Cleveland Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” A beloved Northeast Ohio holiday tradition returns to the Connor Palace in Playhouse Square as the Cleveland Ballet presents E.T.A. Hoffmann and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece starring dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers and battling toy soldiers. Tickets $30-$131. 1615 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Through Dec. 22. DETAILS Related: Cleveland Ballet brings back traditional ‘Nutcracker’ story, adds new choreography, costumes and setsCleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a busy pre-holiday week at RocketMortgage Fieldhouse. They have three games this week against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Utah Jazz. Tickets are $59 and up.
RocketMortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Court Cleveland. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20, Milwaukee Bucks; 8 p.m., Dec. 21, Philadelphia 76ers; 7 p.m., Dec. 23, Utah Jazz. DETAILS 78th Street Studios Third Friday
On the Third Friday of each month, 60 venues inside 78th Street Studios open to the public. Visitors find everything from visual exhibits and ambient music to concessions and pop-up vendors. Free. 1300 West 78th Street, Cleveland. 5 to 9 p.m., Dec. 20. DETAILS Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts The world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra gets into the holiday spirit, putting a classical spin on your favorite Christmas carols and filling Severance Music Center with the sounds and colors of the season. Tickets $49-$140. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Now through Dec. 22. DETAILS Review: Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday concerts return with plenty of festive cheer Great Lakes Theater’s “A Christmas Carol” Ebenezer Scrooge learns the true meaning of Christmas after being visited by a series of ghosts in this Cleveland holiday tradition entering its 36th year at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre. Tickets $40-$89. 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Now through Dec. 22. DETAILS Cleveland Play House presents “A Christmas Story” Returning to the CPH stage at the Allen Theatre in Playhouse Square for the first time in five years, this play is a nostalgia-filled adaptation of the 1983 classic movie. Tickets $37.50-$85. 1407 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Through Dec. 22. DETAILS “Christmas with C.S. Lewis”
This play at the Hanna Theatre brings to life the story of an inspiring encounter between “The Chronicles of Narnia” author C.S. Lewis and “The Lord of the Rings” writer J.R.R. Tolkien. Tickets $70-$85. 2067 E. 14th St., Cleveland. Dec. 19-20. DETAILS “Peter/Wendy” Dobama Theatre’s family-friendly holiday production is a fantastical interpretation of J.M. Barrie’s classic story, following Peter Pan and Wendy on an exciting adventure to Neverland. Tickets $15-$45. 340 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. Now through Dec. 29. DETAILS Nela Park 100th Holiday Light Display GE Lighting celebrates the 100th year of its annual holiday display at its Nela Park headquarters. Over one million LED lights illuminate 12 holiday-themed vignettes spread across several city blocks. Don’t miss the replica of the National Christmas Tree or the selfie station. Enjoy the lights around the clock through Jan. 6, 2025. Free. 1975 Noble Rd., East Cleveland. Through Jan. 6, 2025. DETAILS Related: Nela Park celebrates 100 years of holiday lighting (photos) Illuminate the Circle Wade Oval in University Circle turns into a festive frostscape with dazzling holiday displays and immersive light shows every night. Free. Wade Oval, Cleveland. Through Jan. 26. DETAILS The Light of Kinara Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, a local performing arts company, is celebrating Kwanzaa with “The Light of Kinara.” The production celebrates African heritage through spoken word, music and dance. Tickets are $50 with a choose-what-you-pay option. Cleveland Public Theatre, 6416 Detroit Ave., Cleveland. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19-21 and 3 p.m., Dec. 22. DETAILS Cleveland Chamber Choir
The Cleveland Chamber Choir is presenting “The Little Match Girl Passion,” in partnership with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. Created by David Lang, this Pulitzer-Prize winning retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson story has been influenced by Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. It includes a visual arts collaboration with the students of the Cleveland School of the Arts. Charles Edward McGuire, PhD, from Oberlin College & Conservatory, will present a pre-concert talk, 45 minutes prior to performance. Tickets are $20 with a pay-what-you-wish option. Cleveland School of the Arts, 2064 Stearns Rd., Cleveland. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 20-21. DETAILS “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
