18 WINTER WONDER AROUND

18 Extra holiday cheer is in order this Destination Cleveland encourages residents to explore The Land with their visiting friends and family. year. Luckily, there’s no shortage of festive fun for Clevelanders. With the return WINTER of in-person seasonal celebrations, it’s the perfect opportunity for locals to crack WONDERS open a Christmas Ale, don their pink bunny suits and experience all the excitement that makes holidays in The Land the AROUND merriest of all. HEALTH & SAFETY ALERT: Safety protocols vary by venue and, in some cases, by THE event at venues. Residents are encouraged to review both venue and eventspecific protocols before arriving at an CLE event. SANTA SIGHTINGS Once the Thanksgiving leftovers are packed up, St. Nick will make his first stops of the season. Clevelanders hoping to share their wish list with the big man to kick off their Christmas festivities can catch him at one of several appearances in the CLE.

Wild Winter Lights

Wild Winter Lights returns this holiday season, transforming Cleveland Metroparks Zoo into a winter wonderland. The all-new display features more than one million individual lights and a 50foot-tall tree. Attendees can enjoy carousel rides, ice carvers and live music. Photos with Santa are also available. A drive-through option on certain days allows residents to stay cozy in the car as they take in the light displays. Tuesdays-Sundays, Nov. 16 - Jan. 2 (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas

Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day) Drive-through dates: Nov. 16-17, 23, 30, Dec. 1, 7-8, 13-15, Jan. 2 Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland Advance tickets required (Zoo admission does not include access)

Scuba Claus at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium

Before he hitches up his sleigh, Santa will be zipping up his wetsuit and taking the plunge at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium. The magical man in red will be immersed in 230,000 gallons of saltwater as he chats with residents about their favorite holiday traditions, answers their diving questions and, of course, lets them know who made the nice list this year. (No need to fear for the big guy’s safety – he’s scuba-certified and always dives with an elf buddy.) Dec. 18-19, 8:30 - 10 a.m.; Dec. 20-22, 4:30 - 7 p.m. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland Advance tickets required, available here

Breakfast with Mr. Kringle

Clevelanders can break out the Christmas jammies and head to the Burnham Restaurant at Hilton Downtown Cleveland for breakfast with the big guy. The magical morning includes a breakfast buffet, cookie decorating, hot cocoa by the fire and a meet and greet with Mr. Kringle himself. Festive attire, including holiday pajamas, is encouraged. Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12, 19 at 8:30, 9:00, 10:30 and 11:00 a.m.

The Burnham Restaurant at Hilton Cleveland Downtown, 100 Lakeside Ave. E, Cleveland Tickets available online

Light Up Lakewood

Attendees can keep their eyes peeled for Santa sightings as they stroll Lakewood’s downtown district during the 15th Annual Light Up Lakewood celebration on Dec. 4. The family-friendly event will feature a holiday parade along Detroit Avenue, a vendor village, ice carvings, children’s games and a lighting ceremony. Saturday, Dec. 4, 4 - 8 p.m. Detroit Ave. in Downtown Lakewood

Cleveland Pops Orchestra

The Cleveland Pops Orchestra and Chorus will fill Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace with the sounds of the season during its “Holiday Spectacular” concert. Concertgoers can enjoy festive fun in the lobby before the show and during intermission, including a photo op with Santa and visits with adoptable pets from local animal shelters.

Sunday, Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Connor Palace, 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland

Tickets available online

Eating the right foods is the key to creating a healthier lifestyle.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s North Pole Adventure

Locals looking for a one-day holiday getaway can climb aboard the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a visit to the North Pole. Adventurers can enjoy cookies and cocoa as they write their letters to Santa, which they can then handdeliver to the North Pole postmaster. The festivities continue on the journey home, when a jolly visitor in a red suit makes an appearance. Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Rd., Independence or Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., Akron Details, schedule and tickets available online

HANUKKAH HAPPENINGS

From cars topped with candles to the chance for kids to make their own menorah, the Hanukkah spirit will be burning

bright in Cleveland this year. Menorah Parade

One of the more unique ways to celebrate the holiday, the “Light After Dark” parade will feature cars topped with large, light-up menorahs to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah. The parade kicks off from Legacy Village and will wind through parts of Lyndhurst, Beachwood and University Heights before wrapping up in Cleveland Heights. Paradegoers can enjoy music, traditional Hanukkah treats and special giveaways while watching the procession of candle-topped cars weave through the community. Sunday, Nov. 28 beginning at 3 p.m. Full route map available online Downtown Menorah Lighting The heart of Downtown Cleveland will shine on the fourth night of Hanukkah as the menorah at Public Square is lit on Dec. 1. Clevelanders of all faiths are invited to join the celebration with Downtown Chabad, which will include music, dancing, hot cocoa and snacks. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. Public Square in Downtown Cleveland Chanukah Hoopla The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage will put a new twist on age-old traditions during its virtual “Chanukah Hoopla” event on Dec. 5. Along with the lighting of the menorah, the virtual event will include holiday songs and dance, a letter writing activity and an opportunity for the younger participants to show off their favorite holiday objects and traditions from home.

Sunday, Dec. 5, 1:30 p.m. Online event; more information and registration available online

Hanukkah Woodworking Craft For a hands-on way to celebrate Hanukkah, families can join jHUB for a free woodworking craft at Lakewood’s Cove Park. With their parents’ help, kids will build their own menorah or a candle box holder. Families can enjoy snacks and warm drinks at the park or grab their kit to take home and build.

Saturday, Nov. 20, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Cove Park, 1294 Cove Ave., Lakewood Free event; pre-register online SEASONAL SHOWS

Cleveland’s theaters and performance halls will be decked out and chock full of holiday cheer for audiences this winter.

Great Lakes Theater Company will bring the Charles Dicken classic, “A Christmas Carol,” to life at the Mimi Ohio Theatre from Nov. 26 through Dec. 23.

Cleveland Playhouse will host the world premiere of a family-friendly holiday musical set in Cleveland as “Light It Up!” takes the stage beginning Nov. 27.

The holiday favorite ballet, “The Nutcracker,” returns to Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace with five performances from Dec. 3-5.

Beck Center for the Arts will offer holiday fun for the whole family with “Elf the Musical,” Dec. 3 through Jan. 2. Langston Hughes’ famed retelling of the Nativity story comes back to Cleveland as Karamu House presents “The Black Nativity,” Dec. 2-24. Mandel Concert Hall at Severance will transform into a winter wonderland as The Cleveland Orchestra hosts its holiday concerts, Dec. 9-19. Music Box Supper Club will be in the holiday spirit as it hosts several Christmas-themed brunch events, including a Holiday Edition Beatles Brunch and Polka Brunch with Santa and Krampus. PLEASE NOTE: The Cleveland Visitors

Will Smith is amazing as Richard Williams in the film, King Richard.

Center will operate under special hours the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Week of Thanksgiving: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26, closed; Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Week of Christmas: Tuesday, Dec. 21 - Thursday, Dec. 23, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 24 - Monday, Jan. 3, Cleveland Visitors Center closed; visitor services available virtually via phone, live chat and email. DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact the team via email (cleconcierge@destinationcle.org), live chat at thisiscleveland.com, or stop at the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland) Tues. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. to plan your holiday happenings. Full calendar of winter events & activities available online. ●