com
Friday, November 29 & Saturday November 30
Pinecrest, Orange Village. Pinecrest shoppers can meet Santa from noon-3 p.m. on Friday or 3:30-6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 30. Plus, stop by and make a special wish at the Wishing Tree, the only interactive holiday tree of its kind in the Tri-State area. www.discoverpinecrest.com
Crocker Park, Westlake
Shoppers can enjoy an ice skating rink, holiday express train, nightly light show on the center’s 50-foot tree, visits to Santa’s house – and pictures with Kris Kringle – and much more. www.crockerpark.com/play
Legacy Village, Lyndhurst
Shoppers can use their bodies to create the “Y” in Legacy Village’s life-sized JOY sign; sharing a photo on social media and tagging the shopping center will enter shoppers for a chance to win a gift card. https://legacy-village.com/