Back for the second straight holiday season at Beck Center for the Arts, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical tells the inspiring biblical tale of Joseph and his coat of many colors. Tickets $18-$44. 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. Through Jan. 5, 2025. DETAILS Candy Land: It’s Wild in Ohio Experience the magic and whimsy of a life-sized gameboard and discover colorful habitats - forests, fields and wetlands - as well as animal displays. Hot chocolate will be available in Snowshoe Lodge, and you can shop for nature-themed gifts in The Nature Store. Plus there will be crafts, scavenger hunts and other interactive exhibits. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Through Jan. 1. (Nature Center is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Road, Kirtland. DETAILS Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo The zoo is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland as 1.5 million lights illuminate five holiday-themed areas: Enchanted Forest, Swan Lake, Candy Lane, Polar Pathway and Santa’s North Pole Lodge. The experience includes a musical light show, train rides and photo ops with Santa. Drive-thru option available on select nights. Tickets start at $24 per person or $55 per vehicle. 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. Now through Dec. 30. DETAILS North Pole Adventure Embark on a magical journey to the North Pole on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, where you’ll pass through the Christmas Tree Forest, see a Candy Cane Farm and maybe, just maybe, meet Santa. Tickets start at $50. CVSR Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Rd., Independence. Through Dec. 21. DETAILS Cleveland Monsters vs. Rochester Americans
The Cleveland Monsters hockey team faces off with the Rochester Americans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Sunday. Tickets $12 and up.
3 p.m., Dec. 22. RocketMortgage FieldHouse, 1 Center Court Cleveland. DETAILS |
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Picasso and Paper at Cleveland Museum of Art This highly anticipated exhibition takes an unprecedented look into Pablo Picasso’s creative process, featuring nearly 300 works that explore the artist’s use of paper as a medium. Advance tickets required $11-$22. 11150 East Blvd., Cleveland. Now through March 23, 2025. DETAILS Related: Long-awaited ‘Picasso and Paper’ immersion at Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates a creative iconoclast Deck the Hall at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens The holidays are the best time to visit this historic estate in Akron as 1.4 million twinkling lights illuminate the scenic gardens while the manor house is decorated in stunning holiday fashion. Don’t forget the hot cocoa and gingerbread cookies, too. Tickets $9-$24. 714 N. Portage Path, Akron. Through Dec. 30. DETAILS Related: 1.4 million lights? Deck the Hall lights the way for the holidays (photos) Frost at Cleveland Botanical Garden Cleveland Botanical Garden is transformed into a captivating frosty haven with sparkling light installations and beautiful botanical displays across a dozen indoor and outdoor rooms. Tickets $14-$26. 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through Jan. 5, 2025. DETAILS Related: Frost exhibit transforms Cleveland Botanical Garden for 2024 holiday season (photos) Magic of Lights Enjoy this drive-through lights experience from the comfort of your vehicle as the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds is turned into a holiday wonderland. Disembark at the Jolly Holiday Village for a photo with Santa, ice skating, bounce house and more fun. Admission $23-$50 per vehicle. 19201 Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights. Through Jan. 4, 2025. DETAILS House from A Christmas Story One of Cleveland’s most popular tourist attractions, the Tremont house used in the movie has been meticulously restored to its on-screen glory. Across the street, a museum showcases original props, costumes and memorabilia, while the gift shop sells leg lamps of all shapes and sizes. Admission $20. 3159 W. 11th St, Cleveland. Tours daily except on Christmas and New Year’s Day. DETAILS Wild Lights at Akron Zoo This annual event features a new look with over one million shimmering lights, plus warm beverages and appearances by Santa Claus and the Grinch. For an added fee, Wild Lights Safari Tours include a 45-minute staff-led tour on a golf cart, light-up necklace and s’mores kit. Admission $8-$24. 