Find the best holiday events, including: 

Christmas Events this Weekend – Including Christmas festivals, holiday markets, sleigh rides, and Christmas crafts!

Nutcracker Ballet Performances – Three remaining locations to see this iconic performance including: Medina, Rocky River and Cleveland.

Christmas Trains – Details on all the places you can go to ride trains and see model train displays!

Last Chance to See Santa

Breakfast with Santa – Three locations this week including: Cleveland Metroparks, Lock 3 in Akron, and Quaker Steak in Cortland

Pictures with Santa – Get those photos while you can!

FREE Live Nativity at Christ United Church

Members of the church and local community share their version of the birth of Christ. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served inside the church. {Find Out More}
When: December 21-22, 2018; 6pm-8pm
Where: 23114 West Rd., Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
Cost: FREE

FREE Tuba Christmas in Ashtabula

Enjoy Christmas Music performed by a large number of tubas with holiday decorations. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 22, 2018; 1pm
Where: Austinburg First United Church of Christ, Routes 2870 Route 307, Austinburg
Cost: FREE

Must-See Christmas Light Displays – Now with Map

The list of Amazing Christmas Light Displays is growing more and more each day. Many thanks to those who have emailed to let us know about new displays to add. We've added a map to make it even easier for you to plan your driving routes!

FREE Wild Days of Winter at Lake Metroparks

Candy Land comes to life as a giant game board that takes you on a journey highlighting nature’s gifts through all four seasons. A special exhibit features Mr. Jingeling and The Halle Bros. Co. connection to Penitentiary Glen. The “s’more-nament” craft has returned and is wilder than ever! In addition, new outdoor and indoor scavenger hunts and activity pages are fun for the whole family. Snowshoe rentals, weather permitting. {Find Out More}
When: November 17, 2018-January 1, 2019; 12pm-5pm, Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, & New Year's Eve
• Each Saturday, enjoy an outdoor campfire with s’mores from 1pm-3pm.
• Each Sunday, meet live animals from the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center up-close and personal.
Where: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: FREE

See Pictures and Read a Review of Our Trip to Wild Days of Winter Game

FREE Historic Kirtland Nativity Exhibit

This Christmas season, enjoy this annual nativity exhibit. With nearly 1,000 nativities from all over the world on display, you won’t want to miss it! {Find Out More}
When: November 25-December 31, 2018; Monday-Saturday: 9am-8pm & Sunday: 1pm-8pm (Closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day)
Where: Historic Kirtland Visitors' Center, 7800 Kirtland-Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094
Cost: FREE

FREE Hunt of the Month: Snowflakes at Cleveland Metroparks

Winter is here so stop by the CanalWay Center to search for 20 hidden snowflakes. Find the paper snowflakes inside and then go outside to enjoy the real thing. {Find Out More}
When: Daily through December 31, 2018; various
Where: CanalWay Center, 4524 E. 49th St., Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125
Cost: FREE

FREE Let it Snow! at Cleveland Metroparks

Where does snow come from? How does this form of precipitation affect the animals and plants in our backyards? Come learn about how nature creates this cold, white stuff in the sky. Make snowmen afterward, weather permitting, or take a nature walk. {Find Out More}
When: Friday, December 21, 2018; 10:30am-11:30am
Where: West Creek Reservation, Watershed Stewardship Center, 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma, OH 44134
Cost: FREE

FREE Winter Solstice Celebration at Geauga Park District

Celebrate the longest night of the year! Explore the roots of our modern holiday celebrations indoors and out. Enjoy treats, hot beverages, music by the Pilgrim Brass Choir, and make a solstice-themed craft. Then, outdoors, stroll the self-guided Solstice Traditions Trail, a magical, candlelit route through the forest, stop by a bonfire, and enjoy interactive skits highlighting solstice traditions of various civilizations with costumed interpreters. {Find Out More}
When: Friday, December 21, 2018; 7:30pm-9:30pm
Where: The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Rd. (Route 87), Russell, OH 44072
Cost: FREE

Outdoor Movie – Nightmare Before Christmas at Lock 3

Enjoy an outdoor movie, drink specials, pumpkins, and Christmas lights! {Find Out More}
When: Friday, December 21, 2018; 6pm
Where: 200 S. Main St., Akron, OH 44308
Cost: FREE

FREE Hand Feed a Chickadee at Brecksville Reservation

Looking for something to do with your family and friends over the holidays? Stop by to hand feed the chickadees. Black oil sunflower seeds and instructions will be provided to help make this experience one to remember. {Find Out More}
When: December 22-31, 2018; 10am-12pm
Where: Brecksville Reservation, Brecksville Nature Center, 9000 Chippewa Creek Drive Brecksville, OH 44141
Cost: FREE

FREE Nature's (Ugly) Sweater Fireside Drop-By at Cleveland Metroparks

Learn about how nature's critters stay warm through the winter by examining their “sweaters”, or what we more correctly call their fur. Stay warm by the fire while learning about mammals native to Northeast Ohio and enjoy complimentary s'mores and hot chocolate. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 22, 2018; 2pm-4pm
Where: West Creek Reservation, Watershed Stewardship Center, 2277 W. Ridgewood Dr., Parma, OH 44134
Cost: FREE

FREE Board Game Day Fun at Cuyahoga County Public Library

Play fun board games, enjoy refreshments and meet new people. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 22, 2018; 3pm-4pm
Where: Parma-Snow Branch Library, 2121 Snow Rd., Parma, OH, 44134
Cost: FREE

Outdoor Ice Skating

Lot of great places to go ice skating, including the festive outdoor rinks as well as the indoor ice arenas.

FREE Ice Skating Lessons at Public Square

Bring the whole family to the Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink in Public Square and enjoy free ice skating lessons every Saturday. No matter what age or skill level, free lessons will be provided for all paid skaters who are on the ice between 2-3pm. {Find Out More}
When: Saturday, December 22, 2018; 2pm-3pm
Where: Cleveland Foundation Skating Rink, 50 Public Sq., Ste. 1700, Cleveland, OH 44113
Cost: FREE

Tobogganing

Toboggan Chutes in Cleveland
When: The day after Thanksgiving through early March
Where: 16200 Valley Pkwy. in Mill Stream Run Reservation
Cost: Admission Rates Apply, Season Passes also available
Website | Our Review

Wondering what to expect? See Pictures and read about our trip Tobogganing

Christmas Tree Farms

Take the family out to one of these local Christmas Tree farms for a day of fun to choose and cut your own Christmas tree.  Many of the farms offer special services (Wagon Rides, Hot Chocolate, Shaking, Baling Trees, etc).  View our list of Northeast Ohio Christmas Tree Farms to find out more.

Plan Ahead

30+ FREE Things to do during Winter Break ….this will help you save money and keep from hearing the kids say “I'm board”

FREE Santa Little Helper Apron at Pat Catan's

Santa is on his way and Pat Catan's is helping you get ready for his arrival! Join your local Pat Catan's on Christmas Eve and receive a free Santa's Little Helper Apron! Kids can wear the apron as they help bake cookies and prepare for the big day. Available while supplies last. {Find Out More}
When: Monday, December 24, 2018; 9am-5pm
Where: Pat Catan's stores across Northeast Ohio
Cost: FREE

Things to do on New Years Eve – We've got some tips on ways to celebrate New Year's Eve with your kids! Including:

• Ideas on places to go to celebrate (including “Noon” Years Eve parties)
• Suggestions on things to do at home
• Ways to celebrate early and keep the normal bedtime routine
• and fun things to do if you are planning on keeping your kids up until midnight

Have a great weekend!