1. A Christmas Story House and Museum
If you're looking for a holiday activity in Cleveland, you must stop at this famous yellow house. The set of 1983’s A Christmas Story, a holiday classic set in 1940 that follows the Parker family’s Christmas traditions and Ralphie Parker’s hopes for a special gift under the tree: a Red Ryder carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle. Beyond the house itself, you’ll find more memorabilia in the museum across the street. For more information: achristmasstoryhouse.com
2. Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival’s A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens’ holiday staple takes the Mimi Ohio Theatre stage, running Nov. 25-Dec. 23. The Gerald Freeman adaptation has been a Cleveland holiday hallmark since 1988.
3. Toboggan at the Cleveland Metroparks
Race in one of the 700-foot toboggan chutes at the Chalet in Mill Stream Run Reservation. It's open weather depending, Nov. 25-Feb. 26. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall.
4. Wild Winter Lights at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
At night, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo lights up with more than a million bulbs with music, offering a festive, animal-filled excursion for the holidays. Drive-through experiences allow families to roll past the sights, along with walking nights, on select evenings Nov. 15-Dec. 30. futureforwildlife.org
5. Cleveland Orchestra Holiday Concerts
Nothing beats hearing festive songs performed by the world-class Cleveland Orchestra. The show runs Dec. 8-18 at University Circle's Severance Music Center.
6. Elf the Musical
Buddy the Elf comes to Northeast Ohio to spread holiday cheer at several local playhouses this season, including Lakewood's Beck Center, Akron's Weathervane Playhouse, Chagrin Falls' Chagrin Valley Little Theatre and Parma Heights' Cassidy Theatre.
7. Spend some time with Mr. Jingeling
Mr. Jingeling is the Cleveland Christmastime icon who first appeared in 1956 in Halle’s department store. You’d have to head up to the building’s seventh floor to meet the Keeper of the Keys, stationed in the space from Thanksgiving to Christmas. In the early 1980s, when Halle’s closed its Euclid Avenue store, Mr. Jingeling went away with it, until recent years when he reappeared at festive events once again.
8. Scuba Claus at CLEAquarium
Santa Claus goes under the sea in this annual Greater Cleveland Aquarium tradition. Wave at Scuba Claus himself as he dips into tanks filled with creatures like eels, sharks and angelfish.
9. Deck the Halls at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
From Nov. 25-Dec. 30, Stan Hywet has the annual holiday event. Come see more than 1.2 million lights across the 70-acre grounds. Massive, bright Christmas trees adorn the Carriage House Courtyard and the Corbin Conservatory, a tropical greenhouse comprised of 4,322 panes of laminated glass that features a 20-foot tree during the holidays. The Music Room, decorated in red, green and gold, highlights Gertrude's musical talents and exquisite fashion, by displaying her holiday dresses. Children find photo ops and fun with Santa, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and at Gingerbread Land. Don't miss sweets from the Gingerbread Bakery.
10. Cleveland Foundation Ice Skating Rink at Public Square
Cleveland's take on the The Rink at Rockefeller Center in New York City is right in Public Square. The more than 5,000-square-foot rink is the perfect place to take in Public Square's festive holiday lights. Admission to the ice rink, which is open from Nov. 25 to Feb. 21, is $12 and includes rentals.