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron. Through Dec. 30. DETAILS Winter Toyland at Cleveland History Center The centerpiece of the Cleveland History Center’s holiday experience is “HollyDays,” a winter village created by Dennis Hoert that features over 350 miniature buildings, nine trains and scenes depicting Macy’s Parade, Lake Erie and more. Admission $8-$15. 10825 East Blvd., Cleveland. Through Jan. 12, 2025. DETAILS Breakfast with Santa at Lake Metroparks Farmpark Enjoy a classic breakfast as Santa and Mrs. Claus visit your table. Then head to Santa’s sleigh to pick up a wooden toy kit or explore Farmpark attractions such as wagon rides, encounters with farm animals and more. Tickets $5-$25. 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland. Weekends through Dec. 22. DETAILS Kringle’s Inventionasium Experience This immersive experience at Tower City Center lets kids tour Mr. Kringle’s top-secret inventing laboratory and help create toys. Each visit concludes with a private audience with Santa himself. Tickets start at $35. 230 W. Huron Rd., Cleveland. Through Dec. 24. DETAILS Christmas Around the World at Crushers Stadium Celebrate global holiday traditions at Lake Erie Crushers Stadium in Avon. Highlights include international foods, live music, character appearances, vendor booths, a 150-foot snow tube hill, a mini-golf course, fireworks and more. Tickets start at $16. 2009 Baseball Blvd., Avon. Through Jan. 4. DETAILS Tobogganing at the Chalet Feel the thrill of winter at Cleveland Metroparks’ Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, whooshing down a 700-foot refrigerated ice chute on a classic toboggan. Tickets $13-$15. Reservations required. 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville. Through Feb. 23 (weather permitting). DETAILS Christkindlmarkt at Sanctuary on Green Experience the ambiance of European Christmas markets at Koehn Sculptors’ Sanctuary on Green. This unique shopping village specializes in unique gifts like nutcrackers, ornaments, handmade jewelry, linens and leather goods. Free. 1936 S. Green Rd., South Euclid. Through Dec. 27. DETAILS Country Lights Drive-Thru Drive through Lake Metroparks Farmpark’s winding roadways and immerse yourself in a yuletide landscape illuminated by over 300,000 twinkling lights. Admission $27.50 per car. 8800 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland. Through Dec. 29. DETAILS “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” Boom! Theater presents the Broadway adaptation of this Dickens’ classic. Tickets $25. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., Akron. 7 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays & 2 p.m., Sundays through Dec. 22. DETAILS “Annie” Broadway classic returns to Northeast Ohio. Tickets $22 for adults, $17 for students and seniors. Cassidy Theatre, 6200 Pearl Rd., Parma Heights. Now through Dec. 22. DETAILS “Matilda: The Musical” The Fine Arts Association presents this musical based on the book by Roald Dahl. December 15 show is a sensory-friendly performance. Tickets $29 adults, $27 for students and seniors and $19 for children 10 & under. Corning Auditorium, 38660 Mentor Ave., Willoughby. Now through Dec. 22. DETAILS Castle Noel America’s largest year-round indoor Christmas attraction decks the halls everyday with enchanting displays, including props and costumes from beloved holiday movies, animated window scenes from iconic New York City department stores and the slide from “A Christmas Story.” It even snows inside! Admission $23.95-$29.95. Reservations required. 260 S. Court St., Medina. Open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. through holidays except closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day. DETAILS 'Wild Horses: 60 Years of Ford’s Mustang' The Crawford-Auto Aviation Museum is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic Mustang automobile with a new exhibit. Titled “Wild Horses: 60 Years of Ford’s Mustang,” it features 20 examples of the Mustang, from the little coupe launched by Lee Iacocca to the 2024 Dark Horse and it’s 500-horsepower Coyote V-8 engine. Tickets $10 to $15. Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland. Through May 2025. DETAILS Western Reserve Historical Society Doll show Cleveland History Center's new exhibit, “All Dolled Up: 200 Years of Dolls and Miniatures,” presents the museum’s collection of dolls, doll houses, miniatures, and toys. WRHS members are free. All others included with general admission. Through August 2025. 10825 East Blvd, Cleveland. DETAILS GLOW: Neon and Light GLOW: Neon & Light premiered at the end of September at Akron Art Museum’s Arnstein Galleries and runs through early February. The sculptural exhibit uses glass, neon tubes, light bulbs and more for an immersive experience. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., Akron. Through February 9. DETAILS |
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FOOD & DRINK Holiday pop-up bars are the hot thing: Here are 33 of the best in Greater Cleveland and beyond Christmas pop-up bars are the hot nightlife trend this holiday season having exploded in popularity over the past 10 years. Bars and restaurants across Northeast Ohio -- from Madison to Sandusky to Cuyahoga Falls -- are decking the halls and going all-out on Christmas decor and festive cocktails for this holiday season. Cleveland.com’s Alex Darus has the scoop on the trend, plus a guide to more than 30 holiday pop-ups around Greater Cleveland. DETAILS Hot chocolate trail The inaugural Tour Lake County Hot Chocolate Trail is under way. The digital-passport tour allows participants to explore cafes and businesses across the county, comparing decadent hot chocolates. Participants can download a free passport, and those who check in and try hot chocolates at eight of 11 featured locations will earn a limited-edition #TourLakeCOcoa mug. The trail runs through Tuesday, Dec. 31. READ MORE THIS WEEK'S DINING PICKS Clandestina Bar food is usually satisfying but doesn’t spark cravings. Not so at Clandestina. Known for its serious Mezcal (and tequila) list and creative, smokey cocktails, the little bar in Ohio City makes a Smokey Street Corn Dip that fancies up a corn chip like nothing else. The kitchen also puts out a top-notch, fresh guacamole. If the appetizer dips don’t fill you up, the empanadas, tamales and burritos will. The bar setting and vibe makes this NOT a place for children. Clandestina is at 1865 West 25th Street, Cleveland. – Paris Wolfe -- DETAILS Alexander Pierce Alexander Pierce offers fine dining and friendly service not far from the heart of downtown Akron. The steaks-and-seafood-centric menu is not overwhelming (scallops are especially tasty) and the pasta dishes are great (we enjoyed a Bolognese recently). The wine list also is very manageable with some nice finds – including a Cabernet Franc from California. And the shareable desserts are definitely shareable. Bon appetit! It’s at 797 E. Market St. – Marc Bona READ MORE Poppy The holiday season is all about gathering with loved ones over delicious meals, and Poppy in Cleveland is the ideal spot to take out-of-towners for an elevated experience. Poppy has captured the winter wonderland experience with its pop-up bar, Chill at Etta. Menu items like braised lamb shank, roasted delicata squash and spicy calamari also add to the comforting experience. Poppy is at 12502 Larchmere Blvd. - Alex Darus DETAILS |
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TV & MOVIES 'Mufasa: The Lion King' “Mufasa: The Lion King,” the photorealistic computer-generated animated prequel to Disney’s “The Lion King” improves upon the 2019 “live action” remake, combining a gripping narrative, exciting action and new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The new musical numbers might not be as memorable as anything in the original, but no worries, the corporate suits at Disney managed to slip in a few bars of “Hakuna Matata” for good measure. REVIEW ‘Conclave’ What goes on inside the Vatican before white smoke flows out of the Sistine Chapel? "Conclave" (streaming now on Peacock), about the election of a new pope, is a gripping thriller that imagines how the gathering of cardinals could go. The film, directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris' 2016 novel, stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal tasked with running the conclave. Nominated for six Golden Globes, "Conclave" is a major Oscar contender and one of the rare recent adult-oriented dramas to succeed at the box office. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called it "a deliriously fun watch in the way that tense, smart thrillers with an ensemble of great actors can be." DETAILS ‘The Secret Lives of Animals’ A new docuseries on Apple TV+ reveals the habits and behaviors of animals in the wild. Filmmakers spent three years tracking 77 unique species in 24 countries, and capturing everything from jumping spider courtship dances to a killifish in Trinidad breathing through its tail when out of the water. Hugh Bonneville narrates "The Secret Lives of Animals, " debuting this week. DETAILS ‘Laid’ Stephanie Hsu stars in a new dark comedy for Peacock as Ruby, a woman whose former lovers keep unexpectedly dying in mysterious, outrageous ways. Ruby and her best friend AJ (Zosia Mamet, doing her wry observational bit) dig into the past to make sense of what's happening and save lives. The process prompts Ruby to learn hard truths about herself. "Laid" is based on an Australian series. There are also several fun guest stars including Finneas O'Connell, Chloe Fineman and Josh Segarra. "Laid" premieres Thursday on Peacock. DETAILS ‘Beast Games’ Internet star MrBeast, (real name: Jimmy Donaldson) whose YouTube channel has more subscribers than any other — is now the host of his own reality competition show on Prime Video called "Beast Games." Contestants wear tracksuits and compete in wild games for a $5 million prize. It's like "Squid Game," without the dying. "Beast Games" premieres Thursday on Prime Video. DETAILS ‘Juror No. 2’ It was easy to miss Clint Eastwood's "Juror No. 2" in cinemas, but the 94-year-old's latest arrives Friday, Dec. 20 on Max. And "Juror No. 2," despite its small theatrical footprint, has been much praised by critics. In it, Nicholas Hoult plays a juror in a murder trial who's struggling with a moral dilemma. DETAILS ‘Red One’ A sled-full of new Christmas movies arrive every year, with hopes of establishing themselves as a new holiday classic. Of them, "Red One" (now streaming on Prime Video) is distinguished by being the biggest, most garishly wrapped one yet. In the $250 million movie, Dwayne Johnson stars as the bodyguard for a more militaristic Kris Kringle (J.K. Simmons), who teams up with a deadbeat hacker (Chris Evans) to rescue Santa after he's kidnapped. DETAILS ‘Dahomey’ Mati Diop's "Dahomey," one of the year's nonfiction highlights, is not to be missed. Diop, the French Senegalese director of "Atlantics," documents the return of 26 art works seized by French troops during the 1890s from the African kingdom (now southern Benin). In the film, currently streaming on Mubi, Diop casts a wide and fantastic net in chronicling their voyage home, with a wide array of voices debating the ethics and meaning of reparations — including even those of the Dahomey treasures, themselves. DETAILS |
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Straight No Chaser
This nine-person a cappella group brings its “Top Shelf” tour to Northeast Ohio with holiday-themed concerts at Playhouse Square and the Akron Civic Theatre. Tickets start at $69.50. Dec. 21, KeyBank State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. DETAILS Related: Veteran a cappella group Straight No Chaser sings the praises of its college alma mater Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony will be at House of Blues for two nights. Tickets are $55 to $99.50. House of Blues, 308 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland. 7 p.m., Dec. 19 & Dec. 20. DETAILS “A Little More Naughty Than Nice” with Helen Welch
Singer Helen Welch brings her bold, sassy style to the Maltz Performing Arts Center, performing holiday classics with the swingin’ Skatch Anderssen Orchestra in a fun and irreverent show. Tickets $35. 1855 Ansel Rd., Cleveland. 3 p.m., Dec. 22. DETAILS
Canadian Brass
The Kings of Brass bring their “Making Spirits Bright” tour to Severance Music Center, adding their signature sound to holiday favorites like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Silver Bells,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and more. Tickets start at $29. 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 23. DETAILS Holiday shows at Music Box Supper ClubThe premier music venue in the Flats has a plethora of holiday-themed shows on the calendar including A Neil Diamond Christmas Tribute Brunch, the Ohio City Singers, Blue Christmas Elvis Brunch, A Charlie Brown Holiday Tribute, Christmas in the Heartland, Polka Brunch with Santa & Krampus, Rachel Brown’s Holiday Brunch, Polka Night Before Christmas, Eric Roberson Holiday Show, Peter Mayer’s Christmas Tour, Irish Christmas in America, Frank Amato’s Christmas Jam and Carlos Jones’ Holiday Revival. Tickets start at $15. 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland. Now through Dec. 26. DETAILS Candlelight Christmas Concerts
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit as a string quartet performs beloved Christmas classics under the warm and enchanting glow of candlelight at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. Tickets start at $18. 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland. Dec. 18 and Dec. 20. DETAILS Fab Four MGM Northfield Park
Take a break from the Christmas hype and see The Fab Four: USA Meets The Beatles tribute band is at the Center State at MGM Northfield Park. Tickets are $34.50 and up. 10777 Northfield Road, Northfield. 8 p.m., Dec. 20. DETAILS |
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